Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was on top of the world on the night of Dec. 28.
Navy had just beaten Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl to close out the most successful season in school history with record-breaking quarterback Keenan Reynolds leading the way. Reynolds extended some of the records he already held and established some others as the Midshipmen set a single-season school record with 11 wins.
That game came just over a week after Niumatalolo had decided to remain at Navy after considering accepting the Brigham Young University job.