VMI Football Coach Scott Wachenheim Receives Contract Extension

LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute athletics director Dr. Dave Diles announced Tuesday the three-year contract extension of head football coach Scott Wachenheim through the 2022 season. Wachenheim, who recently completed his fifth season directing the Keydet program, will have a contract that runs through December 15, 2022.

"We are delighted that Coach Wachenheim will continue to lead our football program," said VMI Superintendent  General Binford Peay III. "He upholds the educational mission of the Institute and conducts the program according to its high standards while adhering to winning the VMI way. He and his family are deeply involved and supportive of the Corps of Cadets. We look forward to his leadership in the coming seasons."

Wachenheim guided the Keydet football team to five wins overall in 2019 – the most since 2003 when VMI posted a 6-6 mark. The Keydets closed out the regular season with a 31-24 win over Chattanooga to finish with a 4-4 mark in SoCon play which marked the first time since 1979 that the VMI had secured four conference wins in a season. The Keydets also reclaimed the Silver Shako trophy for the first time in 13 meetings after an October win over The Citadel in the Military Classic of the South. The 2019 squad established a new VMI school single season mark with for total offense (4,887)  and  passing yards (3,429) and the 370 points scored was the second highest in Institute history.

Wachenheim was voted 2019 Southern Conference Coach of the Year by the league coaches and became the first VMI coach to achieve the honor since Cal McCombs in 2002. He was also named one of 15 finalists to the STATS FCS 33^rd annual Eddie Robinson Award which honors the FCS Coach of the Year.

"We're clearly pleased with the advancement of the football program and look forward to continued progress," said Diles. "Scott and Karla are deeply invested in VMI and that is welcomed, appreciated and certainly helpful as we collectively build toward the future."

During the Wachenheim tenure, 13 first team all-conference honors have been awarded to cadet-athletes and 10 have been earned player of the week distinction. In 2018, VMI football received a Division I FCS award for having the most improved Academic Progress Rate (APR) score in the Southern Conference.

"Karla and I feel extremely blessed to be able to continue as a part of the VMI family," said Wachenheim. "Last season was truly exciting and indicative of what VMI's future holds. The best is yet to come."