San Jose State 'targeting' Ken Niumatalolo to be next head coach

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ken Niumatalolo is being targeted to be the next head coach at San Jose State. While the deal is not finalized, everything is expected to come together over the next couple of days.

Niumatalolo is most well-known for his work with the Naval Academy, running the triple option offense. However, Thamel reports that San Jose State will not be making the switch over with Niumatalolo as the head coach.

“Sources: San Jose State is targeting former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo as the school’s next head coach,” Thamel said via X. “A deal should come together within the next 48 hours. Sources tell ESPN that Niumatalolo will not be running the triple option, which was his staple at Navy.”

The background for Niumatalolo has always been on the offensive end following his playing career at Hawaii as a quarterback. He got the opportunity to be Navy’s head coach back in 2007 and stayed in Annapolis for 16 seasons — having a ton of success.

Niumatalolo has a 109-83 career record and has three double-digit wins seasons on the resume. Navy won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy seven different times during his time there, finishing 12-4 against Army and 8-8 against Air Force.

Following his time with Navy, Niumatalolo stepped away from the football field and moved into an administration role at UCLA. However, he had recently been promoted by head coach Chip Kelly and was slated to be the Bruins’ tight end coach during the 2024 season.

Instead, San Jose State came calling, and Niumatalolo seemingly has another opportunity to be a head coach.

San Jose State looking to replace Brent Brennan

With the retirement of Nick Saban at Alabama, San Jose State has been a program affected by the decision. The Spartans saw Brent Brennan leave in favor of Arizona as Jedd Fisch moved to the Pacific Northwest and Washington to replace Kalen DeBoer, who is taking over in Tuscaloosa.

This has led to Niumatalolo being targeted by San Jose State and the move is expected to be finalized.

Brennan was able to do something only one other coach at San Jose State has pulled off, making a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. Both were winning years with seven wins for the Spartans, the highest the program has been since joining the Mountain West Conference back in 2013.

Niumatalolo will have a ton of momentum on his side, with Brennan leaving the Spartans in a great place.