Oct 14, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen head coach Don Brown looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Massachusetts 63-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

UMass fires coach Don Brown amid 2-8 season

UMass fired coach Don Brown on Monday after a 2-8 start to his third season.

Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery will be the interim coach for the Minutemen’s final two games.

Brown’s record was 6-28, including 1-11 in his first year back with the program in 2022.

Brown, 69, previously served as head coach at UMass in the Football Championship Subdivision from 2004-08 and compiled a record of 43-19. He was also the program’s defensive coordinator from 1998-99.

“I am extremely grateful to Coach Brown for returning to UMass three years ago to help us build back a program he once coached to a national title game,” athletic director Ryan Bamford said. “Don should have immense pride in the outstanding contributions he has made to advance Massachusetts Football during his three stops in Amherst.

“Upon his return in 2021, we shared a common goal to help UMass football attain conference membership, something that was realized last spring. Largely due to his renowned coaching reputation, Don legitimized our FBS program and Massachusetts football has taken positive steps forward since his return. We are structurally positioned to accomplish our competitive goals as we move into a new league and a new college athletics landscape in 2025.”

The Minutemen lost 35-34 in overtime to visiting Liberty on Saturday after squandering a 20-7 halftime lead.

UMass, currently an FBS independent, plays at No. 8 Georgia on Saturday before finishing at home against UConn on Nov. 30.

UMass is scheduled to join the Mid-American Conference for all sports in the 2025-26 season.

Brown’s collegiate coaching career began in the early 1980s and includes stints as the defensive coordinator for Arizona (2021), Michigan (2016-20), Boston College (2013-15), UConn (2011-12) and Maryland (2009-10).

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown looks on during the second half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Don Brown to return to UMass as head coach

UMass is hiring Don Brown as its next head coach, returning him to the program he led more than a decade ago, multiple outlets reported.

An announcement could come Monday.

Brown, 66, is a Massachusetts native with deep New England roots. He is in his first season as defensive coordinator at Arizona but has nearly 45 years of coaching experience that includes stops as the defensive coordinator at Michigan, Boston College, UConn, Maryland, Brown, Yale and Dartmouth.

He was head coach at Northeastern (2000-03) and UMass (2004-08), and led the Minutemen to the FCS title game in 2006.

He had a 43-19 record at UMass, which moved to the FBS level in 2012.

Brown will replace Walt Bell, who was fired earlier this month in his third season after a 2-23 record. The Minutemen are 1-10 this season.

–Field Level Media