Another local college football coach has been linked to the vacant job at Vanderbilt. According to the Tennessean in Nashville, Vanderbilt is interested in Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. The newspaper said Niumatalolo will not entertain talks until after Saturday’s Army-Navy game.
“He’s not interviewing at Vanderbilt,” Navy associate athletic director Scott Strasemeier wrote in an e-mail. “He’s committed to Navy.”
Niumatalolo is the third local coach whose name has surfaced in connection with the Vanderbilt job. Two weeks ago, Navy offensive coordinator Irvin Jasper had to squelch a rumor he was the choice after SEC media personality Tony Barnhart tweeted erroneously that Jasper would be the Commodores’ next coach.
There apparently is nothing erroneous, however, about Vanderbilt’s interest in Maryland’s James Franklin, one of five who remain in the running, according to the Tennessean.
Franklin’s departure from Maryland would erase the Terps’ coach-in-waiting dilemma. Franklin is due $1 million from the school if he is not named head coach by 2012. If he leaves, it would allow Terps athletic director Kevin Anderson — if he desires — to extend the contract of Ralph Friedgen, this year’s ACC coach of the year, whose deal runs out after next season.
Franklin’s departure, however, would have drawbacks. He has played a major role in the development of freshman quarterback Danny O’Brien and is Friedgen’s top recruiter.
Vanderbilt’s interest in Niumatalolo is understandable. His Navy teams have beaten Notre Dame the last two seasons and nearly toppled Ohio State last year. His triple-option offense has been a great equalizer, allowing the Mids to compete with more talented teams. Academic-minded Vanderbilt faces the same challenge in the talent-laden SEC.
