Army West Point Athletics
Cedrick Cunningham Returns as Assistant Football Coach
June 17, 2026 | Football
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army West Point Football and head coach Jeff Monken have announced the return of former standout defensive back and 2021 team captain Cedrick Cunningham as the program's new assistant running backs coach.
Cunningham returns to the banks of the Hudson after a decorated four-year playing career for the Black Knights, where he established himself as a premier defensive playmaker and an exceptional culture setter within the program.
"We are incredibly excited to bring Cedrick Cunningham back home to West Point," head coach Jeff Monken said. "As a former team captain, Cedrick exemplified the toughness, leadership, and discipline that define Army Football. He knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level here and his passion for our program and our young men will make him a phenomenal mentor. He is a natural leader, and we are thrilled to add him to our offensive staff."
A native of Cassatt, S.C., Cunningham arrived at West Point via the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) and quickly became a staple in the Army secondary. Over his career (2018-21), he saw action in 47 games, logging 188 tackles and recording two interceptions.
As a senior captain in 2021, Cunningham started at free safety and anchored a defense that helped secure a 9-4 record, capped by an emotional 24-22 victory over Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl, a game in which he tallied a team-high 13 tackles. During his standout junior campaign in 2020, he earned national recognition as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a dominant season-opening performance against Middle Tennessee State, where he recorded his first career sack and a forced fumble.
After graduating from USMA, he served in the Air Defense Artillery with the 69th Brigade, 1-44 ADA from 2022 to 2025.
Before his stellar collegiate career, Cunningham was an All-State selection and the Kershaw County Player of the Year at North Central High School, where he also excelled in track and field and graduated on the honor roll.
Cunningham returns to the banks of the Hudson after a decorated four-year playing career for the Black Knights, where he established himself as a premier defensive playmaker and an exceptional culture setter within the program.
"We are incredibly excited to bring Cedrick Cunningham back home to West Point," head coach Jeff Monken said. "As a former team captain, Cedrick exemplified the toughness, leadership, and discipline that define Army Football. He knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level here and his passion for our program and our young men will make him a phenomenal mentor. He is a natural leader, and we are thrilled to add him to our offensive staff."
A native of Cassatt, S.C., Cunningham arrived at West Point via the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) and quickly became a staple in the Army secondary. Over his career (2018-21), he saw action in 47 games, logging 188 tackles and recording two interceptions.
As a senior captain in 2021, Cunningham started at free safety and anchored a defense that helped secure a 9-4 record, capped by an emotional 24-22 victory over Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl, a game in which he tallied a team-high 13 tackles. During his standout junior campaign in 2020, he earned national recognition as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a dominant season-opening performance against Middle Tennessee State, where he recorded his first career sack and a forced fumble.
After graduating from USMA, he served in the Air Defense Artillery with the 69th Brigade, 1-44 ADA from 2022 to 2025.
Before his stellar collegiate career, Cunningham was an All-State selection and the Kershaw County Player of the Year at North Central High School, where he also excelled in track and field and graduated on the honor roll.
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