Brad Smith was convinced Navy was the right place for his son because of its coach.  Brad Smith played left tackle at Westmoore High School, protecting the blindside of his quarterback. A guy by the name of Brian Newberry.

Navy coach Brian Newberry grew up only a few miles from the University of Oklahoma campus, and the first college game he attended as a kid was to watch the Sooners. His parents still live in his childhood home in Moore,

Navy heads into its first bowl game since before the pandemic with a good deal of momentum, having upset Army in its annual rivalry game on Dec. 14. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is coming off a loss as it tries to avoid a second losing season in three years under head coach Brent Venables.