Navy didn?t have to look long ? or far- to find a new head football coach. One day after Paul Johnson resigned at Navy to take a similar position at Georgia Tech, the Naval Academy promoted longtime assistant head coach Ken Niumatalolo on Saturday.
Niumatalolo, 42, is a Hawaii native and is the 38th football coach in Navy history. He will coach his first game Dec. 20 when Navy takes on Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl in
San Diego. He is believed to be the first Polynesian head coach in
NCAA history.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be named head football coach at the Naval Academy,” Niumatalolo said. “I am in the process of putting together a coaching staff that will give us a every opportunity to continue the winning tradition at the Naval Academy.”
Gladchuk originally said he would wait a few days before naming an interim coach and searching for a permanent replacement. However, his desire for continuity, including running the triple-option offense, led Gladchuk to offer Niumatalolo the job after speaking with him for five hours Friday.
“I have observed our program over the past six years and I attribute a large part of our success to the invaluable role Ken has played as the assistant
head coach,” Gladchuk said. “A consummate professional and unquestioned role model for our players, he has led on many fronts with impeccable loyalty and character.
“Ken brings us quality continuity with the highest level of expertise in the triple option. Our staff is extremely excited about the promotion and are anxious to support our new head coach in a manner that will continue to reinforce our ?Expect to Win? attitude at Navy.”
Niumatalolo has had two coaching stints at the Naval Academy for a combined 10 seasons, including the last six where he has served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He has been part of a staff that has gone 43-19 over the last five years, which has included winning the Commander-in-Chief?s Trophy ? the annual football; competition between Navy, Army and Air Force ? in each of those seasons.
Niumatalolo has also worked with an offense that has led the nation in rushing four of the last five years, including an NCAA-record three straight (2005-07). Niumatalolo and his wife, Barbara, have three children, Alexcia (17), Va’a (14) and Ali’i (8).
NAVY FOOTBALL COACH
Here is the coaching resume of new Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo.
>>Graduate Assistant: (1990-92 Hawaii)
>>Assistant Coach: (1992-94-Hawaii, 1995-96 Navy)
>>Offensive Coordinator: (1997-98 Navy)
>>Assistant Coach: (1999-01 UNLV)
>>Assistant Head Coach (2002-2007 Navy)
>>Head coach: (2007-present Navy)
