Paul Johnson is no longer the coach -- the very successful coach -- at Navy, but replacement Ken Niumatalolo, groomed for the job by Johnson over the past five years, steps into the top job in a Navy football program that is thriving.

Five straight bowl games. The most-feared running attack in the country. Is there any reason to think any of that will change with Johnson having gone off to greener pastures?

So far, the only change has been that the head coach no longer rides around on a golf cart, which, strangely enough, Johnson says came at the suggestion of Niumatalolo.

The Midshipmen lost more than the head coach and must replace several key members of the team. But they also bring back a significant part of the cast that went 8-5 last year, led by quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada on offense and key personnel on defense.

The Blue beat the Gold, 14-0, in the annual spring game, after which Niumatalolo said, "Our two main goals tonight were accomplished. Navy won the game and nobody got hurt."

The Navy defense, battered and bruised last season, should be better, and the offense, which should benefit from talented backup quarterback Jarod Bryant playing mostly as the slotback, will again amass yardage on the ground.

Obviously, there is still work to be done before the Mids open their quest for a sixth straight bowl trip (the new Congressional Bowl?) against 1-AA Towson at home, Aug. 30. But the shift from Johnson to his trusted assistant shouldn't be one of the things Navy will worry about.

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