Last year, the MAC announced UMass would be returning to the league beginning on July 1, 2025.
That means, for the first time in more than a decade, UMass has a conference home. Here’s more info about the move and what it means for the Minutemen football team.
UMass-MAC Conference Arrangement & Timetable
Most of UMass’ sports will be competing in the MAC after the 2024-25 academic year. That includes football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s tennis.
UMass was independent in football and plays in the Atlantic 10 in all other sports.
“As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, with a rich tradition of intercollegiate athletics, UMass Amherst is well suited to join the similarly situated institutions of the Mid-American Conference,” Chancellor Javier A. Reyes said in a press release. “We are aligned with the MAC in our institutional missions, our values, and the profound impact we have on our respective communities. We join the MAC with great enthusiasm knowing that this affiliation through athletics will elevate and extend the profile and exposure of both UMass Amherst and all members of the MAC’s member institutions significantly.”
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What Conference & Division Is UMass Football In?
UMass has been an independent football program since 2015. The Minutemen were in the MAC before then.
UMass’ first season in the FBS was 2012. The Minutemen played in the MAC for three years before going independent.
UMass will be the 13th member of the MAC in football. The conference is getting rid of divisions for the 2024 season and beyond.
“Today marks a historic moment for the Mid-American Conference as we proudly welcome the University of Massachusetts into our family,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a press release. “Adding UMass is an exciting next step as we increase the strength of our collective programs. We are thrilled to welcome their student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni and fans to the Conference.
“The opportunity to add a state flagship institution with exceptional academics and a storied athletics tradition does not come along often. I look forward to our collaborative efforts in providing outstanding opportunities for student-athletes to maximize their intellectual and athletic pursuits.”
UMass’ Football Record
UMass went 2-10 in 2024, leading to the firing of previous head coach Don Brown. The Minutemen’s 4-8 record in 2023 was their best record since 2018.
UMass hasn’t had a single winning season or a bowl appearance since joining the FBS in 2012. The Minutemen are 26-122 in the FBS.
“Our entire athletics program will benefit greatly by aligning and partnering with the Mid-American Conference and its member institutions,” UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a press release. “As we consider our future in a very challenging and choppy college athletics landscape, having conference peers with similar institutional profiles, aspirations and commitments toward athletics excellence will provide stability and strength. Furthermore, our transition to the MAC will provide additional resources allowing our department to evolve and grow in a manner that will support student academic success and competitive excellence.”
UMass’ Football Head Coach
UMass hired Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak this offseason to be the Minutemen’s next head coach.
Harasymiak has been at Rutgers for three seasons. During that time, he was a two-time nominee for the Broyles Award, which goes to the country’s top assistant coach.
Previously, he was a co-defensive coordinator (2020-21) and a defensive backs coach (2018-19) at Minnesota. In 2021, the Gophers were third in the FBS in total defense with 278.8 yards per game allowed.
Before that, he was the head coach at Maine, where he earned FCS coach of the year honors in 2018. He went 20-15 overall there with a CAA Championship and an FCS playoff semifinal appearance in 2018.
He moved up the ranks at Maine, having been a defensive assistant (2011), defensive backs coach (2012-13), a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2014-15), and a head coach (2016-18) while there. He was also an assistant at Maine Maritime Academy in 2008 and a graduate assistant who focused on wide receivers and quarterbacks at Springfield College (2009-10).
