Navy's Coach Gets an Extension

Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo was given a contract extension yesterday, a reward for defeating Army and taking the Midshipmen to a bowl game in his first full season as coach at the academy.

Terms of the contract, or the length of the extension, were not released.

Niumatalolo guided the Midshipmen to an 8-5 record, best for a first-year coach at Navy during the modern era. The Midshipmen closed the season with their sixth straight bowl appearance, a loss to Wake Forest in the EagleBank Bowl.

Niumatalolo replaced Paul Johnson, who went to Georgia Tech, late last season.

"Rare is the case when a major coaching transition at this level of competition results in the extraordinary success we realized this past season under Kenny's leadership," Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said. "His vision for the future of the program and our midshipmen goes well beyond this past season's stellar accomplishments. There is not a better on or off the field leader and role model for our midshipmen than Ken Niumatalolo."

Said Niumatalolo: "The Naval Academy has made a significant commitment to me and my family, for which we are eternally grateful. . . . [This] is a special place and I have no desire to coach anywhere else in the country."

Niumatalolo's eight wins were the most by a first-year Navy coach since 1926, when Bill Ingram led the Midshipmen to a 9-0-1 record. Niumatalolo also became only the second coach in school history to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in his first year.

Navy defeated both Air Force and Army this season.

BC Coach Fired

Boston College fired Jeff Jagodzinski, days after he was warned of dismissal if he interviewed for the coaching job with the New York Jets.

BC Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo told Jagodzinski on Saturday that his job would be in jeopardy if he went through with the Jets interview. Jagodzinski met with the Jets on Tuesday night.

A few hours later, at a meeting yesterday morning, DeFilippo told Jagodzinski he was out.

"We're really good friends and this is a very difficult thing to do," DeFilippo said at a news conference. "We will find somebody who really wants to be at Boston College and will be here for the length of their contract."

DeFilippo said he fired Jagodzinski over a "difference of vision for the future." Jagodzinski had been BC's coach for two years and had three years left on his contract.

"I really don't know" if he preferred the pro game, DeFilippo said. "You would have to ask Jeff that."

Two players praised the coach and agreed with DeFilippo.

"If there were any indications, we didn't see it," said junior Mark Herzlich, one of the nation's top linebackers.

Tight end Ryan Purvis didn't either during Jagodzinski's two seasons at BC.

"I thought it was the opposite," said Purvis, taking a break from his West Coast workouts for the NFL draft combine Feb. 18-24. "I thought he preferred the college game. He really enjoyed the team aspect of it. The next level is more like a business."

Cavs' Ogletree to NFL Draft

Junior wide receiver Kevin Ogletree is leaving Virginia to enter the NFL draft after leading the team with 58 receptions this season.

Ogletree, of Queens, N.Y., finished fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in catches and third in receiving yards with 723. He sat out 2007 with a broken leg.

"Kevin has been a significant part of our team," Coach Al Groh said. "He was a strong performer and an excellent teammate. Kevin . . . feels this is the appropriate time for him to move on; we agree and support him in his decision and wish him much success."

Two Leave Georgia

Junior quarterback Matthew Stafford and third-year sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno are leaving Georgia for the NFL draft.