Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Navy's highest stature since 2019
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2023–now
Brian Newberry Steady
Brian Newberry moved the Midshipmen from Regional Program I to National Program III in 4 seasons.
Averaged a 23% pass rate — among the most run-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
vs. Army
+3.8 pts over 4 seasons · top 17% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Woody Widenhofer’s Vanderbilt run (1997–2001)
7th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Ken Niumatalolo (2007–2022).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 5-7 | 10-3 | 11-2 | 2-6 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #129 | #134 | #131 | #137 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 26.6 | 23.3 | 22.1 | 18.4 | |
| Coordinators | |||||
| OC | Grant Chesnut | Drew Cronic | Drew Cronic | Drew Cronic | |
| DC | P. J. Volker | P. J. Volker | P. J. Volker | Eric Lewis / Ricky Brown | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 3 | 75 | 83 | 77 | |
| Defense | 84 | 80 | 48 | 13 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 18.8 | 19.7 | 20.1 | 15.1 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 27.9 | 12.3 | 17.6 | 10.4 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 30.8 | 37.9 | 50.0 | 42.1 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and outperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
+13.3 pts
#54 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
+53.8 pts
#1 of 208 · top quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Portal arrivals
0
Portal departures
17
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-17
#185 of 187 FBS stints
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
0.0
position-weighted
Talent lost
33.6
position-weighted
Net
-33.6
arrivals minus departures
Biggest loss: Elias Larry (CB) to Colorado State
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Grant Chesnut → Drew Cronic · 2024
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 18.8% → 19.7% (+0.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 57% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: P. J. Volker → Eric Lewis / Ricky Brown (co) · 2026
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
203 lbs
6′2″ avg · #652 of 767 · bottom quarter
Running back
202 lbs
5′11″ avg · #578 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
190 lbs
5′11″ avg · #523 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
231 lbs
6′2″ avg · #699 of 731 · bottom quarter
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Linebacker
214 lbs
6′1″ avg · #767 of 772 · bottom quarter
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2024: Beat Oklahoma 21-20 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl2025: Beat Cincinnati 35-13 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
3 NFL Draft picks: Rayuan Lane III (2025), Landon Robinson (2026), Eli Heidenreich (2026)
1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Landon Robinson (2025)
+3.8
28-18
2007–2022
Ken Niumatalolo Steady
Ken Niumatalolo moved Navy from Regional Program II to National Program III in 15 seasons.
Averaged a 15% pass rate — among the most run-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
vs. Army
+8.3 pts over 15 seasons · bottom 34% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Mike Price’s UTEP run (2004–2012, 2017)
6th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Paul Johnson (2002–2007) · succeeded by Brian Newberry (2023–now).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||||||||||
| Record | 0-1 | 8-5 | 10-4 | 9-4 | 5-7 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 8-5 | 11-2 | 9-5 | 7-6 | 3-10 | 11-2 | 3-7 | 4-8 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | — | W bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | #113 | #115 | #119 | #87 | #118 | #115 | #107 | #112 | #91 | #88 | #106 | #123 | #125 | #106 | #130 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | 11.5 | 11.8 | 18.5 | 16.3 | 19.7 | 15.9 | 15.2 | 14.0 | 17.6 | 11.0 | 15.0 | 11.9 | 20.4 | 12.2 | 15.1 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||||||||||||
| OC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | Ivin Jasper | — | |
| DC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Buddy Green | Dale Pehrson | Dale Pehrson | Dale Pehrson | Dale Pehrson | Brian Newberry / Brian Norwood | Brian Newberry | Brian Newberry | Brian Newberry | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | 71 | 91 | 86 | 77 | 79 | 67 | 82 | 98 | 98 | 82 | 27 | 96 | 8 | 40 | 29 | |
| Defense | — | 39 | 47 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 27 | 35 | 39 | 1 | 30 | 15 | 74 | 63 | 51 | 65 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | 12.4 | 13.8 | 13.0 | 16.5 | 18.1 | 17.2 | 15.6 | 14.2 | 16.8 | 10.0 | 13.4 | 15.1 | 17.7 | 13.0 | 15.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | 4.3 | 6.1 | 8.6 | 9.2 | 15.1 | 13.1 | 16.1 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 10.8 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 8.1 | 13.0 | 12.2 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | 40.0 | 53.1 | 42.1 | 48.5 | 43.9 | 58.8 | 47.1 | 45.5 | 56.5 | 51.1 | 50.0 | 51.9 | 50.0 | 34.3 | 52.8 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
+25.6 pts
#20 of 208 · top quarter
Defense vs. talent
+6.3 pts
#74 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Portal arrivals
0
Portal departures
11
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-11
#185 of 187 FBS stints
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
0.0
position-weighted
Talent lost
20.7
position-weighted
Net
-20.7
arrivals minus departures
Biggest loss: Devin Mathews (WR) to Wofford
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
DC: Buddy Green → Dale Pehrson · 2015
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Dale Pehrson → Brian Newberry / Brian Norwood (co) · 2019
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Brian Newberry / Brian Norwood (co) → Brian Newberry · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
199 lbs
6′0″ avg · #710 of 767 · bottom quarter
Running back
203 lbs
5′10″ avg · #567 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
199 lbs
6′1″ avg · #122 of 791 · top quarter
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
291 lbs
6′2″ avg · #764 of 779 · bottom quarter
Linebacker
220 lbs
6′1″ avg · #705 of 772 · bottom quarter
Safety
191 lbs
5′11″ avg · #290 of 346 · bottom quarter
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2007: Lost to Utah 32-35 Bowl2008: Lost to Wake Forest 19-29 Bowl2009: Beat Missouri 35-13 Bowl2010: Lost to San Diego State 14-35 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2012: Lost to Arizona State 28-62 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl2013: Beat Middle Tennessee 24-6 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl2014: Beat San Diego State 17-16 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl2015: Beat Pittsburgh 44-28 Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman2016: Lost to Louisiana Tech 45-48 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl2017: Beat Virginia 49-7 Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman2019: Beat Kansas State 20-17 Bowl
3 NFL Draft picks: Joe Cardona (2015), Keenan Reynolds (2016), Malcolm Perry (2020)
+8.3
109-83
2002–2007
Paul Johnson Steady
Paul Johnson moved Navy from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Averaged a 15% pass rate — among the most run-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
vs. Army
+8.0 pts over 6 seasons · top 22% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Navy run (1995–2001)
11th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Charlie Weatherbie (1995–2001) · succeeded by Ken Niumatalolo (2007–2022).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 2-10 | 8-5 | 10-2 | 8-4 | 9-4 | 8-4 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | #113 | #113 | #119 | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | 15.0 | 17.9 | 12.8 | 14.5 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | — | 93 | 94 | 89 | 95 | |
| Defense | — | — | 32 | 5 | 34 | 10 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | 13.9 | 18.3 | 15.4 | 10.4 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | 6.8 | 15.8 | 6.2 | 8.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | 69.2 | 48.1 | 39.3 | 43.6 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2003: Lost to Texas Tech 14-38 Bowl2004: Beat New Mexico 34-19 Bowl2005: Beat Colorado State 51-30 Bowl2006: Lost to Boston College 24-25 Bowl
+8.0
45-29
1995–2001
Charlie Weatherbie Steady
Charlie Weatherbie moved the Midshipmen from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 7 seasons.
vs. Army
+7.9 pts over 7 seasons · top 23% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Bret Bielema’s Wisconsin run (2006–2012)
13th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed George Chaump (1990–1994) · succeeded by Paul Johnson (2002–2007).
| Season | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 5-6 | 9-3 | 7-4 | 3-8 | 5-7 | 1-10 | 0-7 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1996: Beat California 42-38 Bowl
+7.9
30-45
1990–1994
George Chaump Steady
George Chaump slid Navy from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
vs. Army
−7.0 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 25% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Buddy Teevens’s Stanford run (2002–2004)
14th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Elliot Uzelac (1987–1989) · succeeded by Charlie Weatherbie (1995–2001).
3 NFL Draft picks: Robert Kuberski (1993), Max Lane (1994), Kevin Hickman (1995)
−7.0
14-41
1987–1989
Elliot Uzelac Steady
Elliot Uzelac slid the Midshipmen from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
vs. Army
−4.4 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 40% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Mel Tucker’s Michigan State run (2020–2023)
12th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Gary Tranquill (1982–1986) · succeeded by George Chaump (1990–1994).
−4.4
8-25
1982–1986
Gary Tranquill Steady
Gary Tranquill slid Navy from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
vs. Army
−5.1 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 36% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Brent Guy’s Utah State run (2005–2008)
10th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed George Welsh (1973–1981) · succeeded by Elliot Uzelac (1987–1989).
1 NFL Draft pick: Napoleon McCallum (1986)
−5.1
20-34-1
1973–1981
George Welsh Steady
George Welsh moved the Midshipmen from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 9 seasons.
vs. Army
+9.8 pts over 9 seasons · top 17% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Chuck Amato’s NC State run (2000–2006)
9th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Rick Forzano (1969–1972) · succeeded by Gary Tranquill (1982–1986).
| Season | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 4-7 | 4-7 | 7-4 | 4-7 | 5-6 | 9-3 | 7-4 | 8-4 | 7-4-1 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | W bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1978: Beat BYU 23-16 Bowl1980: Lost to Houston 0-35 Bowl1981: Lost to Ohio State 28-31 Bowl
+9.8
55-46-1
1969–1972
Rick Forzano Steady≈
Rick Forzano slid the Midshipmen from National Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
vs. Army
−16.2 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 1% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Kevin Steele’s Baylor run (1999–2002)
8th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed William Elias (1965–1968) · succeeded by George Welsh (1973–1981).
−16.2
10-33
1965–1968
William Elias Steady
William Elias slid the Midshipmen from Power Program II to Power Program III in 4 seasons.
vs. Army
−15.8 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 2% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Kevin Steele’s Baylor run (1999–2002)
4th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Wayne Hardin (1959–1964) · succeeded by Rick Forzano (1969–1972).
−15.8
15-22-3
1959–1964
Wayne Hardin Steady
Wayne Hardin moved the Midshipmen from Power Program III to Power Program II in 6 seasons.
vs. Army
+0.4 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 42% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s UL Monroe run (2003–2009)
1st-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Eddie Erdelatz (1950–1958) · succeeded by William Elias (1965–1968).
+0.4
38-22-2
1950–1958
Eddie Erdelatz Steady
Eddie Erdelatz moved Navy from National Program I to Power Program III in 9 seasons.
vs. Army
+7.0 pts over 9 seasons · top 27% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Steve Sarkisian’s Texas run (2021–now)
3rd-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed George Sauer (1948–1949) · succeeded by Wayne Hardin (1959–1964).
+7.0
50-26-8
1936, 1946–1947
Thomas Hamilton Steady
Thomas Hamilton held Navy at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
vs. Army
2nd-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Hank Hardwick (1937–1938) · returned in 1946, succeeding Oscar Hagberg (1944–1945) · succeeded by George Sauer (1948–1949).
Power Program II
8-18-1
1944–1945
Oscar Hagberg Short tenure
vs. Army
13-4-1
1942–1943
John Whelchel Short tenure
vs. Army
13-5
1939–1941
Swede Larson Steady
Swede Larson held the Midshipmen at National Program II for 3 seasons.
vs. Army
+0.9 pts over 3 seasons · top 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Utah State run (1992–1994)
5th-best Navy tenure of 14 by the numbers.
Followed Hank Hardwick (1937–1938) · succeeded by John Whelchel (1942–1943).
+0.9
16-8-3
1937–1938
Hank Hardwick Short tenure
vs. Army
8-7-3