Falcons coach Troy Calhoun and offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen are students of the Fisher DeBerry school of triple-option offense. Both played quarterback for Air Force when DeBerry was coach.
Midshipmen mentor Ken Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper are Paul Johnson disciples. Both played quarterback at Hawaii when Johnson was offensive coordinator then followed him to Navy.
Johnson, who was offensive coordinator under coach Charlie Weatherbie, returned as head coach after his previous boss was fired. Niumatalolo and Jasper were among his first hires.
“Very creative, very varied. They run every option known to man — triple, mid-line, veer, counter, trap, speed, zone,” Niumatalolo said.