The 2015 VMI Keydets football team represented the Virginia Military Institute in the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was VMI's 125th football season and the Keydets were led by first year head coach Scott Wachenheim. They played their home games at 10,000–seat Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium, as they have since 1962. This was VMI's second season as a member of the Southern Conference, following 11 seasons in the Big South Conference, which followed 78 years in the Southern Conference. They finished the season 2–9, 1–6 in SoCon play to finish in last place.
Schedule VMI released its schedule on February 3, 2015. The schedule features six home games and five road contests. VMI will face Ball State on the road in the season opener on a Thursday night. The home opener will be September 12 against Pioneer League member Morehead State. The Keydets will play one team from the commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, after not playing a team from Virginia in 2014. VMI will host conference rivals Samford, Chattanooga, Wofford, and Western Carolina, and will travel to Furman, Mercer, and The Citadel.
Game summaries Ball State
Morehead State
Richmond
Furman
Bucknell
Samford
Chattanooga
Mercer
Wofford
The Citadel
Western Carolina
Personnel Coaching staff VMI will be led by first-year head coach Scott Wachenheim, a native of California and a 1984 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Wachenheim was previously the offensive line coach at Virginia under head coach Mike London. He replaces Sparky Woods, who compiled a 17–62 record in seven seasons at VMI. Shortly following a home loss to The Citadel, VMI chose not to renew Woods' contract, and several weeks later announced the hire of Wachenheim.
Wachenheim introduced an almost entirely new coaching staff his first year on post. Coordinating the offense is Dustin Ward, while the defensive coordinator is Tom Clark who served two stints at William & Mary as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. There were only two holdovers from Woods' staff: wide receivers and tight ends coach Brad Robbins, and linebackers coach Justin Hamilton, a 2006 graduate of Virginia Tech. Also new to the staff is running backs coach Tim Maypray, who played football at VMI and graduated in 2010 before a brief stint in the Canadian Football League.
Name Position Seasons atVMI Alma materScott WachenheimHead coach 1stAir Force (1984)Dustin WardOffensive coordinator1stIllinois (2003)Tom ClarkDefensive coordinator/Secondary1stMaryland (1986)Tim MayprayRunning Backs1stVMI (2010)Justin WoodInside Linebackers1stChristopher Newport (2006)Justin Hamiltonoutside linebackers2ndVirginia TechBrad RobbinsWide receivers3rdUVA–Wise (2010)Gordon SammisOffensive line1stVirginia (2007)Mike Saint GermainDefensive Line1stLafayette (2007)Josh ZidenbergAsst. Secondary/Special Teams1stVirginia (2008)Jimmy WhittenStrength & Conditioning12thVirginia Tech (1991)Reference:
Roster
Returning starters
Offense Player Class Position Al Cobb R–Sophomore Quarterback Pat Doucette Sophomore Offensive Line Bradley Hann R–Junior Offensive Line Andrew Lewis Junior Offensive Line Nate Murray R–Senior Offensive Line Derrick Ziglar R–Senior Running Back Matthew Nicholson Junior Wide Receiver Sam Patterson Senior Wide Receiver Aaron Sanders Junior Wide ReceiverReference:
Defense Player Class Position Damian Jones R–Junior Cornerback Denton Ensminger Senior Defensive Line Joe Nelson R–Sophomore Defensive Line Ryan Francis R–Sophomore Linebacker Allan Cratsenberg Sophomore Linebacker Alex Keys R–Junior Safety Alijah Robinson Junior SafetyReference:
Special teams Player Class Position Dillon Christopher Junior Placekicker Hayden Alford R–Junior Punter Dane Forlines Junior Punt returner Taylor StoutDane Forlines JuniorJunior Kick returnerReference:
References