San Jose State hires former Navy coach Niumatalolo to replace Brennan

SAN JOSE – San Jose State is hiring former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo as its next head football coach, the school announced Sunday afternoon. “We are thrilled that Coach Niumatalolo has accepted the opportunity to lead our football program,” SJSU athletic director Jeff Konya said in a press release. “He is a proven winner and brought the Naval Academy to unprecedented heights by winning eight or more games in nine seasons during his tenure.

“ Niumatalolo was the head coach in Annapolis from 2007 to 2022, amassing a 109-83 record over 15 seasons in charge of the Midshipmen. That win total is the most in program history. The school did not disclose the terms of the deal, but according to ESPN, Niumatalolo’s contract is a five-year deal through the 2028 football season.

“I look forward to working with Coach Niumatalolo and Athletics Director Jeff Konya to ensure our football program is an integral part of San José State University’s mission, vision and values,” said school president President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson. “Thank you to Jeff and everyone involved in the search for our new leader.

Go Spartans!” His Navy teams were famous for a physical triple-option offense that helped the Midshipmen to 10 winning seasons and five bowl wins during his time in charge. ESPN reported that Niumatalolo will not run that unique offense with the Spartans. The service academies often run the triple-option because it is suited for smaller linemen and can level an athleticism disadvantage.

With more recruiting options at San Jose State, Niumatalolo, a former Hawaii quarterback, reportedly intends to hire an offensive coordinator to run a wide-open passing scheme. Niumatalolo replaces Brent Brennan, who left last week for Arizona after leading the Spartans to three bowls in the last four seasons. Niumatalolo inherits a program that under Brennan hadn’t enjoyed as much stability and success in years.

Brennan coached the Spartans for seven seasons, the longest stint since Robert Tichenal guided the Spartans for eight years from 1957-64. Only Robert Bronzan, 1950-56, coached the program for as many seasons during the modern era. SJSU played in its second straight bowl game last month — the first time that has happened since 1986-87 — and the Spartans’ three bowl games in the past four seasons is the best run of postseason appearances in the program’s history.

Niumatalolo spent 2023 with UCLA as a director of leadership, and was hired to be the team’s tight end coach in 2024 before he pivoted to leading the Spartans. “We believe he is the right fit to build off the foundation laid here at San José State and will have the Spartans competing for Mountain West championships on a consistent basis,” Konya said. It is not known at this time if Niumatalolo will retain members of the existing San Jose State staff.

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