Sequels seldom live up to the originals.
Such is the case with Mark Whipple, who will not return next season as head coach of UMass at the conclusion of a second straight 4-8 season, according to various media outlets.
Whipple finished a 16-44 run with the Minutemen in his second go-round since his rehire in 2014. He also coached UMass from 1998 to 2003, compiling a 49-26 record with three playoff appearances and winning the school’s only Division 1-AA title in 1998.
With 22 seniors and most of the starters returning from last year’s squad that finished the season on a 4-2 run, expectations in Amherst were at their highest since the Minutemen joined FBS in 2012.