UMass Minutemen football

UMass began playing football on November 22, 1879, when the school was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College, and the team was known as the "Aggies." They were first organized the previous fall by Francis Codman, but did not play their first game until November 22, 1879, defeating the Amherst College freshman team 4–0. As this was their only game that year, 1879 is noted as their first undefeated season, matched only by the 1889 season (2–0) and the 1963 season (8–0–1). Massachusetts later teamed up with Storrs Agricultural College (now the University of Connecticut) and Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now the University of Rhode Island) to form the Athletic League of New England State Colleges for the purpose of scheduling football matchups between the schools. The first meeting between the Aggies and each of the other schools resulted in a shutout win for Massachusetts, as they defeated Connecticut, 36–0, in 1897 and Rhode Island, 46–0, in 1903.

File:MWBullock.png became the first African American football coach at an integrated college]]

Massachusetts won their 100th game on October 2, 1920, topping rival Connecticut in a 28–0 shutout. The team played their 1000th game on November 11, 2000, losing to conference foe Delaware, 19–31. The team's nickname has endured several changes throughout the years. Though the official nickname remained "Aggies", "Statesmen" was also used interchangeably beginning when the school was renamed to Massachusetts State College in 1931. The nickname was officially changed to the "Redmen" when the name of the college became the University of Massachusetts in 1947.

Pittsburgh assistant coach Vic Fusia took over the Redmen football program in 1961 and under his tutelage, UMass compiled a record of 59–32–2.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ULHKKN-FURkC&q=vic+fusia+umass+football+coach&pg=PA111 |title=University of Massachusetts Amherst – Steven R. Sullivan – Google Books |access-date=July 17, 2017|isbn=9780738535302 |last1=Sullivan |first1=Steven R. |year=2004 |publisher=Arcadia }}{{cite web|url=http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/2016/7/1/sports-m-footbl-archive-082010aaj-html.aspx |title=UMass Athletics |publisher=UMass Athletics |access-date=July 17, 2017}} The Fusia era included an undefeated 8–0–1 campaign in 1963 as well as records of 8–2, 7–2, 6–3 and 7–2 in the following years. However, two losing records in three seasons led to Fusia's dismissal after the 1970 season.{{cite web|url=http://credo.library.umass.edu/search?q=subject:%27Fusia,%20Vic%27&sort=3d&facets= |title=Credo | SCUA UMASS: subject:'Fusia, Vic' |publisher=Credo.library.umass.edu |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Denver Broncos linebackers and defensive backs coach Dick MacPherson, a former UMass assistant from 1959 to 1960, took over after Fusia's firing.{{cite web|url=http://cuse.com/sports/2008/2/21/022108DickMacPhersonBio.aspx |title=Syracuse University Athletics – Dick MacPherson, 1981–1990 |publisher=Cuse.com |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Under MacPherson, the Redmen compiled a record of 45–27–1.{{cite web|author=Joshua Valley |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/299990-15-minutes-with-syracuse-coach-dick-macpherson |title=15 Minutes with Syracuse Coach Dick MacPherson |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=November 30, 2009 |access-date=July 17, 2017}} In response to changing attitudes regarding the use of Native American-themed mascots, they changed their mascot in 1972 to the Minuteman, based on the historical "minuteman" relationship with Massachusetts; women's teams and athletes are known as Minutewomen.{{cite web|url=http://dailycollegian.com/2003/05/18/controversy-has-surrounded-minuteman-before/|title=Controversy has surrounded Minuteman before|date=May 18, 2003|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

Bob Pickett was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach of the Minutemen football program in 1978.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-ex-umass-football-coach-bob-pickett-dies-2010feb03-story.html |title=Ex-UMass football coach Bob Pickett dies |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Under Pickett's tutelage, the Minutemen won four conference championships and compiled a record of 36–28. Despite the successes, back-to-back losing seasons in 1982 and 1983 led to Pickett's dismissal.{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/02/11/University-of-Massachusetts-football-coach-Robert-Pickett-who-led/4123445323600/ |title=University of Massachusetts football coach Robert Pickett, who led... – UPI Archives |publisher=Upi.com |date=February 11, 1984 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}

Washington offensive coordinator Bob Stull was the next head coach for UMass, and he led the Minutemen to a 10–12 record in two seasons before leaving the program to accept the head coaching position at UTEP.{{cite web|url=http://www.utepathletics.com/genrel/stull_bob00.html |title=Story Archives |publisher=UTEP Athletics |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Under Stull, the Minutemen struggled to a two-win campaign in 1984 but improved to seven wins in 1985.

Jim Reid was promoted from defensive coordinator following Stull's departure and led the Minutemen for six seasons, compiling a 36–29–2 that included five non-losing seasons during his tenure.{{cite web|url=http://www.bucknellbison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32100&ATCLID=209100226 |title=Jim Reid Profile – BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE – BucknellBison.com – The Official Site of Bucknell Bison Athletics |publisher=BucknellBison.com |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Reid and UMass parted ways after the 1991 season.

File:UMass logo.gif

UMass once again promoted their defensive coordinator, this time making Mike Hodges the team's head coach.{{cite web|author=The Republican file photo |url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/2011/06/former_umass_football_coach_mi.html |title=Former UMass football coach Mike Hodges calls it a career after 33 years |publisher=masslive.com |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2017}} Under Hodges, the Minutemen compiled a record of 35–30. Steady decline in the team's play that culminated with a 2–9 record in 1997 resulted in Hodges' firing.{{cite web|url=https://www.umass.edu/umassmag/archives/1999/winter_99/winter99_grtspt.html |title=UMass Magazine NCAA Football in Tennessee |publisher=Umass.edu |access-date=July 17, 2017}}

In his first stint as coach of UMass from 1998 to 2003,http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/873357.html {{dead link|date=July 2017}} Mark Whipple won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship. His UMass teams rewrote the record books, setting more than 40 team records.{{cite web|url=http://www.umasshoops.com/features/footballchamps1998/ |title=UMass Football wins 1998 Division I-AA National Championship |publisher=Umasshoops.com |access-date=July 17, 2017}} The 1998 national championship team posted school records in points scored (524), touchdowns (73), total yards (7,074), passing yards (4,050), completions (306), and first downs (354).

Whipple left college football for a position as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL in 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mark-whipple-introduced-as-massachusetts-coach-0ap2000000313050 |title=Mark Whipple introduced as Massachusetts' coach |work=NFL.com |date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}

In 2004, Northeastern head coach Don Brown returned to UMass, where he'd served as defensive coordinator from 1998–1999 to take over as head coach.{{cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/don_brown_996396.html |title=2016 Football Roster &No. 124; University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |publisher=Mgoblue.com |access-date=July 17, 2017 |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622182249/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/don_brown_996396.html |url-status=dead }} During his tenure as head coach from 2004 to 2008, UMass posted the best five-year record in school history, 43–19. In his first year, he led the Minutemen to a 6–5 record, including victories over fourth-ranked Colgate, seventh-ranked {{cfb link|team=New Hampshire Wildcats|title=New Hampshire}}, and ninth-ranked {{cfb link|team=Maine Black Bears|school=University of Maine|title=Maine}}. During 2005, Brown helped UMass to a 7–2 start and a final ranking of No. 19. That year, the Minutemen defeated fourth-ranked James Madison and handed Delaware their worst home loss in two decades, 35–7.

In 2006, Brown led Massachusetts to the Atlantic 10 conference championship and a finish as runners-up to the national championship. They ended the season ranked No. 2 with a 13–2 record. At home, he set a school record with a perfect 8–0 record in McGuirk Stadium. That season, Brown was named the AFCA Region I Coach of the Year, Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, and New England Football Coach of the Year.

In 2007, UMass again won its conference, now as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. The team advanced to the semifinals and finished the season with a No. 6 final ranking.[http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brown_don00.html Player Bio: Don Brown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227043620/http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brown_don00.html |date=December 27, 2008 }}, Official University of Massachusetts Athletics Website, retrieved January 10, 2009.

Brown left following the 2008 season to become defensive coordinator at Maryland.{{cite web|author=Republican file photo/Christopher Evans |url=http://blog.masslive.com/dailycollegiansports/2009/01/don_brown_out_as_umass_footbal.html |title=Don Brown out as UMass football coach | masslive.com |date=January 9, 2009 |publisher=Blog.masslive.com |access-date=July 17, 2017}}

File:UMassFootball1.jpg

UMass promoted offensive coordinator Kevin Morris to head coach following Brown's departure.{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2012/02/former_umass_coach_kevin_morri.html|title=Former UMass coach Kevin Morris tabbed as Yale's offensive coordinator|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2017}} Under Morris, the Minutemen compiled a record of 16–17.

On April 20, 2011, after decades of studies and speculation, the UMass Minutemen formally announced they elevated their football program to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and became a member of the Mid-American Conference beginning with the 2012 season. The announcement was made at Gillette Stadium, where the Minutemen play some of their home games. In 2011, UMass completed their last season in the Colonial Athletic Association, and were not eligible for NCAA postseason play.{{cite web |url=http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS1.html |title=University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site – Football |access-date=April 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326063315/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS1.html |archive-date=March 26, 2012 }} UMass played a full FBS and MAC schedule in 2013 and became eligible for the MAC championship and bowl participation.

Morris was fired as UMass' head coach following a 5–6 season in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://dailycollegian.com/2011/11/21/kevin-morris-out-as-umass-football-head-coach/|title=Kevin Morris out as UMass football head coach|date=November 22, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Charley Molnar was hired as UMass' head coach in December 2011.{{cite web|url=http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-college-eagles/2011/12/8/2620220/charley-molnar-umass-minutemen-head-coach-mac-football-news|title=Charley Molnar Hired As New UMass Football Head Coach|date=December 8, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

The NCAA made a formal announcement of UMass' admission to FBS in the summer of 2013 after the program met specified benchmarks over its two transitioning years. The primary criteria centered around average attendance, an increase in scholarships from 63 to 85, and specific scheduling requirements. The NCAA did announce that the team must meet attendance requirements or face a 10-year probationary period.{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/ncaa_umass_football_must_avera.html|title=NCAA: UMass football must average 15,000 in attendance for 2013 or face probation|date=August 10, 2013|access-date=July 17, 2017}} Along with joining the Mid-American Conference for football, the men's and women's basketball teams would play four non-conference games against MAC teams.{{Cite web|url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/images/upload/FBS%20FAQs_0.doc|title = News & Events | UMass Amherst}}

UMass struggled mightily under Molnar's tutelage, compiling back-to-back 1–11 campaigns in 2012 and 2013, the first two seasons UMass was a member of the MAC and FBS.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2012-schedule.html|title=2012 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2013-schedule.html|title=2013 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 17, 2017}} Molnar was fired after two seasons as head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/12/26/umass-fires-football-coach-charley-molnar/YFeKfLIsawN9UFC5aFsAkO/story.html|title=UMass fires football coach Charley Molnar – The Boston Globe|website=The Boston Globe|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

Mark Whipple was selected as Molnar's replacement, returning to UMass after eleven years and stints in the NFL and college football as an assistant coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/14/umass-turns-back-mark-whipple-football-coach/Az3TxcOoR6XDFtnj9EzBmI/story.html|title=UMass turns back to Mark Whipple as football coach – The Boston Globe|website=The Boston Globe|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

In March 2014, the MAC and UMass announced an agreement for the Minutemen to leave the conference after the 2015 season due to UMass declining an offer to become a full member of the conference. In the agreement between the MAC and the university, there was a contractual clause that had UMass playing in the MAC as a football-only member for two more seasons if UMass declined a full membership offer. UMass announced that it would look for a "more suitable conference" for the team.{{cite web |url=http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/032614aaa.html |title=UMass Football Will Leave Mid-American Conference at End of 2015 – University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site |access-date=February 8, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093834/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/032614aaa.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }} Possibilities included becoming independent{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2014/03/umass_football_mac_to_part_way.html|title=UMass football, MAC to part ways following 2015 season|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2017}} or joining the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, or the Sun Belt Conference.{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/ul/2014/05/15/sports-briefs-sbcs-benson-admits-talks-umass/9112853/|title=Sports Briefs: SBC's Benson admits talks with UMass|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

In September 2014, UMass announced that they would become independent beginning with the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2014/09/umass_football_announces_games.html |title=UMass football announces 19 games for 2016–22 seasons featuring BYU, Appalachian State, Ohio and Hawaii |publisher=masslive.com |date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://mobile.gazettenet.com/home/13575896-108/matt-vautour-independent-football-schedule-taking-shape-for-umass |title=With no conference ready to extend UMass an invitation yet, the Minutemen have begun preparing their 2016 and 2017 schedules |publisher=Mobile.gazettenet.com |date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2017}}

In 2014 and 2015, the Minutemen finished with a 3–9 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2014-schedule.html|title=2014 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2015-schedule.html|title=2015 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 17, 2017}}

UMass finished 2–10 in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2016-schedule.html|title=2016 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 17, 2017}} The Minutemen kicked off the season on September 3 with a 24–7 loss to No. 25 Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400868957|title=UMass vs. Florida – Game Recap – September 3, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} After a 26–7 loss to archrival Boston College,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868958|title=Boston College vs. UMass – Game Recap – September 10, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} Whipple's team picked up its first win of the season by defeating FIU by a margin of 21–13.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868959|title=Florida Intl vs. UMass – Game Recap – September 17, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} The next week, they lost to Mississippi State by a score of 47–35.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868960|title=Mississippi State vs. UMass – Game Recap – September 24, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} On October 1, UMass lost to Tulane by a margin of 31–24.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868961|title=Tulane vs. UMass – Game Recap – October 1, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} That was followed by a 36–16 defeat at the hands of Old Dominion.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868962|title=UMass vs. Old Dominion – Game Recap – October 7, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} Next, Whipple's Minutemen were doubled up by Louisiana Tech in a 56–28 loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868963|title=Louisiana Tech vs. UMass – Game Recap – October 15, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} After a 34–28 loss to South Carolina,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868964|title=UMass vs. South Carolina – Game Recap – October 22, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} Whipple's Minutemen defeated FCS opponent Wagner by a score of 34–10.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868965|title=Wagner vs. UMass – Game Recap – October 29, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} On November 5, UMass lost to Troy by a margin of 52–31.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868966|title=UMass vs. Troy – Game Recap – November 5, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} That was followed by a 51–9 blowout at the hands of BYU.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868932|title=UMass vs. BYU – Game Recap – November 19, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} In the season finale, the Minutemen lost to Hawaii by a score of 46–40.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400868967|title=UMass vs. Hawai'i – Game Recap – November 26, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}}

The Minutemen finished 4–8 in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/massachusetts/2017-schedule.html|title=2017 Massachusetts Minutemen Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} They began the season on August 26 with a 38–35 loss to Hawaii.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400938887|title=Hawai'i vs. UMass – Game Recap – August 26, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} In the season's second game, UMass lost to Coastal Carolina by a score of 38–28.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400938888|title=UMass vs. Coastal Carolina – Game Recap – September 2, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} A third straight loss followed in the form of a 17–7 defeat at the hands of Old Dominion on September 9.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400938602|title=Old Dominion vs. UMass – Game Recap – September 9, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} Next, Whipple's team lost to Temple by a margin of 29–21.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400941800|title=UMass vs. Temple – Game Recap – September 15, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} On September 23, the Minutemen played a hard-fought game but ultimately fell short against Tennessee by a score of 17–13.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400933870|title=UMass vs. Tennessee – Game Recap – September 23, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} After a 58–50 loss to Ohio,{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400938890|title=Ohio vs. UMass – Game Recap – September 30, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} UMass finally broke through with their first victory of the season, defeating Georgia Southern by a margin of 55–20.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400938892|title=Georgia Southern vs. UMass – Game Recap – October 21, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} They recorded a second straight win the following week with a 30–27 double overtime victory over Appalachian State.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400938893|title=Appalachian State vs. UMass – Game Recap – October 28, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} After a 34–23 loss to No. 21 Mississippi State,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400933908|title=UMass vs. Mississippi State – Game Recap – November 4, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} Whipple's Minutemen defeated FCS opponent Maine by a margin of 44–31.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400938894|title=Maine vs. UMass – Game Recap – November 11, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} They picked up their fourth win of the season a week later by virtue of a 16–10 victory over BYU.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400938895|title=UMass vs. BYU – Game Recap – November 18, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=February 19, 2018}} UMass concluded the season with a 63–45 loss to FIU on December 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400985387|title=UMass vs. Florida Intl – Game Recap – December 2, 2017 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com}}

Coach Whipple stepped down on November 20, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://umassathletics.com/news/2018/11/21/umass-announces-change-in-football-leadership.aspx|title=UMass Announces Change In Football Leadership|website=University of Massachusetts Athletics}}

On December 3, 2018, Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell was hired as UMass' newest head coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25445622/walt-bell-florida-state-seminoles-offensive-coordinator-new-umass-minutemen-coach |title=Walt Bell new UMass head coach after 1 year as FSU coordinator |first=Tom |last=VanHaaren |website=ESPN.com |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018}}

UMass would finish their 2019 season 1–11, opening 0–4. They would secure their first and only win vs Akron 37–29 on September 8, then drop the next 7 games.

On August 11, 2020, UMass announced the cancellation of the 2020 season. Athletic Director Ryan Bamford explained, "The continuing challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic posed too great of a risk."{{Cite web|title=Massachusetts Football Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season|url=https://umassathletics.com/news/2020/8/11/massachusetts-football-announces-cancellation-of-2020-season.aspx|access-date=September 22, 2020|website=University of Massachusetts Athletics|language=en}} On September 21, UMass announced its intention to play a limited number of fall football games.{{Cite web|title=Massachusetts Athletics Announces Intention To Play Football In Fall 2020|url=https://umassathletics.com/news/2020/9/21/massachusetts-athletics-announces-intention-to-play-football-in-fall-2020.aspx|access-date=September 22, 2020|website=University of Massachusetts Athletics|language=en}} UMass finished their fall campaign 0–4. They returned to a 12-game format in 2021.

The Minutemen opened their 2021 season with a 51–7 loss at Pitt, starting a 5-game losing streak. They picked up a 27–13 win against UConn, however, to snap the streak. Bell was fired on November 7, 2021, following a 35–22 loss against FCS-ranked University of Rhode Island at homecoming on November 6, 2021, bringing his 2021 season record to 1–8.{{Cite web|url=https://umassathletics.com/news/2021/11/7/massachusetts-athletics-makes-football-leadership-change.aspx|title=Massachusetts Athletics Makes Football Leadership Change |date=November 7, 2021}} Offensive coordinator Alex Miller was named his interim replacement.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-bowl-projections-michigan-into-new-years-six-cincinnati-must-look-like-a-playoff-team/ |title=College football bowl projections: Michigan into New Year's Six, Cincinnati must look like a playoff team |first=Jerry |last=Palm |website=cbssports.com |date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=November 7, 2021}} UMass would drop their final 3 games of the season, finishing 1–11.

File:UMass vs. Army (53296503657).jpg in 2023]]

On November 22, 2021, Don Brown, then serving as Arizona defensive coordinator, was officially rehired as the next coach of the UMass Minutemen. Brown would lead the Minutemen to a 1–11 season, beating FCS team Stony Brook 20–3 on September 17 and dropping their final game 7–44 to Army on November 26.

UMass' 2024 season will be the last season competing as an independent. The Minutemen will rejoin the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a full member beginning in 2025.{{cite web |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/umass-mac-realignment-519f806947a7f597cc783290546b585e|first=Tom|last=Withers|title=UMass will join Mid-American Conference as a full sports member in 2025, MAC commissioner says|date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}{{cite web |publisher=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/02/26/umass-to-join-mac-conference/72752755007/|first=Victoria|last=Hernandez|title=UMass to join MAC conference, including previously independent football, per reports|date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024}}

{{more citations needed|date=December 2018}}

• Independent (1879–1896)
• Athletic League of New England State Colleges (1897–1922){{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/451988-create-some-hate-top-20-new-rivalries-id-like-to-see-in-college-football |title=Create Some Hate: Top 20 New Rivalries I'd Like to See in College Football |first=Joshua |last=Williams |website=bleacherreport.com |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2021}}
• Independent (1923–1946)
• Yankee Conference (1947–1996)
• Atlantic 10 Conference (1997–2006)
• Colonial Athletic Association (2007–2011)
• Mid-American Conference (2012–2015, 2025-future)
• Independent (2016–2024)

UMass has won a total of 21 conference championships, 11 shared and 10 outright.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}

† Co-champions

In their time in the NCAA College Division and NCAA Division I-AA, UMass played in three bowl games, where they went 1–2. Since joining Division I FBS in 2012, the Minutemen are one of only three programs in the classification to have not competed in a bowl game.

{{main|Boston College–UMass football rivalry}}

Massachusetts and Boston College are in-state rivals.{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2012/05/umass_rivalries_with_uconn_and.html|title=UMass rivalries with UConn and BC just make sense for all involved|access-date=July 17, 2017|date=May 14, 2012}} The first game played between the two schools took place in 1899 and was played at a neutral location. Boston College won 18–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/umass/bc.shtml|title=mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Massachusetts vs. Boston College|website=www.mcubed.net|access-date=July 17, 2017}} At the time, UMass was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College. The relative proximity between the schools encouraged them to schedule additional matches in the subsequent years.

BC and UMass met again in Amherst in 1901, 1902, and 1912, with UMass winning all three contests before the series was halted. The two universities did not meet again on the football field until 1966, when they began a seventeen-year series in which the teams would play each other in the last week of UMass' football season. UMass was in a lower division than BC during the entirety of the rivalry. As such, Boston College dominated the stretch, winning fifteen of the seventeen games, routinely blowing out the overmatched Minutemen.

After 22 years, the rivalry was renewed as UMass traveled to Chestnut Hill to play Boston College once again. UMass was yet again outmatched, losing 29–7. The universities agreed to play two more times over the next seven years, and Boston College won both games easily.

In April 2011, UMass announced plans to join the Mid-American Conference and move up to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the country. Boston College had been a member of this division for decades, and there was much speculation that the two schools may cultivate a renewal of the rivalry. This was confirmed when it was reported in September 2011, that they had agreed to play a three-game biannual series beginning in 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/09/26/jesse-julmiste-sets-umass-record-for-kickoff-returns |title=Cache Server Page |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903142850/http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/09/26/jesse-julmiste-sets-umass-record-for-kickoff-returns |url-status=dead }} Two of the games will be played at BC's Alumni Stadium and the other will be held at Gillette Stadium.

Most recently, the two teams met in September 2021, with BC winning 45–28.

{{main|UConn–UMass rivalry#Football}}

The first game played between Massachusetts and UConn took place on November 6, 1897, in Amherst.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/blogs/dog-house/Time-to-Worry-About-UMass-UConn-Football-Rivalry-120706244.html|title=Time to Worry About UMass-UConn Football Rivalry?|date=April 26, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2017}} UMass won 36–0. At the time, UMass was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College and Connecticut was officially Storrs Agricultural College. They had formed a loose association with other public colleges in New England such as present day New Hampshire and Rhode Island for the purpose of scheduling football matchups between the schools.{{Cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/part5-15.pdf |title=Uconn History |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118130900/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/part5-15.pdf |url-status=dead }}

The colleges continued to schedule matches intermittently until after World War I, when they began to play on an almost-yearly basis through the mid-1920s. The series was discontinued until 1932, when the schools again met each year until World War II saw both universities disband their football teams. The schools would not match up again on the gridiron until UConn joined Massachusetts in the Yankee Conference in 1952. UConn and UMass played every season from that point on until UConn began their transition to what was then Division I-A in 2000.

UMass leads the all-time series 36–34–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/umass/ct.shtml|title=mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Massachusetts vs. Connecticut|website=www.mcubed.net|access-date=July 17, 2017}} Massachusetts dominated the rivalry early, winning the first eight and 13 of the first 15 meetings between the two universities. Connecticut went on a streak of their own after that, winning 14 of the next 16 games. The 1960s again belonged to the then-Redmen of Massachusetts, as they lost only two games that decade. In the remaining years of the rivalry, the series was much more even, with neither team able to put together a winning streak of more than four games.

In April 2011, UMass announced plans to join the Mid-American Conference and move up to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the country. Prior to this decision, the two schools had scheduled a game for August 30, 2012. UMass later became a FBS Independent school starting in 2016.

{{Main|Alumni Field (Amherst, Massachusetts)}}

The first field that the Minutemen played at was called Alumni Field, and was situated on the south end of campus. This field was replaced in 1915 by a new venue, also called Alumni Field. It was replaced in 1965 by Alumni Stadium, and later became the location of the Whitmore Administration Building.

File:Stadium2-3.jpg]]

{{Main|Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium}}

The Minutemen played their last home football game for three years at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, a 17,000 seat stadium on the UMass Amherst campus in 2011. The stadium itself sits just over the town line in neighboring Hadley. The inaugural game took place on September 25, 1965, when UMass defeated the AIC Yellow Jackets, 41–0. Since the opening, UMass has enjoyed a decided home-field advantage, posting a 182–79–2 record when playing at McGuirk. The attendance record at McGuirk was set during a UMass football game against Boston College on November 25, 1972; 20,000 fans were in attendance. McGuirk was partially renovated for a return of UMass football. The expansion included a new performance center with new locker rooms and training facilities, and a new press box.{{Cite web |url=http://www.umass.edu/fp/projectmanagement/constructioninformation/mcguirkalumnistadiumupgrades/ |title=UMass Amherst Design & Construction Management McGuirk Alumni Stadium Upgrades |access-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127100557/http://www.umass.edu/fp/projectmanagement/constructioninformation/mcguirkalumnistadiumupgrades/ |url-status=dead }} In the 2012 and 2013 seasons UMass played all their home games at Gillette Stadium, but they returned to McGuirk beginning with three games in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/umassfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/umass_football_will_return_som.html#incart_river|title=UMass football will return some home games to campus in 2014|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=July 17, 2017}} Since 2019, the Minutemen have played all of their home games at McGuirk Stadium.

{{main|Gillette Stadium}}

UMass first played at Gillette Stadium in the "Colonial Clash" against the University of New Hampshire on October 23, 2010. This game was renewed for the 2011 season as UMass played New Hampshire there again. For 2012–2013 the team played all of their home games at Gillette. UMass later split their home games between Gillette Stadium and the on-campus McGuirk Alumni Stadium.{{Cite web |url=http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS2.html |title=University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site – Football |access-date=April 29, 2011 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326063547/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/FBS2.html |url-status=dead }} The last home game UMass played at Gillette Stadium was in 2018.

{{see also|List of UMass Minutemen in the NFL draft}}

File:Victor Cruz 2012 Shankbone.JPG]]

UMass has had more than 70 players named to various All-American teams since Lou Bush garnered the first selection for the Minutemen (then called the Aggies) in 1934.

The following is a list of all Minutemen who were named Player, Coach, or Rookie of the Year for their respective conference.{{Cite web | url=https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/umassathletics.com/documents/2023/7/26/2023_Football_RecordBook_FINAL.pdf?timestamp=20230726032253 | title=UMass football record book}}

The following is a list of all Minutemen inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Announced schedules as of March 13, 2025.{{cite web |url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/umass/ |title=UMass Minutemen Future Football Schedules |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=March 13, 2025}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Portal|College football}}

{{UMass Minutemen football navbox}}

{{University of Massachusetts Amherst}}

{{NCAA Division I FBS independents navbox}}

{{Mid-American Conference football navbox}}

Category:1879 establishments in Massachusetts

Category:American football teams established in 1879