BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Navy did not have to look long — or far — in its search for a new head football coach.

With the Midshipmen preparing for a game on Dec. 20 against Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl, they no longer have to worry about the team's coaching future as Navy named longtime assistant coach Ken Niumatalolo as the program's 38th head coach on Saturday.

Niumatalolo’s promotion came one day after Paul Johnson resigned to take the head coaching position at Georgia Tech after going 45-29 during six season in Annapolis.

Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said he always considered Niumatalolo, 42, a likely successor to Johnson, but finalized his decision after meeting with him for five hours Friday. Gladchuk said it was important to provide stability and consistency in the program, which includes continuing to run the triple-option offense.

With the triple-option, Navy has led the nation in rushing offense four of the last five years, including an NCAA-record three straight. Navy (8-4) is averaging a school-record 351.5 yards per game.

“Kenny's track record speaks for itself,” Gladchuk said. “When he's had the opportunity to run this type of offense, he's provided leadership and been a record-breaking coach and he's gotten the most out of his athletes and just recharged the whole system.”

Niumatalolo, a native of Laie’, Hawaii, is the first Polynesian head coach in NCAA football history. He spent a total of 10 seasons at Navy in two stints as an assistant, including the past six when he served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He also was the team's offensive coordinator from 1997-98.

Niumatalolo said his understanding of how to coach and recruit at a service academy will help him make the transition to his first head coaching position. His first focus will be leading the Midshipmen to a victory over the Utes (8-4) on Dec. 20 before looking to retain many of Navy’s assistant coaches who do not follow Johnson to Atlanta.

“I think there is a learning curve here,” Niumatalolo said. “I've seen guys come in here that don't really know the academy and it takes them a while to learn how to recruit here. I'm grateful that I have guys that know how to recruit here and coach here because it is so different.”

Navy’s players reacted positively to the news of Niumatalolo’s promotion, but some were disappointed to hear about Johnson's departure. Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, another Hawaii native, said Niumatalolo is the perfect person to maintain Navy's success, which includes winning five straight Commander-in-Chief's trophies and going to five straight bowl games.

“It's not easy when you find out you've lost your head coach, but we have another great coach stepping in to take his place,” Kaheaku-Enhada said. “The best thing about this situation is even though we lost coach Johnson who we respect and love, we have another coach that can step in and do just as well. He's been under Coach Johnson all this time and has learned everything he needs to keep this going.”

NAVY FOOTBALL COACH

» Who: Ken Niumatalolo, 38th Navy football coach

» Age: 42

» College: Hawaii (lettered three years as backup quarterback)

» Coaching background: 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)

» Family: Married to wife Barbara; three children (Alexcia, 17; Va'a, 14; Ali'i, 8)

rsndyer@baltimoreexaminer.com