Navy Midshipmen football

Navy Midshipmen football
Name	Navy Midshipmen football
Founded	1879
Stadium	Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Capacity	34,000
City	Annapolis, Maryland
Conference	The American (since 2015)
Past conference	Independent (1879–2014)
Head coach	Brian Newberry
Tenure	2023–present
Bowl record	11–13–1
Claimed natls	2 (1926, 1960)
Conference champs	3 (The American: 2015, 2016, 2019)
Rivalries	Army Black Knights (Army–Navy Game), Air Force Falcons (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy), Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Heisman	2 (Joe Bellino (1960), Roger Staubach (1963))
Consensus All-Americans	19
Current year	2024 Navy Midshipmen football team

Navy Midshipmen football represents the United States Naval Academy in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. The program, established in 1879, is one of the most storied in college football history, renowned for its triple option offense and service academy rivalries. Competing as an independent for most of its history, Navy joined the American Athletic Conference in 2015 and plays its home games at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

History

The team played its first game in 1879 against the Baltimore Athletic Club. Early success came under coaches like Bill Ingram and Rip Miller, with the 1926 Navy Midshipmen football team being awarded a national championship by the Boand System. The modern golden era was defined by Wayne Hardin and Roger Staubach, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1963 and led Navy to the 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. After a period of struggle, a renaissance began under Paul Johnson, who reinstated the triple option offense in 2002. This led to consistent bowl appearances and victories in the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series. The program transitioned from FBS independence to the American Athletic Conference under coach Ken Niumatalolo, winning conference championships in 2015, 2016, and 2019.

Notable players

Navy has produced two Heisman Trophy winners: halfback Joe Bellino in 1960 and quarterback Roger Staubach in 1963. Staubach later led the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl VI victory and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other distinguished professional players include Napoleon McCallum, who played for the Los Angeles Raiders, and Keenan Reynolds, who set the NCAA record for career rushing touchdowns. Notable College Football Hall of Fame inductees from Navy include tackle Buzz Borries, quarterback Steve Eisenhauer, and defensive end Chester Peacock. Many distinguished military officers, such as Admiral William P. Lawrence and Lieutenant Commander Tommy Spaulding, also starred for the Midshipmen.

Rivalries

The program's primary rivalry is with the Army Black Knights, contested in the annual Army–Navy Game since 1890; the winner receives the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. Navy also vies with the Air Force Falcons for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, a three-way competition between the service academies. A historic intersectional rivalry with Notre Dame Fighting Irish dates to 1927 and was played annually for many decades. Other traditional opponents have included Maryland, Pittsburgh, and Penn State.

Championships and bowl games

Navy claims two national championships, awarded for the 1926 and 1960 seasons by select selectors. The team has won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy 17 times since its inception in 1972. In conference play, Navy has won three American Athletic Conference championships (2015, 2016, 2019). The Midshipmen have appeared in numerous bowl games, including the 1955 Sugar Bowl, 1961 Orange Bowl, and 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. Notable recent bowl victories include the 2013 Armed Forces Bowl, 2015 Military Bowl, and 2019 Liberty Bowl. Their overall bowl record stands at 11 wins and 13 losses.

Head coaches

Significant coaches in program history include Bill Ingram, who led the 1926 national championship squad, and Eddie Erdelatz, who coached the famed 1954 Navy Midshipmen football team. Wayne Hardin coached Roger Staubach and won the 1961 Orange Bowl. George Welsh later found success before moving to the University of Virginia. The modern era was transformed by Paul Johnson, who resurrected the program with the triple option. His successor, Ken Niumatalolo, became the winningest coach in academy history, leading the transition to the American Athletic Conference. The current head coach is Brian Newberry, who took over prior to the 2023 season.

Home stadiums

The team initially played on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy, including on Worden Field. From 1924 to 1959, its primary home was Thompson Stadium in Annapolis. In 1959, the program moved to the purpose-built Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which remains its home. This stadium, with a current capacity of 34,000, has hosted the Army–Navy Game on several occasions and underwent a major renovation in 2004. For major neutral-site games, Navy has also played at venues like M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and FedExField in Landover, Maryland.

Category:American Athletic Conference football teams Category:United States Naval Academy Category:College football teams in Maryland