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University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Welcomes Pair Of Graduate Assistants To Football Staff
February 15, 2018 | Football
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke to assist defensive staff; Jermetrius Troy welcomed to offensive side
AMHERST, Mass. ā University of Massachusetts football and head coach Mark Whipple welcomed a pair of graduate assistants to the team staff on Tuesday in Jermetrius Troy and Valerian Ume-Ezeoke. Troy works with the offensive staff while Ume-Ezeoke assists the defensive side of the ball.
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The announcement of Troy and Ume-Ezeoke came shortly after the program unveiled coaching role updates for four returning staff members and introduced one newcomer to the staff.
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Sean Duggan joined the program as the team's linebackers coach while Leonard Hankerson and Scott Woodward earned promotions to wide receivers coach and tight ends coach, respectively. Charles Walker became the Massachusetts special teams coordinator and Spencer Whipple moved into the quarterbacks coach position while he retained his responsibilities as passing game coordinator. Steve Costello jumps into the role of defensive recruiting coordinator alongside his duties as cornerbacks coach while Darrius G. Smith becomes the offensive recruiting coordinator in addition to his pre-existing role as running backs coach.
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"Coming to the University of Massachusetts has given me the opportunity to start my coaching career off at a historical program and I couldn't be any more excited," Ume-Ezeoke said. "The team, community, tradition and enriched program history made it a 'no-brainer' to choose UMass as a place that I wanted to be. Coach (Mark) Whipple's mission, goals and vision of where he wants this team to transcend to coincide with the type of leadership I want to grow under ā I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to work with some of the best in this profession and can't wait to see what the 2018 season brings ā it's going to be one to remember!"
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The Garland, Texas, native anchored the New Mexico State offensive line as the team's starting center during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Following a pair of Rimington Trophy Watch List nominations (2013, '14) and an All-Sun Belt Conference First Team nod ('14) for the Aggies, Ume-Ezeoke moved on to the National Football League (NFL). He spent parts of two seasons with Atlanta Falcons (2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015-16) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2016).
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Jermetrius Troy fills the role of offensive graduate assistant and will help the UMass coaching staff in all facets of the program's offensive operation, including a focus on the wide receiver position. A Commonwealth of Massachusetts native, Troy was a standout running back at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, who graduated with Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades.
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"I am incredibly grateful to Coach Whipple and the University of Massachusetts to have an opportunity to join this coaching staff," Troy said. "I am humbled and eager to work for and with a great group of student-athletes and coaches at a program rich in history and prestige. The ability to learn from great coaches, and help teach and mentor young men, coupled with the excitement and optimism around the program presents for an excellent 2018 season here at UMass."
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At Stonehill College, Troy was the team's featured running back as a junior and senior, and he finished his 38-game tenure with 400 carries covering 1,611 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. His career numbers placed Troy fourth in team history for rushing yards and fifth for rushing touchdowns upon his graduation.
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Following his playing days, Troy continued his involvement in football as a high school-level coach, including at Cheshire Academy, the Holderness School and as the head coach at the Noble and Greenough School. He was also previously the passing game coordinator and the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
UMass Football Staff Role Promotions & Additions ā¢ 2018-19
Steve Costello: Defensive Recruiting Coordinator
Sean Duggan: Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Leonard Hankerson: Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers
Darrius G. Smith: Offensive Recruiting Coordinator
Jermetrius Troy: Graduate Assistant/Offense
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke: Graduate Assistant/Defense
Charles Walker: Special Teams Coordinator
Spencer Whipple: Passing Game Coordinator & Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks
Scott Woodward: Assistant Coach/Tight Ends
Follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
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The announcement of Troy and Ume-Ezeoke came shortly after the program unveiled coaching role updates for four returning staff members and introduced one newcomer to the staff.
Ā
Sean Duggan joined the program as the team's linebackers coach while Leonard Hankerson and Scott Woodward earned promotions to wide receivers coach and tight ends coach, respectively. Charles Walker became the Massachusetts special teams coordinator and Spencer Whipple moved into the quarterbacks coach position while he retained his responsibilities as passing game coordinator. Steve Costello jumps into the role of defensive recruiting coordinator alongside his duties as cornerbacks coach while Darrius G. Smith becomes the offensive recruiting coordinator in addition to his pre-existing role as running backs coach.
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Valerian Ume-Ezeoke ā¢ Graduate Assistant (Defense) ā¢ First Season ā¢ New Mexico State '15
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke joins the University of Massachusetts football staff as the team's defensive graduate assistant following a standout playing career. Ume-Ezeoke will assist the program in all defensive aspects, with a focus on the defensive line.Ā
"Coming to the University of Massachusetts has given me the opportunity to start my coaching career off at a historical program and I couldn't be any more excited," Ume-Ezeoke said. "The team, community, tradition and enriched program history made it a 'no-brainer' to choose UMass as a place that I wanted to be. Coach (Mark) Whipple's mission, goals and vision of where he wants this team to transcend to coincide with the type of leadership I want to grow under ā I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to work with some of the best in this profession and can't wait to see what the 2018 season brings ā it's going to be one to remember!"
Ā
The Garland, Texas, native anchored the New Mexico State offensive line as the team's starting center during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Following a pair of Rimington Trophy Watch List nominations (2013, '14) and an All-Sun Belt Conference First Team nod ('14) for the Aggies, Ume-Ezeoke moved on to the National Football League (NFL). He spent parts of two seasons with Atlanta Falcons (2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015-16) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2016).
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Jermetrius Troy ā¢ Graduate Assistant (Offense) ā¢ First Season ā¢ Stonehill '13
Jermetrius Troy fills the role of offensive graduate assistant and will help the UMass coaching staff in all facets of the program's offensive operation, including a focus on the wide receiver position. A Commonwealth of Massachusetts native, Troy was a standout running back at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, who graduated with Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades.
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"I am incredibly grateful to Coach Whipple and the University of Massachusetts to have an opportunity to join this coaching staff," Troy said. "I am humbled and eager to work for and with a great group of student-athletes and coaches at a program rich in history and prestige. The ability to learn from great coaches, and help teach and mentor young men, coupled with the excitement and optimism around the program presents for an excellent 2018 season here at UMass."
Ā
At Stonehill College, Troy was the team's featured running back as a junior and senior, and he finished his 38-game tenure with 400 carries covering 1,611 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. His career numbers placed Troy fourth in team history for rushing yards and fifth for rushing touchdowns upon his graduation.
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Following his playing days, Troy continued his involvement in football as a high school-level coach, including at Cheshire Academy, the Holderness School and as the head coach at the Noble and Greenough School. He was also previously the passing game coordinator and the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
UMass Football Staff Role Promotions & Additions ā¢ 2018-19
Steve Costello: Defensive Recruiting Coordinator
Sean Duggan: Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Leonard Hankerson: Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers
Darrius G. Smith: Offensive Recruiting Coordinator
Jermetrius Troy: Graduate Assistant/Offense
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke: Graduate Assistant/Defense
Charles Walker: Special Teams Coordinator
Spencer Whipple: Passing Game Coordinator & Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks
Scott Woodward: Assistant Coach/Tight Ends
Follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
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