Decisions, Decisions, Decisions for Minutemen & Joe Harasymiak
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak is preparing for a busy time of year
AMHERST, Mass. - While the wind of Amherst dies down, and the weather begins to feel refreshing again, Minutemen faithful know the annual spring game is on the horizon. UMass’ head coach, Joe Harasymiak, is gearing up for a busy time of year with the spring game less than 20 days away and the spring transfer portal opening in less than two weeks.
“It’s a constant evaluation,” Harasymiak said. “A lot of the decisions that we make moving forward will be off these spring practices.”
Many players seem to have grasped Harasymiak’s message as the energy and passion starts to ramp up noticeably every practice. There has been competition, motivation and energy within the squad, especially in the quarterback room.
“Certainly all of (the quarterbacks) are talented,” Harasymiak said. “What I watch is how you command the huddle and how they control the line of scrimmage.”
The decision to choose a starting quarterback certainly won’t be an easy one. A.J. Hairston has shown exceptional pocket-passing ability and Grant Jordan has proven he can be mobile. On top of them, the injured Brandon Rose still sits in the ranks as a guy who has a chance on a later date to prove he is capable of becoming the starter. Harasymiak and his coaching staff are staying patient though.
“(The starting quarterback decision) happens when it happens,” Harasymiak said. “B-Rose is coming back too, so those types of things. We’ve got to get the whole group in there to evaluate.”
The spring game is approaching, but Harasymiak has hinted he won’t need a definitive answer before the summer.
Him and his staff have also continued to emphasize the importance of a change in culture within the program.
“The intensity of practice has been really good,” he said. “We just have to stay consistent with everything.”
Throughout the interview, Harasymiak emphasized the buy-in and resilience he has noticed within the group.
“They are listening,” he said. “I think we got a group of guys that are hungry to win. As long as (when) they fall, they can get back up. We are falling a little bit, but we are getting back up.”
The change hasn’t only been on the field. The bells and whistles of practice have very much included notices to always be fueling on carbs and fluids.
“The number one way we’ve changed this program is our nutrition,” Harasymiak said. The support that we’ve gotten through our administration to do that (has been great).
“Their body is their car.”
Harasymiak directly singled out special teams as the main group that has embraced the leadership role of the culture change.
“I think what has been a major change is our special teams,” said Harasymiak. “We can do it. There’s some talent there. We’ve invested in it. We didn’t used to invest in that.
“We are seeing the product right here on the field,” he said. I would say the special teams for me has been the brightest spot.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the full group can gel together for the next few months under Harasymiak and his new coaching staff.
“Belief, ownership and sacrifice,” have been the three words he has continued to preach. They are also the three words everyone surrounding UMass football continues to hear. The Minutemen kick off their spring game at 12 p.m. on April 19.
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