BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The football season is over, but Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo’s work is far from finished.

Niumatalolo, who took over for the Georgia Tech-bound Paul Johnson on Dec. 8, just finalized hiring his coaching staff and is focusing with assistants on recruiting, offseason conditioning and the season opener against Towson on Aug. 30.

“We got a good blend of younger and experienced coaches, said Niumatalolo, who was Navy’s assistant head coach the past six seasons. “But I was looking for some young, energetic coaches that can go out and hit the road in recruiting which is vital for us to be successful,”

In the past week, Navy, which finished 8-5 this fall, hired Joe DuPaix to coach the slot backs, Ashley Ingram to coach the offensive line, Steve Johns to coach inside linebackers and Tony Grantham to coach outside linebackers.

DuPaix comes to Navy from California-Poly, where he was the offensive coordinator, and Ingram was offensive coordinator at Bucknell. Johns coached with Niumatalolo at UNLV, where he was linebackers coach and coordinated recruiting and special teams. Grantham returns to Navy, where he coached for four years, after spending last year at Campbell University.

But all of Niumatalolo’s hires have experience working with option offenses, which is important since Navy runs a triple-option attack, installed by Johnson in 2002.

Niumatalolo said his hires should be a perfect complement to the returning assistants, who include defensive coordinator Buddy Green and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, who was promoted from quarterbacks coach.

“I don’t want to overhaul what Coach Johnson did here, but I will make some tweaks here and there,” Niumatalolo said. “I also know a lot of the moves I made were to fill in the holes we had [with the changes], including someone who can recruit in the south and West Coast and has a background in option football.”

Niumatalolo said he’s stressed to his players to put last season in the past as soon as they stepped off the field the 35-32 loss to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl.

“There are a lot of things as far as mechanics as a staff that we can improve upon which we took from that loss as we get ready for Towson,” Niumatalolo said.

Niumatalolo said he understands the expectations for him at Navy are far different than the ones placed upon Johnson six years ago when Navy was coming off a 0-10 season.

“We’ve got everything here to be successful,” Niumatalolo said. “The only thing I do now is go to work. If we do that and do the best we can to be organized and prepared, the rest will fall into place.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

7:24 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Navy, new coach start spring practices"

Examiner Reader said:
The spring game is actually April 18 @ 7pm.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

6:47 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Navy, new coach start spring practices"

Former Player said:
I will admit that when I heard Coach Johnson left Navy I was disappointed and nervous with what direction Navy football would go. After they promoted Coach Niumatalolo to Head Coach, I can honestly say that I am more excited about Navy football now then I have ever been. I played for coach Niumat for 2 years and he is by far the best coach I have ever been around. His knowledge of the triple option not only rivals the creator's (Coach Johnson), his ability to connect with each player at a much deeper level will allow him to bring out the very best in each player and put together a cohesive group of young men that believe in themselves as well as their coaches! Go Navy, Beat Everyone!

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:50 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 29, 2007 re: "Navy hopes to end 43-game drought to Irish"

Examiner Reader said:
With all due respect to the Adm Fowler, he doesn't even attend his own year group's tailgaters. He's focused on the mission, just not much of a social butterfly. His communication skills aren't lacking, they're non-existent and that's the crux of the problem. He hasn't had a Supe's call for the Brigade since he initiated changes just prior to the academic year starting. He might have a great plan, but, no one knows where he's headed, only he does. Now for football. Navy just needs the defense to make a few stops and the offense can put the points on the board. Fifty two points should be enough to win any game. The Irish offense probably can't wait to get on the field Saturday. Go Navy! Beat the Notre Dame!

129 agree | 113 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:29 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "Mids defense comes through in the clutch"

Examiner Reader said:
Nuc Sumariners are very capable people who are trained to leave nothing to chance in accomplishing their mission. That's why we never hear about submarine related nuclear incidents. Unfortunately, we HAVE heard about submarine collisions, which has prompted the sub community leadership to remind the troops that in their zeal to make sure the plant runs safely, they also need to occasionally get their heads up above the deckplates and watch where they're going ! In like fashion, it sounds like Adm Fowler needs to come up to the bridge and get a sniff of some fresh air. And he should take a look around while he's up there. There's more to making a good officer than attending to academic and military training. How about some balance, Admiral? It's called the Whole Man/Woman Concept, or even the "Big Picture".

104 agree | 101 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:51 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "Mids defense comes through in the clutch"

Examiner Reader said:
This guy is a loose cannon. In an effort to 'make a name for himself,' he places his individual ego and arrogance above the morale and spirit of the Naval Academy and the armed forces in general. As a Naval Academy graduate, I'm embarrassed by his poor example of leadership.

104 agree | 91 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:06 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 19, 2007 re: "Navy gets some good news"

Examiner Reader said:
Annapolis, MD (WTF). VADM Fowler today issued a statement via his command judge advocate general (JAG) that the Academy is seriously considering cancelling this year's Army-Navy football game. VADM Fowler's statement explained that the game's proximity to final exams and the Christmas holiday was causing a lot of angst in the Brigade and might "serve as a distraction". He further explained that although the decision might be unpopular, his job is "not to do the popular thing but rather the right thing." The Superintendent emphasized that this move was not unprecedented. "In 1917 and 1918, the Army-Navy game was not played due to WWI. What better way to reinforce the fact that we're at war than to cancel the Army-Navy game?" The Admiral's statement stressed that the decision was not final, but an Academy spokesman said "I wouldn't be booking any rooms in Baltimore if I were you."

127 agree | 117 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:43 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 27, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm traveling up writing "Free the Brigade" on the back window in protest to Fowler. Dumb Nuke move. Know what I mean, Vern?

179 agree | 110 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:24 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Look at the financial headaches this could cause

156 agree | 103 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:14 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
The Midshipmen are miserable with the changes and the Supe has one of the worst leadership examples set forth in the navy. You would not have wanted to be on his ship. Sad day for Navy.

154 agree | 106 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:12 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
We've been a nation "at war" for almost 6 years now and only the services have been sacrificing, not the country "at large." It sounds like Adm Fowler is going to try to reverse this in his small way. Guess what -- it's DUMB! Making the Brigade of of Midshipmen the "sacrificial lamb" will not compensate for the nation's indifference and their overall lack involvement. He might even be manifesting the Navy's overall lack of involvement, in comparison to the Marines and Army. I wonder how many top notch Midies are now contemplating transfering. If I was a youngster, I probably would -- and I served for 20 years in the Artillery and Military Intel. Dumb Admiral! ...just dumb.

157 agree | 109 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:01 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
To quote President George W. Bush, "Join today's military and you're history."

150 agree | 101 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:14 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

USNA Alum [Ancient Mariner] said:
I have no qualms about and support the return to mandatory study hours ... it is the way I and thousands of others went through 4 years at "the Boat School/Canoe U/Sing Sing on the Severn" and benefited therefrom. I also agree with the Admiral's dedication to USNA's Mission. However, that said, I think he has gone off the deep end and over-reacted. The Team and the Brigade are a powerful recruiting tool and the Team is a necessary morale element for the Brigade, just as the Brigade is for the Team. I believe the Supe should have listened more before he leapt to lead. Hopefully, he will see the errors and correct them which is the sign of a true leader. Meanwhile, all he has accomplished is giving credence to the Brigade's nickname for the Academy's Admin ... the Dark Side !

153 agree | 127 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:32 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Admiral Fowler sent an open letter to Midshipman parents that reads in part: .... Since my change of command I have been using the Chief of Naval Operations� approach for taking on a new position of responsibility: listen, learn, and lead. I have spent the summer listening and learning, and now it is time for me to lead. My Senior Leadership Team and I want to make sure our course is set to prepare your sons and daughters to become the best junior officers in the Fleet; officers with competence, character, and compassion..... ... Every member of our Naval Academy team must be focused on developing midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically for the privilege of serving as leaders of Sailors and Marines who volunteered to serve their country. Develop is an active verb requiring intrusive leadership from staff, faculty, and coaches. We must direct and facilitate the development of our midshipmen to accomplish the mission with a sense of urgency....

130 agree | 126 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:30 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
With the sweeping changes Admiral Fowler proposes, including cancelling movement orders to sports events and cancelling musical groups/concerts, I would think some alumni would start calling their congressmen/senators. I know some parents have begun. Most of us that sent our kids to USNA sent intelligent, emotionally mature over-achievers that have NOT needed babysitting in quite some time.

174 agree | 135 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:04 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Great idea Supe Fowler. We certianly wouldn't want the Midshipman to have any personal enjoyment during the four years they have as young adults waiting to possibly sacrifice their lives for our country. Best to have them locked down and preparing to go to war. If we treated our other military members who were at home waiting for deployment this way there would be public outcry. Let us not forget that these men and women are enlisted and considered active duty military.

169 agree | 123 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:49 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
With 3,000+ Midshipmen back in Annapolis not being distracted by the Navy football game, I wonder how the Superintendent and Commandant can be at the game. Surely they're not distracted by football while their troops are back home as they prepare to serve. I don't think the fleet cares whether or not Midshipment are at a football game on a Friday night supporting their team. Leaving them all at home doesn't show any support for the Navy-Marine Corps team. This shows a lack of vision. If all is well and the Academy is fine as the leadership states, then this direction stems from some sort of ill that the team wants to correct. Granted, the Academy has had some problems with specific Mids. No college/university is without problems. These Mids that were responsible were held accountable. If this is being done to effect change, that's one thing. Leaving the Brigade to attend an evening meal formation and leave no time to support THEIR team doesn't show suppor

187 agree | 142 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate