One of the nation's triple-option experts, Ellerson is a veteran of nearly 30 years of coaching experience in the collegiate ranks, including the last eight as head coach at Cal Poly.
West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Buster Hagenbeck said Ellerson's proven record of success, strong leadership qualities and thorough knowledge of the triple-option offense played a large role in his selection as West Point's new football field boss.
"Rich has the experience we need," said Hagenbeck, "an award- and title-winning head coach who runs the option. Rich also has extensive ties to West Point and the Army. Not only are his father and two brothers members of the Long Gray Line and career Army officers, but his brother John was the Captain of the 1962 football team."
Lauded for his ability to transform Cal Poly into a consistent winner, Ellerson expects to apply the same approach he used with the Mustang program to getting Army's football fortunes turned in a positive direction.
"I will never receive, nor have I ever received a finer compliment professionally or personally than to be entrusted with the Army football program at this point in its history," Ellerson stated. "I grew up with Army football. I was part of a typical Army family. When I was a kid, I was watching those guys at West Point, my father was a West Point graduate and we were living on Army posts all over the world. I just grew up thinking that West Point was the center of the universe. It's a little bit of a catharsis."
Ellerson will begin his new duties at West Point immediately, assuming full control of one of the nation's most storied gridiron programs. He expects to begin building his initial Black Knight coaching staff in the days ahead.
To read more about new Army football coach Rich Ellerson go to www.goarmysports.com.