Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas.Calhoun talks about the new-look Mountain West, quarterback Liam Szarka’s growth, the biggest changes he has seen in college football, UNLV’s rise, Ken Niumatalolo joining San Jose State, Air Force’s defensive identity, Owen Allen’s role in the offense, the unique demands of playing at the Academy, mental toughness, defensive leaders, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, scheduling with only two open non-conference spots and what it will take for Air Force to bounce back this season.Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days.00:00 - Troy Calhoun Joins Rebel Daily Drive00:26 - Liam Szarka’s Growth at Quarterback01:03 - How College Football Has Changed02:15 - Ken Niumatalolo Joining San Jose State03:11 - Air Force’s Defensive Identity03:57 - Liam Szarka and Owen Allen in the Offense04:43 - Five-for-Five Rule and the Academy Model05:59 - Balancing Football and Academy Training06:41 - Air Force’s Bounce-Back Mindset07:52 - Mental Health and Academy Support09:13 - Defensive Leaders to Watch09:41 - New Mountain West Members10:21 - Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Motivation10:31 - Air Force’s Scheduling Approach11:21 - CFP Scheduling and Non-Conference Games12:20 - Why Air Force Can Be Competitive This Year13:37 - Final ThoughtsFollow The Scarlet Standard:Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPwSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4vApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/#AirForceFootball #TroyCalhoun #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #LiamSzarka #CommanderInChiefsTrophy #UNLVFootball #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard