Calhoun welcomes role as head cheerleader

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 24, 2007 | by JAKE SCHALLER THE GAZETTE

Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun has issued a challenge to the academy's sports marketing staff: Wear me out.

Many coaches want to be involved only with on-field issues, but Calhoun embraces the political portion of his position. So he's ready to give speeches to boosters, shake the hands of fans, meet the media, kiss babies and do anythinghe can do to drum up support for his program.

"Anything we can do involved with our corporate sponsors, anything we can do with our fans to go out and aggressively and boldly and openly make sure people realize that we've got a phenomenal product," he said. "And I think that's part of the responsibility of what you should do as the head coach."

That is music to the ears of Derm Coll, Air Force's associate athletic director for external relations.

"It's been great," Coll said. "I love (former) coach (Fisher) DeBerry. He's one of my greatest friends. But having a guy that's young and wants to get out in the community and is from the NFL where it's football but also the show around football... it's refreshing that he understands that side of it, and we can go out and be active in the community."

Coll plans to have Calhoun and his staff make several stops throughout the region this summer, starting with Fort Carson and Peterson Air Force Base.

"We want him to get in front of them and re-challenge them that this is their team and we need their support," Coll said.

Calhoun also will do a tour of local radio stations, and Coll is trying to set up an event in conjunction with a Sky Sox game. In addition, Calhoun and staff will pound the phones with Coll and the marketing staff, calling those who have not renewed their season tickets to ask them to give the new era of Falcon football a chance.

As much as he wants to improve relationships with fans and boosters, Calhoun also said he hoped to knock down what he sees as - - at times -- "a barrier" between the academy and Colorado Springs. One of the ways Coll and Calhoun hope to do that is by inviting members of the community to a practice at the start of preseason camp in August. There will be games and activities for kids and chances to meet players and coaches.

"We should embrace Colorado Springs, and in turn Colorado Springs should embrace the academy," Calhoun said.

"I think sometimes the academy's looked upon in such a strong and respectful way that you think it's all right corners and salutes rather than realizing that, no, it's quality, genuine people who are here. We really need to be Colorado Springs' school."

McGettigan starting strong

Matt McGettigan, Air Force football's new strength and conditioning coach, has impressed players since taking over last week. The word several players used when describing their initial thoughts about McGettigan -- "intense."

"The first time I met him, he shook my hand and then handed me my workout," cornerback Carson Bird said.

No cover for Calhoun

Sports information officials wanted to put Calhoun on the cover of the media guide.

Calhoun declined.

According to sports information director Troy Garnhart, Calhoun said he wanted the guide to focus on his players -- specifically his seniors.

So instead of Calhoun, the guide will feature three seniors on the front cover -- fourthyear starting quarterback Shaun Carney, fullback Ryan Williams and inside linebacker Drew Fowler -- and three seniors on the back cover -- running back Chad Hall, outside linebacker John Rabold and safety Bobby Giannini.

Perez, Zanotti, Handley back

Gilberto Perez, Adam Zanotti and Justin Handley, all of whom graduated in May, will be back with the football program this season as "Casual Status 2nd Lieutenants" -- essentially graduate assistant coaches. Handley will be with the prep school's team.