When you think about college football, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen have, for better or worse, become almost a byword for tough seasons. The program just hit a new low, wrapping up its worst season ever with a brutal 0-12 record.
This puts UMass in a pretty small group of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams that have suffered winless seasons since 2000. It’s not a club anyone’s eager to join, but here we are.
The 2025 UMass Minutemen: A Season to Forget
UMass kicked off the 2025 season with a new head coach, Joe Harasymiak, following Don Brown’s firing. The first game against Temple was rough—UMass lost 42-10, and honestly, things didn’t improve from there.
By the time they played Bowling Green, the team’s fate was sealed with a 45-14 loss. That was it: 0-12.
Heartbreaking Losses and Missed Opportunities
Even in a year like this, there were flashes of hope. Against Bryant, an FCS program, UMass actually led by 17 points at one stage.
But they let it slip away and lost 27-26 on a last-second field goal. Another painful one came versus Buffalo—UMass had a 21-20 lead with just over a minute left, but a penalty and a quick touchdown by Buffalo handed them a 28-21 defeat.
Historical Context of Winless Seasons
UMass’ 2025 season is now the 23rd time an FBS school has finished winless since 2000, not counting the weird COVID-shortened 2020 year. Oddly, this is the second straight year a Mid-American Conference (MAC) team went 0-12, since Kent State did the same in 2024.
Last time two different teams from the same FBS conference went winless in back-to-back years? That was the late ‘90s, and yep, it was the MAC again. Something about that league, I guess.
Previous Winless Seasons in UMass History
The 2025 campaign marks the sixth time UMass has gone winless, but it’s the first with a 12-game slate. Here’s how the others looked:
- 2020: 0-4
- 1927: 0-7-1
- 1896: 0-4-1
- 1882: 0-2
- 1880: 0-1-1
Since joining FBS play in 2012, UMass had plenty of rough years—five 1-11 seasons—but never an 0-12 until now. That’s a dubious first.
Challenges and Changes for UMass
This year brought a ton of changes for the Minutemen. After nine years as an FBS independent, UMass rejoined the MAC.
The move didn’t exactly go as planned, judging by the record. The last time things felt even a little upbeat was back in 2018, when they managed four wins under Mark Whipple.
Coaching Changes and Recruiting Woes
Don Brown was let go after a 6-28 run, and Joe Harasymiak was hired to try to right the ship. Harasymiak had some success at Maine (20-15 from 2016-2018) and worked as Rutgers’ defensive coordinator, but this job’s a different beast.
Recruiting hasn’t exactly been a strong suit, either. The 2025 class was ranked No. 118, and the 2026 group is sitting at No. 103, per 247Sports. Not great, but maybe there’s room to grow?
The Broader Picture: Other Winless FBS Seasons
UMass isn’t the only team that’s had a season like this. A few others come to mind:
- 2019: Akron, 0-12
- 2017: UTEP, 0-12
- 2015: UCF and Kansas, both 0-12
- 2013: Miami (OH) and Georgia State, both 0-12
- 2012: Southern Miss, 0-12
These programs faced their own mix of tough schedules, tight games, and internal chaos. It’s never just one thing, is it?
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding and Future Prospects
Now it’s about picking up the pieces and trying to avoid a repeat. If UMass wants to turn things around, a few things need serious attention:
- Recruiting: They’ve got to bring in more talent, plain and simple.
- Coaching Stability: Harasymiak needs time and support to put his stamp on the program.
- Player Development: Helping current and future players reach their potential should be a priority.
Fan Support and Community Engagement
Engaging the fan base matters—a lot. Rallying the community can give the team that extra bit of energy when things get rough.
Honestly, a strong support system can do wonders for morale. Sometimes, that’s what keeps everyone going when the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
Want to dig deeper into the 2025 UMass Minutemen and other winless seasons? Check out the full article on CBS Sports.
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