KEN NIUMATALOLO KEN NIUMATALOLO

It was totally unexpected. The annual Army-Navy football game was history at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The guys from West Point, a slight underdog, had kicked the winning field goal to win in double overtime 20-17.

Now Navy long-time head coach Ken Niumatalolo was sitting alone at his locker not long after when he received the stunning news from the Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk, Jr., informing him he was no longer the head coach.

“It actually had nothing to do with the defeat,” said Glaschuk to the media that gathered around. “It was just a decision we made.”

Wow, so where this bring the firing of a popular stunned coach who has been the face of Midshipmen athletics for the past 15 years, who had been a distinguished and respected legacy at the Academy in Annapolis, Md. He had pieced together a 109-83 overall record, which made him the winningest coach in program history. He had all graduates each season, 10 winning ones, and was 4-4 in bowl games. He was an assistant under Paul Johnson for 10 seasons.

Now a losing campaign abruptly came to a halt on a day when Navy dressed in red, white and blue with stars on its helmets failed on fourth down and goal with the apparent victory at hand. Big break for the men in neat-looking light Army brown as it took over on the 25-yard line and on second down booted the ball right through the up rights.

It was a disappointing loss for Niumatalolo’s team that had taken field before the usual packed house at 4-7while the guys from up the Hudson arrived at 5-6 and with a bowl bid on the line. They had the better record, but its ground game was smothered by the fierce Navy defense. Neither team had mounted much of an offense, with both relying on running the ball and shutting down the air lanes.

Navy fell behind 7-0 when its punt was blocked and run into the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. The extra point followed, and a Navy field goal not long after made it 7-3 at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, Navy’s offensive line opened up a big hole that brought an untouched 64-yard touchdown, and the PAT put it ahead 10-7.

Then the Cadets tied it in the fourth quarter with their own field goal. Next came the overtime, they had the ball, and on the second play, sped down the sidelines and it was quickly 17-10 following the point-after. But Navy responded on its initial play with a touchdown pass to a left-alone receiver and he stepped right into the end zone, the PAT was good and now it was deadlocked again.

Now Niumatalolo stayed along the ground and his anxious Midshipmen worked their way on fourth down to just inside in the one, but a dive said the officials did not make it. A review followed, it was confirmed and Navy had to turn it over. Thus, the 37-yard field goal and the Cadets rushed the field as Navy went down in a sudden setback.

That’s history just as Niumatalolo became not long after.

“I did not expect this, I wasn’t ready for it,” said the coach after his 122nd game and defensive coordinator Brian Newberry being named the interim head coach. “It just took me by surprise. We had some close games, lost our first two games, lost 13-10 at the Air Force, 40-34 at SMU, 28-20 at home to Houston, 20m-10 at Cincinnati and 35-32 at Notre Dame.”

There was an impressive 27-20 home win over Temple, a resounding 52-21 rout at home over Tulsa, and a quality 17-14 triumph on the road over 23rd-ranked Central Florida.

But that’s all water under the bridge.

Now 57, what lies ahead for Niumatalolo? Born in Hawaii, he is of Polynesian decent and a Mormon of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His son, Ali’l is an administration assistant for the University of Utah football team, where he also played.

 In October of 2014, Niumatalolo was in the cast of “Meet the Mormons” a movie that disclosed his experience balancing his jobs and as a father.

Raised in Hawaii and the first Samoan to ever coach a college football team, he recalled how the movie “Meet the Mormons” made him feel extraordinary to get to know a different religion that he was.

Around the Annapolis campus, fans were startled. Most didn’t think it was the right thing to do in regard to a quality decent person who was well respected by his own team and opponents. Some said he didn’t enjoy losing, but was the first one to leave the sidelines and head to midfield to congratulate the other team. Others said he will be a tough one to replace.

Is it his age that brough this about? His players had no problems with his communications, his never give-up methods, his love of the supporters, and just having him around was a way of life recognized by the Naval Academy.

Now he can either retire or look for other employment. HIs resume does him well, now it’s up to him as the Midshipmen no doubt collectively stand behind him.