UMass football is 2-0 and Rene Ingoglia is back on the Flagship Pod.
The UMass Hall of Famer joined Minuteman Command’s Christian McCollum this week to discuss the Minutemen’s surprising start, beginning with the season-opening win at Rutgers and continuing with a convincing victory over Sacred Heart.
For Ingoglia, the biggest takeaway isn’t simply that UMass has won its first two games. It’s how different the program looks after head coach Joe Harasymiak and his staff reshaped the roster during the offseason.
Ingoglia pointed to the additions of Pop Watson and offensive coordinator Max Warner, the improvement along both lines and the experience UMass returned on defense as reasons the early success could have staying power.
Watson has given UMass a difference-maker at quarterback while Ingoglia called Warner a “home run hire” and praised the way the new offensive coordinator has tailored his system to the personnel on the roster.
And UMass could be adding even more to that offense.
Running back Jordan Washington is expected to make his season debut against Stonehill after missing the first two games. Washington was one of the players the staff was most excited about entering the spring, and his return gives Warner another option in a backfield where Elijah Faulkner and Curtis Kimmons IV have already produced.
The conversation also touched on the emotional side of UMass’ turnaround. Ingoglia has remained closely connected to the program through years of struggles and admitted the Rutgers victory hit him differently after watching the Minutemen endure so many difficult seasons.
Still, neither Ingoglia nor McCollum is ready to start projecting where this season could ultimately lead.
The immediate focus is Stonehill and an opportunity for UMass to improve to 3-0 before beginning MAC play. The Minutemen have given their fans reasons to start thinking about what could be possible this fall, but Ingoglia’s message was to enjoy what’s happening without skipping ahead.
“Enjoy the process one day at a time,” Ingoglia said. “Soak it up. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Check out the full Flagship Pod for much more on UMass’ 2-0 start, Watson, Warner, the improved defense, the running back room and what comes next for the Minutemen.
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