Donald Celiscar Brings MAC Experience To UMass
UMass' new DB coach is bringing energy and excitement to the group
AMHERST, Mass. - A lot of position groups continue to perform well throughout the spring, but one in particular is the defensive backs. A number of players have continued to make names for themselves in the cornerback department. UMass defensive backs coach Donald Celiscar has pushed the importance of energy and desire to perform.
“Energy is contagious,” Celiscar said. “Don’t be a vampire. Don’t be that guy that isn’t excited to be here.”
Celiscar’s group has looked the part of late, but there were still steps they had to take to get to where they are.
“The last couple practices weren’t the best in our back end, but you know what, we responded,” he said. “It’s all about responding.”
A guy who has responded to the challenge, is TJ Magee. The senior cornerback, recently transferred from Davidson College where he played three seasons competing in 24 games.
“He's a freak of an athlete,” Celiscar said. “He can do a lot of the things on a football field. I love the way he competed.”
Throughout Magee’s collegiate career at Davidson, he has logged 70 tackles, including 58 solo tackles. He saw a lot of reps early against some of the best Minutemen wideout talent.
“I love what our wide receivers are doing,” Celiscar said. “We are making each other better.”
Celiscar continued to preach the importance of competitive greatness.
“If a guy beats you in a route, go ask them what he did,” Celiscar said. “At the end of the day, iron sharpens iron. We are trying to make each other better. That’s the goal.”
Graduate transfer Malcolm Greene joins Magee as another player who has taken spring practice by storm.
“I love where Malcolm came from,” he said. “He’s another coach on the football field. He can play safety and corner. You can put him anywhere.”
Greene transferred from the University of Virginia, where he played one season. Prior to Virginia, he played for Clemson under Dabo Swinney. Throughout his whole career, he played 44 games with seven starts. At UMass, he will play a much bigger role for a Minutemen secondary group that lost the likes of Isaiah Rutherford and Lake Ellis to graduation.
Celiscar’s contagious energy is very evident in his players. Late in practice, graduate defensive back Kamren Watkins-Huter amassed an interception defending a slant route. The whole defensive unit pranced into the corner to celebrate alongside Celiscar.
“If you get an opportunity to celebrate with your teammate, [do it],” Celiscar said. “That’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Celiscar’s energy isn’t the only thing that he will bring to the team. He is also a MAC experienced coach and player for the Western Michigan Broncos.
He spent three seasons as a coach for the Broncos prior to coming to Amherst. He helped Western Michigan to a bowl game, as well as a high conference finish in 2024.
“To be honest with you, it’s the culture (of the MAC that is different,)” Celiscar said. “UMass got the right head coach with Coach (Harasymiak). He’s a leader of men.”
Celiscar’s relationship with the new head coach goes back to their meeting in a non-conference game when Celiscar was at Western Michigan and Harasymiak was at Minnesota.
“It goes right back to the belief, the ownership and the sacrifice,” Celiscar said. “Nothing is above the team at the end of the day. Nothing is above UMass.”
Celiscar showed belief in the work of his players. He believes Harasymiak’s mantra of belief, ownership and sacrifice is getting to the players and their work ethic.
“They care about what’s going on here with the culture and foundation,” he said. “That’s what we talk about. The obsession, being in love with the grind.”
The Minutemen have two weeks left of practice until the spring game, set to kick off on April 19 at noon in Amherst.
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