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Team Information
| Ground | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| City | Amherst, Massachusetts |
| Conference | Independents (FBS), |
| Nickname | Minutemen |
About UMass Minutemen Football
Get ready for an exciting season with the 2024 UMass Minutemen football team! Representing the University of Massachusetts Amherst, they'll play their home games at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Hadley, Massachusetts. Led by head coach Don Brown for his third season back in charge and eighth overall, the Minutemen are gearing up for their final independent season. But that's not all. They're also preparing for a major transition. In 2025, they'll join the prestigious Mid-American Conference (MAC), which promises even more thrilling matchups and intense rivalries.
| Name of Team | UMass Minutemen Football Team |
| First season | 1879 |
| Athletic director | Ryan Bamford |
| Head coach | Don Brown2nd season, 4–20 (.167) |
| Stadium | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium(capacity: 17,000) |
| Location | Hadley, Massachusetts |
| Conference | Independent |
| Field surface | FieldTurf |
| Conference titles | 21 |
| Fight song | Fight Mass |
| Mascot | Sam the Minuteman |
| Rivals | Boston College (rivalry)UConn (rivalry) |
| Consensus All-Americans | 1 |
UMass Minutemen Football Team Introduction
The UMass Minutemen football team competes independently, representing the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Since 1965, they've played home games at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Hadley, Massachusetts. With roots dating back to 1879, they've clinched three FCS National Championship game appearances, winning in 1998. Transitioning to FBS in 2011, they became bowl eligible in 2013. Despite leaving the Mid-American Conference in 2015, they'll rejoin as full members in 2025. Led by head coach Don Brown, appointed for his second stint on November 22, 2021, the Minutemen aim for success.
UMass Minutemen Football Team History
UMass football began on November 22, 1879, as the "Aggies," defeating Amherst College 4–0. They later joined the Athletic League of New England State Colleges, dominating early matchups. Their 100th win came in 1920 against Connecticut. In 2000, they played their 1000th game, facing Delaware. Nicknamed "Aggies," "Statesmen," then "Redmen," they settled on "Minutemen" in 1972. Vic Fusia coached from 1961 to 1970, with notable successes. Dick MacPherson took over, leading from 1971 to 1977. In 2024, UMass football continues its rich legacy, poised for new achievements under coach Don Brown.
UMass Minutemen Football Team Coaches
Head Coach Profile
Don Brown, born July 31, 1955, is an American college football coach and former player. He currently serves as the head football coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), a position he first held from 2004 to 2008 and resumed in 2022. With coaching experience at various universities, including Maryland, Michigan, and Boston College, Brown brings a wealth of knowledge to UMass. He graduated from Norwich University in 1977 and earned a master's degree from Plymouth State University in 1996.
| Years | Coach | Record | Pct. |
| 1879–1897 | No coach | 30–58–6 | .351 |
| 1898 | David F. Weeks | 1–4–1 | .250 |
| 1899–1900 | Fred W. Murphy | 12–8 | .600 |
| 1901–1903 | James Halligan | 16–8–2 | .653 |
| 1904, 1907–1908 | Matthew Bullock | 13–8–5 | .596 |
| 1905 | Walter Craig | 3–7 | .300 |
| 1906 | George E. O'Hearn | 1–7–1 | .167 |
| 1909 | J. W. Gage | 1–6–2 | .222 |
| 1910 | Willard Gildersleeve | 1–6–2 | .222 |
| 1911 | Jack Hubbard | 2–7 | .222 |
| 1912–1915 | Arthur Brides | 12–15–4 | .452 |
| 1916 | George Melican | 2–4–2 | .375 |
| 1919–1927 | Harold Gore | 33–32–5 | .507 |
| 1928–1930 | Charles McGeoch | 6–17–2 | .280 |
| 1931–1935 | Mel Taube | 29–13–2 | .682 |
| 1936–1940 | Elbert Carraway | 9–32–3 | .239 |
| 1941–1942, 1946 | Walter Hargesheimer | 11–11–1 | .500 |
| 1945, 1947–1951 | Thomas Eck | 17–23–4 | .432 |
| 1952–1959 | Charlie O'Rourke | 21–39–4 | .359 |
| 1960 | Chuck Studley | 7–2 | .778 |
| 1961–1970 | Vic Fusia | 59–32–2 | .645 |
| 1971–1977 | Dick MacPherson | 45–27–1 | .623 |
| 1978–1983 | Bob Pickett | 36–28 | .563 |
| 1984–1985 | Bob Stull | 10–12 | .455 |
| 1986–1991 | Jim Reid | 36–29–2 | .552 |
| 1992–1997 | Mike Hodges | 35–30 | .538 |
| 1998–2003 | Mark Whipple | 49–26 | .629 |
| 2004–2008 | Don Brown | 43–19 | .693 |
| 2009–2011 | Kevin Morris | 16–17 | .485 |
| 2012–2013 | Charley Molnar | 2–22 | .083 |
| 2014–2018 | Mark Whipple | 16–44 | .280 |
| 2019–2021 | Walt Bell | 2–23 | .063 |
| 2021 | Alex Miller (interim) | 0–3 | .000 |
| 2022–present | Don Brown | 4–20 | .167 |
UMass Minutemen Football Team Stadium
Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, nestled in Hadley, Massachusetts, is the heart of the University of Massachusetts Amherst's sports spirit. Since its inception in 1965, save for a brief stint at Gillette Stadium, it has been the proud home of the UMass Minutemen football team. Named after Warren McGuirk, the university's athletic director from 1948 to 1971, the stadium boasts a capacity of 17,000 seats. Not only a venue for football glory, it hosts graduation ceremonies and even the 1987 NCAA women’s soccer championship. With recent upgrades to meet NCAA standards, McGuirk Stadium is a beacon of pride for the Minutemen.
UMass Minutemen Football Team Rivals
Boston College:
UMass and Boston College have a historic rivalry, with their first meeting dating back to 1899. Though historically dominated by BC, UMass aims for a resurgence.
UConn:
UMass and UConn share a spirited rivalry that began in 1897. The teams have battled intermittently over the years, with UMass holding a slight lead in the series.
UMass Minutemen Football Team Record and Stats
National Championships:
In 1998, under the guidance of Coach Mark Whipple, UMass clinched the NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) Championship with a conference record of 6–2 and an overall record of 12–3, defeating Georgia Southern 55–43 in the title game.
| Year | Coach | Conference record | Overall record | Postseason | Score | Opponent |
| 1998 | Mark Whipple | 6–2 | 12–3 | NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) Championship Game | 55–43 | Georgia Southern |
Conference Championships:
UMass boasts a remarkable tally of 21 conference championships, with 11 shared and 10 outright victories.
Notable conference championship seasons include:
1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1969 in the Yankee Conference.
2006 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
2007 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
| Season | Conference | Overall record | Conference record |
| 1960 | Yankee Conference | 7–2 | 3–1 |
| 1963 | Yankee Conference | 8–0–1 | 5–0 |
| 1964 | Yankee Conference | 8–2 | 5–0 |
| 1966 | Yankee Conference | 6–3 | 5–0 |
| 1967 | Yankee Conference | 7–2 | 5–0 |
| 1969 | Yankee Conference | 6–3 | 5–0 |
| 1971 | Yankee Conference | 4–4–1 | 3–1–1 |
| 1972 | Yankee Conference | 9–2 | 5–0 |
| 1974 | Yankee Conference | 5–6 | 4–2 |
| 1977 | Yankee Conference | 8–3 | 5–0 |
| 1978 | Yankee Conference | 9–4 | 5–0 |
| 1979 | Yankee Conference | 6–4 | 4–1 |
| 1981 | Yankee Conference | 6–3 | 4–1 |
| 1982 | Yankee Conference | 5–6 | 3–2 |
| 1986 | Yankee Conference | 8–3 | 5–2 |
| 1988 | Yankee Conference | 8–4 | 6–2 |
| 1990 | Yankee Conference | 8–2–1 | 7–1 |
| 1999 | Atlantic 10 Conference | 9–4 | 7–1 |
| 2003 | Atlantic 10 Conference | 10–3 | 8–1 |
| 2006 | Atlantic 10 Conference | 13–2 | 8–0 |
| 2007 | Colonial Athletic Association | 10–3 | 7–1 |
These triumphs showcase UMass's historic dominance within their respective conferences, solidifying their place in college football history.
UMass Minutemen Football Team Roster
Here's a rundown of the current players on the UMass Minutemen Football Team:
Jalen Harrell - Viper - Redshirt Junior
Jaelyn Lay - Tight End - Graduate
Anthony Simpson - Wide Receiver - Senior
Jacquon Gibson - Wide Receiver - Redshirt Sophomore
Isaiah Rutherford - Defensive Back - Redshirt Senior
Steven Ortiz - Cornerback - Redshirt Junior
Taisun Phommachanh - Quarterback - Redshirt Senior
Sterling Galban - Wide Receiver - Graduate
Tyler Rudolph - Safety - Redshirt Senior
Ahmad Haston - Quarterback - Redshirt Freshman
Tyler Martin - Linebacker - Redshirt Sophomore
Keshawn Brown - Wide Receiver - Redshirt Junior
Jeremiah McGill - Safety - Redshirt Sophomore
Lake Ellis - Defensive Back - Graduate
Frank Ladson Jr. - Wide Receiver - Graduate
AJ Hairston - Quarterback - Freshman
Jashon Watkins - Defensive Back - Graduate
Ryan Jankowski - Quarterback - Redshirt Junior
Myles Turner - Linebacker - Redshirt Junior
T.Y. Harding - Wide Receiver - Redshirt Sophomore
Captains and leaders:
Captain: Anthony Simpson (Wide Receiver)
Leaders: Isaiah Rutherford (Defensive Back), Taisun Phommachanh (Quarterback), Tyler Rudolph (Safety)
UMass Minutemen Football Team Schedule
Here's the UMass Minutemen Football Team's current season schedule:
August 31 (Sat) - Eastern Michigan
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
September 7 (Sat) - University of Toledo
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Time: TBD
September 14 (Sat) - University at Buffalo
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Time: TBD
September 21 (Sat) - Central Connecticut State University
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
September 28 (Sat) - Miami University (OH)
Location: Oxford, Ohio
Time: TBD
October 5 (Sat) - Northern Illinois University
Location: DeKalb, Ill.
Time: TBD
October 12 (Sat) - University of Missouri
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
October 26 (Sat) - Wagner College
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
November 2 (Sat) - Mississippi State University
Location: Starkville, Miss.
Time: TBD
November 16 (Sat) - Liberty University
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
November 23 (Sat) - University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Ga.
Time: TBD
November 30 (Sat) - University of Connecticut
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, Mass.
Time: TBD
FAQ's On UMass Minutemen Football
A. The mascot for the UMass Minutemen Football Team is Sam the Minuteman, representing the American Revolutionary War soldiers.
A. UMass has won 21 conference championships, with 11 shared and 10 outright victories.
A. The home stadium for the UMass Minutemen Football Team is McGuirk Alumni Stadium, situated in Amherst, Massachusetts.
A. The current head coach of the UMass Minutemen Football Team is Don Brown, leading the team with expertise and strategic guidance.
A. The UMass Minutemen Football Team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly Division I-A.
