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For Navy, a Distinct Heritage And a Familiar Game Plan
Navy's Ken Niumatalolo is the first head coach of Polynesian descent in division I-A football.
(Navy Photo)
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Niumatalolo has said several times that he is trying not to change too much from what Johnson did. In preparation for Thursday, Navy practiced at the same times, at the same facility and for the same amount of time as it did in 2005, when it defeated Colorado State, 51-30, in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Navy's players said Niumatalolo has a sharp eye for detail. Starting center Antron Harper said Niumatalolo can tell during games, not by watching film later, if the linemen have their shoulder pads too high or if they are stepping toward defenders with the wrong foot.
"He's definitely a guy who's big on the little things," starting guard Anthony Gaskins said. "I remember after the Rutgers game my freshman year [a 31-21 loss in 2005] he was pretty mad at one of the linemen in the locker room, he was tipping what play was coming because he was getting out of his stance too quickly."
Friends said Niumatalolo espouses the Hawaiian tradition of "ohana," or an extended family based on love, not necessarily blood.
Baylor defensive coordinator Brian Norwood met Niumatalolo soon after Norwood left Glenarden and transferred to Radford High after his father was stationed in Hawaii. He and Niumatalolo played together in high school and college and coached together at Hawaii and Navy.
"It was such a big difference from Prince George's County," Norwood said. "Maryland was very black and white. Hawaii is truly a melting pot, it's a totally different dynamic. . . .
"Hawaii is such a small place. Everyone knows everyone, and they are all so excited for Ken. And personally, I am so excited for my good friend, my brother from Hawaii who is doing so well. He will take that whole island with him."
