Capt. Clinton Cornell speaks at a change of command ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., on Oct. 3, 2025. (Ryan D. McLearnon/U.S. Navy)
(Tribune News Service) — The next commandant of the Naval Academy is a team player and an “exceptional mentor,” those who know him say. As a 2001 graduate of the Naval Academy, Capt. Clinton A. Cornell was a decorated swimmer who stayed out of the spotlight and led by example.
Jennifer Tyll graduated alongside Cornell and served as the 2001 class president. Tyll said Cornell “certainly doesn’t seek the limelight but is truly a standard to which the future midshipmen … should measure themselves against.”
“He is a very solid and quiet professional,” Tyll said. “He is just an all-around wonderful person … as you look at folks that have qualities that you want to emulate, I think he will be a phenomenal example of that for future leadership.”
The U.S. Naval Academy announced on April 28 that Cornell will be the school’s 92nd commandant. The news came five months after the previous commandant was fired.
Capt. Gilbert E. Clark Jr. was removed from the commandant post in November, about six months into his tenure. A statement from the academy at the time said it had lost confidence in Clark’s ability to lead.
The commandant is a role often compared to a dean of students, serving just below the superintendent and handling day-to-day operations with the midshipmen. Tyll said the person in the role serves as an example for midshipmen, exemplifying how to treat one another, lead and handle oneself under pressure.
Cornell embodies perseverance, Tyll said.
She described him as a phenomenal athlete, becoming a Hall of Fame swimmer for the academy. Naval Academy records show him competing in butterfly and freestyle. In his final season, Cornell broke records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle.
Bill Roberts, Navy’s assistant swimming coach at the time and now the men’s head coach, said that being a man of few words does not equate to being a man of few thoughts. He described Cornell as determined, diligent and prepared.
“He was not afraid of a high goal. He was not afraid to work hard. He was a tremendous team member. It was always team first and then him second,” Roberts said. “I feel I got to know him really well, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since.”
Roberts expects Cornell to take a measured and nearly stoic approach to decisions at the Naval Academy, qualities he’s had since the beginning, but now backed up by growth and experience.
As for Cornell’s swimming record, Roberts described him as being dedicated to practice and as a consistent high performer. Roberts said Cornell competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials.
Tyll speculated that his selection as commandant could have something to do with the way he carries himself.
“He is an exceptional mentor. He is engaging. … Parents should be confident [in who is] entrusted to leading their midshipmen,” she said. “I think he’s exceptionally genuine, and that’s really hard in today’s day and age.”
Before coming to the academy, Cornell served as commander at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE in San Diego. Cornell served in Bahrain aboard the USS Dextrous, a mine countermeasures ship. He was also a diving readiness and requirements officer as part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Staff.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, who is one of several U.S. legislators on the academy’s board of visitors, is looking forward to seeing what Cornell brings to the job.
“Our military readiness depends on consistent, experienced leadership — and that extends to the Naval Academy, which serves the vital purpose of preparing the best and brightest young Americans to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “I appreciate Captain Jackson’s service as Commandant in a temporary capacity, and look forward to hearing Captain Cornell’s plans for ensuring our midshipmen receive the top-notch education and training they need.”
Maryland’s other U.S. senator, Angela Alsobrooks, also a Democrat, supports “Superintendent Lieutenant General [Michael] Borgschulte’s leadership of the Naval Academy and believe that his decisions are focused on providing the best for our Midshipmen.”
©2026 Capital Gazette.
Visit at capitalgazette.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
