r/fcs • u/East-Westerly Northern Arizona Lumberjacks • Sep 03 '26
Discussion UMass - From the FCS Peak to the FBS Basement Bottom
First, I want to say, I'm sorry Minutemen fans. I actually always root for UMass and will be rooting for ya'll tonight and during the MACtion this year.
Second... Oh My Lawd...
I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad. They used to be a consistent, formidable force, but their FBS transition has been an unmitigated disaster.
Back when they were in the FCS as a member of the Atlantic-10 , UMass consistently fielded teams finishing above .500. Through the 2000s, they were a legit powerhouse. They took home the FCS Championship under Mark Whipple and were a top-15 program under Don Brown. Even when they moved to the CAA, which was a high-tier FCS conference, they managed to hold their own with a respectable 6-6 average.
Then came 2012...The move up to the FBS and the MAC.
The program has been absolutely horrible ever since. Their overall record since 2012 is 26-134 aka a win % of 0.163.
The admins tried to fix it by bringing back the architects of their glory days. Both Whipple and Brown returned for second stints during this last 14 years, but both were flummoxed. 2025 was an rock bottom...as the Minutemen went 0-12 under Joe Harasymiak in their first year.
With all that said, I'm excited to see what they do this year. UMass was not penalized much last year and very young. This year Joe has "his" guys and QB "Pop" Watson III (Virginia Tech transfer) has moxy. In their first game against Rutgers this season Joe has some insight against the Scarlett Knights as he was the former DC for them.
I was curious, why has UMass failed where other teams that transitioned have fared much better?
Is it all to blame on the Athletic Department? Lack of money? or just plain bad luck?
EDIT: This team has hope!!
EDIT2: What? 3 touchdowns?? Forced Fumble??? This couldn't be fathomed after losing 44-10 to Akron last year
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u/Ok-Knee6347 UC Davis Aggies Sep 03 '26
Is Rutgers defense that bad again or is umass going to win a game this year?
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u/CaptainSoxNFlops Sep 04 '26
OP’s buddy: “You can’t reverse psych your way into a UMass win man.”
OP:
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u/Electromotivation James Madison Dukes Sep 04 '26
Very effective, I am impressed.
Also pop Watson can play. The tech fans always seemed to like him
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u/davelb87 Sep 03 '26
I think it’s the same reason the Northeast hasn’t produced a nationally relevant FBS program in a generation. High school football isn’t a priority the way it is in other parts of the country. MAC schools can field better teams with 2-3* recruits Ohio State and Michigan ignore than UMass can with the available local talent. Add that Notre Dame has long had a pipeline to the region and the talent just isn’t left.
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u/PatriotDynasty Sep 03 '26
I’ve been watching this team for 21 years. 2006 was great til App State. I feel alive again tonight
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u/RonSwanson069 Montana Grizzlies Sep 03 '26
Fun Fact: Liam Coen, the current head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was QB for UMass when they went to Missoula and beat the Griz in the Semifinals in 2006.
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u/Critical_Interest706 More flair options at /r/fcs/w/flair! Sep 04 '26
Rutgers certified BUMS. love that for UMass!
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u/damnyoutuesday Montana State • Minnesota Sep 04 '26
I do want to shoutout UMass, because that's a hell of a win for that program. Probably their best win besides the 1998 FCS title (or better, depending on what you value)
But man, if you ever wonder why I'm so on the fence with moving up to FBS, for every JMU and Boise there's a UMass and Sam Houston. Just because you won an FCS title does not mean you are guaranteed any success at the FBS level.
UMass has 22 conference titles and a national championship to their name, and have now been the worst FBS program since they moved up.
I'm always rooting for them, and I'm super excited they beat Rutgers yesterday, but man they are a warning about what could happen when you move up
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u/ShineALight3725 Sep 03 '26
They failed because of the stadium and facilities. When potential recruits see stadium why would they want to go there ? They cant get good enough recruits to come there. Its still a FCS level stadium.
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u/tomdawg0022 Minnesota • Delaware Sep 03 '26
They were mid FCS in the last 4 years before they moved up. It's not a facility issue on its own.
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u/Gooflaertes New Hampshire • Boston College Sep 03 '26
It’s umASS my dude
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u/Le_Dairy_Duke Oregon State Beavers • Nevada Wolf Pack Sep 04 '26
Hope those words aren't too hard to chew
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u/Gooflaertes New Hampshire • Boston College Sep 04 '26
An impressive win for sure but give me a break. 26-134 over 13 years Is the definition of ASS. They have played power teams tough in the past then lost 10/11 games after.
They have a shitty stadium with little support or interest from their state. They are out in the boonies.3
u/Playful_Letter_2632 Pittsburgh Panthers • Kentucky Wildcats Sep 04 '26
BC is the Umass of the ACC
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u/Gooflaertes New Hampshire • Boston College Sep 04 '26
Yes yes agreed, so is Kentucky for the SEC.
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u/njexpat Villanova • Battle of the Blue Sep 04 '26
If BC wants to move down to FCS, I'd welcome them. We could put together a nice little league with Holy Cross with lots of mutual hatred to keep it fun.
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u/Gooflaertes New Hampshire • Boston College Sep 04 '26
Would be fun but like dumbass banks in 2008 BC football is “too big” to fail. Hopefully Bill can get them back to respectable.
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u/njexpat Villanova • Battle of the Blue Sep 04 '26
I hear you. I wish it were easier to move up and be at the same level as most of the teams I'd really like to see Villanova play regularly (BC, Delaware, Temple, etc.), but I'm not seeing a real pathway to do that. So I'm rooting for the whole system to collapse so we can reorganize...
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u/stayclassypeople Nebraska • South Dakota Sep 03 '26
My goodness OP, did you reverse jinx UMass?