The Minutemen finally have a home, and it’s a familiar one.

Early on Monday afternoon, Nicole Auerbach was the first to report that the MAC is welcoming UMass back as member for the 2025-’26 academic year after the board voted too add the school in all sports.

Hockey of course will most likely stay in Hockey East, but this is a huge day for the football program. This marks a return to the MAC after UMass competed in the league from 2012-15 after making the jump to the FBS level.

After years of competing as an FBS Independent and finding very little success, this does a ton of positive things for the program and its future. Most importantly, this should have a massive impact on recruiting. Now, Don Brown and his staff can walk into a home and tell a kid they can compete for a conference title and play on ESPN as part of the well-known MACtion.

This also improves the chances that alumni and donors will fork over more money for NIL help. Now that the program has a clear future, there’s going to be more of a willingness to invest in the program like it hasn’t been invested in for quite some time.

Not only that, but UMass will receive conference revenue too, further helping to make the Minutemen relevant contenders for the first time since moving up. From the MAC’s standpoint, being able to expand further East will only help the TV deal, especially with a rabid fan base like the one in Amherst.

Rejoice UMass fans. Ryan Bamford said he’d find a way and he did. Now, it’s up to the coaches and players to make this continuous push towards real, competitive football a meaningful one.