The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Navy: a football coaching history

National Program III#70 of 138–
See Navy’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Wayne Hardin
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
George Welsh
Regional Program III → Regional Program I (+9.8)
The fall
Rick Forzano
National Program II → Regional Program III (−16.2)
Right now
Brian Newberry
the 7th-best of Navy's 14 coaches so far
Navy's highest stature since 2019

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HamiltonErdelatzHardinWelshTranquillChaumpWeatherbieJohnsonNiumatalolo19401960198020002020

Every coach

2023–now
Brian Newberrycaretaker
Brian Newberry moved Navy from Regional Program I to National Program III in 4 seasons.
National Program III
26–12
2007–2022
Ken Niumatalolocaretaker
Ken Niumatalolo moved Navy from Regional Program III to National Program III in 16 seasons.
+9.6
109–83
2002–2007
Paul Johnsoncaretaker
Paul Johnson moved Navy from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Regional Program II
45–29
1995–2001
Charlie Weatherbiecaretaker
Charlie Weatherbie moved Navy from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 7 seasons.
Regional Program IV
30–45
1990–1994
George Chaumpcaretaker
George Chaump slid Navy from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
Regional Program IV
14–41
1987–1989
Elliot Uzelaccaretaker
Elliot Uzelac slid Navy from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
Regional Program III
8–25
1982–1986
Gary Tranquillcaretaker
Gary Tranquill held Navy at Regional Program I for 5 seasons.
Regional Program I
20–34
1973–1981
George Welshcaretaker
George Welsh moved Navy from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 9 seasons.
+9.8
55–46
1969–1972
Rick Forzanocaretaker
Rick Forzano slid Navy from National Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
−16.2
10–33
1965–1968
William Eliascaretaker
William Elias slid Navy from Power Program II to Power Program III in 4 seasons.
−15.8
15–22
1959–1964
Wayne Hardincaretaker
Wayne Hardin moved Navy from Power Program III to Power Program II in 6 seasons.
Power Program II
38–22
1950–1958
Eddie Erdelatzcaretaker
Eddie Erdelatz moved Navy from National Program I to Power Program III in 9 seasons.
Power Program III
50–26
1948–1949
George Sauershort tenure
3–13
1944–1945
Oscar Hagbergshort tenure
13–4
1942–1943
John Whelchelshort tenure
13–5
1939–1941
Swede Larsoncaretaker
Swede Larson held Navy at National Program II for 3 seasons.
National Program II
16–8
1937–1938
Hank Hardwickshort tenure
8–7
1936–1947
Thomas Hamiltoncaretaker
Thomas Hamilton held Navy at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
8–18