After a 2-10 season, the UMass Minutemen have hired a new defensive coordinator. Ed Pinkham comes over from Western Michigan, where he held the same position, under noted catchphrase enthusiast PJ Fleck.
Pinkham has over 30 years coaching experience, and was Western Michigan’s defensive coordinator since 2013. While WMU’s defense was often overshadowed by the explosive offense, Pinkham’s units improved every year, and during Western Michigan’s 13-1 season, they emerged as one of the best defenses in the country. Western Michigan’s defense ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense, 26th in total defense, 8th in defensive touchdowns, 18th in turnovers gained and 22nd in interceptions forced, as the Broncos went undefeated in regular season play and won the MAC Championship before losing 24-16 to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl.