James Ihedigbo was proud of his coaching record Friday.
“I got my first win as a head coach,” joked the NFL veteran, who returned to UMass to serve as an honorary coach at his alma mater’s spring game. “Put me up there with (Vince) Lombardi.”
His Team White prevailed, 6-3.
Ihedigbo, a 32-year-old Amherst Regional alum who now lives in Houston, enjoyed being back in the town he grew up in and relished the chance to talk to the UMass players.
“That was awesome. It’s good to be back and to impart a little knowledge on the guys,” said Ihedigbo, who rose from walk-on to first-team All-American from 2003-2006. “I told them, the tradition they’re part of and the opportunity they have in front of them, to take advantage of it. I preach all the time that opportunity is the key to success.
“This is a great university and a great chance to be part of something special with this program,” he continued. “Embrace it and take advantage of it. Academics, everything.”
Ihedigbo wore his 2013 Super Bowl ring that he won as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
“Having this ring started right here,” he said. “Playing on this field. I was telling the guys, what you put into it is what you get out. There’s no short cuts.”
Ihedigbo is a free agent after playing two seasons with the Detroit Lions. Despite his coaching success Friday, he was looking forward to his 10th year in the league. He planned to wait until after next week’s NFL draft to sign, allowing him to better determine where he’d best fit.
“I’m talking to teams. I’m not in much of a rush. I like being home. I like the time off,” he said. “We’ll look to sign after the draft and see the lay of the land and go from there. … I know the process and what teams look for. A player of my caliber, I have a lot to offer a team.”
UMass coach Mark Whipple was glad Ihedigbo’s schedule allowed a visit.
“I think he had a really solid message to the team and the coaching staff,” he said. “It was good to have all the alums that came back.”
FIELD GOAL FRIDAY — Defense and kicking ruled the day at the spring game. Freshman Michael Caggiano made two field goals, both from 24 yards for Team White. Sophomore Logan Laurent hit a 49 yarder for Team Maroon and missed from 52 yards on a kick the hit the crossbar and bounced out.
Da’Sean Downey led the White defense with 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery that set up the first field goal.
Freshman Brandon Mangram had the game’s biggest hit, laying out freshman Jonathan Derolus and earning praise from Ihedigbo.
“That’s what I like to see,” Ihedigbo said. “That’s football right there.”
WEST STANDS OUT — Redshirt freshman quarterback Randall West completed 7-of-11 passes for 90 yards and was UMass’ most accurate passer of the three QBs. He spent time on both teams and had the game’s longest pass, a 38-yard throw to senior Jalen Williams.
“We could have finished some drives better and put touchdowns on the board,” West said. “But it was a good start.”
Whipple liked what he saw.
“He did some good things,” Whipple said. “I thought all those guys did some good things. He’s healthy. Even Tuesday in the wind, he threw the ball pretty well. He did a good job.”
Redshirt freshman Ross Comis was 8 for 15 for 58 yards for Maroon while James Sosinski was 15 for 32 for White.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage