Images courtesy of UMass Athletics
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, new face-of-the-program Pop Watson and veteran leader Tyler Martin were in Detroit on Wednesday for MAC Media Day.
Here’s everything they had to say while on set. The entire MAC Media Day is available in the replay section of ESPN+
HARASYMIAK
On the messaging about turning things around in 2026
“I think the biggest thing that we’ve kind of taken steps this next season…just the connection of the team. I think anytime you go through year one and obviously, the tremendous struggles that we had, roster turnover was huge for us. So, we have a lot of new players coming in January, still a lot of new freshman that came in the summer. But, the connection of the team will be important. How much we want to play for each other, our toughness, that’s really been the message.
“And we have to go earn things in this league. I think maybe with us being new, a lot of new people for us as a program player-wise, coaching-wise…kind of some things were expected and that’s what got us in trouble. So, we’ve got to earn everything we get.”
On the message to guys that came back and how the program will improve
“I think for a lot of those guys, talking to them…that offseason break there December, January, we’ve got to make sure we surround them with better players. I think that was the biggest thing. I think we have a nucleus of guys that are returning, especially defensively that have played a lot of snaps for us. We’ve got to stay healthy, but we carry 105 guys. The old school ways before redshirt, 85 scholarships is usually where it was at. We have 11 players left from the moment I walked in the door.
“We’ve overhauled it. We had a great transfer class, a lot of guys that are connected looking for their next opportunity. We’re excited about it, but we need the Tyler Martin’s, those guys to step up and lead the team. They’ve been doing that this offseason, so I’m excited about it.”
On Pop Watson
“I think the quarterback at any program has to be the leader and that was an issue for us last year at that position. Our entire quarterback room is brand new, the entire room. But, for Pop, he’s transferring in from Virginia Tech, he’s a local kid, Springfield Central here in western Mass. He’s the son of a coach, you know he’s been raised the right way. He’s got great leadership qualities. Everybody gravitates towards him.
“That’s what you need as a quarterback, right? He’s got the ability to create that second play that I think you see so much now in college football when things break down, which we struggled with tremendously last year just being able to create that. I’m excited for him. He’s a great young man which I’m most excited about, credit to his parents. Just really happy he’s back home, that means a lot to us.
“We’ve got to recruit the state. A local kid that’s coming back and can lead us to places we’ve never been. That’s the hope.”
On what he learned in a winless season
“The biggest thing was to stay the course. My time before I got to UMass, I was lucky enough to work for Jack Cosgrove at Maine and I took over there. We had some successful seasons there. Got an opportunity to work for PJ at Minnesota, then Greg Schiano at Rutgers. All three of those guys, that’s my tree, we kind of do things the same way a little bit with development and foundation, building it from the ground up.
“I think the biggest challenge for me was to remind myself ‘hey man, you’re a good coach. We’ve got good coaches. We’ve got to improve the roster, you’ve got a good nucleus here, but you’ve got to stay the course. Don’t sacrifice anything right now for what you want down the road.’ It’s been hard, but you’ve just got to continue to remind yourself of that.
“If we stay the course and do the right things, we’ll end up winning some games.”
On what needs to improve defensively and who could lead that unit
“I think we’ve got to play a little bit more connected communication-wise. But, I think the word from a football standpoint, we’ve just got to play more violent. Like, this is a violent game. We’ve got to get downhill, we’ve got to attack blocks, we’ve got to destruct. Ultimately, we’ve got to take away the ball.
“Certainly, someone like Tyler…I think our linebacker position is our leadership. Tyler Martin returning and Timmy Hinespeter who was up there with Tyler in tackles and got injured in the Buffalo game, didn’t play the rest of the year. We have a brand new D-line. Literally a brand new D-line. We were excited about Josh Nobles last year as a transfer. he tore his Achilles at camp last year, so he’s coming back of that.
“Certainly rushing the passer and the secondary we’ve got some returning guys that kind of got their feet wet last year. The TJ Magee, the Zeraun Daniels’ that we’re very excited about. So, hopefully we can take that next step. They’re more connected and I’m excited about that.”
MARTIN & WATSON
Martin n how things change in 2026
“I think the focus…obviously last year didn’t go the way we planned, but the focus this year is just trying to be as connected as possible. I think having a good core of guys coming back from last year’s team and having a lot of learning experiences last year is going to be super helpful for a lot of those leaders coming back. Then, getting guys like Pop is obviously huge to bring that camaraderie in, bring that offense along and myself and Timmy Hinespeter and some others trying to lead that core on defense for sure.”
Watson on why he chose UMass
“I would say just the coaching staff honestly. Talking to Coach H throughout the portal, everything he said he was gonna do he stuck to his word. He’s still been the same dude up until July 22nd. Everything he says he’s gonna do he does. He’s a man of his word and I see the vision he had and I believe in it. I think that’s the same thing with the rest of the team.”
Martin on how important it is to get local guys to want to play at UMass
“I think it’s gonna all start with guys like myself and Pop and all the other Mass guys we have on the roster just going out and doing it this year, winning some games. This place is capable of it. It’s been capable in the past and there’s no reason why a group we have this year and the great coaches and the great teammates we have, there’s no reason we can’t go out and do it and that’s what we’re looking forward to doing this year.”
Watson on the offense and weapons he’s excited about
“I’m excited. I get to play football again, that’s one big thing for me. We’re an older team, so I feel like we’ve got good weapons around me. We’ve got a great O-line. We’ve got depth everywhere and we’re explosive. I feel like we’re going to be good in all aspects of the game. We’re going to go score.
“Obviously, my guy Joe Griffin…played high school, played middle school together. We grew up together basically so we’re back together. Got TY Harding coming back, I know he had an injury last year I believe. I think he’ll be a big piece for us this year. In the backfield we got Justin Williams-Thomas. That running back room is actually pretty deep. We got about four running backs that can go. I wouldn’t say that’s it, but I’d say that’s kind of the nucleus and I think those are the guys.”
