Don?t expect to see Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo driving around practice in a golf cart. Other than that, Navy?s spring practiceswill look much as they have the previous six seasons under former coach Paul Johnson.
With Johnson now at Georgia Tech, the Midshipmen are preparing for a 2008 season they hope includes a sixth straight bowl appearance
Over the next 25 days, Niumatalolo will have his first extended chance to evaluate his returning starters and see which players deserve a closer look in the fall for more playing time. Niumatalolo has spent a total of 10 seasons at Navy, including the last six as its assistant head coach/offensive line coach. Navy, which went 8-5 last season, opens its 12-game season Aug. 30 against fellow state school Towson at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
“It?s an exciting time now,” Niumatalolo said. “We?re excited to get back out on the grass. There are a lot of things you do as a football coach ? but there?s nothing like being on the grass. As coaches, that? why we got into the game so we can work with the young men.”
Niumatalolo takes over a program that has gone 43-20 over the last five years. The Midshipmen have also developed into the nation?s top service academyprogram as they have won 11 straight against rivals Air Force and Army. Navy is just one win away from tying the all-time record for consecutive service academy wins set by Air Force from 1997-2002.
Niumatalolo said he expects the strength of his team to be on defense with eight of 11 starters returning from that unit. His optimism comes following a season when Navy was decimated by injuries on that side of the ball, which led the Midshipmen to allow an average of 36.4 points per game.
“The last three games I thought we played well defensively,” Niumatalolo said. “We?ve got some guys coming back that were injured that we?re excited about. Our young men are very prideful. They are very tough and the guys on defense want to redeem themselves.”
At the same time, Niumatalolo expects another big season from Navy?s offense, which averaged 39.3 points. However, there will be seven new starters – including three along the offensive line – trying to execute the run-oriented triple-option offense. Among those returning are quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (1,786 all-purpose yards, 12 TDs) and fullback Eric Kettani (880 rushing yards, 10 TDs).
Niumatalolo said he will use the spring to help backup quarterback Jarod Bryant get acclimated to playing some at slot back as a way of getting the talented player on the field. Bryant passed for 252 yards and rushed for 464 more while appearing in 10 games last season.
“It?s not ideal because [Bryant is] just one play away from being in at quarterback, but he?s just too good to just be sitting on the bench,” Niumatalolo said.
The spring season concludes April 19 with the annual Blue-Gold intrasquad game.
