Comb Citadel
From All-State defensive back to VMI head coach, a career built on discipline and defense.
Cal McCombs (born August 4, 1945) is an American former college football player and coach. He was the 29th head football coach for the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia, serving for seven seasons, from 1999 to 2005, compiling a record of 19–60. He lives in Isle of Palms, South Carolina with his wife Lynne. A native of Belton, South Carolina, McCombs is a 1967 graduate of The Citadel, where he earned five varsity letters in football and track. As a defensive back in football, he was an All-Southern Conference and All-State selection. McCombs was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Type
- College Football Coach & Player
- Primary Inhabitants
- Cal McCombs
- Affiliation
- The Citadel, VMI, Air Force Academy, Denver Broncos
- Status
- Retired from coaching
- Location
- Isle of Palms, South Carolina
- Function
- Football coaching and scouting
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
McCombs' coaching journey began at his alma mater, The Citadel, where he served as secondary coach from 1971 to 1983 under head coaches Red Parker, Bobby Ross, and Art Baker. During that time, he also coached track for two years. He then moved to the United States Air Force Academy, serving as secondary coach and defensive coordinator. In 1998, he was named head football coach at VMI, taking over a program that would go 19–60 over seven seasons. After leaving college coaching, he spent five years as a scout with the Denver Broncos. In 2015, he served as a coach in the Medal of Honor Bowl, played at The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium.
In Their Own Story
McCombs' path from player to coach is rooted in his own success as a defensive back at The Citadel, where he earned All-Southern Conference and All-State honors. That experience shaped his coaching philosophy, first as a secondary coach at The Citadel for 12 years, then as defensive coordinator at the Air Force Academy. When he took the helm at VMI in 1998, he faced the challenge of rebuilding a struggling program. His seven seasons produced a 19–60 record, a tough stretch that ended in 2005. After college coaching, he transitioned to the NFL as a scout for the Denver Broncos for five years. His return to The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium in 2015 as a coach in the Medal of Honor Bowl brought his career full circle.
Reader's Guide
For fans tracking McCombs' career, his time at The Citadel as a player and coach is the central thread. As a player, he earned five varsity letters in football and track, and was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. As a coach, he spent 12 years as secondary coach under three head coaches. His move to the Air Force Academy as defensive coordinator was a key step before becoming VMI's head coach. His post-college work as a scout for the Denver Broncos shows his continued involvement in football. The 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl at Johnson Hagood Stadium is a notable later appearance.
Did You Know?
- Cal McCombs was born on August 4, 1945.
- He earned five varsity letters at The Citadel—in football and track.
- He was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
- He served as head football coach at VMI for seven seasons, from 1999 to 2005, with a record of 19–60.
- In 2015, he coached in the Medal of Honor Bowl at The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Comb Citadel?
This location is canonically known as Rou Hao’s Coop, serving as a humble sanctuary rather than a fortified stronghold. It represents a revolutionary space where chickens and humans cultivate together near Qinghe Village.
Who resides at this location?
The area is inhabited by Rou Hao, his chicken flock, and human allies who support their independent lifestyle. They form a community that rejects the elite hierarchy of standard cultivation sects.
Where can it be found?
It is located near Qinghe Village within the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty. Despite its rural setting, it acts as a major agricultural and spiritual hub.
What is its main function?
The site serves primarily as an agricultural center where farming becomes the ultimate path to cultivation power. It challenges traditional norms by fostering cross-species harmony between people and poultry.
Is it still in use?
Yes, the coop remains active and thriving throughout the story’s timeline. It stands as a testament to the unique bond between Rou Hao and his chickens against the rigid order of the world.
More in World & Setting
Elsewhere in the Beware of Chicken universe
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