Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Experience a plus for VMI’s offense

UTC linebackers Michael Bean, bottom, and Luke Davis tackle VMI wide receiver Mason Dermott during a game at Finley Stadium in October 2016. Dermott is entering his senior season with the Keydets.
UTC linebackers Michael Bean, bottom, and Luke Davis tackle VMI wide receiver Mason Dermott during a game at Finley Stadium in October 2016. Dermott is entering his senior season with the Keydets. UTC linebackers Michael Bean, bottom, and Luke Davis tackle VMI wide receiver Mason Dermott during a game at Finley Stadium in October 2016. Dermott is entering his senior season with the Keydets.

By Gene Henley 3 min read

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

2017 record: 0-11 (0-8 in SoCon)Season opener: Sept. 1 at ToledoDate against UTC: Oct. 27 in Chattanooga, 3Preseason ranking (coaches/media): 9/9COMING TUESDAY: Western Carolina

Scott Wachenheim’s three seasons as football coach at Virginia Military Institute haven’t yielded much on-field success.

The Keydets have five wins during Wachenheim’s tenure, which includes an 0-11 season last year. They have lost 17 games in a row overall, with their last win a 37-7 pounding of East Tennessee State on Oct. 8, 2016. With 52 underclassmen on the roster, it’s likely there are more losses on the horizon, too.

So when asked how he has enjoyed his tenure at VMI to date, Wachenheim took a moment before providing some perspective.

“I have actually enjoyed my beginning at VMI, simply because I’ve enjoyed the players I’ve coached immensely,” he said by phone recently. “It’s been a great privilege and honor to work with young men like (graduated linebackers) Ryan Francis and Allen Cratsenburg, it truly is. You have guys that go out and give their best. In week 11 against Wofford, we had guys go out and do an outstanding job, and they fought like there was no tomorrow to win that game.