Ken Niumatalolo received a ringing endorsement from colleague Matt Rhule as he vies for the Arizona Wildcats head coaching job.
A report on Friday said that Niumatalolo had been offered the Arizona job. One potential stumbling block is that emerging quarterback Khalil Tate didn’t seem thrilled about the Niumatalolo news.
Arizona QB Khalil Tate tweeted this moments after Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo emerged as a strong candidate for the UA head coaching position. Niumatalolo runs a triple option offense at Navy. pic.twitter.com/grwgOeVUjp
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) January 12, 2018
Niumatalolo runs the triple option at Navy and has had great success doing so. He coached against Rhule in the AAC when Rhule was at Temple before leaving for Baylor.
Here’s what Rhule had to say about Niumatololo:
If I could have my son play for anyone other than me it would be Ken Niumatalolo. @NAVYCoachKen https://t.co/CndkOt1Avs
— Matt Rhule (@CoachMattRhule) January 13, 2018
Been calling around about the potential of Arizona and Tate if they hire Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo. Matt Rhule: “He’s an adaptive coach. He can make Tate or any QB a force. He has all the same principles of Chip Kelly and the other spread offensive minds. They’ll be prolific.”
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 13, 2018
Niumatololo is 84-48 in 10-plus seasons as Navy’s head coach. He has turned down overtures before, but maybe this is the job that gets him to leave.
