Dec. 12, 2001

LAS VEGAS - Assistant football coach Ken Niumatalolo has left UNLV to return to the staff at the U.S. Naval Academy, the school announced Wednesday.

Niumatalolo, 36, just completed his third season coaching the Rebels and oversaw the team's tight ends, kickoff return unit and assisted with the option offense.

"We hate to lose Kenny but the opportunity at Navy was just too good," UNLV head coach John Robinson said. "He did a lot of nice things here and we wish him well."

Under Niumatalolo's guidance, UNLV ranked sixth in the nation in kickoff returns in 2001 and finished second in 1999. Also, starting tight end DeJhown Mandley developed into one of the team's top receiving threats, tying for third this season with 16 catches for 174 yards and a squad-leading three touchdowns.

Niumatalolo joined UNLV after having served at Navy from 1995-98. He succeeded Paul Johnson as offensive coordinator in 1997 after Johnson left to be the head coach at I-AA power Georgia Southern. Johnson was announced Sunday as Navy's new head coach and he quickly re-enlisted Niumatalolo to help resurrect a team that went 0-10 in 2001 under Charlie Weatherbie, who was fired on October 28.

During Niumatalolo's first stint with the Midshipmen, the team broke 38 offensive records and signal-caller Chris McCoy set the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 20 in 1997.

A 1989 graduate of the University of Hawaii, Niumatalolo lettered three years as a quarterback with the Warriors. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children.