James Ihedigbo excited for UMass program, upgrade
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FOXBOROUGH (AP) - At a much-hyped and heavily attended press conference in the bowels of Gillette Stadium on Thursday, UMass announced that Notre Dame offensive coordinator Charley Molnar is the new coach of the Minutemen.
One former Minuteman approved the move.
Patriots safety James Ihedigbo, who played for UMass from 2002-06 and is one of the few Minutemen playing in the NFL today, said blueprints have been in the works for this announcement since his days in Amherst.
"We knew that was our goal," the Amherst native said. "That's what we were playing for. That we could pave the way for other guys to come in and experience that, and essentially to put UMass on the map. And here we are.
"I think it's awesome that they're making this jump. Kind of a testament to the guys who have played and coached at UMass beforehand and the hard work that they've put in to put the university in this position.
"It's excellent for the program, it's excellent for the community and excellent for UMass."
The program moves to the Bowl Subdivision and will play in the Mid-American Conference next season. UMass also moves its home game to Gillette Stadium.
The Minutemen will join Temple as a MAC team playing in an NFL stadium. The Owls play in Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. And it's worked for them. Temple, in fact, has accepted a bowl bid in two of the last three seasons.
"When a young man comes into Gillette Stadium and you say, 'This is going to be your home for the next four years to play football games,' that's to be exciting to him," Molnar said. "As a coach coming in and knowing that Gillette Stadium is going to be our home stadium, it's extremely exciting to me.
"And then, of course, as a fan when you come into this venue, you know that UMass football has made a commitment."
Ihedigbo, who voiced his excitement at watching his alma mater play on Saturday and then suiting up on the same field a day later, agreed with the increased marketability of the program.
"It's an opportunity for the players that you can only dream of," he said. "I mean, you're going to a great school to get a great education and you're also going to be playing for a premier football team and a premier program.
"I look for only big things coming from here on out."
