Don Brown Begins His Fifth Season at Umass, He Has Led Umass to the Best Four-Year Span in School History

Don Brown begins his fifth season at UMass, he has led UMass to the best four-year span in school history. Coaching STAFF Brown’s Coaching Honors Don • 2006 AFCA Region I Coach of the Year • 2006 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year • 2006 New England Writers Coach of the Year BROWN • 2006 Greater Boston Coach of the Year • 2002 AFCA Region I Coach of the Year HEAD COACH • 2002 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Fifth Year as UMass • 2002 New England Writers Coach of the Year Head Coach • 1995 Freedom Football Conf. Coach of the Year • 1994 Freedom Football Conf. Coach of the Year 12th Year as Head Coach • 1994 AFCA Region I Coach of the Year Norwich ‘77 • 1993 Freedom Football Conf. Coach of the Year

Don Brown has continued UMass’ championship tradition CAA in scoring defense (19.2) and total defense (309.6 yards per in his four years as the Minutemen’s head coach. The Mas- game). That defense was anchored by Buchanan Award can- sachusetts native has led the Maroon & White to back- didate and All-American Jason Hatchell along with six other to-back conference titles and consecutive NCAA Tour- All-Conference selections including first-teammers David nament appearances. Over the last two years, UMass is Burris, Courtney Robinson, Sean Smalls and Charles Walker. undefeated at home (14-0), while posting a 23-5 overall On the offensive side, UMass had a first-team All- record and a 15-1 conference record. Brown has coached American on the line in Matt Austin. He was joined by 37 all-conference selections over the last two years, by All-CAA picks in quarterback Liam Coen, tailback Matt far the most of any coach in the league. Lawrence, receivers J.J. Moore and Rasheed Rancher as UMass’ 36 wins over the last four years under well as linemen Sean Calicchio and Nick Diana. Brown equal the best four-year span in UMass pro- Coen, who was a Walter Payton Award candidate, gram history. continued to set nearly every UMass passing record. In Brown was named the 27th head coach in 2007, he became the school’s all-time leader in passing the 125-year history of the UMass football pro- yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns. gram on February 9, 2004. Brown returned to UMass had eight players in NFL training camps in UMass after four seasons as the head coach at 2008 including recent grads Lawrence with the Northeastern University. Recognized as one of Chicago Bears, Brad Listorti with the Atlanta the top defensive minds in college football, he Falcons and Breyone Evans with the Carolina previously served as defensive coordinator for the Panthers. Minutemen during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He The 2006 season was one to remember for played a key role in the 1998 NCAA Championship. Brown. Brown led UMass to the national champion- Brown has a 88-40 (.688) career mark, includ- ship game after capturing the Atlantic 10 Champi- ing a 36-14 (.720) mark in his four seasons at the onship with a perfect 8-0 record, becoming the first helm of UMass. He coached his 100th career game undefeated conference team since Villanova in in the 2005 regular-season finale at Hofstra. 1997. UMass tied the school record for wins in a Brown heads into the 2008 season tied for third season with a 13-2 record and set a school-mark for in career wins in UMass history with 36. He is be- wins in a row with 12. The Minutemen finished the hind Vic Fusia (59) and Dick MacPherson (45). Brown season ranked No. 2 in the nation. is tied at 36 with Bob Pickett and Jim Reid entering UMass also set a school record for wins at home, the season. With his .720 win percentage, he is eas- going a perfect 8-0 at McGuirk Stadium. That came ily the school’s winningest coach in terms of career along with record crowds as close to 12,000 fans percentage. came out each game. UMass had its first sellout Coming off the 2006 NCAA Championship game since 1973 when 17,000 packed McGuirk for the appearance, the 2007 campaign was another historic New Hampshire playoff game on Dec. 2, 2006. one for the Minutemen, as UMass went 10-3 in cap- Brown was recognized nationally and region- turing the first-ever CAA Football Championship with ally for the team’s accomplishments. He was named a 7-1 league mark. It was the 22nd overall confer- the 2006 AFCA Region I Coach of the Year, 2006 ence crown in UMass history, the most of any team in Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and 2006 New En- league annals. UMass finished ranked No. 6 in the gland Football Coach of the Year. In leading UMass Coaches poll and No. 7 in the Sports Network Media to the 2006 A-10 crown, Brown became the second poll after reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals. coach to win the A-10 title with two teams leading UMass continued to show its well-rounded the Minutemen to the crown this year after his title team in 2007 as the Minutemen set a school record at Northeastern in 2002. Jim Reid was the first coach for total offense per game with more than 400 to do so at UMass and Richmond. Brown coached a con- yards per contest. The Minutemen also led the ference record 20 Atlantic 10 selections in 2006 in lead-

Brown’s Year-By-Year Head Coaching Record Overall Conf. Conf. Year School Record Pct. Record Pct. Place Accomplishments 1993 Plymouth State 6-4 .600 5-1 .857 2nd 1994 Plymouth State 10-1 .909 6-0 1.000 1st NCAA Division III Quarterfinals/ Freedom Conference Champions 1995 Plymouth State 9-1 .900 7-0 1.000 1st NCAA Division III First Round/ Freedom Conference Champions 2000 Northeastern 4-7 .364 1-7 .125 10th 2001 Northeastern 5-6 .455 4-5 .444 6th Don Brown has 2002 Northeastern 10-3 .769 7-1 .875 1st NCAA Division I-AA First Round/ coached UMass to Atlantic 10 Conference Champions back-to-back 2003 Northeastern 8-4 .667 6-3 .667 3rd conference titles. 2004 MASSACHUSETTS 6-5 .556 4-4 .500 2nd 2005 MASSACHUSETTS 7-4 .636 6-2 .750 2nd 2006 MASSACHUSETTS 13-2 .867 8-0 1.000 1st NCAA FCS Championship Game/ Atlantic 10 Conference Champions 2007 MASSACHUSETTS 10-3 .769 7-1 .875 1st NCAA FCS Quarterfinals/CAA Champions Career 11 Years 88-40 .688 61-24 .718 Five Conference Titles/Five NCAA Berths 32 Coaching STAFF Brown led the Minutemen to a 6-5 record winning four of the Brown’s Collegiate Coaching File last five games. UMass’ late-season run elevated them to a sec- Years School Assignment ond place finish in the Atlantic 10’s North Division. Included in 1982 Dartmouth Assistant Coach the 4-1 stretch to close out the season was a 26-22 win at North- 1983 Mansfield Assistant Coach eastern, which was an emotional game for Brown, as he had 1984-86 Dartmouth Defensive Coordinator recruited nearly every player on the Huskies’ roster. The Min- 1987-92 Yale Defensive Coordinator utemen knocked off three teams ranked in the top 20 during the 1993-95 Plymouth State Head Coach 1996-97 Brown Defensive Coordinator season including No. 4 Colgate, No. 7 New Hampshire and No. 19 1998-99 Massachusetts Defensive Coordinator Maine. The win over UNH, was the 500th win in UMass football 2000-03 Northeastern Head Coach history 2004-Pres. Massachusetts Head Coach Under Brown’s guidance, James was named a consensus first-team All-American and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of Year as well as being a finalist for the Buchanan Award. James led the ing the Minutemen to the title game. UMass featured five All- nation in interceptions as a junior and finished his career in 2005 Americans in guard Austin, tailback Steve Baylark, linebacker with more interceptions than any player in the nation at the Hatchell, safety James Ihedigbo and center Alex time. The Minutemen led the Atlantic 10 in pass efficiency de- Miller. Baylark made history as he became fense while the offensive line led the country in fewest sacks just the third player in I-AA/FCS to rush for allowed per pass attempt (giving up nine on 344 pass attempts) more then 1,000 yards in four different sea- as Baylark led the conference in rushing. sons with Austin, Miller and All-Conference Over his four seasons at Northeastern (2000-03), Brown guard David Thompson blocking for him. led a total transformation of the Huskies’ program. After tak- A defensive mastermind and architect ing over a team coming off a 2-9 record, with just two winning of the defense that led UMass to the 1998 seasons in the previous 12 before his arrival, Brown led North- National Championship, the 2006 UMass eastern to a 27-20 mark during his four seasons. The Hus- team led the nation in scoring defense kies posted winning records each of his last two seasons, until the final game, finishing fifth, giv- going a combined 18-7 during that two-year span, and made ing up just 13.3 points per game. UMass the program’s first-ever NCAA playoff appearance. ranked in the top three in the confer- During the 2003 season, Brown led Northeastern to ence in six major defensive categories, an overall record of 8-4, and a third-place finish in the leading in pass efficiency defense and net Atlantic 10 Conference with a 6-3 mark in league punting. Nationally, the Minutemen ranked games. The eight victories tied for the second-most in the top 20 in nine statistics including the in school history, while the Huskies were the only top 10 in scoring defense, net punting and team in the country to defeat eventual national pass efficiency. UMass’ defense flourished in champion Delaware, posting a 24-14 victory over the playoffs as it did not allow a point in the the Blue Hens on November 8. Brown had North- second half of its first three playoff games. The eastern ranked at or near the top of the At- Minutemen posted two shutouts of conference lantic 10 in several statistical categories, in- teams in the same season for the first time since cluding total offense (first / 431.8 yards per 1979. game), scoring offense (second / 34.5 UMass players reaped the rewards of the points per game), scoring defense (third sensational season as five players were signed / 18.2 points per game) and total de- or invited to NFL training camps: Baylark (Ari- fense (fourth / 338.2 yards per game). zona Cardinals), Ihedigbo (New York Jets), The Huskies finished the season Brandon London (New York Giants), Miller (De- ranked 20th in the nation. troit Lions) and Thompson (St. Louis Rams). In 2002, Brown led North- In 2005, Brown led the Minutemen to the eastern to its best season in nation’s top scoring defense as UMass allowed school history, as the Huskies went just 13.27 points per game. As UMass posted a 10-3 overall and 7-1 in the Atlantic 10. Northeastern 7-4 overall record and 6-2 in the A-10 North. set a school single-season record for victories, while The Minutemen led the Atlantic 10 in five de- claiming a share of the Atlantic 10 title for the first fensive categories including scoring defense. time ever. In addition, the Huskies made their first- They also led in net punting (38.35) – which led ever appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA play- the nation; total yardage defense (261.18) – which offs, while playing in only the second postseason ranked third nationally; passing defense (145.09)– game in school history. Northeastern ended the – which ranked fifth nationally and pass efficiency year leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring offense (31.0 defense (106.83). On the offensive side, UMass’ points per game), while ranking second in scoring line allowed the fewest sacks in the A-10, just defense (16.0 points per game) and third in total 1.0 per game, which was eighth in the nation. defense (299.3 yards per game). The Minutemen jumped out to a 7-2 start After the Huskies finished the season ranked 11th in 2005 and were ranked as high as fifth in the in the country, their highest-ever season-ending rank- nation, finishing the year 19th in polls. UMass’ ing, Brown received several coaching honors. He was se- best win came over No. 4 James Madison and cata- lected as the 2002 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the pulted UMass to a No. 5 national ranking. The Min- Year, the 2002 New England Football Writers Coach of the utemen also beat ranked Rhode Island and Dela- Year, and the 2002 American Football Coaches Association ware teams. The win at the Blue Hens, was their Region I Coach of the Year. worst home loss in 20 years, a 35-7 Minuteman During his first two seasons at Northeastern, Brown laid win. the groundwork for the success that would follow in 2002 and UMass featured two All-Americans and 10 All- 2003. During his first year, in 2000, the Huskies posted an overall Atlantic 10 players. Punter Christian Koegel was named the A-10 record of 4-7, including an impressive 35-27 road victory over Special Teams Player of the Year as well as a Walter Camp first- Division I-A Connecticut. In 2001, Brown’s squad improved to 5- team All-American. Safety Shannon James was named a consen- 6 overall with a 4-5 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Don Brown is the sus first-team All-American for the second year in a row as well Huskies finished the 2001 season ranked in the league in total second to be A-10/CAA as being a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award – as the top defense (322.3 yards per game), pass defense (159.8 yards per Coach of the Year with defensive player in Division I-AA — for the second year in a row. game) and turnover margin (+0.6 turnovers per game). two teams (Jim Reid). Joining Koegel and James on the A-10 First Team were Baylark, Prior to his time at Northeastern, Brown served as UMass’ Miller and defensive end Keron Williams. defensive coordinator under Mark Whipple during the 1998 and James, Williams and the versatile R.J. Cobbs were all in- 1999 seasons. He helped UMass to two of the best seasons in vited to NFL training camps in 2006. school history, as the 1998 team posted an overall record of 12- In his first season back with UMass as head coach in 2004, 3 and won the Division I-AA national championship. The 1999 33 Coaching STAFF season was also a successful one, as the Minutemen went 9-4 overall, claimed Don Brown vs. All Opponents a share of the Atlantic 10 title with a Opponent W L PF PA 7-1 mark in league games, and made Albany 3 0 154 14 a second straight trip to the Division American International 1 0 48 7 Appalachian State 0 1 17 28 I-AA playoffs. UMass’ 21 victories dur- Army 0 1 27 34 ing Brown’s two years as defensive co- Boston College 0 2 21 53 ordinator set a school record for most Bridgewater (Mass.) State 3 0 72 22 wins during any two year-span. Bryant First Meeting During the 1996 and Colgate 3 1 107 61 1997 seasons, Brown served Connecticut 1 0 35 27 as Whipple’s defensive co- Delaware 3 3 96 118 ordinator at Brown Uni- Delaware State 1 0 51 0 Fordham 1 1 72 64 versity. In 1997, the Harvard 1 2 57 77 Bears posted an overall Hofstra 3 3 162 158 record of 7-3, matching Holy Cross 1 0 40 30 the school’s best record Ithaca 0 1 7 22 in 20 years. In addition, James Madison 5 1 157 116 Brown’s 1997 defense Lafayette 1 0 35 14 led the nation with a school Lock Haven (Pa.) 1 0 48 0 record 28 interceptions, while Maine 5 2 164 141 Maine Maritime Academy 1 1 62 28 ranking second in the country Massachusetts 1 3 92 83 in takeaways (36) and holding Massachusetts-Dartmouth 2 0 68 0 opponents to just 19.4 points Massachusetts-Lowell 3 0 105 23 per game. Montana 1 0 19 17 From 1993-1995, Brown Navy 0 1 20 21 spent three seasons as the head New Hampshire 6 2 235 151 coach at Plymouth State (N.H.) Norwich (Vt.) 3 0 108 57 College. He led the Panthers to a Northeastern 4 0 84 29 Ohio 1 0 31 0 pair of Freedom Conference titles Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 0 1 0 13 in 1994 and 1995, while posting an Rhode Island 4 4 215 178 overall record of 25-6 (6-4 in 1993, Richmond 4 1 109 51 10-1 in 1994 and 9-1 in 1995). Brown St. Mary’s (Calif.) 1 0 40 13 was named Freedom Conference Southern Illinois 0 1 28 34 Coach of the Year during each of his Springfield (Mass.) 1 0 31 6 three seasons, and led Plymouth State Stonehill (Mass.) 1 0 78 6 to a pair of Division III playoff appear- Stony Brook 4 0 131 59 Texas Tech First Meeting ances in 1994 and 1995. In addition, Towson 2 0 71 13 he was named the American Football Union (N.Y.) 0 1 7 24 Coaches Association District I Coach of U.S. Coast Guard Academy 3 0 60 30 the Year in 1994. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 1 0 19 18 A native of Spencer, Mass., Brown Villanova 3 3 142 151 began his collegiate coaching career as Western Connecticut State 3 0 97 36 an assistant at Dartmouth in 1982, help- Wilkes (Pa.) 0 1 7 17 ing the Big Green to the Ivy League title. William & Mary 3 2 172 111 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2 1 86 63 He moved on to Mansfield (Pa.) Univer- Career Totals 88 40 3487 2218 sity as an assistant coach in 1983, before Average Points 27.2 17.3 returning to Dartmouth as defensive coordinator from 1984-1986. Brown then served as defensive coordinator at Yale from 1987-1992, Vt., where he starred as a running back for the Cadets’ foot- helping lead the Elis to the 1989 Ivy League crown. His coach- ball team. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Ply- ing career started at Hartford High School in White River Junc- mouth State College in 1996. tion, Vt., where he served as an assistant football coach and Brown and his wife, Deborah, reside in South Hadley. The physical education instructor from 1977-1982. couple has four children: Echo, Zachariah, Rana and Chelsea. The 53-year old Brown (born July 31, 1955) is a native of Brown became a grandfather for the first time on November 4, Spencer, Mass., where he graduated from David Prouty High 2004, as Lola was born prior to the game at Northeastern. He School. He is a 1977 graduate of Norwich University in Northfield, welcomed his second grandchild Piper in 2008.

Don Brown heads into 2008 tied for third all-time in wins at UMass with 36.

Don Brown accepts UMass’ Lambert Cup as the top team in the East in 2006. 34 Coaching STAFF Coen, an A-10 three-time Rookie of the Week, finished with 2,175 yards, the second-most by a first-year quarterback in Kevin UMass history and sixth-best in a season, all-time. Morris’ offensive line was the top in the A-10 in terms of fewest sacks allowed, just 11 in 11 games. Baylark once again was named to MORRIS the A-10 First Team as he gained 1,057 yards to rank third in the A-10. Offensive Coordinator/ In his first year at UMass, Morris’ offense led the nation in Quarterbacks fewest sacks per pass attempt, giving up just nine as the line protected Day, who produced one the best seasons for a UMass Fifth Year at UMass signal caller. Day, posted the fifth-best passing yardage season Williams ‘86 in Minuteman history, throwing for 2,481 yards along with 23 touchdowns, third-most in a UMass season. Day also posted the Kevin Morris is in his fifth year as the offensive coordina- most efficient single-game in history, completing 17-of-19 in tor and quarterbacks coach at the University of Massachusetts. the season opener at Delaware State. Baylark came on late in Morris came to UMass from Northeastern University, where he the season to lead the Atlantic 10 in rushing with 1,138 was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for yards earning first-team all-conference honors. four seasons (2000-03), making the move with Don Brown During his time on Don Brown’s staff at Northeast- to UMass in 2004. ern, Morris directed one of the most explosive offen- Under Morris UMass has developed a high-pow- sive attacks in the Atlantic 10 Conference, breaking ered offense with Walter Payton Award candidate quar- 24 school offensive records in four years. During the terback Liam Coen. The Minutemen have and Coen have 2003 season, the Huskies led the Atlantic 10 Confer- set more than 40 school records over the last four sea- ence in total offense with an average of 431.8 yards sons. Last season, UMass set a mark for total yards per per game, while ranking second in scoring offense with game with 401.5. Coen went on to set every career an average of 34.5 points per contest and posting an passing record in 2007 as he became the all-time overall record of 8-4. leader in passing yardage, completions, attempts A year earlier, in 2002, Morris’ offense led the At- and touchdowns. Coen had the two most prolific lantic 10 Conference with an average of 31.0 points per passing games in school history in the NCAA play- game, setting a new school scoring record. The Hus- offs with 421 and 419 yards in back-to-back kies also averaged 207.0 rushing yards per game in games. Coen heads into 2008 as the active ca- 2002, to rank second in the Atlantic 10 and 19th in reer leader in FCS football in passing efficiency the nation. During the 2002 campaign, Morris and touchdowns. helped lead Northeastern to an overall record The Minutemen averaged 31.0 points per of 10-3, a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference game in 2007, the most in nearly a decade. title and the school’s first-ever trip to the The Minutemen opened the season scoring NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs. more than 35 points in the first four games Prior to his time at Northeastern, Morris and more than 32 in each of the first five served as the offensive coordinator at Stony against FCS opponents. UMass racked up 49 Brook in 1999, helping the Seawolves to a 5-5 points and 649 yards of total offense in the record in their inaugural season of competition at NCAA Quarterfinal win over Fordham. That the Division I-AA level. He was also the head coach yardage mark stands second all-time in UMass at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1993-1998, annals. leading the team to a 24-32 overall record. Morris’ UMass had a pair of 1,000-yard receivers 1993 team won the Freedom Football Conference for the first time in school history in All-CAA title with a perfect 5-0 mark in league games. He selections J.J. Moore (1,100) and Rasheed guided the Engineers to three winning seasons in his Rancher (1,007). Tailback Matt Lawrence gained six years as head coach. close to 1,600 yards on the ground in earning During the 1991 and 1992 seasons, Morris worked at all-league honors as well. Union College, where he served as the defensive co- The Minutemen were one of the high-pow- ordinator in 1992 and the secondary coach in 1991. ered offenses in the nation in 2006 as they made Morris was also the head coach of the Union lacrosse a run to the National Championship game and team in 1991, guiding the team to an 8-5 record and claimed the Atlantic 10 Championship. Morris a berth in the ECAC Playoffs. He was previously the has tutored Coen into one of the nation’s best. defensive coordinator at Worcester Polytechnic Insti- Coen led the nation in pass efficiency for most tute in 1990, helping lead the team to an 8-0-1 record. of 2006 and finished sixth with a mark of 160.52. Morris also served as the quarterbacks and wide re- He threw for 3,016 yards the third-most in a ceivers coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1988 season at UMass and his 26 touchdown passes and 1989, while spending two seasons as the running also ranked third in a single-season in UMass’ backs and quarterbacks coach at Albany (1986-1987). history. A 1986 graduate of Williams College, Morris played Under Morris’ guidance, UMass averaged quarterback in addition to pitching on the baseball team. close to 28 points per game in 2006 including He and his wife, Rebecca, reside in Belchertown with their three 40-point performances, the most since son, Ryan (born March 20, 2000). 1998. The Minutemen also piled up more than 450 yards of total offense on six occasions in- Morris’ Collegiate Coaching File cluding five in a row in the middle of their school-record 12- Years School Assignment game win streak. 1986-1987 Albany Running Backs / th UMass finished 12 in the nation in total offense with more Quarterbacks than 383 yards per game and sixth in pass efficiency. On the 1988-1989 Worcester Polytech Quarterbacks / offensive side, Morris headed up nine all-conference perform- Wide Receivers ers led by tailback Steve Baylark, who led the A-10 in rushing 1990 Worcester Polytech Defensive Coordinator Kevin Morris has and became the third player in I-AA/FCS history to game 1,000 1991 Union Secondary tutored quarterback yards in four consecutive seasons. Baylark gained most of those 1992 Union Defensive Coordinator Liam Coen as he has set 5,332 career yards behind all-conference players Alex Miller, 1993-1998 Worcester Polytech Head Coach nearly every record. David Thompson and Matt Austin. Those linemen led Baylark 1999 Stony Brook Offensive Coordinator and protected Coen as UMass led the conference in fewest sacks 2000-2003 Northeastern Offensive Coordinator / allowed for the third year in a row. Quarterbacks In 2005, Morris worked with Coen as he emerged as one of 2004-Pres. Massachusetts Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks the Atlantic 10’s most efficient passers taking over for Tim Day. 35 Coaching STAFF and Walker, who tied the UMass school record for tackles in a game with 23 vs. Delaware on Sept. 25, 2004. Keith In 2002 and 2003, Dudzinski spent two seasons as linebackers coach at Northeastern under Don Brown, in addition to serving as defensive coordinator in 2003. He directed the career of DUDZINSKI first team All-American and two-time first team All-Atlantic 10 selection Liam Ezekiel, who made 140 total tackles in 2003. Defensive Coordinator/ During the 2002 season, the Huskies allowed opponents only 299.3 total yards and 16.0 points per game, while in 2003 they Linebackers gave up just 338.2 total yards and 18.2 points per contest. Dur- Ninth Season at UMass ing the 2002 campaign, Dudzinski helped lead Northeastern to New Haven ‘91 an overall record of 10-3, a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference title and the school’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I-AA Keith Dudzinski enters the fifth season of his second stint Playoffs. on the UMass coaching staff in 2007, as the defensive coordina- During his first stint as an assistant coach at UMass under tor and linebackers coach. Dudzinski, who previously worked Mark Whipple, Dudzinski served in a variety of roles on the de- with the Minutemen from 1998-2001, returned to UMass under fensive side of the ball. He coached the secondary in 2001, the Don Brown, after spending two years at Northeastern Univer- linebackers in 1999 and 2000, and the defensive line in 1998, in sity. addition to directing UMass’ special teams from 1999-2001. The Minuteman defense has been one of the top in the Dudzinski guided the career of Kole Ayi, who was a two-time nation over the last four years. The 2007 season was no differ- first team All-American and two-time Buck Buchanan Award fi- ent as the Minutemen led the CAA in total defense, giving up nalist under his direction. just 309.6 yards per game and scoring defense, allowing 19.2 Dudzinski first joined the UMass staff after spending four points per game. The Minutemen also led the CAA in sacks, tackles years at Brown under Whipple as the defensive line coach for for loss and passing efficiency defense. The UMass defense had the Bears. Dudzinski helped the Brown defense hold opponents five first-team All-CAA selections including linebackers Jason to just 194 total points during the 1997 season (19.4 points per Hatchell and Charles Walker, who worked directly with Dudzinski. game) Hatchell, who was a Buchanan Award candidate, as the — the fewest number of points allowed by the school in 10 years. top defensive player in the nation, was also named an All-Ameri- While at Brown, he helped develop two-time first-team All-Ivy can. He piled up 115 tackles and finished his career with 360 defensive tackle Brendan Finneran (1996 and 1997). tackles, sixth in UMass history. He also third in career assisted Prior to coming to Brown, Dudzinski was a defensive assis- tackles with 206. Walker is also on the top 10 lists in career tant at New Haven under Whipple for three years (1991-93), tackles and assisted tackles after he led UMass with 116 tackles working with the outside linebackers. He has also worked as an in 2007. Walker finished ninth in career stops with 340 and fourth assistant coach at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, in assists with 199. Conn., and St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull, Conn. UMass’ defense was impressive all season as the Minute- Dudzinski is a 1991 graduate of the University of New Ha- men advanced to the National Championship game in 2006. The ven, where he was an All-New England linebacker and team Minutemen led the nation in scoring defense until that champi- captain as a senior. He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Belchertown onship game, finishing fifth, giving up 13.33 points per game. with their son, Jack (born April 13, 1996), and two daughters, The Minutemen finished in the top 20 nationally in nine defen- Mary Kathryn (born March 19, 1998) and Elizabeth (born Novem- sive statistics. ber 10, 2003). Dudzinski worked directly with three all-conference linebackers in Hatchell, Walker and Brad Anderson. All three play- Dudzinski’s Collegiate Coaching File ers racked up more than 100 tackles on the season. All-Ameri- Years School Assignment can Hatchell, emerged as one of the nation’s top tacklers as he 1991-93 New Haven Outside Linebackers finished second in the conference with 134 stops. Walker and 1994-97 Brown Defensive Line Anderson each earned Second-Team All-Conference as they 1998 Massachusetts Defensive Line racked up 131 and 112 tackles, respectively. On defense, UMass 1999-00 Massachusetts Linebackers / had eight all-conference picks, most of any school as part of the Special Teams all-time conference record 20 honorees. 2001 Massachusetts Secondary / During the 2005 season, Dudzinski coached UMass to the Special Teams top defense in the nation in terms of fewest points allowed per 2002 Northeastern Linebackers game, giving up just 13.27 per contest. The Minutemen led the 2003 Northeastern Defensive Coordinator / A-10 in five defensive categories as they ranked in the top nation’s Linebackers top five in four of those statistics. UMass topped the conference 2004-Pres. Massachusetts Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers in total yardage defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense and net punting along with scoring defense. Working with the linebackers, he coached two A-10 second-team honorees in two-time team captain Serge Tikum and Hatchell, who led UMass in tackles with 107 – to rank eighth in the league. The defense also included two-time consensus first- team All-American Shannon James and all-league selections defensive end Keron Williams and safety James Ihedigbo. In 2004, Dudzinski headed up a UMass defense which featured consensus first-team All-American Shannon James, who led the nation in interceptions. With the linebacker corps, Dudzinski Under Keith Dudzinski, coached a UMass has had five group that players with 100 tackles included in the last two years. Tikum

36 Coaching STAFF 103.4 per game. Leading the way for Baylark was A-10 first team lineman Rob Kane. Brian Picucci served as offensive line coach at Northeastern under Don Brown for four years (2000-03), and added the responsibility of run-game coordinator for the 2002 and 2003 sea- PICUCCI sons. In 2003, Picucci directed a rushing offense which totaled 242.2 yards per contest, to rank second in the Atlantic 10 con- Run-Game Coordinator/ ference and ninth in the country. In 2002, the Huskies averaged Offensive Line 207.0 rushing yards per game, to rank second in the Atlantic 10 and 19th in the nation. During the 2002 campaign, Picucci helped Seventh Year at UMass lead Northeastern to an overall record of 10-3, a share of the Syracuse ‘94 Atlantic 10 Conference title and the school’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs. Brian Picucci enters the fifth season of his During his first stint as an assistant coach at UMass under second stint on the UMass coaching staff in Mark Whipple, Picucci worked with the defensive tackles and 2007. Picucci, who previously worked with linebackers for one year (1999) and the offensive line for one the Minutemen from 1998-99, returned to season (1998). In 1999, Picucci helped direct a defensive unit UMass after spending four years at which led the Atlantic 10 in sacks (36), while ranking second in Northeastern University. total defense (323.5 yards per game). During the 1998 season, Under Piccuci’s guidance, Picucci assisted with a UMass offense that set 18 team single UMass has led the conference in season records, including points scored (524) and total yards fewest sacks allowed in three (7,074). of the last four season. He has Picucci came to UMass in 1998 after serving as of- coached some of the top fensive coordinator at Bristol (Conn.) Central High School linemen in the nation over for three years. In 1997, Picucci helped Bristol Central the last few years includ- set school single-season records for total offense (3,876 ing All-Americans Matt yards), passing yards (1,435 yards) and passing touch- Austin and Alex Miller. downs (18). Prior to working at Bristol Central, he In 2007, UMass al- served as tight ends coach at Southern Connecticut State lowed just 17 sacks in 13 games to for one season (1994). rank among the national leaders. The A 1994 graduate of Syracuse University, Picucci was Minuteman offense was stellar in a three-year letterwinner for the Orangemen. He played full- 2007 as they piled up more than 400 back for his first three seasons at Syracuse, before starting yards per game. Tailback Matt at tight end in his senior year. Picucci was a member of four Lawrence gained 1,585 yards as the victorious bowl teams during his undergraduate career starter. (1989 Peach, 1990 Aloha, 1991 Hall of Fame and 1992 Fi- Picucci worked closely with esta). UMass’ three all-conference selec- A native of Leominster, Mass., Picucci is single and tions in Austin, Sean Calicchio and resides in Hadley. Nick Diana. In the first three seasons Picucci Picucci’s Collegiate Coaching File returned to UMass (2004-06), the Min- Years School Assignment utemen allowed just 37 sacks in 37 1994 So. Connecticut Tight Ends games, a tremendous 1.0 per game, 1998 Massachusetts Grad. Asst. / Off. Line one of the nation’s best marks. In 1999 Massachusetts Defensive Tackles / 2006, UMass allowed 1.07 sacks per Linebackers game, 14th in the nation. 2000-01 Northeastern Offensive Line 2002-03 Northeastern Run-Game Coordinator / As UMass worked all the way to Offensive Line the 2006 National Championship game, 2004-Pres. Massachusetts Run-Game Coordinator Picucci coached four all-conference line- / Offensive Line man. All-American Alex Miller was named an all-conference pick for the third year in a row. Guard Matt Austin was also named an All-American as well as a First-Team All- Guido A-10 selection. They were joined by second- team honorees David Thompson and Nick Diana. FALBO That quartet along with Chris Hopkins, led the way for All-American and record-set- Recruiting Coordinator/ ting tailback Steve Baylark. The Arizona Cardinals’ signee became the third I-AA/FCS player to gain more than 1,000 yard in Running Backs four consecutive seasons. He finished second all-time in rush- Fifth Year at UMass ing yards at UMass with 5,332 with Miller and Thompson block- Central Connecticut ‘97 ing for him in all 50 career games. Thompson signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams and Miller had a tryout Guido Falbo is entering his fifth season on Don Brown’s with the Detroit Lions. coaching staff, and third as recruiting coordinator and run- In 2005, the Minutemen led the A-10 in fewest sacks al- ning backs coach. In his first two years, Falbo coached UMass’ lowed, giving up just 11 in 11 games for 1.0 per game — tied for tight ends. Falbo assumed his new roles in January 2006 and eighth in the nation. Picucci worked with the A-10’s first-team helped UMass to one of the top recruiting classes in the na- center Miller as well as second-team A-10 selection Brent tion each of the last three years. Brian Picucci coached Caldwell. The rushing attack led by A-10 first-team tailback Falbo comes off a 2007 season where UMass continued UMass’ offensive line to Baylark, who picked up 133.2 yards per game as he finished to produce one of the nation’s top rushing attacks as Matt allow just 54 sacks third in the A-10 in rushing yards. Lawrence took over for Steve Baylark, and gained 1,585 yards, since 2004. Back in 2004, the offensive line led the country in fewest which ranked 15th in the NCAA. Lawrence along with fullback sacks allowed per pass attempt (giving up nine on 344 pass Breyone Evans are in NFL training camps in 2008. Lawrence attempts). Picucci helped set up Baylark, who led the Atlantic signed with the Chicago Bears and Evans with the Carolina 10 in rushing, earning A-10 first team honors. UMass’ running Panthers. game picked up 138.8 yards per game, led by Baylark, who had In the summer of 2007, Falbo worked as a guest coach 37 Coaching STAFF

with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders where UMass alums Shannon James and Keron Williams are starters. In 2006, Falbo worked with one of the all-time greatest Brian I-AA/FCS tailbacks in Baylark. The Arizona Cardinals’ signee and All-American became the third I-AA/FCS player to gain 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He finished with 5,332 CRIST career rushing yards, second all-time to Marcel Shipp. Baylark was named an A-10 First-Team tailback for the third year in a Wide Receivers row. Seventh Year at UMass From 2004-05 Falbo developed tight ends Mike Douglas, Chris Hopkins and Ian Jorgensen. Hampden-Sydney ‘94 Falbo came to UMass after spending two seasons at the University of Rhode Island (2002-03). He served as the wide Brian Crist returned to UMass receivers coach at Rhode Island for two years, and added the for his second stint with the responsibility of recruiting coordinator in 2003. Prior to that, Minutemen, as the wide Falbo spent one year at St. Lawrence University, where he receivers coach, prior to the served as defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator 2007 season. He worked at and head strength and conditioning coach. UMass from 1996-2001 and was In 2000, Falbo was a graduate assistant coach at Syra- on the staff during the 1998 National Championship season. cuse University, working with the offense. During the 1999 In his return season with the season, he worked at Western Connecticut State, where he Minutemen, UMass’ receivers served as the linebackers coach and helped the Colonials to a experienced a record season in 10-2 record, the Freedom Conference title and the second claiming the CAA Championship. NCAA playoff berth in school history. Under Crist’s guidance, the Previously, Falbo spent a year as a graduate assistant Minutemen had a pair of 1,000-yard coach working with the secondary at California (Pa.), served receivers in the same season for the one season as the outside lineback- first time in school history as All- ers coach at Princeton, and spent CAA selections J.J. Moore (1,100) a year as the secondary coach and Rasheed Rancher (1,007) each at Maine Maritime Academy. cracked the plateau. Moore Falbo is a 1997 graduate of finished his career as the second- Central Connecticut State Uni- most prolific receiver in UMass versity. During his days as an annals with 185 career catches undergraduate, he was a and 2,423 yards. Rancher also three-year starter at ranked on the top 10 in strong safety for the career catches (97) and fifth Blue Devils from in carere yards with 1,794. 1993-1995. He also Crist came back to UMass served as a stu- from the University of Louisiana at dent assistant Lafayette where he spent five coach for Cen- seasons as the Passing Game tral Connecti- Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach cut State in the (2002-2006). spring of 1996, During his time with Louisiana- following the Lafayette, he helped coach his team to completion of become the 2005 Sun Belt Conference his playing ca- Champions. He also aided in leading the reer. Ragin’ Cajuns to back-to-back six-win A native seasons, the first time in over 10 years of Norwalk, for the team to do so. He coached the Conn., Falbo is school’s second all-time leading married to receiver in yards and receptions. He Stephanie. The tutored three of the top seven couple welcomed leading receivers in school history their first child Stephen as well as working with all- Justin on Dec. 21, 2006, conference receivers in just after to the National 2002, 2003, and 2004. He Championship game in also coached one of only Chattanooga. two 1000-yard receivers in the school’s history and helped the team finish in the top 15 nationally in rushing offence in 2005 and 2006. Prior to ULL, Crist spent six seasons with UMass. He served in a variety of roles with the Minutemen in his first stint. He Falbo’s Collegiate Coaching File worked as an assistant working with the quarterbacks, wide Years School Assignment receivers, tight ends, punters and kickoff return team. He 1996 Maine Maritime Secondary was a part of the 1998 National Championship staff in working 1997 Princeton Outside Linebackers with the tight ends. At UMass, he coached three All-Americans 1998 California (Pa.) Grad. Assistant / and helped recruit two additional All-Americans. Secondary In 1998, Crist helped Kerry Taylor develop into one of the Under Brian Crist in 1999 W. Connecticut Linebackers nation’s top tight ends, with Taylor catching 74 passes for 854 2007, UMass had two 2000 Syracuse Graduate Assistant yards and earning first team All-America honors. In 1999, Crist 2001 St. Lawrence Defensive Coordinator 1,000-yard receivers for guided Sean Higgins to a season where he caught 51 passes 2002 Rhode Island Wide Receivers the first time in history. for 615 yards and was named a first team All-American. Crist 2003 Rhode Island Recruiting Coordinator / Wide Receivers coached both wide receivers and tight ends during his first 2004-2005 Massachusetts Tight Ends two seasons and helped revive the UMass passing game that 2006-Pres. Massachusetts Recruiting Coordinator/ ranked last in the nation in 1995. In 1996, his first season with Running Backs the Minutemen, Crist molded a young corps of receivers who 38 Coaching STAFF averaged 133.0 yards receiving per game, an increase of 89.1 kickoff return for a touchdown since 1982 as he had a 100- yards over the previous year. yard return in the opener against Holy Cross. Robinson was in Crist came to UMass after serving as a graduate assistant the top 25 of the NCAA all year in returns. He has the fourth coach under Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech for two seasons and fifth-best single-seasons in UMass history. Koepplin finished (1994 and 1995). Crist spent the majority of his time working his career in the top three on numerous kicking and field goal with the Hokie wide receivers and coaching the scout teams. charts. He also analyzed opponents’ defenses to assist in strategies Spencer spent the 2006 season at Hofstra University where and assisted the coaching staff with personnel substitutions he was the defensive line coach for the Pride. He also served on game day. as the team’s NFL Liaison in addition to his coaching duties. In 1995, he helped Virginia Tech post a 10-2 record and In the summer of 2006, Spencer took part in an NFL summer claim a piece of the Big East Conference regular season internship with the New York Jets. championship. The Hokies went on to record a 28-10 victory Prior to Hofstra, Spencer served as linebackers coach at over Texas in the Nokia Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve and Villanova University in 2005 where he coached All-American concluded the season ranked 10th in the final Associated Press Brian Hulea. national poll. Spencer also spent one season at the College of Holy Cross A 1994 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia with where he served as defensive line coach in 2004. Before his a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Crist was a two-year stint at Holy Cross, Spencer served as the defensive line coach starter at quarterback. at UMass from 2001 through 2003. In his final season in Crist’s wife Amy works in the UMass Campus Recreation Amherst, the Minutemen finish second in the Atlantic 10 in office as an assistant director. The couple has two children: sacks with 34. Under Spencer’s tutelage, three linemen earned Jackson (6) and Ali (4). They are expecting their third child in all-conference honors including Minutemen defensive standout November. Vladamar Brower, who earned All-America honors and was a Crist’s Collegiate Coaching File Buck Buchanan Award finalist. During his first season, Spencer helped UMass to rank sixth in the league with 26 sacks. Years School Assignment Spencer also coached at Trinity College from 1998 through 1994-1995 Virginia Tech Wide Receivers Assistant 2000 where he was the running backs coach and pass game 1996-2001 Massachusetts Quarterbacks/ coordinator in 1999 before becoming the defensive line in Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends/Spec. Teams coach 2000, Shippensburg University from 1996 to 1998 as 2002-2006 Louisiana-Lafayette Passing Game Coord./ running backs coach, and Wesleyan University from 1995 and Wide Receivers 1996 as the wide receiver and tight ends coach. 2007-Pres. Massachusetts Wide Receivers Spencer, a three-year starter at free safety at Clarion University, was named to the 1992 NCAA Division II Preseason All-America team by The Sporting News. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1995. Sean A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Spencer served as the AFCA District One Minority Committee Representative from 1999-2002. Spencer has served as a SPENCER clinician at numerous camps including the Frank Glazier Clinic. A native of Hartford, Conn., Spencer has a daughter, Alysia Defensive Line/ (4). Special Teams Coordinator Spencer’s Collegiate Coaching File Fifth Year at UMass Years School Assignment Clarion ‘95 1995 Wesleyan Wide Receivers Sean Spencer returned to the 1996-1998 Shippensburg Running Backs UMass football program in 2007 1999 Trinity Running Backs as the defensive line/special 2000 Trinity Defensive Line teams coordinator. He 2001-03 Massachusetts Defensive Line previously coached at UMass in 2004 Holy Cross Defensive Line the 2001-03 seasons as the 2005 Villanova Linebackers defensive line coach. Spencer 2006 Hofstra Defensive Line has spent six of the last seven 2007 -Pres. Massachusetts Defensive Line / years coaching in the Atlantic 10 Special Teams Coordinator (which morphed into the CAA in 2007). In his return to UMass, Spencer Mike coached some of the top players in the CAA both on the defensive line and special teams. Working with Spencer, UMass had first- WOOD team defensive end David Burris and third-team defensive Tight Ends lineman Brandon Collier along Third Year at UMass with third-team kickoff return man Courtney Robinson and third- McDaniel ‘01 team kicker Chris Koepplin. Mike Wood begins his third season at UMass as tight ends UMass led the CAA in coach. Wood has tutored some of the top tight ends in the sacks and tackles for a conference in his time at UMass. loss with Spencer running During the 2007 CAA Championship season, Wood worked the scheme. The Minutemen with Ian Jorgensen, Matt Silver and Rob Getek as the trio began Sean Spencer coached finished fourth in the NCAA in key weapons for Walter Payton Award candidate Liam Coen. UMass’ defensive line, sacks with 92 (3.38 per game). In 2006, Wood worked with tight end Brad Listorti as he which was fourth in the Burris was atop the charts with 9.5 earned Second-Team All-Conference honors. Listorti emerged NCAA in sacks with 44. sacks and 13.0 TFLs. Michael as one of the nation’s top tight ends with 38 catches. Listorti Hanson was second in the CAA in was a preseason All-American by Street & Smith’s in 2007. He TFLs with 16.0. signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008. On special teams, Robinson Before coming to UMass, Wood served as an assistant became the first UMass player with a coach at Gettysburg College in 2002, 2004 and 2005. He spent 39 Coaching STAFF

the 2002, 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Bullets wrapped As a player, Butterworth played two years at Canisius in around a season with the NFL’s Buffalo, New York and two years at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent Connecticut. At SHU, he was a two-time NEC All-Academic 2005 season as Gettysburg’s Selection and a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Academic Special Teams Coordinator/ Council. Tight Ends/Offensive Line Butterworth graduated Cum Laude from Sacred Heart in Assistant Coach after serving as 2005 with a degree in Business. the Special Teams/Defensive Line/Strength Coach in 2004 Butterworth’s Collegiate Coaching File with the Bullets. He was Years School Assignment also a member of the 2007-Pres. Massachusetts Assistant Defensive Backs 2002 staff, coaching the outside linebackers that Damian season. Between his MINCEY years at Gettysburg, Asst. Linebackers he served as an Intern Third Year at UMass Special New Haven ‘02 Teams Coach/ Strength and Damian Mincey begins his third season as Conditioning the assistant linebackers coach at UMass. coach with the Mincey joined the Minutemen in the summer Jacksonville of 2006 and aided Keith Dudzinski in coaching Jaguars for the a trio of all-conference linebackers. Jason 2003 season. Hatchell, Charles Walker, and Brad Anderson As a combined to pile up nearly 400 tackles, student- as the Minutemen reached the athlete at Western Maryland College — now McDaniel National Championship game. College — in Westminster, Maryland, he was an outside In 2007, Mincey continued to work with the linebackers as linebacker on four consecutive Centennial Conference UMass had two first-team All- championship teams. He graduated from McDaniel in 2001 with Conference linebackers in a degree in sociology and spent the 2001 football season as an Hatchell and Walker. They assistant coach at the Charter School of Wilmington. piled up 115 and 116 tackles, A native of Wilmington, Del., Wood and his wife Katie respectively. Hatchell was a reside in Northampton. They welcomed their first son Charlie Buchanan Award Candidate in February 2008. and All-American. Mincey came to UMass after Wood’s Coaching File serving as an assistant football coach Years School Assignment at his alma mater Passaic High School 2002 Gettysburg Outside Linebackers in New Jersey from 2004-05. He 2003 Jacksonville Jaguars Intern Special Teams/ worked in a variety of roles at Passaic Strength & Conditioning including Special Teams Coordinator, 2004 Gettysburg Special Teams/Def. Line/ Defensive Line Coach, Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Strength Strength & Conditioning & Conditioning Coach. 2005 Gettysburg Special Teams Coordinator/ He is a 2002 graduate of the University of New Haven where Tight Ends/Off. Line he earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication. He played 2006-Pres. Massachusetts Tight Ends for the Chargers for four seasons. He was an offensive lineman from 1999-2001 and played his final season on the defensive line where he made 14 tackles. Bryan In high school at Passaic, he was a decorated player earning All-County by the Star-Ledger, Herald and News & Record. He BUTTERWORTH was also a PrepStar and played in the East-West All-Star Game. Mincey’s Collegiate Coaching File Asst. Defensive Backs Years School Assignment Second Year at UMass 2006-Pres. Massachusetts Asst. Linebackers Sacred Heart ‘05 Bryan Butterworth begins his second year with UMass as Matt the Assistant Defensive Back Coach where he will work with head coach Don Brown. Butterworth will be working with perhaps the nation’s top secondary as UMass has three preseason All- Conference selections in All-American Sean Smalls, Jeromy Miles CHAPMAN and Courtney Robinson. Butterworth also assists special teams Asst. Offensive Line coordinator Sean Spencer working with the scout team Last season, Butterworth aided in those players First Year at UMass Bryan Butterworth development as all were named to the All-CAA postseason team joined the staff prior to Nichols ‘04 in the Minutemen’s CAA title season. the 2007 CAA Prior to coming to UMass in summer of 2007, Butterworth Championship season. Matt Chapman begins his first season at UMass as the Assistant spent a year as an assistant coach at Watertown High School in Offensive Line Coach. He will work with Brian Picucci in various New York. He worked with the wide receivers and defensive duties. Chapman comes to UMass after five seasons as an assistant backs. He also worked at the Troy University Football Camp in coach at his alma mater Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. He finished 2007. his time with the Bison as the team’s offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. He also served as an offensive line coach 40 Coaching STAFF prior to that. Chapman also served as the defensive coordinator for the men’s lacrosse team from 2005-08. A 2004 graduate of Nichols College, Chapman earned a Paul Bachelor of Science in Economics and is working to his MBA. A native of Falmouth, Mass., Chapman played two seasons at Nichols College before knee injuries cut his career short. He BYS was a member of the 2001 Bison team which captured the Boyd Division Championship. Certified Equipment Chapman’s Collegiate Coaching File Manager Years School Assignment 13th Year at UMass 2003-04 Nichols Offensive Line Paul Bys enters his 13th season as senior equipment manager 2005-06 Nichols Run-Game Coord./Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Massachusetts. He is involved with all athletic 2007 Nichols Offensive Coord./Recruiting Coordinator equipment purchasing, budgeting, reconditioning, uniform sizing, 2008-Pres. Massachusetts Assistant Offensive Line maintenance and inventory control. In addition, he oversees all game day preparations for equipment and locker room facilities for all home and away games. Bys is certified by the Athletic Equipment Manager’s Mike Association and is a member of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Prior to coming to UMass, Bys spent 25 years in the food HODGES service industry at Shop-Rite supermarkets. During this tenure, he held management positions in Springfield, Mass.; Holyoke, Director of Operations Mass.; and Manchester, Conn., prior to his retirement in January of 1994. 31st Year at UMass A 1971 graduate of Chicopee High School, he earned his associate’s degree in law enforcement at Holyoke Community Maine ‘67 College in 1973. A resident of Feeding Hills, Mass., Bys and his Mike Hodges is in his sixth season as director of football wife, Donna, have one daughter, Alyssa, who graduated from UMass operations for the Minutemen, and his 31st year overall at UMass. with a Bachelors of Science in Human Nutrition in May 2005. He is responsible for coordinating team travel, organizing team purchases and allotments, scheduling practice times and budgeting expenditures. Bill Hodges previously served as UMass’ assistant athletic director for student employment and alumni affairs, spending five years on the administrative staff. He was in charge of the student-athlete employment program, and also served as director of the UMass SISLER Varsity M Club. Before moving into administration, Hodges served as UMass’ Video Coordinator head football coach for six seasons. He compiled an overall record Ninth Year at UMass of 34-31 with the Minutemen, and his 34 victories rank sixth on the all-time UMass coaching list. He had four winning seasons in James Madison ‘95 his six years, including a 7-3 mark in 1992 and a 9-2 record in 1993. Hodges was named New England Division I Coach of the Year Bill Sisler is in his ninth year on the UMass football staff as in 1992, when UMass had a seven-game winning streak. video coordinator. He is responsible for coordinating, managing Hodges also spent 14 years as an assistant on the Minuteman and supervising all video operations for the football program. Sisler staff, before taking over as UMass’ head coach in 1992. He coached handles all video taping of practices and games, and also under Bob Pickett (1978-1983) and Bob Stull (1984-1985), then coordinates recruiting videos for the use of the coaching staff. served as defensive coordinator under Jim Reid (1986-1991). Prior to his arrival at UMass, Sisler served as the video Hodges received his bachelor of science degree in education coordinator for all sports at the University of Memphis for three from the University of Maine in 1967. He lettered in football for years. He supervised all video activities for the athletic two years at guard and was a member of the 1965 Yankee department, including filming of games and practices for most Conference championship team which played in the Tangerine sports, breaking down film and coordinating video exchanges. Sisler Bowl. Hodges received his master’s degree in education from Maine also oversaw a staff of student workers in the video office. in 1968. Previously, Sisler spent two years as a graduate assistant in Hodges and his wife, Susan, reside in Amherst. The couple video operations for the Memphis football and men’s and women’s has two daughters (Jen and Karen, who are both UMass graduates). basketball teams. He also served as video coordinator for the They have six grandchildren: Jordan and Marisa Flores; Trevor, football team at James Madison University for four years during Riley, Jackson and Michael Huntington. his days as an undergraduate student. A member of the Collegiate Video Directors Association and the American Football Coaches Association, Sisler earned his Jennifer bachelor’s degree in mass communications from James Madison in 1995. He also worked on a master’s degree in film and video at Memphis. BRODEUR Sisler and his wife, Jennie, reside in Sunderland. Asst. Athletic Trainer, Bob M.S., A.T.C., L.A.T. Second Year at UMass OTRANDO Ohio University ‘91 Strength & Cond. Coach Jennifer Brodeur enters her second year as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Massachusetts and first 16th Year at UMass working with the football team. She came to the Minutemen Northeastern ‘79 after working for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. Former head coach Prior to the Sun, she worked as an athletic trainer at Entering his 16th year with the University of Massachusetts, Mike Hodges serves Providence College from 2001-2006, where she also worked with Bob Otrando has become one of the most valuable people in the as the Director of the lacrosse team. UMass athletic department. Otrando supervises the strength and Football Operations. Before Providence, she served as an athletic trainer with conditioning program for some 600 student-athletes who compete Fordham University from 1998-2001. in UMass’ 23 varsity sports, and recently designed the school’s Brodeur has a Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University as new 9,000-square foot strength and conditioning facility, which she graduated in 1991. She gained her Master’s from Austin Peay opened in May of 2003. State University in Tennessee in 1993. Since Otrando arrived at UMass, 25football players who he trained with have gone on to sign professional contracts. He 41 Coaching STAFF

currently serves as the state representative for the National Association of Speed and Explosion. Otrando is a featured writer for the NASE. Lance Virtually every coach who has worked with Otrando credits him with preparing their respective teams for a full season of all- out competition, both in practice and on game day. Otrando was OVERBY named the 1994-1995 Atlantic 10 Conference Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Academic Counselor Otrando came to UMass from the New England Patriots staff, Sixth Year at UMass where he served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1992 to 1993 under Dick MacPherson. Prior to his stint with UMass ‘00 the Patriots, he was an assistant track & field coach at the Lance Overby is in his sixth year with the UMass athletic University of Washington (1986-1992), Kent University (1985-1986) department, serving as an academic counselor for the football and Brown University (1984-1985). He has also assisted with the team. He is responsible for tutoring, academic achievement, UMass track & field program since the 2000-2001 season. During counseling, planning programs for career achievement. his collegiate coaching career, Otrando coached one NCAA Overby spent the 2002 season as an assistant wide receivers champion, seven All-Americans and two Olympic trials qualifiers. coach at Northeastern, helping the Huskies to an overall record of Otrando himself was a 1984 Olympic trials qualifier in the 10-3 and a share of the Atlantic 10 title working under Coach Don shot put, and holds the world indoor record (53’11”) in the masters Brown. During the 2001 season, Overby served as a graduate 45-49 age group. He ranked No. 1 in the world in the shot put assistant coach at St. Francis (PA) while completing his masters in master’s ranking in 2002, and captured the national title at the Ed/Leadership. 1998 and 2000 USA National Masters for the 40-45 age group. In 2000, Overby graduated with a degree in Educational Otrando served as the National Chairman for USA Track & Studies and had a minor in Psychology. While coming back for his Field men’s shot put from 1991-1995. During this time, U.S. athletes last year Overby was a graduate student, and a four-year claimed the gold and silver medals in the shot put at the 1992 letterwinner for the Minutemen as a defensive back. He totaled Barcelona Olympics. In addition, Otrando was a coach at the 1991 152 tackles, three interceptions, five sacks and 13 pass breakups Olympic Festival, the 1993 World University Games and the 2003 during his collegiate career, while helping UMass win the NCAA Pan American Games. He has had several articles pertaining to Division I-AA national championship in 1998, and as Atlantic 10 training and performance published in track & field magazines. Conference title in 1999. Otrando graduated from Northeastern University in 1979, and A Staten Island, N.Y. native, Overby resides in Enfield, Conn. was inducted into the Northeastern University Hall of Fame in May of 1999. Joyce Anthony GORMAN CATTERTON Football Secretary Asst. Strength & 13th Year at UMass Conditioning Coach 12th Year at UMass Joyce Gorman is in her 13th season as secretary for the UMass football program, and has worked for UMass’ last three head UMass ‘97 coaches (Mike Hodges, Mark Whipple and Don Brown). Among her Anthony Catterton is in his 12th year with the UMass Athletic responsibilities, she maintains coach Brown’s appointments, Department. He serves as the Assistant Director of the Strength manages the office environment, types practice plans and other and Conditioning program. A former quarterback for the Minutemen documents, maintains the player database, facilitates compliance from 1994-97, Catterton was elevated to Assistant Director in 2005 paperwork, prepares expense vouchers and supports the 11 coaches after serving as Assistant Strength Coach since 1997. in the program. She also supervises student workers, who maintain A certified member of the Collegiate Strength and the recruit database and prepare mailings. Conditioning Coaches Association, the native of Columbus, Ga., A former teacher and social worker, Gorman received her works with many of the Olympic Sport programs at UMass. bachelor’s degree from the Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. She Catterton also assists with overseeing the strength and conditioning resides in Granby. efforts of the Minuteman football team. Pete Jason YELLIN MONTAGUE Associate A.D./ Academic Counselor Media Relations Fifth Year at UMass Fifth Year at UMass Canisius ‘97 Stony Brook ‘96 Pete Montague enters his fifth year at UMass as an Academic Jason Yellin is in his fifth year at UMass, serving the Associate Counselor for Academic Services and first working with the Athletic Director for Media Relations. He serves the media contact football team. Montague primarily assists student-athletes with for the men’s basketball, football and men’s lacrosse programs. course selection, registration, academic major exploration, and He came to UMass after spending six years at the University of degree progress as legislated by the University and the NCAA. Maryland, finishing his time with the Terrapins as the Associate Additionally, he works with the departments LifeSkills Media Relations Director. program and coordinates the Student-Athlete Advisory At Maryland from 1998-2004, Yellin served Athletic Media Committee (SAAC). The 1997 Cum Laude graduate of Canisius Relations Office in a variety of roles. During his time, he worked Associate A.D. Jason has helped organize such community service projects as a toy with the Terrapins' 27-sport program, including the nationally- Yellin handles all of the drive for the Shriners Hospital, the Read Across America program, ranked football, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's media relations duties and visits with nursing home residents. lacrosse and soccer programs. for the football team. Montague works with men’s soccer and field hockey teams Prior to his time at Maryland, Yellin spent two years at ESPN. He was involved with ESPN.com and was the Team Pages editor. counseling those student-athletes on such issues as time Yellin graduated from Stony Brook in 1996. His wife, Jennifer, management, study skills, test-taking skills, semester progress is also a Stony Brook grad where she was a collegiate swimmer. reports and weekly meetings. The couple resides in South Hadley with their daughter, Hailey (6) After graduation from Canisius, he returned to his alma and son, Quinn (2). 42 mater to earn his master’s degree in sport administration in 2000.