Things aren’t so happy in Chestnut Hill. After winning 30 games from 2006-2008, Boston College athletic director Gene DiFilippo made the controversial decision to fire head coach Jeff Jagodzinski for interviewing for the head coaching position with the New York Jets. After two seasons, including one where the Eagles ended in the AP top ten, DiFilippo handed the program over to Frank Spaziani, a loyal Eagles assistant who spent a decade as the program’s defensive coordinator.
It’s been a slow decay for the Boston College program, with Spaziani winning a respectable eight games in his debut season and following that up with a 7-6 year in 2010. But the Eagles took a large step back in 2011, winning just four games, and have plummeted to just two wins in their first nine games, with one coming against an FCS Maine team.
Following all of this has been the Eagle in Atlanta, Bill Mahoney, who has been living the highs and lows of being a Boston College fan from 1,000 miles away for quite a few years. He was kind enough to get us up to speed on what’s happening in Boston, where new athletic director Brad Bates has a lot of big decisions on his hands.
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The Eagles are 2-7 this year, with wins against Maine, an FCS team, and Maryland, a team on their fifth quarterback. Are things in Chestnut Hill as bad as they look?
I believe that BC is better than 2-7 but not that much better. Your records don’t happen by accident. BC is not even losing many close games. I also think things are bad because of the decline over the last four years and the speculation on Spaz’s future. Last week BC lost to a bad Wake Forest team. Three weeks ago BC lost to a bad Georgia Tech team. A decent coach would have won at least one of those games.
If there’s been a positive this year, pointing to Chase Rettig and Alex Amidon would be a good start. What has been the secret to that duo’s success, especially considering the lack of running game?
This sounds simple but Rettig is a good QB. On a good team, I think he would be talked about nationally and be considered a future pro. He’s not perfect, but he’s got a big arm, he is willing to take a beating in order to make a big play. He’s also had to run multiple offenses which shows his football IQ.
Amidon is a slightly different story. We pass a lot and he’s been the most healthy reciever, so he has put up big numbers. But I don’t want to dismiss his improvement. He’s always been fast. Now he’s become an improved route runner. He understands how to get open. His hands are not elite yet (he’s had a few drops), but he’s become a very good WR. He should be first team All ACC.
Boston College lost a tremendous player in Luke Kuechly. But what else has gone wrong with this defense? Frank Spaziani has always had a great reputation as a defensive coach, but the rush defense has fallen off a cliff and the Eagles are giving up more than 30 points a game.
Talent is a big issue but not the only one. BC is missing more tackles and there has been a lot of blown coverages this year. Maybe guys don’t care or others are trying to do too much.
But the defensive line and secondary are not of the same quality as Spaz has had in the past. I think there is good young talent at LB and they are getting on the field more and more each week.
It’s all but assumed that Spaziani will be fired. What qualifications would you look for in a new head coach? Any candidates you like?
The new coach needs to be a salesman. Spaz has been a total dud on the recruiting trail, the media and with fundraisers. He needs an energy and approach that modern college football coaches use. Spaz’s ideas in preparation and game management are 30 years behind the curve.
It is very early but I would say the two more popular names are BC grad and New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr and Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco.
Let’s take a wider look at the BC athletic department. Notre Dame fans have spent a ton of time critiquing Jack Swarbrick. What do you make of the hire of Brad Bates? What are the top items on his agenda?
I like the idea of Brad Bates. He has a solid, but not spectacular record from his time at Miami of Ohio. Now that the conference shuffle and TV deals are done, BC doesn’t need a deal guy. They need someone like Bates who can address coaching issues and raise money for facilities improvements.
Back to the game: The Irish are big favorites, but this is a rivalry game. Do you hold any hope for an upset? If so, what’s the recipe for a Boston College victory?
BC is one dimensional, but all you need is that one dimension to click for four quarters. I think because it is a rivalry game and because it is important to Spaz, BC has a chance. The key is for Rettig to light it up (he’s probably the best pocket passer Notre Dame has faced all year) and for clog up Notre Dame in the red zone.
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For more coverage on the game, check out Bill’s website and follow him on Twitter @bcatleagle