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University of Massachusets Athletics
Football
Ume-Ezeoke, Valerian
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant (Defense)
- Email:
- vumeezeoke@umass.edu
- Phone:
- 545-2026
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke joins the University of Massachusetts football staff as the team’s defensive graduate assistant ahead of the 2018 spring football season following a standout playing career. Ume-Ezeoke will assist the program in all defensive aspects, with a focus on the defensive line.
"Coming to the University of Massachusetts has given me the opportunity to start my coaching career off at a historical program and I couldn’t be any more excited,” Ume-Ezeoke said. “The team, community, tradition and enriched program history made it a ‘no-brainer’ to choose UMass as a place that I wanted to be. Coach (Mark) Whipple’s mission, goals and vision of where he wants this team to transcend to coincide with the type of leadership I want to grow under – I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to work with some of the best in this profession and can’t wait to see what the 2018 season brings – it’s going to be one to remember!"
The Garland, Texas, native anchored the New Mexico State offensive line as the team’s starting center during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Following a pair of Rimington Trophy Watch List nominations (2013, ’14) and an All-Sun Belt Conference First Team nod (‘14) for the Aggies, Ume-Ezeoke moved on to the National Football League (NFL). He spent parts of two seasons with Atlanta Falcons (2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015-16) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2016).
Updated: Feb. 14, 2018
"Coming to the University of Massachusetts has given me the opportunity to start my coaching career off at a historical program and I couldn’t be any more excited,” Ume-Ezeoke said. “The team, community, tradition and enriched program history made it a ‘no-brainer’ to choose UMass as a place that I wanted to be. Coach (Mark) Whipple’s mission, goals and vision of where he wants this team to transcend to coincide with the type of leadership I want to grow under – I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to work with some of the best in this profession and can’t wait to see what the 2018 season brings – it’s going to be one to remember!"
The Garland, Texas, native anchored the New Mexico State offensive line as the team’s starting center during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Following a pair of Rimington Trophy Watch List nominations (2013, ’14) and an All-Sun Belt Conference First Team nod (‘14) for the Aggies, Ume-Ezeoke moved on to the National Football League (NFL). He spent parts of two seasons with Atlanta Falcons (2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015-16) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2016).
Updated: Feb. 14, 2018
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