The 75-year-old is the longest-tenured AD in academy history; a national search will begin to find his successor
The Naval Academy said Monday that longtime athletic director Chet Gladchuk is retiring. Gladchuk, who also holds the title of president of the Naval Academy Athletic Association, oversees 36 varsity sports and has been in his role for 24 years.
The 74-year-old will continue to lead the department through the end of the spring semester as the Naval Academy Athletic Association conducts a national search for his successor.
“Since the day the opportunity to represent the United States Naval Academy was extended to us over 24 years ago, Kathy [Gladchuk’s wife] and I have remained committed to its mission without reservation and with the greatest sense of responsibility and privilege,” Gladchuk said in a statement Monday.
“In addition, the many men and women who are or will be alumni have motivated us every day to not fall short on the expectation of pursuing excellence in every dimension of our service. Our association has been our passion and to have made a dedicated personal and professional investment of our lives to what this academy stands for has been a vocation we will always cherish.”
Gladchuk succeeded Jack Lengyel as Navy athletic director in 2001. He previously spent four years as the athletic director at the University of Houston.
Since then, Gladchuk has overseen the most successful era in Navy athletics history. During his tenure, the Midshipmen captured four national championships and 251 conference crowns and produced 352 All-Americans and 139 Academic All-Americans.
Last year, Navy secured its 10th consecutive Patriot League President’s Cup, the longest streak in history. The President’s Cup is awarded to the Patriot League member institution with the highest cumulative score, with points awarded based on a combination of regular-season and tournament finishes in each sport.
Navy has won the President’s Cup 11 times overall and finished second another six times over the past 17 years. Before Gladchuk’s arrival, the Midshipmen finished higher than fifth just once in 1999-2000.
Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, the Naval Academy superintendent, was effusive in her praise of Gladchuk.
“We have enjoyed many wonderful accomplishments under Chet’s administrative leadership — the NAAA and academy are better for it. He has positioned us exceptionally well for the future as a result of his vision and efforts in developing our world-class program and facilities,” Davids said in a statement.
“We wish the Gladchuks fair winds and following seas, and will forever be grateful for their legacy of excellence and the untiring commitment they made to the Naval Academy and our nation through the advancement of our physical mission.”
Gladchuk’s first order of business was to address the struggling football program, which went a combined 1-20 across the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He fired coach Charlie Weatherbie after the seventh game of the latter campaign to get a head start on finding a replacement.
Gladchuk succeeded in getting Paul Johnson to return to Navy, for which he had been offensive coordinator under Weatherbie, from Georgia Southern.
During the news conference to introduce Johnson, Gladchuk unveiled the catchphrase that he applied to Navy athletics: Expect to win.
Johnson later joked that Gladchuk actually meant “expect two wins” after Navy went 2-10 in his first season. However, Johnson directed a dramatic turnaround in 2003 as the Midshipmen compiled an 8-5 record and earned a berth in the Houston Bowl.
So began the most successful era in Navy football history, with winning records in 15 of 16 seasons. The Midshipmen captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy 10 times and were bowl game champions eight times from 2003 to 2019.
Three straight losing seasons led to the dismissal of popular coach Ken Niumatalolo, who coached Navy football from 2007 to 2022, and Gladchuk promoted defensive coordinator Brian Newberry to replace him. Newberry directed a turnaround this past season as Navy posted a 10-3 record, defeated service academy rivals Army and Air Force to reclaim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and upset Oklahoma in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Navy football operated as an independent for 134 years, but Gladchuk oversaw the move to the American Athletic Conference in 2015 amid a drastically shifting landscape in college athletics.
Navy has been a consistent contender in the conference, finishing 7-1 three times and 6-2 this past season. The Midshipmen played in the AAC championship game in 2016. Joining the American has resulted in a significant increase in football-related revenue and ensured the program will remain nationally prominent for years to come.
Over the previous decade, Navy teams have captured 84 Patriot League championships, with the next closest school only totaling 38. Navy has dominated archrival Army during Gladchuk’s tenure, winning the Star Series competition in 21 of the past 23 years.
Under Gladchuk, Navy has added six varsity sports — women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s rugby, triathlon, women’s golf and women’s tennis. With 36 varsity sports, Navy is tied with Stanford and Ohio for most among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Carin Gabarra, now in her 33rd season leading the Navy women’s soccer program, is the only varsity coach not hired by Gladchuk.
Immediately after his introductory news conference, Gladchuk drove to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and spent several hours touring the facility. He came away determined to upgrade the dilapidated, then-42-year-old structure that was beginning to show its age.
Gladchuk spearheaded an $80 million renovation of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — initially adding two video scoreboards, chair back seating, additional concession stands, end zone seating and luxury suites in the south end zone and east sidelines.
He also secured a sizable donation that led to the construction of the Akerson Tower, which features four luxury boxes. Other recent renovations include a new turf system, high-definition video boards and the home locker room.
Gladchuk and the Naval Academy Athletic Association have helped raise money for the renovation of Halsey Field House, Max Bishop Stadium and Macdonough Hall.
Gladchuk has served on many NCAA, American Athletic Conference and Patriot League committees including the NCAA Leadership Council, the NCAA Olympic Sport Liaison Committee and chairman of the Patriot League executive committee.
He recently completed a term on the prestigious Division I College Football Playoff Selection Committee and served as president of the Division I Athletic Director’s Association.
Gladchuk has been recognized on a national level, receiving the prestigious John L. Toner Award from the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, which recognizes athletic directors who have demonstrated superior administrative abilities and dedication to college athletics.
Gladchuk was awarded the Commodore Perry Distinguished Citizens Award by the Navy League and received the Superior Public Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy.
He will remain involved with the school’s capital projects as necessary.