Navy AD Chet Gladchuk says football team will continue to run the triple-option offense under new coach

By Bill Wagner

Capital Gazette

Dec 12, 2022 at 6:22 pm

The Midshipmen have employed the unique run-heavy system since 2002 when Paul Johnson was hired as head coach.

Niumatalolo, who was let go Sunday after a 15-year tenure, was originally promoted to replace Johnson when he departed for Georgia Tech in 2007 specifically to maintain continuity of the offensive system.

“I think the triple-option is really the fiber of who we are,” Gladchuk said. “Understanding the basic principles of the triple-option and hiring a staff that can implement the triple-option are important.”

Gladchuk noted that Navy football has not been able to sustain success running other types of offensive systems during the modern era. The Midshipmen suffered 12 straight losing seasons spanning the head coaching tenures of Gary Tranquill, Elliot Uzelac and George Chaump from 1983 to 1994.

Charlie Weatherbrie implemented the triple-option after he was hired in 1995 with Johnson serving as offensive coordinator. After Johnson left to become head coach at Georgia Southern, Navy gradually abandoned the option in favor of more passing concepts.

“If you go back and look at history, we’ve never had a very good run at Navy when we’ve gotten too far from the triple,” Gladchuk said.

Gladchuk acknowledged the possibility that a head coach could be hired who was not necessarily a triple-option guru himself but was willing to hire an offensive coordinator who was.

Gladchuk, however, indicated he is looking for Navy to implement an offense that incorporates concepts other than the triple-option. Being able to find something else that works when the option is being well-defended is critical, he said.

“We need to run some form of the triple, then deviate from that. Having the aptitude to make adjustments that are appropriate to manage a game effectively are the criteria I’m most interested in,” he said.

“The game of football has changed and like anything in life, you’ve got to adapt. You’ve got to be able to move the ball in different ways. Being as conservative as the triple-option presents itself is a tough road to hoe in today’s game. You’ve got to have some diversity to what you do.”

Gladchuk flatly responded no when asked if the new coach must have previous experience at a service academy. He pointed out that most of the varsity coaches he’s hired since taking over as athletic director in 2001 had not worked at either Army, Air Force or Navy.

“The academy is a magnificent place with many demands and expectations. Anyone who is smart enough to work here can figure the place out in six months and understand what it takes to succeed,” Gladchuk said. “Being a service academy coach exclusively in some respects can be limiting in the way you approach the job.

“Look at the coaches we currently have in our program who are succeeding and the military requirement is not one of the criteria I looked at.”

DC, interim coach Brian Newberry a candidate

Brian Newberry, who just completed his fourth season as defensive coordinator under Niumatalolo, has been promoted to interim coach. Gladchuk said Newberry will be given every consideration for the head coaching vacancy and said the two men had a lengthy discussion Sunday evening.

“I know that Coach Newberry is very interested in the position,” Gladchuk said. “We’re going to give it a little time right now to let the dust settle, but I’m pretty confident that Coach Newberry will be a viable candidate.”

Gladchuk has charged Newberry with holding the program together, keeping the coaching staff and players focused, implementing an offseason workout plan and directing communication with recruits — adding that he is doing so “very enthusiastically.”

Asked why Newberry was tabbed as interim coach, Gladchuk said, “I like Brian, I like his style,” and that “what I need right now is some stability and Brian fits the bill.”

Defense has been Navy’s strength ever since Newberry was hired in 2019. This past season, the Midshipmen ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense.

Gladchuk described Newberry as “highly organized” and said his assistants and athletes respect him.

“What I need right now is some stability and Brian fits the bill. I’d like him to manage the environment during the period of time we’re trying to create some direction.”

Newberry confirmed to The Capital that he’s interested in succeeding Niumatalolo, saying it would be an “honor and a privilege.” Newberry, who came to Navy from Kennesaw State, declined further comment.

Gladchuk said he has not yet utilized a search firm to help with the hire.

“Today is a day to decipher through all that. There are quite a few people who have approached me and I haven’t had time to get back to them or even discuss it,” said Gladchuk, adding the first order of business is to post the job opening as required by government human resources rules.

Expectations remain the same

According to a USA Today database, Niumatalolo received an average annual salary of $2,316,000 over the last four years. However, that figure does not include perks and bonuses. The Capital has previously reported that Niumatalolo had a total compensation package much larger than his annual salary when factoring in an Annapolis home, use of a vehicle and an annuity, all of which was provided by the Naval Academy Athletic Association.

Niumatalolo received a two-year extension along with an annual one-year rollover after leading Navy to an 11-2 record, winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and the Liberty Bowl in 2019.

Niumatalolo had one year remaining on his contract.

Gladchuk said expectations for Navy football have not changed since he was hired more than two decades ago. Capturing the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on a regular basis and notching six wins to become bowl-eligible were the bare minimum.

“That has been the constant bar for which we strive. Those two goals are very realistic, very reasonable and have been consistent for 20 years,” he said. “It should come as no surprise that is the expectation.”

Niumatalolo expressed disappointment at not being given one more year to turn around the program, which had a losing record in four of the past five seasons and went 4-8 this year. Gladchuk bristled when asked if he made it clear to the veteran coach that 2022 could be his last if certain achievements were not attained.

“Without any question of a doubt. I spoke directly to his representative, who asked exactly that question,” Gladchuk said. “I conveyed it to [Niumatalolo] as I have every year. Heck, the coach states to the team what his goals and objectives are, and it was clear as a bell.

“There was no confusion as to what the expectations are and I can’t make it even clearer.”