“Our sincerest gratitude to Coach Ken for what has been a distinguished and impactful legacy at the Naval Academy,” Gladchuk mentioned in an announcement. “Navy football flourished for many years under his leadership. He will forever be remembered for the influence he has had on the lives of those who played for him.”
Niumatalolo has probably the most wins of any football coach in class historical past and owns a profession file of 109-83. His 10 victories over Army are probably the most of any coach on both aspect within the 123-game historical past of the collection.
The Midshipmen 3 times reached double-digit wins underneath Niumatalolo, together with setting the college file with 11 in 2015 and matching that complete in 2019. They additionally went 10-4 in his second full season in 2009 after taking up for Paul Johnson, who departed for Georgia Tech.
In Navy’s first two seasons within the AAC, Niumatalolo directed the Midshipmen to a share of the West Division title in 2015 and the outright division championship in 2016. The Midshipmen additionally shared the division title in 2019.
From 2012 by means of 2015 Niumatalolo coached Keenan Reynolds, who turned probably the most prolific quarterback of the triple-option period. Reynolds set the NCAA file for many profession touchdowns with 88.
Over the previous three years, nevertheless, Navy has gone 11-23. The Midshipmen have had one successful season in 5 years and went 4-10 mixed towards Army and Air Force within the final seven seasons. They have misplaced 5 of the final seven conferences with Army and have gained the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy as soon as since 2016.
Navy was hit tougher than most applications by covid restrictions in 2020 and the staff has struggled mightily since.
(*15*) Gladchuk mentioned. “The Naval Academy will now move forward with continued high ambitions and embrace a new era of reaffirmed expectations for Navy football and our midshipmen.”
An indication {that a} change was on the horizon might have come final season when Gladchuk fired offensive coordinator Ivin Japser instantly after a 23-3 loss to Air Force with out discussing the transfer with Niumatalolo. Jasper was back on workers two days later underneath the title of quarterbacks coach after Niumatalolo and Gladchuk had a gathering. Niumatalolo has been the de facto offensive coordinator since and the staff is 106th within the nation this season with 21.9 factors per recreation. The Mids additionally rank 111th in complete offense with 326.8 yards per recreation. The offense, total, has struggled in 4 of the final 5 years, with the 11-2 season in 2019 coming off a record-breaking efficiency by quarterback Malcolm Perry.
The closing recreation of Niumatalolo’s Navy profession ended with Army kicker Quinn Maretzki’s 39-yard area objective in double time beyond regulation after Midshipmen fullback Anton Hall Jr. fumbled on the objective line. The Black Knights recovered and ran 3 times earlier than trying the decisive kick.