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Mourning freshman linebacker promoted to varsity for Army-Navy game

There is a reason why head coach Ken Niumatalolo is beloved by his players.

Niumatalolo is a man of character who genuinely cares about the young men he coaches and every member of the team knows that to be true.

The ninth-year head coach showed yet again what type of person he is by deciding this week to place freshman linebacker Paul Carothers on the kickoff return unit for Saturday's Army-Navy game.

Carothers is the Navy football player whose father was killed in the line of duty last month. When an injury opened a spot on kickoff return, Niumatalolo saw an opportunity to uplift the spirits of a midshipman who has suffered a devastating loss.