One of college football's most sacred traditions could be headed for a historic shake-up. The iconic Army-Navy rivalry game, long celebrated as a standalone spectacle in early December, is now facing serious discussions about moving its date on the calendar. This potential shift represents a major departure from decades of tradition and signals how the expanding College Football Playoff is reshaping the entire sport.
A Coach's Call for Change
At the center of this brewing storm is Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken. In a revealing interview with The Athletic, Monken expressed strong support for relocating the historic clash. His preferred destination? Thanksgiving weekend, a time traditionally reserved for other major rivalries. This isn't just a minor scheduling tweak in Monken's view; it's part of a larger vision to streamline the college football season.
"There's not an appetite for the college football season to go all the way to the end of January," Monken stated emphatically. He champions a radical calendar overhaul that would see the entire season conclude around New Year's Day. "There's a real hope that we can get this thing into one semester, and have the championship game around Jan. 1, which I think would be awesome."
Why Move a Classic?
For years, the Army-Navy game has occupied a unique and protected spot on the sports landscape. Played on the second Saturday of December since 2009, it has enjoyed an exclusive national television window on CBS, free from competition. This scheduling has allowed the game's pageantry, patriotism, and unique spirit to shine without distraction. Prior to 2009, the contest was often held the weekend after Thanksgiving.
However, the tectonic plates of college football are shifting. With the College Football Playoff expanding from four teams to twelve, the postseason calendar is becoming increasingly crowded. The current December date for Army-Navy now sits awkwardly close to when the expanded playoff is scheduled to begin. Moving the rivalry earlier could, as Monken suggests, "free up the College Football Playoff to start a week earlier," creating much-needed breathing room in a packed schedule.
The implications are significant. A move to Thanksgiving weekend would place the Army-Navy game directly alongside other storied rivalries like Ohio State-Michigan and Alabama-Auburn. This would change the game's character from a season-capping standalone event to part of the chaotic, glorious rivalry weekend that defines the end of the regular season. It would guarantee massive viewership but potentially dilute its special, isolated status.
Tradition vs. Progress
This discussion forces a classic sports dilemma: the preservation of tradition versus adaptation for modern realities. The Army-Navy game is more than just a football contest; it's a national event that honors service and tradition. Its current date has become part of its identity. Altering it risks upsetting a deeply cherished ritual for fans, alumni, and the armed services communities.
Yet, the logic for change is compelling from a structural standpoint. A condensed season ending near January 1st addresses growing concerns about player workload, academic conflicts, and fan fatigue as the sport stretches deeper into winter. Monken's proposal reflects a growing sentiment among some coaches and administrators that the sport's calendar has become bloated and needs reform.
What's clear is that the conversation has moved from casual speculation to a serious proposal with a powerful advocate. While no decision is imminent, Coach Monken's public endorsement marks a "big first step" toward potentially rewriting a chapter of college football history. The coming months will reveal whether the sport's guardians decide to safeguard this December tradition or decide it's time for a new march onto the field.
