Recapping The Last 48 hours In Navy Football
Navy’s 23-3 loss to rival Air Force feels like it happened a week ago. The time since the game ended has been crazy. On Saturday evening Bill Wagner of the Capital Gazette reported the Offensive Coordinator Ivin Jasper had been let go. The offense has struggled since Malcolm Perry graduated after the 2019 season. In 2020 it got so bad they got away from the option. This season the Mids have put up 10 points through two games and had 68 total yards against the Falcons on Saturday
The rumors were that Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk made the decision to part ways with him. This wasn’t surprising considering the relationship between Coach Jasper and Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo. They have been close friends since they played together in college at Hawaii. Also letting coaches go has been rare in the triple option era at Navy
After declining to comment on the report I was expecting a release stating the change had been made and how they would move forward. However that release never came. When Coach Niumatalolo had his weekly zoom call with reporters today he was asked about the report. His answer was surprising.
He said he asked for Coach Jasper to be reinstated. The decision from the athletic director was he could come back to his role as quarterbacks coach but not coordinator. Play calling will be done by Coach Niumatalolo who spends most of his time with the offensive staff and has called some plays during his tenure.
Navy has also parted ways with Offensive Assistant Billy Ray Stutzman. This decision comes after he had been working remotely due to not getting the Covid vaccine. Academy policy states that all staff must be vaccinated. Coach Stutzman released a statement saying that he didn’t get the vaccine for religious reasons. He applied for an exemption but it was denied
The Midshipmen have a bye this week before their first road game in Houston on September 25th. Kickoff is a 7pm and will be televised by the ESPN family of networks.
