LOS ANGELES — Known for innovative thinking, Chip Kelly has supplemented his coaching staff with a veteran universally respected for his integrity, knowledge of the triple option and ability to win with meager resources.
Kelly on Friday announced the hiring of Ken Niumatalolo, the winningest coach in Navy history, as UCLA’s newly created director of leadership. As part of his duties, Niumatalolo will advise the Bruins football staff and players.
“It just tells you about how he is as a coach,” Niumatalolo said of Kelly in an interview with ESPN. “He’s an established coach, he’s not threatened by me or anything, he’s not worried about somebody looking over his shoulder. That’s how Chip looks at it — anything I can add. They’re not far off, whatever I can bring, but it just felt right.”
