LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Head Football Coach Ashley Ingram rounded out his staff on Thursday, with the additions of Christopher Culton and Hakeem Yaya.

Christopher Culton – Running Backs
Culton is another coach with experience coaching at a military academy, spending 14 years at the Naval Academy. Culton is also no stranger to the Southern Conference, as he was a 2001 graduate of Georgia Southern, serving as a student-assistant coach after a neck injury ended his playing career in the spring of 1997.

At Georgia Southern, Culton was a part of four Southern Conference titles and two National Championship teams. After GSU, Culton spent a year at the University of Rhode Island with coach Ingram coaching Tackles and Tight Ends, before finding his way to Annapolis, starting out as the fullbacks coach before moving to offensive tackles after five seasons. Culton's impact was felt early, as the 2003 Midshipmen went 8-5, led the nation in rushing, won the Commanders-in-Chief's Trophy and played in a bowl game.

Culton's coaching helped Navy to victories over Notre Dame (three times) for the first time since 1963, 16th-ranked Wake Forest (2008), Missouri (2009), No. 3 ranked Houston, Pittsburgh (2015) and others, helping the program appear in 13 bowl games, win 10 Commander-in-Chief's trophies and compile a 13-1 record against Army. 

Culton and his wife Amanda have five children two daughters (Julie Grace, Ella) and three sons (Reilley, Bain, and Hardy).

Hakeem Yaya – Defensive Line
Yaya comes to Lexington after playing and coaching for Suny Brockport. As a player, Yaya appeared in 28 games totaling 63.0 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. In his senior season (2022), Yaya earned Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team honors after totaling 9.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and nine quarterback hurries. As a coach, Yaya helped the Golden Eagles to three consecutive postseason appearances and two ECAC Bowl wins.

Earning a kinesiology degree with a minor in coaching, Yaya added a master's in athletic administration in 2025. Yaya is a native of Staten Island, New York.

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