Longtime Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo has taken on a new role with UCLA’s football program.
Niumatalolo’s official job title is director of leadership. Not familiar with the role? Don’t worry, neither was Niumatalolo. He says UCLA head coach Chip Kelly created this role with him in mind.
“It’s something that [Kelly has] formulated, so it’s a work in progress,” Niumatalolo said on Glenn Clark Radio April 7. “… We’re taking a look at it, but a big part is whatever fits as far as Coach Kelly’s vision of how he wants this role. I’ll do the best I can to help him that way.”
Niumatalolo was Navy’s head coach from 2008-2022 and spent 25 years overall in Annapolis. He was fired after Navy’s 20-17 double-overtime loss to Army in December. He left the program as its all-time winningest head coach with a record of 109-83.
Niumatalolo has a reputation for being able to guide his players on and off the field. The Navy football program produced 11 Academic All-Americans during Niumatalolo’s head coaching stint. In the 56 years prior to that, the program produced 11 Academic All-Americans.
Niumatalolo is not involved in on-field activities with his new role at UCLA. He believes he’ll be tasked with helping players, as well as other coaches, in a leadership capacity.
After being let go by Navy, Niumatalolo was uncertain about coaching in 2023. This role might be just what he needed.
“I wanted to stay in football,” Niumatalolo said. “It’s been awesome, just to be able to listen and learn from Chip from a football standpoint has kind of rejuvenated me. … It’s kind of nice after 16 years of making all the decisions, just to sit in the background and just watch and not have to make all the decisions. From that standpoint, it’s been good.”
Niumatalolo has a great deal of respect for Kelly’s football mind. He called Kelly a “pioneer” of some of the strategies used in modern-day football.
“He’s a genius. He’s a football savant,” Niumatalolo said. “A lot of the things in college football and football in general, some of the spread concepts, the up-tempo, Chip was a pioneer of that stuff. … I’m just on my iPad, taking a ton of notes learning from I think one of the greatest minds in football.”
Familiarity with the UCLA coaching staff was a significant factor in the decision. Kelly and Niumatalolo became friendly while Kelly was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. UCLA chief of staff Bryce McDonald worked with Niumatalolo for several years at Navy. UCLA passing game coordinator and safeties coach Brian Norwood had two separate stints at Navy and even played football with Niumatalolo at the University of Hawaii.
Family was the other factor. Niumatalolo’s son Ali’i is a graduate assistant for UCLA. His daughter Alexcia lives in Hawaii. The location of the school provides easier travel for Niumatalolo and his wife Barbara to see their loved ones back home in Hawaii.
“This was more than just a football decision. It was a life decision,” Niumatalolo said. “Where me and my wife could see ourselves being, and being able to still be family, it was a perfect fit for us.”
Niumatalolo mentioned that he is open to return to coaching, but he “just needed a break” after being let go by Navy.
Niumatalolo reportedly had one year remaining on his contract with Navy and wanted a chance to coach in 2023, but there are no bitter feelings toward Navy. Niumatalolo added that he “could definitely see” himself returning to Annapolis someday.
Niumatalolo’s son Va’a remains a defensive analyst at Navy.
“I love the brotherhood. I love Navy football. I love Annapolis. That will never change,” Niumatalolo said. “… I got into this profession recognizing what it was about. It’s a business. I recognize that.”
For more from Niumatalolo, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox