University of Massachusets Athletics

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Photo by: Thom Kendall - UMass Athletics

Walt Bell Introduced as 30th Head Coach of UMass Football

December 05, 2018 | Football

Bell was welcomed during a press conference from the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Athletics formally introduced head football coach Walt Bell in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center. Both Bell and Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford provided opening statements to members of the media in attendance as well as supporters of the program, after which the pair took part in a question-and-answer session with the media.

"The feedback on Coach Bell I received prior to our hire, and now since the hire was announced on Monday, has been exactly what we need," said Bamford. "He is a worker, a grinder, and a relentless recruiter who loves young people and the game of football. I think you will all come to know how passionate he is about not only football, but how passionate he will be about this institution. He will be a great ambassador for us."

"Everything here is positive," Bell said. "We had 42,000 applicants at UMass last year, and that's a lot of people that are excited about the things that are happening here. We're a top-30 public institution in the country. Not only do we have a lot of people that are excited about what we can achieve here, but who can see the trajectory going, and it's only going to get better. Not only from the athletic department but from the institution itself, the momentum we have is important.

"I want every one of those guys to have a good educational experience, a great student experience, and a meaningful degree," added Bell. "Not just a degree, I want them to get a meaningful degree that can help them attain the things they want in their life. Ultimately, more than that I want to make sure that when they leave here, they are equipped with the tools to unlock all the human potential that they have. It is our job to provide an avenue for them to reach those goals."

The press conference in its entirety can be watched again on the UMass Football Facebook page.

Follow UMass football on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassFootball for continued coverage of the program.

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