Coach Joe Harasymiak

[doubledribble]

FYI:
Ryan Bamford and Football Head Coach Joe Harasymiak will be guest speakers at this Wednesday's (12/18) Sports Luncheon.
The Umass Sports Luncheon is held weekly @ the Berkshire Dining Commons starting at noon.

Hope to be there & then go to BB game Wed night

[inthescoop]

^ WHO would have thought that…..

I think it's a hoot!

Touché

[wmmmfan]

Just spotted this.
https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1868862447349907861

[chapter 11]

Any insight?

[UMassNet15]

Just spotted this.
https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1868862447349907861

I kind of love this hire. He's been relatively successful at every stop he's been at. He likely won't be here for long, but for Coach Harasymiak, having a veteran coach to help with his first season is a win for sure. I'm really impressed with the hires we've made so far. Coach said we'd be taking our time and that seems to be working out pretty well for us. Can't wait to see the rest of the staff!

[Rolling Ridge]

FYI:
Ryan Bamford and Football Head Coach Joe Harasymiak will be guest speakers at this Wednesday's (12/18) Sports Luncheon.
The Umass Sports Luncheon is held weekly @ the Berkshire Dining Commons starting at noon.

Thanks for the heads up. I've never been to one of these, but I think I'll try to go tomorrow.

Just spotted this.
https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1868862447349907861

I kind of love this hire. He's been relatively successful at every stop he's been at. He likely won't be here for long, but for Coach Harasymiak, having a veteran coach to help with his first season is a win for sure. I'm really impressed with the hires we've made so far. Coach said we'd be taking our time and that seems to be working out pretty well for us. Can't wait to see the rest of the staff!

Awesome! He looks like a great hire, though I agree, he probably won't be here for too long.

[inthescoop]

Just spotted this.
https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1868862447349907861

Jersey guy who went to Williams and understands the area. In addition, he was the OC at Utah last season making walk-on QBs look good? I love this hire.

I am actually starting to really believe, don't break my heart again UMass...

[Jack]

https://www.si.com/college/utah/footbal ... rs-to-utah

Mike Bajakian hired as new OC - bringing a wealth of FBS and NFL experience to Amherst. Seems like another very positive development for the UMass Football program. So far I'm impressed by Coach Joe's hiring decisions. Seems like things are getting on track for continued improvement. Go UMass !!!

[eldonabe]

What's with all the funky last names?

Who's next Sakajawia ?

[m626t]

apparent good hires so far; I'm guessing the increased payroll is a factor.

[inthescoop]

Maybe he met his wife at Williams

They have 5 kids and maybe it's time to settle down - knowing that he'll be here for a couple of years. A lot of bouncing around for Bajakian throughout his career

Complete speculation.. I have no idea what I'm talking about

[dennisdent]

What's with all the funky last names?

Who's next Sakajawia ?

Brown and Bell didn't work out, so Bamford went in a new direction.

[Rolling Ridge]

They have 5 kids and maybe it's time to settle down - knowing that he'll be here for a couple of years. A lot of bouncing around for Bajakian throughout his career

One thing that might keep Bajakian here a bit longer is that he got tangled up in the mess at Northwestern last year. He has a pending lawsuit against the school for defamation, as the school seemed to paint with a bit of a broad brush what coaches on the football team knew about the hazing, resulting in him feeling that he was "blacklisted" and couldn't get equivalent employment. From the looks of it, the latter part of that claim is true. It's unclear what, if any, specific evidence Northwestern has against him, and my sense is the school may be on the hook for mishandling the investigation and harming several people's careers.

In any case, UMass may be a place for him to rebuild his reputation, and that may take a while depending on how fast all these lawsuits get settled.

[UMassRed]

Certainly Coach Mike Bajakian sounds great. Are we done with coaches or will there be others?

[Rolling Ridge]

Certainly Coach Mike Bajakian sounds great. Are we done with coaches or will there be others?

At the luncheon Wednesday, they said they were about halfway there with the coaching staff. The big spot yet to be named is Defensive Coordinator, and it was my sense they have a person lined up and are in the process of finalizing the details before announcing. I'm sure other spots will also be announced soon as well.