AMHERST — Joe Harasymiak had head coaching in his blood, that much was clear from the early stages in his life. That’s all he ever wanted to be when he grew up. And by time he got to college to play defensive back for head coach Mike DeLong at Division III Springfield College, DeLong could see Harasymiak’s vision.

He was the smartest player on the field at all times.

Harasymiak manifested his future, and after a successful head-coaching stint at Maine from 2016-18 and strong results as a defensive coordinator at Minnesota and Rutgers, he earned a shot to coach at the FBS level. On Wednesday, UMass announced that Harasymiak would be the football program’s next head coach – replacing Don Brown after a 6-28 record in three seasons.

“I can’t ever remember him saying he ever wanted to do anything else other than coaching, and that’s just been his whole career path,” DeLong, who accumulated over 200 wins and seven conference championships during his 32 seasons as head coach at Springfield, said of Harasymiak on Wednesday. “He was like a coach on the field, always in the right spot and making others around him better. He picked things up quickly.”

At just 38 years old, Harasymiak is sure to be filled with energy the second he steps foot in Amherst, DeLong is sure of that. Harasymiak was a captain during his playing days in Springfield, and everything DeLong saw back then has him confident in his former player’s ability to lead an FBS program that can compete for conference championships – even one that hasn’t had more than four wins in a season since making the jump up from FCS.

“He’s got the personality to be successful,” DeLong said. “He’s a high-energy guy, always has been, and he’s very bright. He did a great job up in Maine, and he’ll do a great job at UMass. He’s going to have a great relationship with his players and he’s going to get the most out of them. He’s really ready for this.”

After Harasymiak wrapped up his playing career at Springfield – where he tied the school’s record for career interceptions – in 2007 and graduated in 2008, he served as an assistant on Maine Maritime’s football staff before returning to Springfield in a graduate assistant role for two years. DeLong, who retired in 2015, worked with countless GAs having spent over three decades as head coach of the Pride, but Harasymiak stood out like no other.

How he carried himself in meetings, his confidence to add his input despite being a graduate assistant, and the way he could capture the attention of players with his words made it seem like Harasymiak had been coaching his whole life.

DeLong helped cultivate Harasymiak’s coaching style as a 24-year old. Fifteen years of experience later, including six at Power 4 schools, Harasymiak is now a star in the making.

“I know what kind of atmosphere he’s going to have and what kind of people he’s going to have in that program,” DeLong said. “He’s going do what it takes to have a positive environment. I think that’s one of the key things he’s going to bring, and that will bring and attract recruits as he gets out on the trails. And just based on the date and time of recruiting, I would imagine he’ll get right to it... UMass can look forward to seeing a lot of fun football coming out of there.”

DeLong said that when he and Harasymiak talk, they always share memories and a whole lot of laughter. The retired head coach did say he would give Harasymiak a call on Wednesday to congratulate him, although he isn’t expecting an answer.

According to DeLong, the future of the UMass football team is in good hands.

“Joe has done an outstanding job everywhere he’s gone,” DeLong said. “He’s always been very optimistic. He works hard at everything he does, and he pushes himself to be better – he did as a player and he still does as a coach. He never has a bad day. I’m happy for him to have this opportunity, and I know he’s going to make the most of it.”