Ken Niumatalolo

Ken Niumatalolo is a distinguished American college football coach, renowned for his impactful tenure as head coach at the Naval Academy and his current role at San Jose State. He is celebrated for his strategic leadership and for developing athletic talent. After leading the University of Hawaii to its first postseason bowl game in 1989 as a quarterback, Ken Niumatalolo transitioned into a distinguished coaching career following his graduation the same year. He began as a graduate assistant and then a full-time assistant at Hawaii, building a strong foundation in offensive strategy.

He was a multiple-time finalist for prestigious honors including the Dodd Trophy and Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach Of The Year Award, specifically in 2015 for both, and received the Stallings Award in 2019. In 2013, his pioneering role as the second coach of Polynesian descent and the first Samoan collegiate head coach in FBS history was recognized with his induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. After concluding his impactful run at Navy in 2022, he briefly served at UCLA as Director of Leadership and later as tight ends coach. Building on his distinguished career, Ken Niumatalolo was appointed Head Coach at San Jose State in 2024, continuing his legacy of strategic leadership and talent development in college football.