BC players call meeting

The Boston College football team held a players only meeting at 3 p.m. today. BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo led the gathering.

Coach Tom O'Brien did not attend the meeting as it appears he is nearing agreement to accept the coaching job at North Carolina State.

Some BC players were shocked by the quick turn of events but they wish O'Brien well.

N.C. State is set to hire O'Brien and is working out final details of a contract, a university official said Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because a contract has not been approved by the school's board of trustees, whose personnel committee has scheduled a teleconference for Friday.

Whispers around the BC are that the search for a new head coach will be extensive. The list could include Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Doug Flutie. However, word around campus is that Flutie could be better served as an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach.

Boston College officials did not return multiple calls to the Associated Press seeking comment, although a spokesman issued a statement Thursday acknowledging the reports.

"As you are no doubt aware, reports surfaced out of North Carolina yesterday afternoon and evening that N.C. State had (or would) offer Tom O'Brien its vacant head football coaching position," spokesman Chris Cameron said in an e-mail.

"If and when N.C. State makes an announcement involving coach O'Brien, Boston College will respond accordingly. Meanwhile, Boston College has no comment on the situation."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.