UMass fires head coach Walt Bell

UMass has fired head coach Walt Bell and defensive coordinator Tommy Restivo, the school announced Sunday.

Run game coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Miller will serve as the team’s interim coach.

Bell compiled a 2-23 record over two-plus seasons with the Minutemen.

UMass lost its third-consecutive contest on Saturday in a 35-22 loss to Rhode Island. The defeat dropped the program to 1-8 on the season.

Bell took ownership after the Minutemen were flagged nine times in the loss to the FCS opponent.

"We've got to do a better job coaching, and that starts with me," Bell said, according to Joey Aliberti of MassLive. "I've got to do a better job, our staff has to do a better job, we all have to do a better job."

Bell, 37, took over as head coach following the departure of Mark Whipple. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at both Florida State and Maryland.

Since 2018, the Minutemen have failed to record more than one win in a single season.

UMass ranks 126 out of 130 FBS programs with 15.8 points per game, while the defense is allowing an FBS-worst 45 points per game.