Chip Kelly, UCLA promote former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo to TEs coach

UCLA has made a major addition to the staff, announcing on Friday that former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was coming aboard full time as the tight ends coach. Niumatalolo had coached that position during bowl prep for the Bruins.

He had joined the UCLA staff after being let go by Navy following a disappointing 2022 season. His first season at UCLA was spent working under the title of “director of leadership.”

Niumatalolo went 109-83 in 15 seasons at Navy leading the football program, going 6-4 in 10 bowl appearances. His 109 wins are a program record for the Midshipmen.

“Ken is a tremendous example for our program off the field through his character and experiences at the Naval Academy,” Kelly said in a release announcing the promotion. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to add his knowledge and leadership to our tight ends room and coaching staff.”

Niumatalolo is one of several offseason staff moves that Kelly and Co. are getting done as the Bruins retool for 2024 and beyond in the Big Ten.

UCLA and Kelly have been filling out the staff recently

UCLA promoted Ikaika Malloe to be the program’s next defensive coordinator, the school announced on Wednesday. Malloe has been an assistant on the staff over the past two seasons, working in multiple different roles. It’s a smooth transition for the Bruins, going with someone in-house to replace D’Anton Lynn.

“Ikaika has a track record of developing NFL talent on the field and outstanding young men off it,” Kelly said in a statement. “I am excited to watch this next step for him and our team.”

Malloe has been on the West Coast for over a decade now, being on staff at four different programs. He was hired at UCLA before the 2022 season as the special teams coordinator and working with the outside linebackers. A small move was made this past year, with Malloe coaching the defensive line.

Kelly unexpectedly had to make a hire at defensive coordinator after Lynn left. To make matters even worse, he went across Los Angeles to the school’s biggest rival, USC. Now Lynn and Malloe will have the opportunity to go up against Big Ten opponents, hoping to have success at their respective schools.

No matchup will be more important than facing one another, though. UCLA and USC are set to face off on Nov. 23 from the Rose Bowl Stadium.