The allure of a bigger and more well-funded program was not enough to sway Ken Niumatalolo away from Navy to take the BYU job.
Navy’s athletic director Chet Gladchuk announced on Wednesday that Niumatalolo will remain with the service academy after a week of speculation that the program’s winningest coach could end up leaving.
Niumatalolo, who is a devout member of the Church of Ladder-day Saints, interviewed for the Cougars job after leading the Midshipmen to a win over rival Navy last weekend. He was even offered the BYU job according to ESPN’s Joe Schad, but the 50-year-old decided he wants to stay in Annapolis.
“Nothing against BYU. They have a great program. I just think ultimately this is where I’m supposed to be,” Niumatalolo said via The Washington Post’s Gene Wang.
Football Scoop also had this to add of his decision:
Haven’t spoken w Kenny & have no idea if this was major factor; but understand he’s a few years from full pension / retirement w Navy.
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 17, 2015
Niumatalolo, who played quarterback at Hawaii, has been Navy’s head coach since late 2007. He is 67-37 all time and has a chance to lead the Midshipmen to their 11th win of the season when they take on Pitt in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28. He signed an extension with Navy in 2011, and after turning down BYU, you figure he’ll be staying in Annapolis much longer.
