Triple Option not a Concern if Ken Niumatalolo is Arizona’s guy

Slight modifications to Ken Niumatalolo’s offense could provide Arizona a chance to make some immediate noise in the Pac-12 in 2021.

While Ken Niumatalolo has largely run the triple-option offense at Navy, it would not be completely joining him if he were to come to lead the Arizona Football program as a head coach… One simple change would be to mold the triple-option that’s run at Navy and mold it more to a read-option, better suited to Will Plummer’s skill set.

For a team that has largely been a run-dominant program in previous years, an option style offense that would blend with what Navy already does.

Arizona Wildcats

For a program similar to what James Franklin runs at Penn State, the Nittany Lions operate most plays through option looks, and that could allow for Niumatalolo to be able to immediately utilize the players already at Arizona, while also developing a system to work well within the Pac-12.

For a service academy such as Navy, your offense is largely dictated by student-athletes who while very good at football, are attending the Academy so that they can serve their country following graduation. As such with lighter linemen you are using a lot more motion and option more out of necessity, and with the highly-athletic and agile players they attract, it allows for the offense to be as efficient as possible.

Add in with it, the strict academic and ethical codes that are in the service academies, and it really tightens up what kind of student-athletes Niumatalolo can recruit.

An Unquestionable Success at Navy

Though 2020 was not a great year for the Midshipmen, there is no doubting what Ken Niumatalolo has done at the Academy has been anything short of remarkable. In their six seasons as a member of the American Athletic Conference, Niumatalolo has led Navy to three 1st place finishes.

Add in a 3rd place finish and a 3-1 record in bowls as a member of the AAC which has teams barely on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff, and Niumatalolo might just be the steal of the coaching carousel in 2021 if he opts to leave Navy.

Since his career began at Navy, Niumatalolo has only had three losing seasons, which conveniently are the only three seasons he has missed a bowl game.

Recruiting Could Change in Big Way

Service Academies are getting students from across the country, and as such Niumatalolo would potentially bring a very strong network of ties, which could in time become troublesome for the Pac-12 as he could very well open up pipelines typically not seen at Arizona. Add in his Polynesian heritage, and we could see another crucial pipeline known may be best for their linemen, which would be much needed for the Wildcats Football Program.

Numbers that Matter

• 101-67 as Head Coach of Navy, including a 30-17 record in the AAC.
• Started time at Navy going 9-0 against Army, capping the longest win streak in the Army-Navy Game at 14.
• Led Midshipmen to wins over Notre Dame in 2009 and 2010, for the first time since the 1960s.
• Won 6 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophies in 13 seasons as Head Coach.

At Zona Zealots, we would approve this hire and are curious to see how this coaching search plays out. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!