Reunion for Busic, old coach
Defensive lineman transfers to UCLA to join Niumatalolo
Jacob Busic was recruited to the Naval Academy and played three years of football under coach Ken Niumatalolo. Now Busic is rejoining Niumatalolo in Westwood.
Busic announced Friday afternoon that he is transferring to UCLA to complete his football career and plans to enroll immediately. Niumatalolo, who joined UCLA’s staff after being fired from Navy after the 2022 season, was promoted to tight ends coach Friday.
“I chose UCLA because it was the perfect storm as far as having all the things I was looking for,” Busic told The Capital on Friday. “First and foremost, it’s another great academic institution. I wouldn’t leave the Naval Academy to get a degree from a school that wasn’t very highly rated academically.”
Busic, a standout defensive end and captain for the Mids this past season, also cited the Naval Academy influence on the program and the fact UCLA is moving into the Big Ten Conference, which now ranks alongside the Southeastern Conference as the most powerful in college football.
“Big Ten football is big-time and I’m really looking forward to challenging myself at the highest level. I definitely feel confident I can be successful against that caliber of competition,” he said. “Having Coach Ken there was definitely an important factor. Obviously, it helps that he knows me and my situation. I have great respect and love for Coach Ken and I know he’s going to shoot me straight. I could ask any question and get an honest answer.”
UCLA football, under the direction of head coach Chip Kelly, has numerous Naval Academy connections. Kelly hired Niumatalolo last March as director of leadership. Bryce McDonald, a former Navy football player who spent five seasons as director of football operations under Niumatalolo, is chief of staff for UCLA football. Brian Norwood, who served two separate stints as an assistant coach for Navy football, is assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Bruins.
Busic, who has been home in Westminster since the Naval Academy fall semester ended, talked by phone with Kelly and defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe. Kelly, who was once an assistant at Johns Hopkins, initially got to know Niumatalolo after visiting the Navy football program while coaching the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I had an awesome conversation with Coach Kelly and he expressed his love for the Naval Academy,” Busic said. “I found out he coached at Hopkins and was familiar with where I’m from because they played against McDaniel.”
Busic is flying to Los Angeles this weekend and hopes to be in the UCLA weight room working out by Monday. He hopes to complete work toward a bachelor’s degree during the spring semester and plans to pursue a master’s in business administration while using two years of eligibility to play football.
Busic did not play varsity football at Navy as a plebe and only played in four games this season due to a torn bicep.
Prior to the start of his junior academic year, Busic signed paperwork committing to five years of post-graduate military service in exchange. By failing to fulfill that commitment, the Westminster High graduate will likely be required to reimburse the academy for the cost of his education.
Busic confirmed that he will receive name, image and likeness money from UCLA and plans to use that to help pay back the money owed. He had sought an extra year of eligibility in order to complete his career at Navy and had been looking forward to commissioning as a Marine Corps officer.
“It hurt not being allowed an extra semester to play football because I wanted to graduate from the Naval Academy and serve in the Marine Corps. It’s definitely disappointing that I won’t be able to do that,” Busic said. “I could still become a Marine Corps officer, so I’m not closing the door on that opportunity.”
UCLA announced Friday that Niumatalolo was returning to the sidelines as tight ends coach. He replaces Jeff Faris, who left UCLA last month to become head coach at Austin Peay. Niumatalolo coached the tight ends in preparation for the LA Bowl in which UCLA beat Boise State.
“Ken is a tremendous example for our program off the field through his character and experiences at the Naval Academy,” Kelly said in a statement on the program’s website. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to add his knowledge and leadership to our tight ends room and coaching staff.”