Navy is planning to promote defensive coordinator Brian Newberry to head coach to replace the fired Ken Niumatalolo, according to multiple reports.
Newberry has been Navy’s defensive coordinator since 2019, leading a unit that has been the strength of a struggling program.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was first to report the news. The team has not announced Newberry’s promotion.
The head coaching job was open after Niumatalolo’s surprise firing. Niumatalolo ended his 15-year tenure as the winningest coach in Navy history with 109 wins, but the Midshipmen went 4-8 this season for a third straight underwhelming season.
Niumatalolo was fired shortly after his team’s overtime loss to Army on Dec.