According to sources, San Jose State University is close to finalizing a deal with former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo to become their next head coach. The agreement is expected to be reached within the next 48 hours. While Niumatalolo brings a wealth of head coaching experience, it's been reported that he will not implement the triple option offense, which he is known for, at San Jose State.

Sources have indicated that Niumatalolo's top priority will be assembling a youthful coaching staff that includes an innovative offensive coordinator who will incorporate a wide-open and pass-heavy system. The 58-year-old coach holds the esteemed title of Navy's all-time winningest coach with a remarkable 109-83 record over his 15 full seasons at the helm.

The athletic director of San Jose State, Jeff Konya, was determined to find an experienced head coach who could build upon the momentum created by former coach Brent Brennan. Under Brennan's guidance, San Jose State reached bowl games in three out of the last four seasons. With Brennan's recent departure to Arizona, Konya wasted no time in pursuing a swift appointment.

By zeroing in on Niumatalolo as the anticipated new head coach, Konya appears to have successfully accomplished the primary objectives of the search. Additionally, this move will provide stability, vision, and experience to the San Jose State program, especially as players become eligible for the transfer portal.

The candidate pool for San Jose State's coaching position emphasized individuals with prior head coaching experience, a criterion that Niumatalolo fulfills through his tenure at Navy. Notably, he led the team to 11 bowl appearances and obtained eight seasons with eight or more wins over the course of his 192 games coached. Niumatalolo's impressive record includes 10 wins against their arch-rival Army, the most victories by any coach in the series.

One of Niumatalolo's notable achievements occurred in 2015 when he guided Navy to an 11-2 record, including a resounding victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl. The following year, Navy defeated Notre Dame and reached the American Athletic Conference title game, narrowly losing to Temple.

Expected to build a staff with youthful energy and West Coast connections, Niumatalolo's hire aligns with San Jose State's objective of implementing a wide-open offensive system that capitalizes on the region's strong quarterback and skill position talent. Consequently, the appointment of an offensive coordinator who can steer the offensive strategy in a new direction is crucial for Niumatalolo.

A former quarterback at Hawaii, Niumatalolo began his coaching career there and subsequently worked at UNLV. He also boasts extensive national recruiting ties from his time at Navy, where he cast a wide net for talented players.

Under the leadership of Brent Brennan, San Jose State clinched the Mountain West title in 2020, representing a significant achievement in the program's history. Brennan's tenure also saw the team's participation in three bowl games, including the Hawaii Bowl this season and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in the previous year.

In 2023, Niumatalolo served as the director of leadership at UCLA, a role that allowed him to familiarize himself with the intricacies of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations in anticipation of his next head coaching opportunity.

Discussing his time at UCLA in a June interview with The Athletic, Niumatalolo expressed his willingness to learn new offensive strategies, acknowledging that he would not continue to run the option in his future head coaching position.

As the potential hiring of Ken Niumatalolo as San Jose State's head coach looms on the horizon, it appears that the university is set to acquire an accomplished and respected coach who will bring stability, experience, and a fresh offensive approach to the program.