University of Massachusets Athletics

SaturdayBlitz.com: @UMassFootball Mark Whipple ranks as one of the Top 10 coaching hires this offseason

SaturdayBlitz.com: @UMassFootball Mark Whipple ranks as one of the Top 10 coaching hires this offseason

Caleb Calhoun of SaturdayBlitz.com has a top 10 list of coaching hires in college football this past season. At No. 10, he has Mark Whipple's return to UMass which he says could have the Minutemen back on the winning side of the ledger very soon.

10. Mark Whipple: Massachusetts   
Mark Whipple's return to the Minutemen after 11 years is obviously highlighted by a drastic change in the dynamics of the program since he left it in 2003: They're in FBS now. And they have been 1-11 each of the past two seasons, they're first two in Division 1A. But when Whipple took over in 1998 the program had gone 2-9 the year before, and he turned it around immediately to go 12-3. Whipple also comes back to UMASS with more NFL experience working with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns. For UMASS's level, there may be some growing pains, but he could have them back to winning again very soon.