The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced Thursday that Ken Niumatalolo of the United States Naval Academy has been named the 2014 ECAC Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Coach of the Year. Niumatalolo was chosen as the most outstanding coach by his peers within the ECAC Division I FBS membership and members of the media.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named the ECAC FBS Coach of the Year," said Niumatalolo. "I am humbled and grateful to receive this recognition. This award is a direct reflection of our outstanding players, assistant coaches, and staff. Thank you to the ECAC for this award. Thank you to our players, assistant coaches, and staff. They are the reason why we have experienced success."

Niumatalolo led the Midshipmen to an 8-5 record this season, including a thrilling 17-16 victory over San Diego State in the 2014 Poinsettia Bowl. The trip to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego marked Navy's 10th bowl game appearance in the last 11 years and sixth in the last seven years under Niumatalolo. Navy also enjoyed a 17-10 victory over Army in the annual rivalry game, making Niumatalolo the first coach in the history of the Army-Navy game to begin his career 7-0 against the rival Service Academy. In addition, Coach Niumatalolo became Navy's all-time winningest coach during the 2014 season, compiling a 57-35 record in his seven seasons. Niumatalolo is the fastest in school history to reach 50 wins, winning his 50th game against Temple this fall in what was his 81st career game.

The Midshipmen were led this season by quarterback Keenan Reynolds (Antioch, Tenn.), who just wrapped up his junior season in Annapolis. The ECAC All-Star finished the 2014 campaign with 1,191 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns, while throwing for 843 yards and six touchdowns. Reynolds will enter his senior season with 64 career rushing touchdowns, which already tied for fourth in NCAA history.

Senior guard Jake Zuzek (Brookhaven, Pa.), senior punter Pablo Beltran (Humble, Texas), junior guard E.K. Binns (Cape Coral, Fla.) and junior defensive end Will Anthony (Jacksonville, Fla.) also made their way on the ECAC FBS All-Star team under Coach Niumatalolo. Zuzek and Binns anchored an offensive line and rushing attack that averaged 338.1 yards on the ground per game, which ranked second nationally. Anthony finished the 2014 season with a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss, to go along with 2.5 sacks and 67 total stops.

In addition to the wins over San Diego State and Army, Navy earned triumphs over Temple, Texas State, VMI, San Jose State, Georgia Southern and South Alabama.