By WRBL Staff
Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) - Navy moved quickly to name a successor to Paul Johnson, and that may help Johnson avoid delay in making decisions about his new staff at Georgia Tech.Associated Press
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Stumble It!Only one day after Johnson was named Georgia Tech's coach, Navy today named assistant Ken Niumatalolo as Johnson's successor.
Johnson said Friday he planned to be back at Navy today to meet with his Navy staff. After Niumatalolo's promotion, Johnson may have had more freedom to invite some Navy assistants to join him in Atlanta.
Niumatalolo was Johnson's assistant head coach and offensive line coach.
Johnson said Friday he hoped to keep the "nucleus" of his Navy staff, but he correctly predicted his successor at Navy would come from the staff.
A big question is the status of Jon Tenuta, Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator under former coach Chan Gailey. Tenuta will serve as interim head coach for Tech's December 31st Humanitarian Bowl against Fresno State.
If Tenuta is uncertain of his chance to remain on Johnson's staff, he may pursue other opportunities, including the newly vacated job as defensive coordinator at LSU.
Former LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was named Nebraska's head coach last week. LSU coach Les Miles has said Tenuta would be among those he would consider to replace Pelini.
Johnson said he hopes to meet with Tenuta and other Georgia Tech assistants "as soon as I can make that happen."
Johnson said he planned to be back at Georgia Tech tomorrow and "hit the ground running for Georgia Tech."
