Navy has posted winning records in 10 of the last 11 seasons. An efficient and effective triple-option offense is the primary reason for that sustained success as the Midshipmen have either led the nation or ranked in the top four 10 times since 2002.
Navy’s had two head coaches and employed 10 different starting quarterbacks during the most productive era in program history. Along the way, there has been one constant – Ivin Jasper, who has been responsible for teaching the quarterbacks how to direct the triple-option.
“Ivin is, without a doubt, the best option quarterback coach in the country. He’s a great teacher – both of the offense as a whole and the mechanics of running the option,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We’ve had all sorts of different quarterbacks, but we’ve only had one quarterbacks coach. It’s the consistency factor that is so critical. Ivin just does a great job of teaching mechanics, of communicating what needs to be done.”
Jasper learned the intricacies of this particular option system while playing quarterback at the University of Hawaii when Paul Johnson was offensive coordinator. Both Jasper and Niumatalolo, who also played QB for the Rainbows, later worked under Johnson as assistants.
When Johnson left Georgia Southern to return to Navy as head coach, he brought Jasper along with him to tutor the quarterbacks. Craig Candeto was the initial pupil and was impressed with the way Jasper imparted the knowledge and mechanics of how to operate the option.
“I had run some option in high school and was excited about doing it a higher level under Coach Johnson. Coach Jasper was great to work with because he has a great demeanor and so much professionalism,” said Candeto, who rushed for 32 touchdowns over two seasons as the starting quarterback. “Ivin played the position under Coach Johnson then taught the position under Coach Johnson so he knew the subject matter, was well-versed on every single detail.”
Candeto is now head coach at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and oversees an option-based offense. The former Navy jet fighter pilot still speaks regularly with Jasper, often seeking advice and tips about various offensive topics.
“What I respected the most was the way Coach Jasper handled players. He was an excellent teacher and very clear and concise with imparting what he expected,” Candeto said. “Ivin still thinks as a player as far as how he would want things presented to him. He is also very calm and cool, which is important. He would pull you aside and explain what you were doing wrong.”
Photo: Phil Hoffmann
Flexbone Association 
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