Updated

West Point, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Monken has been named Army's new head football coach.

Monken replaces Rich Ellerson, who was fired last week after his fifth straight loss to Navy.

"We were fortunate to have an excellent pool of candidates to consider," Army's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Boo Corrigan said. "We were very impressed with each of the individuals we interviewed. There was tremendous interest in the position nationally and we felt there were several very qualified candidates, but throughout the process Jeff separated himself from the others. His passion, energy and strong experience in turning around a program immediately helped him rise to the top of our list."

Monken spent the last four seasons as head coach at Georgia Southern, where he posted a 38-16 mark and helped guide the program's transition to the elite Football Bowl Subdivision level from the Football Championship Subdivision ranks.

Georgia Southern, which will join the Sun Belt Conference next year, was a member of the FCS and qualified for the NCAA playoffs in all three eligible seasons under Monken, advancing to the national semifinals each year while posting double-digit victory totals.

"I am thrilled to accept the head coaching position at West Point," Monken said. "Not only is the United States Military Academy one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, it boasts one of the nation's richest, most historic traditions in all of college football. I am anxious to get started...meet our players, put our coaching staff in place, and begin preparations for the 2014 football season."

Army went 20-41 with Ellerson at the helm, including a 3-9 record this past season.