The Minutemen will embark on their last season in the football desert in 2024. What has changed in Amherst since last year’s campaign?
There has hardly been a more exciting time in UMass’ time in the FBS than now.
Head coach Don Brown seeks to continue the steady improvement of the once-moribund Minutemen as they get set for one last burst of independent play before rejoining the MAC in 2025. It’s a highly-anticipated campaign for Minutemen fans, to say the least.
While UMass does 11 starters under the already-legendary Brown, there are multiple new aspects to the team this year, which we will highlight below:
Shane Montgomery appointed as offensive coordinator
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The UMass offense showed much potential with its ground-focused scheme last year. However, offensive coordinator Steve Casula left Amherst for Michigan to become their tight ends coach. In a move which will be familiar with long-time MAC fans, former Miami RedHawks head coach Shane Montgomery is set to take over coordinating responsibilities for the Minutemen.
UMass fans should be thrilled by this move. Montgomery has built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer in his long career. His most famous quarterback is Ben Roethlisberger, but his schemes also allowed Ben DiNucci of James Madison, Josh Betts of Miami and Kurt Hess of Youngstown State to have prolific college careers as well.
Montgomery’s success with DiNucci shows he can scheme for a mobile quarterback like Taisun Phomachanh. Furthermore, his attacks at James Madison and Buffalo have been incredibly balanced, preserving Don Brown’s affinity for the run. UMass fans could have their best offense since Andy Isabella’s Biletnikoff finalist year.
Restocking the offensive skill positions
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Transfers took center stage for UMass’ offense, with Georgia Tech and Clemson transfer Taisun Phomachanh leading the offense at quarterback and Rutgers transfer Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams exceeding the 1,000-yard mark. Don Brown and Shane Montgomery have several talented transfers to build around on offense.
Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams is gone, but Houston and USC transfer Brandon Campbell hopes to follow in his footsteps. Western Michigan transfer CJ Hester hopes to supplement Campbell’s running between the tackles with elusiveness in the open.
The receiving corps has plenty of Power Five talent to build upon Anthony Simpson’s 792-yard 2023 season. Texas Tech and Jacksonville State transfer Sterling Galban brings more speed to the short passing game. Miami and Clemson transfer Frank Ladson and Michigan transfer Sam Staruch bring depth to a receiving corps that has lacked it recently.
Covering the defense in Ivy
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UMass’ defense has always been its biggest weakness. Last season, the Minutemen gave up 37 points per game and allowed over 200 yards a contest on the ground. A pair of Ivy League standouts hope to change the Minutemen’s fortunes.
Middle linebacker Mackin Ayers and free safety Leonard St. Gourdin come from a Dartmouth defense that allowed only 20 points per game the last two seasons. Ayers had 79 tackles and was a first-team all-Ivy League selection, while St. Gourdin had immense playmaking ability with eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles with the Big Green last year.
These two players headline a group of transfers scattered across the Minutemen defensive unit. There is nowhere to go but up from last year. Ayers and St. Gourdin provide some hope for UMass fans.
UMass fans should be excited about the changes coming to the team in their last season as an independent. This team has the potential to build momentum and lay the foundation for a better transition to the MAC than the first one.