With the many changes in the coaching world, San Jose State lost head coach Brent Brennan to Arizona. It appears that they have his replacement in Ken Niumatalolo. Brennan’s hire at Arizona had stemmed from the retirement of Nick Saban.
After a 15-year run as the head coach at Navy, where Ken Niumatalolo compiled a 109-83 record. The winningest coach in Navy history wasn’t retained heading into the 2022 season and was later replaced by Brian Newberry. Niumatalolo later accepted a position on Chip Kelly’s staff at UCLA. His role in 2023 was supposedly a support staff position and he had recently accepted a TE coach position.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, he won’t be using the triple-option offensive scheme that wreaked havoc on many defenses from 2007-22. It appears that he will target an offensive coordinator who will install a wide open offense with an emphasis on the pass.
Niumatalolo struggled to find a winning formula at Navy after the Covid-19 pandemic. Which is what led to the program parting ways after the 2022 season. Heading into San Jose State, Niumatalolo won’t have the challenges that he faced with the Midshipmen due to Covid. Brennan leaves behind a winning formula for the Spartans. A program that has earned three bowl game berths in the last four seasons.
Once San Jose State makes the hiring official, it will put an end to one of the craziest coaching carousels that the College Football landscape has ever seen. Though, a new one could start if Kelly or Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh ends up going to the NFL.
During his time as the head coach of the Midshipmen, Niumatalolo led the team to six bowl game victories as well as a 10-5 record against Navy rival Army.
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