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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Announces Change In Football Leadership
November 21, 2018 | Football
Mark Whipple steps down as head coach.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford announced Wednesday, Nov. 21 that Mark Whipple is stepping down as head football coach.
The mutually agreed separation comes after Whipple completed his fifth season as head coach during his second stint with the University. He was also the head coach of the program from 1998- 2003 when he led the Minutemen to the 1998 Division I-AA National Championship. Overall, this past season was his 11th with UMass and his 21st as a collegiate head coach. His 65 career wins are the most for any head coach in the program's history.
"I want to thank Mark for his commitment to our football program for 11 years. He came back to UMass when this program needed a strong leader and respected mentor," said Bamford. "Mark provided the steady hand we needed in our early years as an FBS program and leaves our program in much better standing than when he came back in 2014. His legacy is not only cemented in his 65 wins and our 1998 FCS national championship, but in the way he positively impacted hundreds of young men in his program."
"I want to thank the UMass family for the opportunity of being the head football coach for 11 seasons," said Whipple. "I especially want to thank our coaches, players, support staff and football alumni for their tireless efforts and support. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to help foster the growth of our student-athletes during these 11 years!"
A national search for the program's next head coach is underway.
For complete coverage of UMass football, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassFootball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
The mutually agreed separation comes after Whipple completed his fifth season as head coach during his second stint with the University. He was also the head coach of the program from 1998- 2003 when he led the Minutemen to the 1998 Division I-AA National Championship. Overall, this past season was his 11th with UMass and his 21st as a collegiate head coach. His 65 career wins are the most for any head coach in the program's history.
"I want to thank Mark for his commitment to our football program for 11 years. He came back to UMass when this program needed a strong leader and respected mentor," said Bamford. "Mark provided the steady hand we needed in our early years as an FBS program and leaves our program in much better standing than when he came back in 2014. His legacy is not only cemented in his 65 wins and our 1998 FCS national championship, but in the way he positively impacted hundreds of young men in his program."
"I want to thank the UMass family for the opportunity of being the head football coach for 11 seasons," said Whipple. "I especially want to thank our coaches, players, support staff and football alumni for their tireless efforts and support. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to help foster the growth of our student-athletes during these 11 years!"
A national search for the program's next head coach is underway.
For complete coverage of UMass football, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassFootball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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