AMHERST — In Monday’s press release issued by UMass athletics regarding the firing of Minutemen head football coach Don Brown, Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford offered some praise for the program’s now former head coach.

“Upon [Brown’s] return in 2021, we shared a common goal to help UMass football attain conference membership, something that was realized last spring,” Bamford said. “Largely due to his renowned coaching reputation, Don legitimized our FBS program and Massachusetts football has taken positive steps forward since his return. We are structurally positioned to accomplish our competitive goals as we move into a new league and a new college athletics landscape in 2025.”

It’s abundantly clear Bamford recognizes and understands that Brown played a large role in helping the UMass football team achieve one of its biggest goals – getting the Minutemen into a conference, which they did back in the spring when they announced their move to the MAC. Bamford, who has been the AD in Amherst since 2015, noted that because of Brown’s track record (two-time Broyles Award finalist at Michigan) and his assistance in progressing the UMass football program, the team is now in position to compete at a high level in the MAC next season.

Yet Bamford – who has witnessed a 21-89 football record during his tenure at UMass, including an 8-54 (.129 win percentage) mark from coaches he has hired – didn’t give Brown the opportunity to be the one leading the charge.

According to multiple sources close to the program, Brown and the UMass coaching staff were given an ultimatum prior to last Saturday’s 35-34 overtime loss to Liberty. If he wanted to keep his job, UMass would have to win two of its final three contests. And while the Minutemen have their hands full as six-touchdown underdogs to Georgia this weekend, Bamford apparently wasn’t interested in letting Brown have the chance to hold up his end of the deal.

Brown also wasn’t able to be the one to inform his players of Monday’s news. Several players within the program confirmed that they learned of Brown’s firing just as the majority of faithful UMass football followers did: on Twitter/X. The Daily Hampshire Gazette has also been told by multiple sources that Bamford emailed alumni informing them of Brown’s firing before the team found out, meaning former players knew before current ones did.

Brown poured his heart and soul into the Minutemen football program for nearly three years into his late 60s. Let him go at the end of the season because the only wins all year came against FCS opponents? Fine. Doing it in mid-November and throwing offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery into the fire as UMass heads to Athens? Interesting.

“We had no idea about the firing until it hit Twitter,” a current Minutemen player told the Gazette. “Nobody knew anything or told us anything prior to seeing it on Twitter. Truthfully, we were pissed. We know things haven’t been all smiles around the program or fan base, but firing Coach with two games left and before Georgia is very odd to us.”

A plethora of UMass players took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on Brown’s exit. The majority – if not all – echoed similar sentiments.

“Man, this sucks,” Minutemen wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James said. “Coach Brown gave me an opportunity that I’ll forever be grateful for. He’s a legendary coach, but truly even a better man. Forever rocking with you coach.”

“Words do not describe how thankful I am for this man,” UMass linebacker Tyler Martin said. “He was the first to believe in my abilities at this next level. My family and I are forever grateful for everything coach Don Brown has done for us. The greatest [Massachusetts] ball coach to ever do it. You’re a dude.”

8th grade➡️Now. Words do not describe how thankful I am for this man. He was the first to believe in my abilities at this next level. My family and I are forever grateful for everything Coach Don Brown has done for us. The greatest Mass ball coach to ever do it. You’re a DUDE. pic.twitter.com/koOnGU60El

— Tyler Martin (@tylermartin5bbn) November 18, 2024

“Nothing but love for coach Brown,” Minutemen tight end Dominick Mazotti said. “Such an incredible person and a great leader of young men. It was an honor to play for a team coached by a man as committed as he was to this university. Today sucks, but I’m grateful to have been part of his culture and be able to carry that on.”

Early candidates toreplace Brown

Bamford said the school would like to hire Brown’s replacement as soon as possible. Several names have been thrown around in rumors early on in the coaching search, and many of them follow a similar trend: young, FCS head coaches with ties to the New England area. Here are a few that stand out.

Current New Hampshire head coach Ricky Santos has done a solid job with the Wildcats and has a 28-18 record. The Bellingham native played for UNH and was a standout quarterback from 2003-07. Rutgers defensive coordinator and former Maine head coach Joe Harasymiak (20-15), Holy Cross head coach Dan Curran (58-64 including record at Merrimack) and Lehigh head coach Kevin Cahill (5-10) are all potential hires as well.

The absolute best case scenario and home-run hire would be Liam Coen, who is currently the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While certainly a long shot, the Rhode Island native played quarterback at UMass for four seasons (2004-08) – starting in all of them – and was the Minutemen quarterbacks coach in 2014 and 2015. When in Amherst, Coen was roommates with former UMass and NFL star Victor Cruz. Coen has never been a head coach at any level, but Bamford certainly wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Another top choice is Neal Brown, the current head coach at West Virginia – where he has gone 36-34 and won two bowl games since taking over in 2019. Brown played wide receiver at UMass in the early 2000s before joining the Minutemen staff as the tight ends coach. UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes crossed paths and was very involved with Neal Brown at West Virginia, and the Paul Gorham Auditorium inside of the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center was donated by Neal Brown and his wife Brooke.