Insider: Johnson rights Navy's ship

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Steve Belichick was hired as a Navy assistant coach in 1956. As a scout on weekends, Belichick estimates he saw only a handful of actual games played by the Midshipmen.

Game day always meant he was on the road, preparing a written report for the next week. But Belichick was hooked that moment almost 50 years ago, when the Naval Academy's grim-faced, buzz-cut, finely trained human missiles hit the practice field -- and then hit opponents.

Paul Johnson has turned things around at Navy in just two-plus seasons. (Provided to SportsLine)

"Guys that were 165 pounds would hit a 200-pounder like he was a 125-pounder, said the father of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "I'd never experienced that."

Belichick fell in love with the kids, their mission and the academy, staying 33 years on the staff and eventually settling in Annapolis, Md.

Little Billy grew up there, played catch, broke down film with his dad and befriended Middies. This week is for Steve Belichick and every plebe, cadet and admiral that has felt the pride to the bottom of their toes only to miss out on the game-day glory.

This is Notre Dame week. There is no thin gray line to walk on this issue. Win and Navy breaks an NCAA-record 40-year losing streak to the Irish. Lose, and, well, it has been brought to the attention of coach Paul Johnson what it feels like.

"People have reminded me," he said.

Changing course

Navy football fell off the national radar soon after Roger Staubach won the 1963 Heisman Trophy. What was once a national power became a patriotic curiosity to be viewed each fall: Army-Navy.

In that place where we are all patriots, the service academies always matter.

But in football? Army and Air Force had their moments. Only Navy failed to hit much of a high note over the past four decades. Since Roger the Dodger carted off the hardware, there have been only eight winning seasons, five bowls, two bowl victories.

This week is for them because Navy football matters again. A bowl game last year; the first 5-0 start since 1979 so far; the Middies are getting votes in the polls.

Navy is tied for the ninth-longest winning streak in the country (five). It has a bona-fide NFL prospect in fullback Kyle Eckel. It is coming off a glorious victory at Air Force.