Coach sticks with Mids

Niumatalolo passes on Arizona, says he has ‘unfinished business’

Sundays are sacred to Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo, a devout Mormon who has long served in leadership roles in the Broadneck Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

However, it is also a day for reflection and Niumatalolo clearly spent much of the morning debating whether to accept a job offer from the University of Arizona. At11:07 on Sunday morning, Niumatalolo sent the Baltimore Sun Media Group the following text message that made clear his intentions in terms of where he would be coaching in 2018.

“Let me just tell you so you know where I am at today, so you will know exactly my future plans. Beat Army!!!” Niumatalolo wrote in the text.

Niumatalolo has been wrestling with the decision since flying out to Tucson last week to interview for the Arizona vacancy. The 52-year-old was unexpectedly absent from the Navy coaching office Thursday and Friday and did not inform staff members of his whereabouts.

The Arizona Star reported that Niumatalolo emerged as the leading candidate after the interview and was offered the job. Arizona was seeking a replacement for Rich Rodriguez, who was fired Jan. 2 after six seasons amid allegations by a former administrative assistant that he created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed her.

On Sunday, the Wildcats announced that they hired former Houston and Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, who was fired after six seasons with the Aggies in November. Sumlin is expected to sign a five-year contract, pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. An introductory news conference is scheduled for Tuesday.

Niumatalolo returned to his office on the third floor of Ricketts Hall on Saturday Niumatalolo