UMass Fires Head Coach Don Brown After 2-8 Start to 2024 Season

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) has parted ways with head football coach Don Brown, effective immediately. This decision comes after the Minutemen suffered a 2-8 start to the 2024 season, with their latest loss being an overtime game against Liberty on Saturday.

Brown’s second stint as the head coach of the UMass Minutemen began in 2022, during which he compiled a 6-26 record. Despite his efforts to rebuild the program, the team struggled to find success. In his first stint from 2004-2008, Brown had a more successful tenure, leading the team to a 43-19 record and an appearance in the FCS National Championship game against Appalachian State.

UMass Athletic Director Ryan Bamford expressed gratitude to Brown for his contributions to the program. Bamford highlighted Brown’s role in helping UMass achieve conference membership and in legitimizing the FBS program through his coaching reputation. However, the athletic department has decided to move forward with a new head coach as the team prepares to enter a new league and navigate the changing college athletics landscape in 2025.

Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery will take over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Minutemen have two games left, including a matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs and a home game against rival UConn.

Brown, a Massachusetts native, has had a storied career in football, including stints as a coordinator at Maryland, UConn, Boston College, Michigan, and Arizona. His time under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan is particularly notable. Despite his recent struggles at UMass, Brown remains an iconic figure in New England football.