After high school, Candeto was recruited by Paul Johnson at
Georgia Southern, but chose to attend the United States Naval Academy. Although military service was initially not attractive for Candeto, the concept eventually appealed to him, while his uncle was also a
United States Marine Corps veteran who served in the
Gulf War. At the United States Naval Academy, Candeto played football and baseball, serving as a left fielder in the latter; the Midshipmen won the 2001
Patriot League baseball championship. In football, he started the 2001 opener against
Temple, where he threw two touchdown passes as Navy lost 45–26. Johnson was hired in 2002 and installed the
flexbone triple option, a system that Candeto quickly adapted to. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2004, Candeto became a lieutenant in the
United States Navy. During his five-year service, he was a fighter pilot, with his last assignment being with
Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at
Naval Air Station Oceana. ==Coaching career==