UMass Football Announces Assistant Coaching Role Promotions, Additions

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football and head coach Mark Whipple announced updates to coaching roles for five members of the staff on Monday. It includes promotions for Leonard Hankerson, Charles Walker and Scott Woodward, a new position group role for Spencer Whipple and the introduction of assistant coach Sean Duggan to the staff.

"We have a great group of coaches on staff here and I am excited to see the impact these men have with our student-athletes this season," Mark Whipple said. "Our preparations for the 2018 season have already begun and I continue to look forward to working alongside all five coaches in their new roles."

Fans will be able to hear from head coach Mark Whipple and all five assistant coaches during the Wed., Feb. 7 National Signing Day Television Show. Each will be a guest for at least one segment to discuss various UMass football-centric topics, including the #EliteBreed18 class. Watch live on Eleven Sports Network or UMass All-Access beginning at Noon.

Coaching Staff Role Promotions & Additions - 2018-19
Sean Duggan: Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Leonard Hankerson: Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers
Charles Walker: Special Teams Coordinator & Recruiting Coordinator
Spencer Whipple: Passing Game Coordinator & Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks
Scott Woodward: Assistant Coach/Tight Ends

Sean Duggan • Assistant Coach/Linebackers • First Season • Boston College '14

Sean Duggan begins his first season with the program and serves as the team's linebackers coach. It is a role Duggan is familiar with from experience as a student-athlete and coach. He served on the University of Hawai'i staff as the linebackers coach for the 2016 and 2017 seasons following one year as a graduate assistant at Boston College. He was also a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles from 2011-14.

"UMass has a strong football tradition and a high standard of academic excellence," Duggan said. "I feel fortunate to be part of the program and to be around this great group of coaches. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is like a second home for me and I could not be more excited to be back."

While at Hawai'i, Duggan guided a host of successful Rainbow Warriors, including 2016 All-Mountain West First Team choice Jahlani Tavai and NFL-bound Jerrol Garcia-Williams. Prior to his arrival at Hawai'i, Duggan spent five years at BC as a player and coach and played in 45 career games before he became a part of the defensive staff that produced the nation's top total defense and was fourth nationally in points allowed (15.3) in 2015.

Duggan • Career Breakdown
Student-Athlete • Boston College • 2011-14
Graduate Assistant • Boston College • 2014-15
Linebackers Coach • Hawai'i • 2015-18
Linebackers Coach • Massachusetts • 2018-present

Leonard Hankerson • Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers • Second Season • Miami (Fla.) '10

Leonard Hankerson enters his second season on-staff overall, and first in a full-time coaching role. He served as an offensive graduate assistant in 2017-18 during his first year with the program, with a focus into the development of the wide receiver position.

"The opportunity to be part of this staff means a great deal to me," Hankerson said. "I met Coach (Mark) Whipple in 2009, and his first words to me were, 'I believe in you.' That always resonated with me; not only as the college athlete that I was, but also as a young man. Football has been a part of my life for over 20 years now and I've experienced it on all levels. I'm excited about sharing this opportunity coaching alongside someone who believes in me and has given me the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge with the receivers. I look forward to working with this team and developing the next wave of football players and young men."

Following his standout career at Miami (Fla.), where he played for Mark Whipple in 2009 and 2010, Hankerson spent five seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins. In that span, Hankerson compiled 107 receptions, 1,408 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

An All-ACC First Team selection as a senior in 2010, Hankerson pulled in 72 receptions for 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns during his final collegiate campaign before he went to Washington in the third round (79th overall pick) of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Hankerson • Career Breakdown
Student-Athlete • Miami (Fla.) • 2007-10
NFL Wide Receiver • Washington Redskins • 2011-14
NFL Wide Receiver • Atlanta Falcons • 2015
NFL Wide Receiver • New England Patriots • 2015
NFL Wide Receiver • Buffalo Bills • 2015
Graduate Assistant • Massachusetts • 2017-18
Wide Receivers Coach • Massachusetts • 2018-present

Charles Walker • Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator • Fifth Season • Massachusetts '08

Charles Walker, the 2017 Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Assistant Coach of the Year, assumes the role of special teams coordinator in his fifth overall season coaching with the Minutemen. Previously, Walker coached the team's linebackers while he added recruiting coordinator duties prior to the 2016 season. He will continue his responsibilities as the team's recruiting coordinator.

"I am extremely grateful to be promoted to our special teams coordinator," Walker said. "I want to thank Coach (Mark) Whipple for this opportunity for growth within our organization. I am looking forward to working with our team's specialists and helping them become the best players and men they can become."

A 2008 University of Massachusetts graduate, Walker proved instrumental in the development of the Maroon and White linebackers over the last four seasons. At least one Minuteman linebacker earned recognition from Phil Steele Magazine as an all-conference or all-Independent linebacker during each of the last four seasons, including Stanley Andre (2014), Jovan Santos-Knox (2014, '15), Kassan Messiah (2015), Steve Casali (2016, '17) and Bryton Barr (2017).

No stranger to Amherst, Walker was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Minutemen. In addition to being named team captain in 2007, he was a Colonial Athletic Association First-Team selection and a New England Football Writers All-Star.

Walker • Career Breakdown
Student-Athlete • Massachusetts • 2003-08
Assistant Coach • Nichols College • 2008-12
Defensive Quality Control Coach • Vanderbilt • 2012-14
Outside Linebackers Coach • Massachusetts • 2014-15
Inside Linebackers Coach • Massachusetts • 2015-16
Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator • Massachusetts • 2016-18
Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator • Massachusetts • 2018-present

Spencer Whipple • Passing Game Coordinator & Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks • Fifth Season • Miami (Fla.) '12

Spencer Whipple maintains his position as the passing game coordinator into his fifth season on the Massachusetts coaching staff and adds the responsibility of being the team's quarterbacks coach to his repertoire. He coached the tight ends in 2014 and took on the role of receivers coach prior to the 2015 season, an area he continued to work with in 2016 and 2017.

"I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to coach the position that I played, and to also have the chance to work with and develop our talented group of quarterbacks" Spencer Whipple said.

During his tenure, the Massachusetts passing offense ranks among the most successful in the nation, which includes national rankings for fewest passes had intercepted (8th; six), most passing offense per game (17th; 297.5) and highest team passing efficiency (30th; 144.45) in 2017.

As the passing game coordinator, and in his additional roles as the position group coach for the tight ends and receivers, Spencer Whipple assisted in the development of all-time UMass greats, including Adam Breneman, Andy Isabella and Tajae Sharpe.

S. Whipple • Career Breakdown
Student-Athlete • Pittsburgh • 2007-08
Student-Athlete • Massachusetts • 2008-09
Student-Athlete • Miami (Fla.) • 2009-11
Defensive Graduate Assistant • Pittsburgh • 2012-14
Tight Ends Coach • Massachusetts • 2014-15
Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach • Massachusetts • 2015-18
Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach • Massachusetts • 2018-present

Scott Woodward • Assistant Coach/Tight Ends • Fourth Season • Massachusetts '09

Commonwealth of Massachusetts native and University of Massachusetts alumnus Scott Woodward begins his fourth season as a member of the football program's staff and his first as the team's tight ends coach in 2018-19. He joined the team in July 2015 and worked with the quarterbacks and receivers while assisting with all facets of the offense during the 2016 season. He assisted the program as an offensive analyst during the 2017 campaign.

"I am grateful to coach (Mark) Whipple and the administration for this opportunity to continue my coaching career at my alma mater," Woodward said. "This program is headed in the right direction and I cannot wait to be a part of its continued growth. Go UMass!"

Woodward returned to Amherst after coaching stints at Fairleigh Dickinson (2013-15) and Westfield State (2010-13). At FDU, he served as the offensive coordinator, academic coordinator, travel coordinator and assistant strength and conditioning coordinator. He was responsible for in-game play calling while working with the quarterbacks.

Woodward was a four-year letterman with the Minutemen and, as a senior, completed 50-of-93 for 613 yards with two touchdowns and rushed 22 times for 62 yards. He served as back-up to UMass' all-time passing leader Liam Coen and was the team's holder for four seasons. He was a member of the 2006 squad that reached the Division I-AA National Championship Game.

Woodward • Career Breakdown
Student-Athlete • Massachusetts • 2005-09
Graduate Assistant • Westfield State • 2010-13
Offensive Coordinator • Fairleigh Dickinson • 2013-15
Quarterbacks Coach/Offensive Analyst • Massachusetts • 2015-18
Tight Ends Coach • Massachusetts • 2018-present

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