coach and Navy alum George Welsh succeeded Forzano as Navy's head coach. He inherited a Navy Midshipmen football program that had only had one winning season since the days of Roger Staubach. He led the Midshipmen to three bowl game appearances and their first nine-win season in 16 years. In nine seasons, Welsh compiled a record of 55–46–1, making him the service academy's most successful coach. In 1982, Welsh left Navy to become the head coach at Virginia. Gary Tranquill era (1982–1986) West Virginia offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill was hired as Welsh's replacement in 1982. Tranquill's Midshipmen compiled a 6–5 record in 1982, but it was downhill from there. 1983 saw a 3–8 record followed by back-to-back four-win seasons in 1984 and 1985. A 3–8 campaign in 1986 ended Tranquill's tenure at Navy as the school declined to renew his contract. One notable assistant coach during this time was Nick Saban, the head coach at Alabama. Elliot Uzelac era (1987–1989) Former Western Michigan head coach Elliot Uzelac was hired by Navy to serve as the school's 34th head football coach in 1987. Navy's struggles continued, with the Midshipmen posting records of 2–9 in 1987 followed by back-to-back 3–8 seasons in 1988 and 1989. Uzelac was fired following the 1989 season. George Chaump era (1990–1994) Marshall head coach George Chaump was hired as Uzelac's replacement in 1990. Chaump was unable to revive the Midshipmen football program, compiling a record of 14–41 in five seasons. Chaump's Midshipmen posted back-to-back 1–10 records in 1991 and 1992. Navy fired Chaump after the 1994 season in which the Midshipmen finished 3–8. Charlie Weatherbie era (1995–2001) Utah State head coach Charlie Weatherbie was hired to replace Chaump in 1995. Under Weatherbie, Navy did have a couple of winning seasons, the first coming in 1996 with a record of 9–3 with a win in the Aloha Bowl. That was followed with a 7–4 campaign the following year. After that, however, Navy struggled, failing to post a record better than a 5–7 record. After a 1–10 season in 2000 followed by an 0–7 start to the 2001 season, Weatherbie was fired. Paul Johnson era (2002–2007) In 2002, Paul Johnson departed Georgia Southern and was hired as the 37th Navy head football coach. Johnson's initial season saw the Midshipmen win only two of 12 games, though the season ended on a high note with his first victory over Army,