UMass hires Joe Harasymiak as head coach amid fan outrage

In recent weeks, UMass is in the process of hiring Joe Harasymiak, the current defensive coordinator at Rutgers, as its new head coach. Harasymiak, who is 38 years old and a native of New Jersey, has a background playing college football at Springfield College in Massachusetts. His coaching career has primarily been centered in the northeastern United States. He first gained head coaching experience at the University of Maine, where he led the team to a 20-15 record over three seasons, achieving a notable 10-4 record in 2018. Following his tenure at Maine, Harasymiak joined the University of Minnesota staff for three years before taking on the role of defensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2022. UMass recently fired their previous head coach, Don Brown, after a challenging stint that resulted in a disappointing 6-28 record over just over two seasons. UMass has struggled since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2012, never managing to win more than four games in a single season. The program's stability and competitiveness have often been questioned, as they have remained mostly independent, competing without a stable conference affiliation. However, they are set to return to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) next season, and this time, the program is entering with a greater financial commitment to football. As part of this increased investment in athletics, UMass is positioning itself to be among the top spenders in the MAC regarding head-coaching salaries, staff resources, and substantial financial support for name, image, and likeness deals, which could exceed $2 million. The goal is to enhance the program's ability to compete effectively at the FBS level and improve its overall performance on the field as it seeks to break the cycle of underachievement. The involvement of a head coach like Harasymiak is seen as a crucial step in potentially revitalizing the program and fostering a culture of success. Expectations will be high for Harasymiak to leverage his experience and background and turn around the fortunes of the Minutemen. With the anticipated announcement of Harasymiak's hiring, there is an air of cautious optimism surrounding UMass football. Supporters and stakeholders hope that his track record, both as an associate head coach and as a defensive coordinator, will translate into success as the program aims to become increasingly competitive in the MAC and a force in college football. Updating the fan base and the sports community, UMass is on the cusp of a new era in its football history, with the hope that Harasymiak can fulfill the promise of success that has eluded the program for years.