Following 11 days off for final exams, the Navy football team returns to the practice field today to begin preparation for its Dec. 30 showdown against Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
Returning to on-the-field preparation should provide a greater sense of calm to the Midshipmen, who dealt with constant rumors of coach Paul Johnson being a leading candidate for the N.C. State opening. The service academy finally issued a joint statement from Johnson and athletic director Chet Gladchuck dispelling the rumors and reaffirming Johnson?s desire to remain at Navy.
Coincidentally, Boston College?s coach this season, Tom O?Brien, took the N.C. State job and will not coach the Eagles in the bowl game. That responsibility now falls to interim coach Frank Spaziani, who had served as defensive coordinator.
“That won?t change our preparation one bit,” Johnson said on the Eagles? coaching change. “They still have the same coaching staff in place and will have the same players on the field.”
For Johnson, preparing for a bowl game is nothing new. Navy is competing in a postseason contest for the fourth straight year. Preparation for Boston College is actually a little easier for Johnson this year since Navy has more days off between the Army game and the bowl game than any other year in his coaching tenure.
“We haven?t had the big break between our last game and the bowl game like most teams do,” Johnson said. “Normally, we?ve gone right from Army to preparing for the bowl game. Having a week off this time was nice, but it shouldn?t take us too much time to get back in the groove.”
Having extra time between games is usually a good omen for Johnson?s Navy teams. The Midshipmen are 15-6 in the last five years when they have more than one week to prepare. This year, Navy is 2-1 in such situations, having defeated East Carolina and Army while losing to Notre Dame.
“We?re going to go a little shorter this time of year,” Johnson said on Navy?s upcoming practice schedule. “But we?re still going to start off in full pads before tapering off closer to the game.”
NAVY NOTES
» Navy coach Paul Johnson said the team is relatively healthy except for the season-ending injuries to quarterback Brian Hampton (knee), offensive tackle Josh Meek (knee) and fullback Adam Ballard (knee). Starting safety DuJuan Price is also out with a pulled right quadriceps.
» With Ballard out, Johnson said he is undecided who will start between backup Eric Kettani and former starter Matt Hall. “Both guys will play, but we?ll see who starts,” said Johnson, who expects Ballard to be ready for spring practice.
