LEXINGTON, Va. – In a swift and significant move, VMI Football Head Coach Danny Rocco has received a contract extension just two days after leading the Keydets to a season-ending upset victory over No. 14 Western Carolina. The extension will keep Rocco at the Institute through the 2028 season.
On the same day the extension was announced, Rocco was named a finalist for the 2023 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, presented by Stats Perform. This honor highlights his rapid impact and the respect he commands across the FCS coaching landscape.
The recognition marks the seventh time in Rocco’s career that he has been named a National Coach of the Year finalist. Remarkably, he has now received this distinction while leading four different FCS programs: Liberty, Richmond, Delaware, and now VMI.
Rocco took over a struggling VMI program that had gone just 1-10 overall and 0-8 in Southern Conference play the year before. Expectations were low coming into the 2023 season, with the team picked to finish last in the SoCon.
But in just his first year, Rocco orchestrated a turnaround. The Keydets posted a 5-6 overall record and went 4-4 in the conference, finishing tied for fifth place in the Southern Conference standings.
VMI’s improved performance was not just about the win-loss record. The team showed toughness, resilience, and the ability to compete with some of the top programs in the FCS.
Three of VMI’s conference losses came against playoff-bound programs Mercer, Furman, and Chattanooga. In fact, the Keydets nearly upset Chattanooga, falling just short in a heart-breaking 24-23 loss.
Among the season’s high points was the recapturing of the Silver Shako with a victory at long-time rival The Citadel. That win reignited pride in the storied military rivalry and was a pivotal moment for the team’s confidence.
Capping off the season with a 27-24 win over No. 14 Western Carolina gave VMI a statement victory. It was their first win over a ranked opponent since 2020 and offered a glimpse into what the future could look like under Rocco’s leadership.
The five-win season is a rarity in recent VMI football history. It marks just the fourth time in the last 20 years that the program has recorded five or more victories.
Equally notable is the fact that VMI secured four wins in SoCon play, an achievement that speaks to their competitiveness within the conference. For a program that had struggled for consistency, this was a major step forward.
Rocco’s leadership and experience were evident from day one. Known for his ability to rebuild programs quickly, he brought immediate discipline, focus, and accountability to the team.
When VMI defeated Davidson in the season opener, it marked more than just a win. It put Rocco in elite company, as one of only two active FCS coaches—along with Tom Masella—to have won games at four different FCS programs.
That milestone underscores Rocco’s consistent track record of elevating programs regardless of their prior performance. His approach focuses on culture-building, player development, and strategic game planning.
His impact at VMI has extended beyond wins and losses. The energy around the program has changed, with players buying into a new standard and alumni re-engaging with a renewed sense of optimism.
Rocco’s extension through 2028 signals VMI’s commitment to building a competitive and sustainable football program. It also gives him the time and resources to continue laying a foundation for long-term success.
His finalist status for the Eddie Robinson Award is more than symbolic. It recognizes the real and measurable progress the Keydets have made in a short period of time.
VMI fans have reason to be excited about the future. With Rocco at the helm, the program appears to be on a path of continued growth and respectability within the FCS landscape.
In a conference as competitive as the SoCon, VMI’s 2023 season proved they’re no longer an afterthought. With steady leadership, they’re becoming a team that others have to take seriously.
As the dust settles on an exciting season, Rocco’s extension and national recognition mark the beginning of what many hope is a new era of Keydet football.
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