Walt Bell

[Floyd]

Would have loved to experienced The Drake. It's crazy how the town's bar scene has changed, even in the last 18 years... never mind 30 or 40 years.

You were there that long weren't ya?

[Floyd]

WR Jesse Britt announces that rather than go through with his announced decision to transfer he will remain at UMass. Things trending well under Coach Bell.

Nice. I've stated many times previously that I'm a big Jesse Britt fan, and I'm glad he's staying. He's a tough kid and I think he can definitely help this team. Glad you're sticking around Jesse!

[classof62-64]

I graduated in 1996 but always heard how great the Drake was. Can one of you old timers indicate what made it that enjoyable? Then back to football. Thanks,

As an addendum to 11's question, how many of us tripped and stumbled down the stairs at least once?

I was far more likely to trip and stumble going up the stairs

[m626t]

I graduated in 1996 but always heard how great the Drake was. Can one of you old timers indicate what made it that enjoyable? Then back to football. Thanks,

The Drake was a classic college dive bar: Subterranean, dark, dingy, CCR playing on the juke box, coin-operated washers and dryers in one corner, and GIQ's of 'Gansett for 35 cents. I became a regular when I was 19 or 20 - the bouncer never checked my ID. My friends took me there on my birthday and when he asked how old I was turning, I said 21. He laughed his ass off. Things were a little different 50 years ago!

I wonder how many board members know what a GIQ was, let alone actually consumed one

[dennisdent]

Downstairs at the drake - was best place in amherst

Beg to disagree - ground level at Mike's.

Mike’s Westview?

Loved that place.

The happy hour on Friday's with the all you can eat buffet; what a way to start the weekend off! Living in Puffton, that was our go to place, we could even walk back if we had too...

Great news on Jesse Britt, hope Bilal Ally changes his mind also!

[Not Trigger]

I had a gun pulled on me at the Drake

[Floyd]

Great news on Jesse Britt, hope Bilal Ally changes his mind also!

Yes, I hope so too. Kid can run

[78]

Happy to see Britt changed his mind. As for the Drake, for some reason I was never a big fan. We hung at Barsie's all the time for the 25 cent draughts.

[FightMass19]

I had a gun pulled on me at the Drake

Your name makes this all the more funnier!

As a current student at the U, it is quite funny to see the bar scene nowadays. Basically anywhere you go it's the same kind of atmosphere. I wish the drake would come back! (More importantly, I wish 25 cent beers would come back! )

[Swampy]

I graduated in 1996 but always heard how great the Drake was. Can one of you old timers indicate what made it that enjoyable?

WILLY!!!

[nighttrain777]

I had a gun pulled on me at the Drake

Your name makes this all the more funnier!

As a current student at the U, it is quite funny to see the bar scene nowadays. Basically anywhere you go it's the same kind of atmosphere. I wish the drake would come back! (More importantly, I wish 25 cent beers would come back! )

Ten cents with a Pub Mug!

[eldonabe]

In today's Gazette:

https://www.gazettenet.com/New-UMass-f ... 22258922


I am liking this guy more and more.... "No rush".... "don't sign guys just to sign them"... This guy has a plan!

[vanmeter]

ESPN+ rated the 21 new FBS coaching hires and had Walt Bell ranked 15 out of the 21 with a grade of C+.
While this is only their opinion I would consider this a so so rank. Hopefully he will prove to be better than this.

[minutefanjsf]

ESPN+ rated the 21 new FBS coaching hires and had Walt Bell ranked 15 out of the 21 with a grade of C+.
While this is only their opinion I would consider this a so so rank. Hopefully he will prove to be better than this.

ESPN also had us bowling for sure last year, and Chris Berman is BFFs with the departing coach-I don’t think they want to make this look good for us.

[eldonabe]

ESPN+ rated the 21 new FBS coaching hires and had Walt Bell ranked 15 out of the 21 with a grade of C+.
While this is only their opinion I would consider this a so so rank. Hopefully he will prove to be better than this.

Van I share your skepticism, however, I think a lot of the difficulties are "Umass Football" difficulties moreso that "coaching" difficulties.

Bell seems like a solid guy and at the very least "Smart Enough" to he an HC. I hate to say it, but Umass Football just needs a break! Something positive to give them some momentum. A great recruit, a timely upset of a really good team.... anything to make people take notice. The second part is to not fuck up that positive momentum if it comes. If you can get a better crown than normal to a game - you gotta win that game! Nothing kills a good vibe like a no-show on the field! DK's teams were famous for fucking up positive momentum....



Bell is fighting a student base who like hockey more than football, an administration that can't even get the tailgating thing right, a school's whose teachers hate the program and make no bones about it, a lousy stadium, and Independent conference status. Jesus H Christ would struggle as an HC here under these conditions.

Seriously, Nick Saban would not be able to turn this situation around in 3 years, so we need to keep our perspective in check with Bell. If he can show he is competent this season, that alone will go a long way in my book. He seems to have a plan and I for one like what I have heard even if I am skeptical of the whole thing. Most of us wanted Whip out - he's gone. New is new, lets give this dude a fair shake!



Next season is not going to be about w's and l's as much as it is going to be how they look doing it. Will there be head scratching play calling? No half time adjustments? Disorganization? How he handles the pressers? Ownership of the team or pointing fingers in every direction? Gradual improvement from start to finish? Lots of intangibles there, but Whip seemed to miss on a lot of those things........