TULSA, OK - NOVEMBER 21 : Coach Ken Niumatalolo celebrates after a touch down against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the second quarter of a NCAA football game at the Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ken Niumatalolo

Report: A "strong" candidate is finally emerging for the open job at Arizona

Have they finally found the guy to replace Rich Rod?

Navy football head coach Ken Niumatalolo is reportedly believed to be a finalist for the same position at Arizona, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

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Speculation that Niumatalolo is in the running for the job has grown considerably after he was unexpectedly absent from Navy's team facility on Friday. Niumatalolo has guided Navy to an 84-47 record over his 10 seasons as head coach and bowl appearances in nine of those seasons.

Niumatalolo was also a candidate for the BYU opening a couple of years ago, but he declined to take that job.

The position at Arizona opened up after Rich Rodriguez was fired over allegations of workplace misconduct by a former administrative assistant. The school was unable to prove those claims, but still opted to fire Rodriguez because the university was "concerned with the direction and climate of the football program" as a result of those claims.

UCLA offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch is also reportedly a candidate for the position as well.