Harasymiak, UMass Excited At MAC Media Day
First-year UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak was excited to be in Detroit for Thursday's MAC Media Day.
UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak sat down with ESPN’s Michael Reghi and Dustin Fox as part of the MAC’s Football Media Day on Thursday.
Harasymiak said it’s been a good run since taking the job in Amherst back in December.
“Like everybody that takes a new job, it's a little wild getting there,” he said. “The new players, we've been working hard. They had a great summer, they went home actually yesterday. They're going to get a four-day break and we're going to come back for camp. So we're excited about being in the MAC and that opportunity and having direction for our program.
“Any direction for our fan base, for our players, common opponents and it's a great league. I spent the last seven years in the Big 10 and playing MAC teams every year, I just know how good the quality of football is and for us to get into that and now have direction with our scheduling is going to be a huge push going forward.”
When asked about the style of play he plans on bringing to Amherst, he pointed to the coaching staff he hired, specifically offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, defensive coordinator Jared Keyte and special teams coordinator Joe Castellitto.
“I think we did a really good job hiring the right people,” he said. “So offensively, Mike Bajakian, who I went against, he's very familiar with the MAC, was here at Central (Michigan) back in the day. I went against him and I was always a little annoyed going against him. He does a great job and his staff.
“Then defensively, Jared Keyte's going to lead that group. He's been with me at both Maine and at Rutgers, attacking-style of defense, being aggressive.
“Special teams-wise, which is a huge addition for us, is Joe Castellitto, who's going to be our special teams coordinator. He was previously at Dartmouth, did a really, really nice job. I think those three areas, cleaning that up and the leaders that are there, it's going to be a great opportunity to take a step forward.”
The quarterback battle will be a hotly-contested one between Brandon Rose, Grant Jordan and AJ Hairston during fall camp and one Harasymiak said he’s looking forward to.
“Brandon Rose came over from Utah,” he said. “That's where Coach Bajakian was also at last season as the quarterbacks coach. Brandon wasn't able to compete in spring. He got injured in that BYU game and now he's full cleared. He's been full-go in the summer. Kind of a dual-threat, can do it with his arm, do it with his legs.
“Grant Jordan came in from Yale, started there, does a great job, very smart. He's always working at it, good arm strength. So we're excited about those two.
“And then we can't forget about AJ Hairston. AJ Hairston's our guy that's on the roster. We were able to keep him when we got in here. He goes into the Georgia game and throws two touchdowns as a freshman. He's got immense talent to him. We're excited about all three of those guys. And Coach Jake's doing a really good job managing reps. That's going to be a great competition in camp. It's going to be awesome and I'm excited for it.”
Harasymiak will also be counting on big things from UMass receiver T.Y. Harding this season.
“T.Y.'s special,” he said. “He's a little bit like those slot guys I've seen in the Big 10 that are just so hard to cover if you want to go man-to-man. I think one of the things that I appreciate about Coach Bajakian and his staff is getting guys in certain situations to get the ball.
“He's just a guy that can be elusive. He's great in the return game also, but I think once he gets the ball in his hands, that ability to make you miss is kind of his best category.”
And running back Rocko Griffin, who made the trip to Detroit with Harasymiak, embodies the culture he’s trying to build, according to the coach.
“The thing about him that I appreciate the most is he's exactly what we're looking for and the type of young man we want in the program,” Harasymiak said. “His family's done a great job raising him and he's just the kind of guy that I would have over my house, babysit my kids and do those things.
“As a running back, I mean he's a downhill kid, takes care of the ball, which is my favorite thing to do, take care of the ball. It's high and tight, it's pinned and I appreciate that. But he's just a great dude.”
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