Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tuesday Afternoon and happy to be home 01/13/09

Matty Vautour has an article on the current state of UMass football. Relevant quote"

McCutcheon said despite the state of the economy, UMass is not decreasing its commitment to the football program. He said the new coach is inheriting a program he expects to remain a contender for conference and national titles in the Football Championship Subdivision.

"We've been successful at the national level. It's part of what our goals are for the athletic program here," McCutcheon said. "We're giving the kids a good experience and we're doing it in the right way.

"The economy will create challenges no doubt, but we will work through those as a department and cross the bridges as we come to them," he added. "We intend to stay committed to football."

The Blog thinks this is very good news indeed. Unless a UMass fan is totally out of touch, it would be hard to miss the current recession. Although I have not mentioned it, I was expecting some negative repercussions for UMass football. If all that happens is FBS football is put on the back burner, I think we can count ourselves lucky. It could be much, much worse.

This means:

  • Brown did not leave because of cuts in resources.
  • We could expect a coaching hire with the intent to keep UMass in the top of the Division
  • 2009 recruits should find UMass a desirable place to play.
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Meanwhile, Boston college still has its thumb up its butt. Matty infers that UMass would be strongly interested in either of the two Boston College coaches Frank Spaziani or Jack Bicknell, Jr. If either one of them became the next UMass Head Coach, he might bring some recruits and assistant coaches with him.

More on the BC drama from the Boston Globe. The article mentions another coach I think would be a great get for UMass , Florida Offensive Coordinator Steve Addazio.

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The Richmond Spiders have announced their 2009 schedule. That adds another date to UMass' known 2009 schedule:
  • 09/05 @ Kansas State
  • 09/12 @ Albany
  • 10/10 @ Delaware
  • 10/24 @ Richmond
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UPDATE: Matty Vautour reports BC announced Spaz in their man.

UPDATE II: More tea leaves from the athletic dept.

UPDATE III: UMass announces the search committee for UMass football Head Coach.

UPDATE: IV: Boston college makes it official, the Eagles hire Spaziani here .
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