Report: UMass dismisses coach Whipple

Massachusetts reportedly is making a head-coaching change. Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports and The Athletic reported that UMass is "moving on" from Mark Whipple as its head football coach. An official announcement is expected later this week. Whipple is the eighth FBS head coach to be dismissed this year. Bowling Green, Charlotte, Colorado, Louisville, Maryland and Texas State still have openings. The Kansas vacancy was filled when the Jayhawks hired Les Miles. UMass lost to fifth-ranked Georgia 66-27 to finish the season 4-8. The Minutemen also won four games last year. The Minutemen's wins this season came against Duquesne, Charlotte, Connecticut and Liberty. They rank 41st in the country in total offense but are 121st of 129 FBS teams in total defense and 126th in scoring defense, allowing 42.9 points per game. UMass yielded more than 50 points six times this season. Whipple compiled a 16-44 record from 2014-18, which was his second stint at UMass. He also coached UMass from 1998 to 2003 when it was competing at the FCS level. He went 49-26 during that stint and won a national title in 1998. UMass is currently competing as an FBS independent. Whipple, 61, has two years remaining on a contract that pays $500,000 annually in base salary.