The UMass football team has had a busy last few weeks, with moving pieces surrounding the program’s staff and roster already in motion as the football NCAA transfer portal window draws near.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, the former Williams quarterback, is reportedly set to become Michigan State’s quarterbacks coach, leaving a hole at the helm of the Minutemen offense.
Bajakian orchestrated UMass’ offense this past season, struggling throughout the year to the tune of the 136th-ranked scoring offense, good for last place at the FBS level. With the transfer portal opening on Friday, Jan. 2, the Minutemen will likely be looking to find a new offensive coordinator as soon as possible.
UMass and its new offensive coordinator will be searching for replacements at the quarterback position as a majority of its signal-callers are on the move elsewhere.
After spending his first two collegiate seasons at UMass, AJ Hairston entered the transfer portal after leading the team in passing yards in 2025. The redshirt freshman played in 14 games across two seasons with the Minutemen, totaling 1,437 yards and nine touchdowns through the air.
Second in passing yards this past season was Grant Jordan, who appeared in seven games and has also entered the portal. The graduate threw for 595 yards and three touchdowns, adding on 73 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Brandon Rose has yet to officially enter the portal, but with his main connection to the Minutemen being his relationship with Bajakian, the redshirt junior could very well decide to depart UMass as well. Rose appeared in six games last season, tallying 424 passing yards and one touchdown.
Bajakian coached Rose at Utah during the 2024 season.
An intriguing name already in the portal that could provide a much-needed jolt to the Minutemen’s quarterback depth chart is Western Mass. native and former Virginia Tech Hokie, William “Pop” Watson.
The former Springfield Central Eagle was a four-year letterman and the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022, and a former three-star recruit. Will Perry, Zach Lawrence and Aedan McCarthy currently project to be the only quarterbacks on the roster for the Minutemen, so bringing Watson back home could give the program new hope.
Although he wasn’t known for his throwing ability, wide receiver Jacquon Gibson threw for one pass in 2025, while leading the team in receiving. His one completion for five yards paled in comparison to his 616 receiving yards in 10 games last season. The redshirt junior spent four years with the Minutemen, but will be looking for a new home for next season after entering the portal earlier this month.
Protecting whatever quarterback is under center in 2026 will be a priority for UMass, with the team also losing its offensive line coach this offseason. Kurt Anderson spent just one year in Amherst before being poached by Boston College to take over its offensive line. The Eagles officially announced Anderson’s hiring on Dec. 18.
All-MAC selections
Four Minutemen were named to All-MAC teams on Dec. 4, providing a slight dose of positivity from an otherwise dreadful 2025 season.
Punter Keegan Andrews led the way for UMass, earning first-team honors, while defensive lineman Marques White found himself on the second team. Gibson and linebacker Tyler Martin rounded out the selections with third-team honors.