Niumatalolo to stay at Navy after considering BYU

Published Dec. 16, 2015 10:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo is staying put.

Niumatalolo visited Brigham Young on Monday to discuss the opening created when head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced he was leaving for Virginia.

After giving the job at BYU much consideration, Niumatalolo decided Wednesday night to stay at Navy.

''It was a long and agonizing two days, probably the hardest two days of my life, but the Naval Academy has been my life for the last 18 years and I love it here,'' Niumatalolo said. ''I love the kids that go to school here and the people I work with. BYU was something I need to look into because of my faith and the opportunity to coach my two sons, but ultimately I decided to stay at the Naval Academy because this is the best place for me and my family. We are at peace with the decision.''

Niumatalolo said over the weekend that he chose to visit BYU because he is a devout Mormon.

In the end, though, he decided Navy was his best option.

''I'm glad to have this all behind us,'' Navy athletic director Chet Gladshuk said. ''It's been very stressful for everyone involved. There was never any reason in my mind for Kenny to leave, but he had to go through this exercise to be sure.''

Niumatalolo is 67-37 in eight seasons at Navy. He is 8-0 against Army.

His next game will be Dec. 28 against Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl in Annapolis.