Navy Acts Quickly - Names Johnson's Replacement

MeanGreen61 · December 10, 2007

Navy promotes longtime assistant to head football coach

From HometownAnnapolis OnLine:

Published December 08, 2007

Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has acted swiftly to fill the void left by the departure of head coach Paul Johnson to Georgia Tech.

Gladchuk promoted assistant Ken Niumatalolo to head coach on a permanent basis this morning. Navy will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. Saturday to formally introduce Niumatalolo.

Gladchuk told The Capital this morning his decision was based on maintaining the continuity of a successful program, which includes continuing to run the triple-option offense.

Niumatalolo is a disciple of Johnson's, having played quarterback for him at Hawaii. He served as offensive line coach under Johnson while the latter was offensive coordinator at both Hawaii and Navy. Of course, Niumatalolo has been assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Navy during Johnson's six-year tenure as head coach.

"There was no reason to go through a national coaching search that led to all sorts of speculation and uneasiness among the Navy fan base when the best man for the job was here already," Gladchuk said.

SilverEagle · December 10, 2007

Navy promotes longtime assistant to head football coach
From HometownAnnapolis OnLine:
Published December 08, 2007
Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has acted swiftly to fill the void left by the departure of head coach Paul Johnson to Georgia Tech.
Gladchuk promoted assistant Ken Niumatalolo to head coach on a permanent basis this morning. Navy will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. Saturday to formally introduce Niumatalolo.
Gladchuk told The Capital this morning his decision was based on maintaining the continuity of a successful program, which includes continuing to run the triple-option offense.
Niumatalolo is a disciple of Johnson's, having played quarterback for him at Hawaii. He served as offensive line coach under Johnson while the latter was offensive coordinator at both Hawaii and Navy. Of course, Niumatalolo has been assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Navy during Johnson's six-year tenure as head coach.
"There was no reason to go through a national coaching search that led to all sorts of speculation and uneasiness among the Navy fan base when the best man for the job was here already," Gladchuk said.

If only our dimwitted administrators had done the same thing back in 1978 when Hayden Fry left and recommended that Bill Brashier be promoted to Head Coach. But noooooooooooooo, our dimwitted administrators hated Hayden, and ignored his recommendation. :angry: