UMass: New schedule, new coach, new faces ... new results?
SEASON PREVIEW: UMASS
2024 RECORD: 3-10 (0-0 MAC) (0-5 vs MAC teams)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 11TH (tie with Akron)
2024 RECORD: 3-10 (0-0 MAC) (0-5 vs MAC teams)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 11TH (tie with Akron)
MRO STAFF
They're back! Officially!
The UMass Minutemen, who were football only associate MAC members from 2012-1015, are back in the Mid-American Conference fold -- this time as full members across most sports.
From 2016 through last year, UMass football played as an independent. It was a scheduling nightmare which contributed to a string of bad records. Last year's schedule included five MAC teams, against which UMass went 0-5.
Despite a . . .
They're back! Officially!
The UMass Minutemen, who were football only associate MAC members from 2012-1015, are back in the Mid-American Conference fold -- this time as full members across most sports.
From 2016 through last year, UMass football played as an independent. It was a scheduling nightmare which contributed to a string of bad records. Last year's schedule included five MAC teams, against which UMass went 0-5.
Despite a . . .
. . . reported healthy NIL account by MAC standards, this year's coaches poll predicts the newcomers will again struggle. However, with a new head coach, new systems and incoming transfers all over the field, predicting the program's progress in 2025 is a difficult task.
OFFENSE:
• After some inconsistent production in 2024, the Minutemen offense will operate under a new offensive coordinator this time around. Mike Bajakian was with Utah in 2024 and Northwestern from 2020-2023. He has NFL experience, including as QB coach when Jamis Winston won the Pepsi Offensive Rooking of the Year award in 2015.
• Getting the passing game untracked is a priority, and new QB Grant Jordan is a senior that has produced in the past. He threw for 1,938 yards and 22 TDs for Yale in 2024 while earning All-Ivy League honors. He also ran for 360 yards on 77 carries.
• Redshirt sophomore WR Jacquan Gibson returned and saw action in all 12 games last year after taking an injury redshirt in 2023. T.Y Harding's 334 receiving yards were second-most on the team.
Newcomer Rokko Griffin (5-9, 205, jr) should get plenty of work in the backfield as his previous experience at UTSA showed him to be an nice pass-catching option in addition to his running skill set.
OFFENSE:
• After some inconsistent production in 2024, the Minutemen offense will operate under a new offensive coordinator this time around. Mike Bajakian was with Utah in 2024 and Northwestern from 2020-2023. He has NFL experience, including as QB coach when Jamis Winston won the Pepsi Offensive Rooking of the Year award in 2015.
• Getting the passing game untracked is a priority, and new QB Grant Jordan is a senior that has produced in the past. He threw for 1,938 yards and 22 TDs for Yale in 2024 while earning All-Ivy League honors. He also ran for 360 yards on 77 carries.
• Redshirt sophomore WR Jacquan Gibson returned and saw action in all 12 games last year after taking an injury redshirt in 2023. T.Y Harding's 334 receiving yards were second-most on the team.
Newcomer Rokko Griffin (5-9, 205, jr) should get plenty of work in the backfield as his previous experience at UTSA showed him to be an nice pass-catching option in addition to his running skill set.
DEFENSE:
• New head coach Joe Harasymiak put together a pretty good defense when he was back at Maine. He was a DC at Minnesota and Rutgers. Now, he and UMass DC Jared Keyte will attempt to build a tough, agreesive Minutemen defensive unit.
• UMass allowed 35.5 ppg in 2025. Former Western Michigan Bronco DL Joshua Nobles is part of a large influx of transfers. Nose tackle Tim Grant -Randall is the only returning starter.David Onuoha, a transfer from Rutgers, could help with the pass rush.
• Several transfers across the back two levels have starting experience, albeit some at the FCS level.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Derek Morris went 11-of-15 on field goals at Cal last year. Aussie punter Keegan Andrews was impressive during spring work.
MORE:
• SPRING GAME VIDEO
• New head coach Joe Harasymiak put together a pretty good defense when he was back at Maine. He was a DC at Minnesota and Rutgers. Now, he and UMass DC Jared Keyte will attempt to build a tough, agreesive Minutemen defensive unit.
• UMass allowed 35.5 ppg in 2025. Former Western Michigan Bronco DL Joshua Nobles is part of a large influx of transfers. Nose tackle Tim Grant -Randall is the only returning starter.David Onuoha, a transfer from Rutgers, could help with the pass rush.
• Several transfers across the back two levels have starting experience, albeit some at the FCS level.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Derek Morris went 11-of-15 on field goals at Cal last year. Aussie punter Keegan Andrews was impressive during spring work.
MORE:
• SPRING GAME VIDEO
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Minutemen showed flashes last year. Two of their losses were in overtime, including a 23-20 setback at Miami when it looked as though UMass had MU beat with 40 seconds remaining. Those RedHawks went on to earn a MAC Championship game slot.
The offense has some playmakers and special teams should hold its own. The big question may be how much can the UMass defense improve.
After opening with home games against Temple and Bryant, UMass travels to Iowa and Missouri.
Within the MAC, Buffalo is a tough mid-season assignment. The Minutemen must also finish 2025 with contests at Ohio and against Bowling Green.
The Minutemen showed flashes last year. Two of their losses were in overtime, including a 23-20 setback at Miami when it looked as though UMass had MU beat with 40 seconds remaining. Those RedHawks went on to earn a MAC Championship game slot.
The offense has some playmakers and special teams should hold its own. The big question may be how much can the UMass defense improve.
After opening with home games against Temple and Bryant, UMass travels to Iowa and Missouri.
Within the MAC, Buffalo is a tough mid-season assignment. The Minutemen must also finish 2025 with contests at Ohio and against Bowling Green.
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