Jennifer Toland, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Sean Kearney is the new Holy Cross men's basketball coach, the college announced this morning. Kearney, 49, has spent the last nine seasons as associate head coach at the University of Notre Dame. Before that, he was an assistant at Delaware for eight years.

The HC post will be Kearney's first head coaching position.

Kearney will be introduced at a press conference tomorrow morning.

"We had a lot of good candidates that we liked a lot," Holy Cross director of athletics Dick Regan said. "At the end of the day, we felt Sean was the best person to lead the program forward."

Kearney, Pitt associate head coach Tom Herrion and Holy Cross graduate Rod Baker were all on campus this week for final interviews.

Kearney will replace Ralph Willard, who resigned last month to become the top assistant at the University of Louisville.

For more on this story, check out the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

And the starting quarterback for the 2009 Boston College Eagles will be . . . well, it's tough to tell right now.

This much we know. It won't be Dominique Davis, the only QB on the BC spring roster with any game experience. That became official this morning when the school announced that the 6-foot-4-inch, 198-pound redshirt sophomore had been suspended from school for academic reasons and was transferring from Chestnut Hill.

With Davis's departure, the Eagles' depth chart looks like this:

1. Codi Boek: He saw duty on special teams last season but hasn't taken a snap at quarterback in a game in two years since transferring from American River (Calif.) Junior College.

2. Justin Tuggle: The son of former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jesse Tuggle redshirted last season and stood out on the scout team but did nothing to move past Davis or Boek on the depth chart during spring drills.

3. Alexander Atiyeh: Like Tuggle, he also redshirted last season.

4 . Michael Marscovetra: A true freshman who will join the Eagles in summer camp.

Frank Spaziani, who has been the Eagles' coach for six months after Jeff Jagodzinski was fired, could only joke about having an offense whose main option was to punt, or kid about a switch to the Wildcat offense, which diminishes the role of QB considerably, with direct snaps to the tailback. "Already working on it,'' cracked Spaziani.

The long-range option at QB for the Eagles is Joe Boisture, who committed to them in the spring but is finishing his senior season at Saline High School in Michigan.

And another option could be Billy Flutie, a receiver, punter, and holder who could go back to the position he last played at Natick High School in 2005. Flutie certainly has the pedigree, with uncles Doug and Darren part of BC lore.

Davis, for better or worse, seemed like the transitional option for next season. He was force-fed the system as a starter last season after Chris Crane went down with a fractured collarbone. He completed 63 of 138 passes for 741 yards with 6 TDs and 4 interceptions. He was the starter in losses to Virginia Tech in the ACC title game and to Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl.

When Spaziani replaced Jagodzinski in January, he made it clear the QB position was open and Davis would have to compete with Tuggle, who came on board as the latest QB of the future, and Boek, who had been switched to fullback last season by Jagodzinski.

But Davis didn't dazzle, and Spaziani and new offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill described his progress in terms of "inches''. Davis still had the No. 1 spot, but there was even less of a certainty that he would start than there was before spring practice.

The problem was that neither Tuggle nor Boek emerged, which left Spaziani with a queasy feeling about who would be his starter in the season opener against Northeastern Sept. 5.

With Davis gone, now there will be even more angst for Spaziani and his staff.

Turns out the Boston College baseball team isn't just happy to have earned it's first NCAA regional berth in 37 years. After today's thrilling victory, the Eagles may have some intentions of sticking around a while.

The Eagles scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning today to surprise Texas State, 8-7, in today's regional opener in Austin, Tex. Boston College (34-24) overcame a 5-2 deficit in the top of the ninth, then held on in the bottom half after Texas State (41-16) plated a pair of runs and put the tying run on second.

The Eagles started the ninth with five straight hits, including John Spatola's three-homer that gave BC a 6-5 lead. The Eagles sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning

Mike Sudol drove in the first run in the ninth, cutting the Texas State lead to 5-3 following a pair of singles by Barry Butera and Andrew Lawrence.

Then Spatola delivered the big blow, a three-run homer on a 1-1 pitch from Texas State losing pitcher Mike Russo.

After an Robbie Anston single, Tony Sanchez doubled him home, making it 7-5. Mike Belfiore's RBI single provided the eighth -- and as it turned out, winning -- run.

Chris Kowalski earned the win in relief for the Eagles, striking out one in one inning of work. Belfiore, a pitcher/first baseman, earned his ninth save of the season, allowing three baserunners in the ninth -- including a home run to Paul Goldschmidt -- but striking out Lance Loftin on a full count to end it.

The Eagles advance to the winners' bracket, where they will face the winner of tonight's Texas-Army matchup tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Longhorns are the host of the regional and the No. 1 overall seed in tournament.

Boston College is headed to its first NCAA Division 1 baseball championships in 42 years after receiving an at-large bid to the field of 64. The Eagles (33-24) are the No. 3 seed in the Austin Regional -- hosted by No. 1 overall seed Texas -- and open against Texas State (41-15) Friday afternoon. Army is the fourth team in the double-elimination regional. Ivy League champion Dartmouth (27-16) is the other New England representative, and it opens against North Carolina (42-16), host of the Chapel Hill Regional, Friday night in its first NCAA appearance since 1987.

The pain was in his back, in his legs. All the time. Mark Herzlich had felt worse after games and practices during a three-year career at Boston College, but it was nothing the 6-foot-4-inch, 238-pound linebacker felt he couldn't handle.

Still, he wanted to be cautious. Herzlich was beginning to prepare for his senior season, with an NFL career within reach for last season's Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.

"The kid was sitting on top of the world," said Herzlich's father, Sandy, Friday morning by telephone from his home in Pennsylvania. "But during spring practice he had a lot of different things that were bothering him. We checked it out and the doctors prescribed some medicine, which allowed him to play in the spring game. The nerve medication seemed to be working, but it didn't work all the way. The pain came back. We went to another doctor and he said that we weren't taking a strong enough dosage. Imagine if we had done that originally. He wouldn't have felt any pain and they probably would have never found what they found. It's a borderline mini-miracle."

Earlier this week, doctors found a tumor in Herzlich's left thigh, which was diagnosed as a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing's sarcoma. Sandy Herzlich said the initial exam revealed the cancer had not spread.

"Right now, I'm just sad for Mark," said Sandy Herzlich. "I have no doubt that he is going to survive. But this has just been unbelievable."

Mark Herzlich, who will begin chemotherapy treatments Tuesday in Philadelphia, was almost matter of fact in discussing the setback.

"I had an MRI done on Monday," he said. "On Tuesday, they got the MRI back. That's when I figured it out. They told me to go to an oncologist right away and he told me I had this form of cancer. They told me that it hadn't spread to any other parts of my body, but now I have to deal with this."

Herzlich said he analyzed the situation as best as he could.

"I was sitting on the [examination] table trying to put a meaning to what the doctor was saying and how serious it was," he said. "My mind flashed to where does that put me in regards to football and where does it put me in regards with my life."

The next seven months will consist of a series of treatments designed to shrink the tumor. By early fall, doctors hope the tumor will be small enough that they can remove it.

Rest and recovery will follow, which will take Herzlich through the end of the year. He said his goal is to return to playing by next spring.

"Basically what it is, is that a lump in my leg is giving me a pain in the ass," he said.

Boston College disclosed today that senior linebacker Mark Herzlich, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season, has been diagnosed with the cancer Ewing's Sarcoma, a malignant tumor most often found in bone or soft tissue of children and young adults.

The following is a statement from the 21-year-old Herzlich via press release:

"This past week, I got some news nobody wants to hear. After undergoing some tests to determine the cause of some pain I had been experiencing in my leg, I learned that I have Ewing's Sarcoma.

"Obviously, I was shocked. I had been extremely focused on preparing for my senior season at Boston College and for life beyond that. Now, I must channel all that energy into facing my toughest opponent yet, and that is exactly what I will do.

"I have returned to Pennsylvania to be near my family and to undergo a series of tests that will help my doctors determine the best course of treatment. I will keep you informed about my progress, but for now, I would like to ask for privacy as my family and I make some tough decisions.

"At this point, I do not know what this means for my football future, but I am determined to rid my body of this disease so that I can put that uniform back on. Thank you in advance for your prayers and concern. Together, we will fight this and win."

The school issued this statement from coach Frank Spaziani:

"We all were stunned when we heard this news. Mark is a member of the BC football family and one of the most recognizable faces on our campus. From the day he stepped foot on our campus, he has been a leader on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

"When people think of Mark Herzlich, they think of a fearless individual who is always ready to take on a tough opponent. His integrity, determination and focus are unmatched. I know he will face this challenge with that same attitude.

"Our thoughts today are not on football, they are on Mark Herzlich. His health is our only concern, and we will stand beside him every step of the way."

Herzlich, a 6-foot-4-inch, 238-pounder from Wayne, Pa., was a first-team All-America selection last year by Rivals.com and Scouts.com and was a member of the Associated Press All-America third team.

He led the Eagles last season with 110 tackles, 6 interceptions, 8 pass break-ups, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

In a year which began with a major speed bump in January when he fired football coach Jeff Jagodzinski, since the things have smoothed out considerably for Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo today when the school announced that DeFilippo’s contract had been extended two more years through May 2014. The deal had been in the works for the past several weeks, but was not finalized until today.

‘‘I’m thrilled,’’ said DeFilippo yesterday. ‘‘This is the good. It’s been a good decade and I hope it gets better.’’

In making the announcement, Boston College President Father William Leahy said that DeFilippo had provided ‘‘tremendous leadership and vision.’’

This year, some of that vision was clouded by tears of frustration and anger as DeFilippo went through the process of firing Jagodzinski, someone he considered a friend, after only two years, both of which had produced ACC division titles.

Ostensibly, Jagodzinski, who moved back into the NFL as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was fired because he went against a direct DeFilippo edict of taking to the New York Jets about their opening for head coach.

That moved precipitated a shake up in the football staff, which resulted in the hiring of long time defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani.

DeFilippo has also been the front man for BC on the switch from the Big East to the ACC, which has led to increased revenues and, according to BC, a 200 percent increase in donations from 2003 to 2008 when BC reported a donation total of $21 million.

DeFilippo, who came to BC from Villanova in 1997, has had other inquires during the past few years—most notably from Notre Dame and Tennessee—but has chosen to stay at BC and guide the Eagle program through the sometime turbulent waters which came with the switching of conferences.

He also has made changes in women’s basketball and women’s ice hockey coaches and been a key figure in the Eagle football program which has had three head coaches in the last three years as BC went from Tom O’Brien to Jagodzinski to Frank Spaziani.

It has not always been a smooth trip, with grumblings from season ticket holders complaining about significant increase in ticket prices. and there have also been other rumblings of discontent from boosters and other supporters about what they feel are a lack of direction in some areas.

’’It’s all part of the job,’’ said DeFilippo. ‘‘But it’s been a great ride and I look forward to it continuing.’’

Defenseman Colby Cohen ripped a slap shot from the left circle that caromed of the pads of diving Miami defenseman Kevin Roeder, popped up into the air and sailed inside the right post past goalie Cody Reichard at 11:47 of overtime, giving Boston University its fifth NCAA national title in men's hockey, 4-3, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Miami University thought it was about to lock up the first national title in the school's history but a funny thing happened on the way to the RedHawks' celebration - Boston University rallied for a pair of goals in the final minute to tie the game at 3-3 and force overtime.

The RedHawks were up 3-1 on Trent Hogelhuber's goal at 15:52 of the third but Zach Cohen pulled the Terriers to within 3-2 with 59.5 seconds remaining and Nick Bonino brought them all the way back with 17.4 ticks left on the clock.

Defenseman Colby Cohen ripped a slap shot from the left circle that caromed of the pads of diving Miami defenseman Kevin Roeder, popped up into the air and sailed inside the right post past goalie Cody Reichard at 11:47 of overtime, giving Boston University its fifth NCAA national title in men's hockey, 4-3, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Miami University thought it was about to lock up the first national title in the school's history but a funny thing happened on the way to the RedHawks' celebration - Boston University rallied for a pair of goals in the final minute to tie the game at 3-3 and force overtime.

The RedHawks were up 3-1 on Trent Hogelhuber's goal at 15:52 of the third but Zach Cohen pulled the Terriers to within 3-2 with 59.5 seconds remaining and Nick Bonino brought them all the way back with 17.4 ticks left on the clock.

RedHawks' right wing Tommy Wingels scored on a rebound at 12:31 of the third period, giving Miami a 2-1 lead over Boston University in the NCAA championship game at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Junior left wing Gary Steffes scored at 2:01 of the second period, pulling the RedHawks even with BU.

Boston University freshman left wing Chris Connolly scored at 15:15 of the opening period, giving the Terriers a 1-0 lead over Miami University heading into the first intermission.

The period was pretty evenly played with Miami trying to force the issue physically with strong forechecking. BU outshot the RedHawks, 10-9.

Boston University scored a pair of goals in the final seven minutes of regulation, edging Vermont, 5-4, in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

BU will take on Miami University in the title game tomorrow night.

With 6:54 remaining in regulation, senior left wing Chris Higgins pulled the Terriers even with Vermont and Colin Wilson gave BU a 5-4 lead with 5:41 left.

At 9:40 of the third period, Catamounts' freshman defenseman Drew MacKenzie scored on a power play to give Vermont a 4-3 lead.

Vinny Saponari scored on the power play with 1:21 remaining in the second period, pulling the Terriers even with Vermont 3-3.

The Catamounts scored a pair of goals just 45 seconds apart in the second period to overtake Boston University, 3-2, in the second period of the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Justin Milo scored during a power play at 9:04 to tie it and defenseman Josh Burrows tallied a goal at even-strength to put his team ahead by one at 9:49.

Sophomore right wing Wahsontiio Stacey scored at the 3:50 mark of the second period to pull the Catamounts to within a goal of Boston University, 2-1.

Boston University put itself in good shape in the first period of tonight's second Frozen Four semifinal against Vermont at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Sophomore center Colin Wilson and senior right wing Jason Lawrence tallied goals to give the Terriers a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.