AMHERST — The UMass football team will officially begin its second stint in the MAC Saturday under first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak, who comes over from Rutgers where he called the defense in the Big 10. The Minutemen’s roster — and coaching staff — looks much different than it did a year ago, as Harasymiak is beginning to reconstruct UMass into the team he wants to coach.
Success may not come right away, at least not in wins and losses, so be patient, UMass fans. Although you’re probably sick of being told that, and you’ve probably heard it too many times over the past decade-plus as the Minutemen continue to putter along the bottom of Division 1 every season since becoming an FBS program.
But Harasymiak has this group moving in the right direction already. For those who haven’t paid much attention throughout the preseason, UMass’ head coach preaches three words — sandwiching them into one acronym: B.O.S.
It stands for belief, ownership and sacrifice, the three aspects he thinks make up a winning program. The 38-year-old Harasymiak has brought in coaches with NFL and high-level Division 1 experience, he’s landed talent in the transfer portal at every position and he’s unquestionably received a commitment from his roster.
They are all in on Harasymiak and his coaching style.
“Nothing that you’re going to create has not been done before,” Harasymiak said, referring to the B.O.S. acronym. “So take what you like, tweak it, and make it your own. And certainly for me in my life, just my belief is my foundation. And all our lives, your beliefs are your foundation. Your life, what you get taught, how you get raised, your experience in life, they create who you are. So our beliefs here and what we’re teaching culture-wise — offensively, defensively, special teams — that’s what you’re gonna revert back to.
“If we have a team that believes in each other, takes ownership for their actions and sacrifices for each other, I hope that puts us in a good situation to be successful.”
Joe Harasymiak
“And then the most important thing to me is the only reason I’m [here] is because the people that were around me in my life put me first,” Harasymiak continued. “They sacrificed for me… So if we have a team that believes in each other, takes ownership for their actions and sacrifices for each other, I hope that puts us in a good situation to be successful.”
As for UMass’ roster, not much looks the same as it did in 2024 — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the Minutemen went 2-10 with their two wins coming against FCS opponents. An overhaul of over 30 new players transferred to UMass while another 30 exited Amherst looking for a new home.
Brandon Rose comes over from Utah — following new offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who also came to Amherst after some time with the Utes — to assume starting quarterback duties after beating out AJ Hairston and Grant Jordan in this summer’s competition for QB1. Rose will have a plethora of options to throw to, including Northwestern transfer and former Deerfield Academy star Donnie Gray — who many voices close to the Minutemen program claim to be one of the most talented wide receivers on the team. Other notable wideouts include fan-favorite T.Y. Harding, newly-minted captain Jacquon Gibson, two tall transfers with high upside in Tyree Kelly and Jake McConnachie as well as freshman Kezion Dia-Johnson, who is sure to see snaps in the season opener and beyond.
Running backs Rocko Griffin (UT-San Antonio), Brandon Hood (Colorado) and Juwaun Price (Syracuse) are all capable of playing the starting role, although it’ll be Griffin who gets the nod heading into Week 1. After struggling to find a consistent option out of the backfield last fall, the Minutemen have no shortage of choices in 2025. Tight end Reece Adkins comes over from Eastern Kentucky to round out UMass’ skill position group.
The offensive line is big, experienced and has one heck of a coach in Kurt Anderson. After spending six years at Northwestern, a stint that included sending the likes of Rashawn Slater and Peter Skoronski — two first-round picks — to the NFL, Anderson comes to Amherst to help Harasymiak turn the program around. Prior to Northwestern, Anderson coached in the SEC at Arkansas and also in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills. Four out of the five starting offensive linemen are seniors (Luke Painton, Benjamin Roy Jr., Mao Glynn II, Ryan Mossesso) and the other is a redshirt junior (Sullivan Weidman), making up what is probably the best unit the Minutemen have had in quite some time up front.
“I think we’re right where we need to be,” Harasymiak said. “I think the growth within the program, really, the togetherness, has come a long way just in terms of the way we practice, the way we take care of each other. They’re ready.”
Defensively, UMass had countless issues a year ago — staying healthy perhaps being the biggest. But the Minutemen left fall camp about as healthy as can be (according to Harasymiak), and their veteran group is ready to turn UMass’ abysmal defensive track record around after finishing dead last in total defense in 2023 and finishing 125th out of 134 FBS teams in 2024.
Up front, captain Shymell Davis is a force on the inside alongside Tim Grant-Randall and Shambre Jackson. Joshua Nobles and David Onuoha are the starting edge rushers as they look to bring pressure to opposing quarterbacks — something the Minutemen have struggled with this decade. Dean Shaffer, Tyler Martin, Timmy Hinspeter and Rashad Henry round out the front seven as UMass’ linebacking corps. Hinspeter followed Harasymiak and defensive coordinator Jared Keyte from Rutgers.
UMass defensive lineman Shymell Davis breaks through into the backfield. Credit: CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS 
UMass safety Zeraun Daniel breaks up a pass during practice. Credit: CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS 
UMass linebacker Dean Shaffer looks into the backfield before a play. Credit: CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS
In the secondary, Malcolm Greene (Clemson/Virginia) will be a standout for the Minutemen after several stops at Power 4 schools. TJ Magee comes over from Davidson and Ryan Barnes is back for another year as the two are the starting corners. Safeties Zeraun Daniel (Georgetown transfer) and Jeremiah McGill were spoken of very highly by Keyte in the preseason and will hold down the back end.
“Overall, as a defense, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and how important it is to swarm to the ball — which is another thing Coach Keyte and Coach [Harasymiak] always preach,” redshirt junior linebacker Tyler Martin, who has spent all three of his collegiate seasons with UMass, said earlier this summer.
Not only were preseason practices much more organized than past years, but team lifts, meetings, nutrition plans and training regiments are all more strict than ever under Harasymiak. All signs point toward UMass moving in the right direction, but that sentiment has been echoed for years in Amherst.
It’s put up or shut up time for the Minutemen. That starts on Saturday against the Owls at 3:30 p.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.