Head coach Jeff Monken assures everyone that Army will have a starting quarterback when the Black Knights host Charlotte in Saturday’s American Conference contest.
Whom it will be remains a question that seems to carry over from week to week.
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Senior Dewayne Coleman and junior Cale Hellums are essentially quarterbacks 1A and 1B, and one of them is going to have to earn the starting nod each week for the time being.
Sep 25, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Cale Hellums (3) runs with the ball against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
“I think there’s probably a justification for playing both of them and using both of them,’’ Monken said Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t know which one will take the first snap yet, though.’’
Headed into the season, Coleman had one career start and Hellums none. Both quarterbacks have excelled and struggled at times as Army is off to a 2-3 start. Coleman is averaging 3.6 yards per carry, has 274 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 19 of 33 throws (with two interceptions) for 273 yards, or 68.3 per game. Hellums is averaging 3.5 yards per rush, has 307 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 10 of 23 throws (one pick) for 99 yards, or 19.8 per game.
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“Right now, I think both of them have made enough plays that it justifies playing them in the games,’’ Monken said. “I think, really, it comes down to, by the end of the week, who are we most confident in and going out there and taking the first snaps and starting the game for us. And that’s where I think our decision will lie.’’
Coleman started game one against Tarleton, game four against East Carolina and game five against Alabama Birmingham — he did not finish the first two due to injuries suffered in-game, and saw only the first two series and the third-quarter opening set against UAB before getting pulled. Hellums started game two against Kansas State and game three vs. North Texas (got pulled in the first half) but also saw relief duty in the other three games.
Like most coaches, Monken would surely like to have a consistent starter but that hasn’t developed yet, unlike the past two seasons when Bryson Daily firmly established himself as QB1. But Monken has also had seasons where two or three quarterbacks were in the mix.
“I don’t know that it has to establish itself that one of them is going to be the clear starter and the other guy is the backup,’’ Monken said of the current situation. “It creates competition, and it causes those guys to, I think, have to really focus their effort and be on top of their game every day at practice. I think it’s healthy.’’
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“It’s odd at quarterback, maybe … when in most cases you play one guy,’’ said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Cody Worley. “But the way we practice, the way we prepare, the way guys have handled it, they have both handled the situation. They knew they would play in the (UAB) game, and that’ll be the plan going into this week as well. And if that’s what we need to be successful, that’s what we’ll continue to do.’’
Worley likens the situation to other positions, like playing two linebackers, four running backs or two wide receivers.
“That’s the way we practice, the way we prepare,’’ Worley said. “Until one of them just completely overtakes (the other), we’ll continue the co-op way of working.’’
Monken said last week that No. 3 quarterback Zach Mundell is not in the starting equation at this time — he did take two kneel-down snaps at the end of the UAB game.
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As for the rest of the lineup, Kody Harris-Miller remains out on the defensive front but everyone else has maintained their first- or second-team roles. Worley said running back Hayden Reed played as well as he has all season, since his injury at Kansas State, and thought the same of fellow back Jake Rendina. Briggs Bartosh didn’t see as much action at UAB but Worley says “he’s fine.’’
Charlotte lost starting quarterback Conner Harrell to a season-ending ACL injury against Rice on Sept. 18. Duke transfer Grayson Loftis and Southern Miss transfer Zach Wilcke both played in a 54-26 loss at South Florida on Oct. 3.
Army is a 17.5-point favorite against Charlotte (1-4). Game time at Michie Stadium is noon ET, on ESPNU.
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Army offense
QB – No. 10 Dewayne Coleman, Sr. – or – No. 3 Cale Hellums, Jr.; No. 1 Zach Mundell, Jr.
RB – No. 8 Hayden Reed, Sr.; No. 34 Carson Smith, Jr.
RB – No. 27 Samari Howard, Jr.; No. 18 Brady Mott, Jr.
Slot – No. 15 Noah Short, Sr.; No. 26 David Clerk, Jr.
WR – No. 4 Liam Fortner, Jr.; No. 84 Brady Anderson, Soph.
TE – No. 44 Parker Poloskey, Jr.; No 80 Brian Dyer, Jr.
LT – No. 58 Henry Appleton, Jr.; No. 78 Xavier Archawski, Soph.
LG – No. 59 Will Jeffcoat, Sr.; No. 50 Braden Bartosh, Sr.
C – No. 51 Brady Small, Jr.; No. 75 Kyle Kloska, Jr.
RG – No. 71 Paolo Gennarelli, Jr.; No. 72 Lane Parks, Jr.
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RT – No. 74 Teddy Williams, Jr.; No. 56 Tyler Lee, Jr.
Army defense
DL – No. 92 Jack Latore, Sr.; No. 96 Dillon Stowers, Jr.
NT – No. 62 Jacob Tuioti, Sr.; No. 95 Matt Gemma, Soph.
DL – No. 99 Jack Bousum, Soph.; No. 98 Deshontez Gray, Sr.
OLB – No. 40 Eric Ford, Sr.; No. 47 Noah Nixon, Jr.
OLB – No. 14 Gavin Shields, Sr.; No. 10 Cole Searight, Soph.
ILB – No. 51 Andon Thomas, Sr.; No. 21 Baylor Newsom, Jr.
ILB – No. 53 Kalib Fortner, Sr.; No. 48 Bryson Banks, Fr.
CB – No. 7 Jaydan Mayes, Jr.; No. 6 Jabril Williams, Sr.
SS – No. 20 Casey Larkin, Sr.; No. 3 Stephen Nnadozie, Jr.
FS – No. 30 Collin Matteson, Sr.; No. 13 Caleb Williams, Soph.
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CB – No. 5 Justin Weaver, Sr.; No. 17 Jaxon Hammond, Jr.
Army special teams
P – No. 46 James Wagenseller, Jr.
K – No. 95 Dawson Jones, Soph.
Kickoff – No. 1 Anderson Britton, Sr.
Holder – No. 38 Cooper Allan, Sr.
Long snapper – No. 55 Owen Walter, Jr.
Kick return – No. 23 Lloyd Benson III, Jr.; No. 7 Jaydan Mayes, Jr.
Punt return – No. 23 Lloyd Benson III, Jr.; No. 7 Jaydan Mayes, Jr.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army quarterback starting job up for grabs headed into Charlotte game
