Mark Whipple
Mark Whipple was introduced as UMass’ new football coach Tuesday at a press conference in Amherst, a decade after he left the school for an assistant coaching job in the NFL.
“A long time ago somebody told me that coaches win games and administrations win championships. And I learned that at UMass,” Whipple said. “I believe in this administration and what they are doing for this university. … We will win championships here at UMass.”
Whipple coached UMass from 1998-2003, compiling a record of 49-26. He led the Minutemen to the NCAA Division 1-AA championship in 1998 and back to the playoffs in 1999 and 2003.
“I’ve grown so much,” Whipple said of his time away from Amherst. “Competitively, intelligence-wise, systematic. I think I’ll be such a better teacher. More compassion. I certainly can educate our young men about what the National Football League is like, where they want to go. I will be a much better representative than I was when I was here before.”
Whipple replaces Charley Molnar, who went 2-22 in UMass’ first two seasons as a Division 1 FBS team and reportedly alienated some of the program’s alumni.
Whipple, 56, was out of football last year after serving as quarterbacks coach for the Browns in 2011 and ’12. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at the University of Miami (2009-10), two seasons as an offensive assistant coach for the Eagles (2007-08), and three seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Steelers (2004-06).
Whipple said he’s looking forward to settling back into the college game, noting that the pro game is more “seclusionary” and, “What I miss most of all is dealing with more people.”
“This is a family,” he said. “This is what it’s all about.”
A standout quarterback at Brown in the late ’70s, Whipple was head coach at New Haven (1988-93) and his alma mater (1994-97) before his first stint at UMass. His overall record as a college head coach is 121-59.