Don Brown out as UMass head football coach

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - UMass Amherst has made a change at the top of their football program.

UMass Athletics said that Don Brown “will no longer lead” the team. The team’s offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery, will serve as interim coach.

The university noted that a national search for a new permanent coach will begin immediately.

UMass Amherst Athletic Director Ryan Bamford said in a statement:

“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...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.”

Interim head coach Shane Montgomery is expected to speak at a press conference Tuesday morning ahead of playing at #8 ranked Georgia on Saturday.

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