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University of Massachusets Athletics
Football
Jason Palermo
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Tight Ends
- Email:
- palermoj@umass.edu
- Phone:
- 545-2026
Alma Mater: Wisconsin, '05
Jason Palermo joined the Massachusetts football program as the tight ends coach in March 2016 after spending the prior four seasons (2012-15) as the offensive line coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.
Palermo immediately improved upon the two tight end set employed by the Minutemen, highlighted by the re-emergence of Adam Breneman, a five-star recruit and the No. 1 tight end in the nation in his recruiting class. Breneman, who transferred to UMass as a graduate student prior to the 2016 season, posted team highs of 70 receptions, 808 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the program.
With Palermo's guidance, Breneman reeled in Campus Insiders Second-Team All-America, ECAC First-Team All-Star, Mackey Award semifinalist status, Phil Steele First-Team All-Independent, NEFWA All-New England and the Harry Agganis Award, which is given to the outstanding football player in New England. The nation continued to laud Breneman throughout his second season as Palermo helped Breneman repeat as a Mackey Award Semifinalist while he earned all-America recognition from Athlon Sports, Bleacher Report and USA TODAY, among others.
Palermo began his coaching career under Pat Behrns at Nebraska-Omaha in 2009 as tight ends coach while assisting with the offensive line. While at Nebraska-Omaha, he was instrumental in the development of tight end Michael Higgins, who went on to play in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.
He then moved to Southern University and spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons coaching tight ends and serving as special teams coordinator for former NFL great Stump Mitchell. Palermo developed another future NFL tight end at Southern in RaShaun Allen, who has played for Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
Palermo was a three-year letter winner at Wisconsin as an offensive guard and center. At the conclusion of his senior year in 2005, he was invited to play in the 2006 Hula Bowl All-Star game in Honolulu. Off the field, Palermo was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in 2003. He played professionally in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.
Palermo is married to the former Kaitlyn Beinlich. They have a daughter, Giabella and sons, JonLuca and Grayson. He is the son of veteran coach John Palermo, who spent 40+ seasons in the collegiate and professional coaching ranks.
Updated: Nov. 14, 2017
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