I think this is part of the problem as this is how UMass feels but still remembers the Cal/camby glory days. They want success but aren’t willing to put in the effort or enough support. Hockey got lucky with a coach change and star player that remained committed. They filled the Mullins.
Exactly. UMass is basically where we would have been, if we upgraded, but remained at Memorial. It's a losing hand all around. They have invested like FCS, so that's where they belong.
I get your point but whether you are P4 or G6, those programs are by definition higher up the hierarchy than FCS programs. They are all on the Monopoly board whether they are on Connecticut Avenue or Park Place, or in Jail.
Listen, teams like North Central and Mount Union might be able to beat UMass. Those WIAC teams are no joke either. If I was UMass I would stop playing FBS football. They are like many who will never get the call up to the P4. At this point they have destroyed generations of fans and have only hockey left to cheer on.
Mmmm, really, how could you tell?
Yup. From an alum I talked to it seems like the plan is to stabilize and then win at football in the MAC and then look for an escape to the AAC. Remember, the AAC has Army/Temple/Navy so UMass could be a fit. And, don't forget that UMass had I-AA football success from 1998 to 2008 when they won a championship and lost in the championship game another year.
They don't have the facilities we have/had at that time. The infrastructure and the money are far behind when Mora took over.
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I kind of feel like for UMass it should be printed on a red solo cup.
You are probably right and the Big East and Villanova in particular are the exceptions. Even with UMass falling off, it was still a difficult decision but I don't think the A-10 will ever be what it once was. Even the Big East may be at risk but that's a different debate. At least with FBS football the programs are part of the discussion.
Will it be in NCAA Football 2027 like the ConFlict though...
There is no way for anyone to know that. Harasymiak coulda probably gotten a better job had he waited. The facilities argument is so overplayed. It's about finding the right guy. Lance Leipold was a winner at the D3 level and Buffalo was the only one who gave him a shot when he was older. Cignetti didn't get an FBS HC gig til 60. Mora was a guy anyone coulda hired when he came here. UMass more than anything, has to get rid of Bamford. His track record on hiring coaches speaks for itself.
Harasymiak had one good season as HC at Maine. He was not a good hire imo, but I doubt UMass had many choices
Agreed. UConn Basketball played in the Hugh S. Greer Field House when Jim Calhoun came here and said, "It's doable." Finding THE guy is not easy but UMass has to find the right people to turn things around. Very difficult, yes, but not impossible.