Army Football: Former Florida National Champion Joins Coaching Staff

As the Army coaching staff prepares for the Black Knights' first season, an accomplished assistant is joining their ranks. 

Jeff Monken announced this week the hiring of Cheston Blackshear as tight ends coach. Blackshear played offensive line at the University of Florida from 1995 to 1999, winning a national championship with the Gators in 1996. He also briefly spent time playing in the NFL and the XFL.

Blackshear spent the last two seasons with his alma mater as an offensive line quality control coach. He also has assistant experience with Dartmouth, Nevada, New Mexico, Columbia, Georgetown, and Illinois. 

In addition, Blackshear participated in the NFL's Bill Walsh Internship Program and worked with the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins during training camp.

"We are proud to welcome Cheston Blackshear to the Army Football Brotherhood," Monken stated. "Cheston will be a fantastic fit for our culture as he has a wide variety of experience from his playing career at Florida to his coaching tenure there that will add a lot of knowledge, making an immediate impact in the development of our young men."

Army open the 2024 season on Friday, August 30, when they host FCS foe Lehigh.