Niumatalolo adds to offensive staff

Stutzmann leaves Hawaii to join Mids as assistant coach

Navy had five defensive assistants depart the program in December. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo only hired four replacements in January.

That was because new defensive coordinator Brian Newberry will coach a position, which predecessor Dale Pehrson did not. Newberry has coached safeties at every stop along the way and wants to continue overseeing that position in Annapolis.

With one remaining staff opening to fill, Niumatalolo elected to add an offensive assistant.

Navy announced on Thursday afternoon that Billy Ray Stutzmann has been hired away from Hawaii. He spent last season working with the Hawaii wide receivers and one of his pupils was John Ursua, who led the nation in receiving touchdowns (16) and ranked fifth in receiving yards (1,343).

“Billy Ray brings a lot of qualities to our program that will definitely help us,” Niumatalolo said. “He is a young, smart football coach. He has been tutored by great coaches and adds a new perspective to our offense. He will continue to recruit Hawai’i, which has been a very productive state for us.”

Prior to Hawaii, Stutzmann spent three seasons at Emory & Henry – serving as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2017. The Honolulu native began his coaching career as running backs at Western New Mexico College in 2014.

“I want to thank Coach Niumatalolo for this incredible opportunity,” Stutzmann said. “He is one of the most respected coaches in the country and I’m honored to be part of his staff. I’m excited to study this offense and learn from an offensive staff that has been running this offense for years. I look forward to recruiting Hawai’i and keeping that pipeline open for the Naval Academy.”

Stutzmann played four years of college football as a wide receiver at Hawai’i, catching 148 passes for 1,845 yards and nine touchdowns. He was a prep standout at the prestigious Saint Louis School in Honolulu, where he was a three-time All-State selection while catching passes from 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Norwood aboard: Niumatalolo pulled off somewhat of a coup by convincing close friend Brian Norwood to join the staff. Norwood was accorded the title of co-defensive coordinator and will coach the cornerbacks.

Norwood previously worked at Navy from1995 through1999 as defensive backs coach during the tenure of head coach Charlie Weatherbie. He has gained significant experience during the 19 years since leaving Annapolis.

Last season, the 53-year-old served as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kansas State under head coach Bill Snyder, who announced his retirement in early December. Under Norwood's direction, the Kansas State defense made the biggest jump in the Big 12 Conference in pass defense, moving from last in the league (309.1 yards per game) to fourth (245.8).

Norwood called it “a tremendous honor” to serve as an assistant to Snyder, a legendary figure who compiled a 215-117-1 record over 27 seasons at Kansas State. In 2015, Snyder became just the fourth active coach ever enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

“It was one of the great privileges of my career to be able to work with Bill Snyder and learn from him,” Norwood said.

Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor, who began his career at the Naval Academy, reached back to his North Dakota State connections to replace Snyder. Chris Klieman served as defensive coordinator at North Dakota State under Craig Bohl before being promoted to replace him as head coach from 2014-2018.

“When Coach Snyder retired, all the assistants had to evaluate their opportunities. At the time when Kenny and I first spoke I was focused on praying and trying to find God’s peace for me,” said Norwood, a deeply religious man. “At the end of the day, it worked better here at Navy.”

Norwood was the son of a career military man and lived in Glenarden, Maryland, while his father was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Norwood’s father recently died and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery while his mother now lives in Camp Springs.

“It just felt like I needed to be here at this point in my life,” he said.