Prayer, faith, and sticking to his standards. Those are just a few things that have helped Ken Niumatalolo become the winningest football coach in Navy's history. Learn more about this inspiring man and how Meet the Mormons changed his life.
Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo’s spacious office likely leaves even the most jaded recruit a bit noodle-kneed.
A multi-level shelf behind the coach’s desk is lined with commemorative football helmets, Army-Navy game balls and fist-sized reproductions of Navy bowl rings.
Hanging on an inside wall is a large photo of smiling Midshipmen at the White House receiving the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy from, well, then commander-in-chief, Barack Obama.
And a full-length window offers a broad view of the Spa Creek Inlet. The founders of the U.S. Naval Academy, back in 1845, didn’t select its locale to attract star high school defensive ends and quarterbacks — but it’s an enticing site just the same.
But it’s the smaller items atop Niumatalolo’s desk that are most important to Navy’s all-time winningest football coach.
Counted among his personal mementos are portrayals of Christ and the Book of Mormon’s Captain Moroni, a CTR logo and a quote about curbing one’s anger from President Gordon B. Hinckley. A copy of a general conference talk about the priesthood from President Dieter F. Ucthdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, rests under a paperweight. And there’s also a recently published compilation of writings from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, [titled We're with You].
“I keep these things in my office so I never forget who I am,” he said.
So who is Ken Niumatalolo? The answer depends on whom you ask.
Images from Deseret News
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