BC will fire Jagodzinski

I guess that the coach thought that he had one of those NFL player contracts, you know, the contracts that aren't contracts. Let's face it, college football athletics are just the minor league of the NFL and you know what contracts are there. Money, money, money, It's the name of the game.

I guess that the coach thought that he had one of those NFL player contracts, you know, the contracts that aren't contracts. Let's face it, college football athletics are just the minor league of the NFL and you know what contracts are there. Money, money, money, It's the name of the game.

The first sentence is grammatically incorrect. Looks like there is an extra "in which Jagodzinski."

Jag gets what he deserves. I hope the Jets say no thanks!

M I C K E Y MOUSE. BC needs to recognize they aren't as big time as they would like to think they are. But from the sounds of things Jags was already sneaking out of town. Neither side handled this well--BC backed themselves into a corner regarding the ultimatum--had to follow through, even if Gene reconsidered.

Good bye and good riddance to a classless coach.

Enjoy being an assistant for life in the NFL.

Jags has a great butt

Thanks "Jags" for your contribution to fouling the recruiting program. You sure screwed up and screwed B. C. and the players who depended oyou. Bad Luck.

College sports? What's that? Next!

Gene you are an idiot! Go back to Nova!

Good for you Jags. BC will always be a second tier school due to their admin policy. They will never be able to compete with other schools that have a greater pool of players to choose from. I know all you BC alumni are proud of the academic standards so you should not be complaining about issues such as these as it comes with the territory.

There are pros and cons to both sides, I only hope both sides took a very close look at them and played out a few senarios going forward.

it's none of our (i.e., the publics) business. it's between the coach and BC.

Rediculous......

HUGE MISTAKE!

This is part of modern sports. BC should have had payment or pay-back wording in the contract to protect themselves WHEN not IF a coach didn't stay for 5 years.

You can't blame the coach, you can call him names, but you can't blame him.

Good luck getting a new coach SuperFrauds.... Good luck getting to a bowl game... oh, wait you do go to bowl games but NO ONE CARES!

Good. Although it didn't specify in his contract that he could not interview elsewhere the AD made it clear that this was unacceptable. Being under contract should hold some weight but apparently does not mean much to good ol' Jags.

This whole ordeal was one big soap opera that could have been taken care of behind closed doors. I feel bad for the players once again who found out the status of there football coach through the media. First the was O'Brien and now Jags. BC's AD wants to help the school...this whole things has made himself and the school look BAD!!!!

Is there a protocol to be followed in these situations? In other words, would Jagodzinski's reaching out to the Jets and their expressing interest in him without either party informing Boston College be considered less than above board and a breach of trust? I've read many posts in response to previous articles about this topic that other schools encourage their head coaches to pursue opportunities for advancement and that BC and DeFilipo are wrong to terminate Jags for this reason. But if Jags sought an interview without having the courtesy to let his employer know, especially when he is under contract and knew BC was looking for a long-term coach when they hired him, I don't know how the school can be faulted. This seems to me to be a classless move on Jags' part, and I don't blame BC for feeling they don't want to continue their relationship with him.

both parties making a mistake

did he forget he's under contract with BC. Maybe BC would like to call Charlie Weiss. I'm sure ND would give him the OK.

Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie should coach the team

Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie should coach the team

I would fire his butt and not pay him any more. Then let him get a lawyer, which he will have to pay, to fight for the rest of his money in court.

so.. trying to be objective here.. Nothing barring Coach from talking to NFL teams. Coach just finished yr 2 of 5. BC AD is upset because Coach is looking at opportunities.

Seems simple to me... Coach either upholds his contract for 5 yrs or AD fires him with some severance. I wouldn't think any NFL team could hire him unless he's released from his contract by BC.

Now.. forcing Coach to stay at BC is probably not good for BC, but it seems like AD could negotiate that Coach recind some prior earnings to be let out of the contract. Unfortunately, AD made it a public issue, so each will be looking to save face here. Appears that AD needs to start writing better contracts.

ironic that Gene DeFilippo is suddenly so concerned about "loyalty" when only a few years ago he himself and Boston College abandoned his friends in the Big East Conference to make a quick buck in the ACC. This after the the Big East helped BC establish itself as a legitimate D1 hoops and football program. Ah what goes around comes around Gino.

if it's not in the contract, what right does his employer have to dictate to whom he may speak...get a life holier than though B.C.

Apparently, Gene DeFillippo read Steve Pederson's "Athletic Directing for Dummies" book.

Pederson couldn't hire a decent coach after firing Husker legend Frank Solich following a 9-3 regular season and now Gene won't be able to hire a decent coach after this debacle.

How do people with such a lack of leadership skills get hired into positions of leadership???

I can certainly understand BC's position that their coach should fulfill their contract, but I am sure there are provisions within the contract that allow him to leave (or else his lawyer wasn't doing a good job). So for BC to take this approach is ridiculous and shows the mentality of BC. The school wants a great program for the publicity and notariety, but that comes with a price which is that your coach is going to be courted by the NFL every year. And this isn't the first time BC tried to play hardball with coaches in all of their sports. Maybe BC should drop from Division 1 entirely.

What a self-serving hypocrite!

I think it is pretty pathetic that DeFillipo is going to let his ego get in the way and fire Jagodzinski and still pay him for the next 3 years ($3million). There are cuts to financial aid all over Boston College and they are going to throw away $3million that could have paid for many educations at Boston College. Boston College should put it's ego aside and look at the big picture. If it is not spelled out in Jagodzinski's contract that he cannot talk to other people than this is a clear case of DeFillipo's ego too big. Looks like Boston College should think about reeling him in.

KUDOS to Boston College in maintaining a degree of ethics and high moral standards in an otherwise sleazy business

it's about time these college AD's stand up and protect their interest. These big time college basketball and football coaches have been running the roost for years. I'm glad to see this AD grow a sack! Remember, these coaches are under contract......The things the public needs to know about college issue is this.....When top recruits have signed on to attend school and play football for BC, they have the right to OPT OUT if the head coach who recruited them leaves before their first season....SOUNDS like BC HAS SOME TOP RECRUITS COMMITTED and they do not want any uncertainties.....

I am shocked, shocked to find pig headedness in football, on the part of both parties no less. The ultimate loser here will be the program, as revolving door coaches do not a recruiters dream nor stable program make. Not knowing the personalities, it's hard from afar to judge if Jags is a jerk for signing on for five then trying to scoot after two, or if the AD is just impossible to work for, something Jags might not have fully known when took the gig.

I think DeFilippo is a big HYPOCRITE. He speaks about honesty and loyalty, yet did the same thing to the Big East when he looked his peers in the eyes and said BC was committed to the conference yet continued to have secrete dialogue on the side with the ACC. What goes around comes around and DeFlippo deserves what's coming to him.

The firing is now a necessity but BC officials should also consider firing DeFillippo. DeFillippo has done a great job growing the programs at BC, but if the school hopes to achieve a national status then I think the athletic department needs new leadership

Doesn't speak well of Boston College. Don't follow BC football (weak ACC) closely but last TV game was exciting and well coached from that limited perspective.

Hope he lands on his feet somewhere in the NFL. How about offensive coordinator for the Pats?

It's hard to imagine anything more petty or arrogant than the approach DeFilippo has taken here. He's pushing away a far better coach than BC can expect to get when he's gone. BC is not USC, Texas or Florida, and even they have trouble keeping coaches. I'm sure USC is glad they didn't fire Pete Carrol when he interviewed a few years ago.

Gene DeFilippo has cemented his reputation as the worst AD at any major program in America. He lied to and backstabbed his colleagues in the Big East, and now BC has lost local relevance with no local rivals. Meanwhile, the BigEast has proven to be the better conference than the ACC, not just in backetball, but football as well.

I think a whole new image of what a contract means began when the owners of professional sports teams first allowed players to renegotiate contracts that had been signed in good faith. It "taught" a generation of youngsters that a contract wasn't necessariy something you had to live up to; and we can expect such ego-centric behavior to continue unless more athletic administrations draw a line in the sand and learn to say "No!". However if management feels that someone has performed above and beyond what was expected, it has a right to initiate a renegotiation to upgrade the contract..

Good riddance! If I owned an NFL team I sure as heck wouldn't want him working for me. He will sweet talk you to your face and then fly like a bird at the first hint of another opportunity. This guy has no character.

It's not like he went to another school for an interview....it was an NFL job....the AD is an idiot. Good luck finding a new coach DeFilippo.

I agree with Dan's article today -- a contract is a contract... Jagodzinski shouldn't be looking around for "something better." He signed a 5-year deal, and he should own up to his obligation. It would be different if he had asked for -- and received -- permission to meet with the Jets.

BOGUS, NOT IN CONTRACT\DEFILIPPO TAKING A HISSY FIT
IT IS A FACT OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND
DEFILIPPO SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE PUBLIC-
BOTH AT FAULT
DEFILIPPO SHOULD BE FIRED AS WELL FOR CHILDISH BEHAVIOR
TARNISHED BC FOOTBALL

No one cares about BC.

I am not going to begrudge Coach Jags for wanting to look for greener pastures. But if what I am hearing is true and he came out and lied to the AD when asked about the rumor of him interviewing for the Jets job then I think he has to go. Although the coach and AD appeared to be best buddies how can you keep the coach around when you can't really trust him.

Further to the point if the rumors are true that he truly hated recruiting is that someone you want running your program? Do you honestly feel he would have the best interest at heart and making a push for top recruits.

Good they should fire him. Like another article was titled, contracts seem to be a one way street. You committed to 5 years, live up to your commitment. In college coaching changes can completely kill a programs recruitment.

Good for JJ. In a time when schools are not loyal to coaches, why should coaches be loyal to schools, especially when the school tries to impede a coach's professional development? BC will have a tough time at this point finding a head coach that can keep pace with what O'Brien and Jagodzinski did with the program. What goes around comes around, Gene. When you vowed to stay with the Big East and then the ACC came knocking it took about a millisecond for you to jump ship for their not-so-greener pastures. Of all people to take a hard stance on loyalty, Gene DeFillipo is the last name you'd expect to hear mentioned given his track record.

Nothing changes at Boston College. Always think they are WAYYYY better than they are as an institution and football program. Winning is what makes Jags attractive. Two straight ACC crowns and they fire him for doing one NFL interview. This is now TWO coaches that are leaving BC because DiFillipo is an idiot!

May he coach them to many many loses. May Brett Favre come back for one more season so we can see them get lit up by Brady and company.

Hiring Spaz will send the message that loyalty counts. He is a classy guy that will recruit far better than Jags did. Jags, while good, was the recipient of the work done by others. Continuity does count, as much as some BC haters enjoy inventing issues about Gene.

Fire him and lump him in with Petrino, Saban, Rodriguez (albeit w/o the success) and all the rest of the contract-busting scumbags that rule the cesspool that is college sports. Good riddance.

Warning #12, we are definitely gonna fire him today!!!

What a joke this is... the nation is laughing out loud at these clowns.

think its ridiculous to get fired for keeping your options open.
I have no desire to leave my job, but once a year I put out feelers just to make sure that I am still marketable and to test the waters. It's only common sense to keep your eyes open. Thats just my opinion!

a contract is a contract, he willfully broke his and should face the consequences.

I don't think what Coach Jags is doing is wrong but do believe he handled it poorly by not being upfront with his AD about his interest in leaving BC and returning to the NFL.

However, I have a tough time with the AD suggesting that he had a gentleman's agreement with Coach Jags which he thought would be upheld after the way BC was leader in trying to hold the Big East together when Miami and VT split and then jumped ship as soon as they were presented the opportunity. I believe that was a far greater sin.

What goes around, comes around, Gene!

Good for BC. I am an alumni and think something has to be done about the way contracts are handled in general. Why are coaches and players not obligated to fulfill their obligations? You sign for 5 years, you coach for 5 years. I don't understand the ability to just breach a contract with no repercussions.

I think BC is cutting off their nose to spite their face how stupid

I think this is an absolute joke and part of the reason why BC will always be nothing more than a second tier program nationally. The fact that they are so self conscious about someone leaving them that they have to draw this line in the sand and fire a guy who has done a lot with a little in his two years in charge is just sad. BC is in the unenviable position of being located in a rabid PROFESSIONAL sports city where even in their best years their teams are 4th or 5th rate citizens. Trying to find a guy who is going to make the program competitive every year but doesn't have aspirations to coach somewhere bigger and better than BC is a problem but one that they have to accept. I would like to see if BC would still be preaching loyalty if Coach Jags had overseen two losing seasons instead of two successful ones. It is a double edged sword. The man deserves to seek out opportunities to better his career and his life without the threat of being fired when he does so. The way I understand it, it is not written into his contract that he has to stay at BC for a specified number of years. If it is, that clearly changes things, but if not this is just another big mistake by BC.

I really don't think he should be fired. maybe suspended without pay to let him think where he went wrong. BC wanted a long term coach but this coach doesn't seem to care.

This is America,a free country. As much as I like the football program at B.C.,if the record of the team had been bad they would have fired the head coach anyway. If Jagodzinski wants to go to an N.F.L. job because he feels it's a better opportunity for him and his family he should have that right.

Elavator elavator he got the shaft !!!!

Coach Jags handled this poorly and leaves BC no choice. He has to go.

Nice Christian school!
Can't he just go to confession?

Boston College is a second rate football program with second rate fans, and a second rate stadium.

That said, why would anyone want to work for the Jets?

This is hilarious (unless you're Jags)... BC, as usual, takes itself WAY too seriously. And you wonder why they can't win anything other than the Cheerio Bowl every year (which they couldn't even do this year)

Oh, the firing is horrible, boo hoo hoo hoo. Does anyone remember that we are at war? 2 wars? and in a financial crisis? remember?
I'm sure this overpaid coach will survive-What do you think?

Good luck to Jag. The situation seems pretty cut and dry, and B.C. sounds like they've been clear about what they expected from him. Time to move on.

Seems like DeFilippo is acting out of spite. Jags has done a *great* job.....Part of every Company's (and in this case DiFilippo's) responsibility is to recruit and retain talent. Sounds like DeFilippo isn't too good at his job. He didn't keep Coughlin, either. Oh, and how did NC State do this year?? Maybe he should check his ego at the door....

BC is in Satan's control!!!

They should fire him for not honoring a contract. Then they should fire Defillipo. This school gets way too much attention.

Better to make the move now, before he became too successful as a college coach. This way, if and when he falls flat on his face as a head coach in the pros, he'll be somewhat immune to the "great college coach who couldn't coach in the pros" label (See: Steve Spurrier, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino, Lane Kiffen, Butch Davis...) But, all that aside, what a slap in the face to the BC program. I hope the Eagles elevate the deserving Frank Spaziani and he becomes another Joe Paterno--a legendary coach devoted to the school, a coach whose ego never caved in to the allure of the pro game.

I applaud Mr. DeFillippo for this action, but clearly Jagodzinski orchestrated this entire situation and is getting the end result that he wants. He doesn't have to quit, but is still able to leaves BC behind after two successful seasons that were almost entirely a result of inherited players and before his recruiting misjudgments come to fruition. There is a very good chance BC will slide in the years ahead. There was zero chance for Coach "Jags" to get the Jets head coaching job, but all this fuss gets his name out there for second tier NFL coaching jobs (assistant, coordinator, etc.) which is what he really wants. By getting back in the NFL, he's back on the path toward an NFL head coaching job. The BC two year stop off was merely a resume builder designed to show that he can be the head guy. Nothing more.

I fully understand the firing.......if one's word (let alone a written contract) can't be relied on....then where does one's integrity stand??? Please spare me the rhetoric re: more money and/or other considerations. Weren't these factors known entities when the contract was signed?

I think it is great! Now all they need to do is get rid of Jean Meterperal as the play by play guy and I will go back to watching my alma mater.

Good riddance. Get this guy out of here, and get an honest coach who is committed to the program

He was warned.
How will this impact the recrutment program

This is an unfortunate situation because Jags made a nice impression and appeared to do well as a coach, but it seems that he wants to move back to the NFL where he doesn't have to deal with recruiting and all the academic issues and restrictions. That is fine and would not have been a problem if he had been forthright with BC about his intention and worked toward a smooth transition that would not create negative publicity and disrupt recruiting. While honesty is always the best policy, that is particularly true in public positions where actions become public and the publicity alone is damaging. Once he deceived, he had to go.

Glad to see BC standing up for honesty and integrity only a few years after they lied to and then left the Big East for the ACC.

Remember Caesar. You have a duty. To keep the peace, so crucify him! ...

It is poor. Professional business people take interviews while in their current job to determine if the cuurent job is best for them. If BC fires Coach Jags and pays the remainder of his contract, then BC is doing what St John's did when they fired basketball Coach Fran Fracilla. St John's proceeded to hire Mike Jarvis and were paying three basketball coaches at one time. Since then, St John's has not been a prime program. This firing may make it difficult for BC to attract top coaching candidates and recruits for their football program in the future.

Will Logan Stay on if this happens?

Perhaps it is time for Bicknell Jr. and Flutie the Younger to be installed at the respective helms. Their loyalty to the Heights is unfailing...and they don't play for the cash! Character and heart matter most. For Boston, for Boston, we sing our proud refrain. aien aristeuein!

Wow, BC has los me as a fan for life! Let's go Va Tech!!!!!!!

I thought about this morning when Dan Shaughnessy's byline reflected negatively on what he considered "non-appreciation" of the meaning of a contract. On a personal note note, maybe things would have been different for Coach Jags if he had approached the AD about talking to the Jets. However, I am sure he understands contract language about as well as the football coach with a 7 year contract who gets fired after 3 for a "losing season". Where's the appreciation on the part of the school/institution for it then? There appears to be a double standard here.

This is just plain ugly. I understand BC's point about wanting longevity in a coach but these days, no one is loyal to anyone anymore. Bottom line, it wasn't in his contract that he could not look for another job. If BC was that worried about it, they should have had that provision in the contract. Personally, I think the guy should honor the contract that he signed. BC should wait and see if he gets the Jets job and let Jag quit and they won't owe him anything. If he doesn't get hired as the new Head Coach for the Jets, then fire him. Either was, they'll be no worse off than they are right now.

shame on BC for depriving this coach of moving forward in his career without repercussions...is this what BC teaches it's students...to settle for less than what they can accomplish?

I understand BC is upset about a coach under contract looking for new jobs, but they have no right to stop him from interviewing. If he took a job, he would then be in breach of his contract and BC would have a right to be mad.

Also, this reaction isn't going to make any top notch coaches want to come to BC in the future.

Good for you BC. It is about time that these coaches have to honor their contracts. These deals are far too one sided. They get payed even if they do not produce, yet can not honor their side fo the bargain. In what other business would this be accepted. BC should promote Sapz as he will bring continuity and stability.

It's all George W. Bush's fault..................

so stupid. BC doesent deserve him if they fire him..

It's all George W. Bush's fault..................

Let him go....
Loyalty and honesty is everything these days.

I don't think it will help BC football in the next few years, but I think it was still the right decision to make. You need someone who'll be there klong enough to at the very least bring the players he recruits along for a few years. Two years and looking to bail after signing a 5 year contract shouldn't be acceptable.

I'm happy to see DeFilippo stick to his guns and get rid of Jagodzinski. Coach Jag knew full well that he would be fired if he interviewed with the Jets and he went ahead anyway. That shows that Jagodzinski no longer has an interest in BC football or honoring the five year contract he signed. BC is doing the right thing by standing firm.

BC are a bunch of effin morons..

BC has a nerve. They think that a contract should be honored??? What the hell are they thinking?? No one else has adopted such an outmoded attitude. Don't they know that they are there to be exploited by coaches? They were supposed to beg Jagodzinskit to stay like a dysfuntional lover would. Please don't go, please or, or, or.... I'll kill myself!!

Congratulations to BC.At least someone knows what a contract is for.

This athletic director continually make BC look bad!!!

As a BC grad and a big BC football fan, I really liked Jags. His actions are disappointing. I understand wanting to better his career, but it's disheartening that he couldn't just be honest with DeFilippo and the BC athletic staff.

As a season ticket holder I really liked the coach, he's done a great job, but admire the athletic department for their decision. He signed a contract and would have made sure they stuck to it.

The #1 reason I can't stand BC and their fans is they seem to think they are on the same level as Harvard when it comes to academics and USC when it comes to football. Wake up guys, you should be happy to have a coach who can get an NFL interview. I and most of Boston hate the "superfans" and could really care less about BC Football.

I guess "business is business" (or "bidness", as we say here in the Southland), but it just doesn't seem right to fire the guy....

Boston College does not appear to be standing up for Christian values in this case . Let the coach go and realize that you cannot hold people back selfishly. Next time put it in the contract . Another black mark on BC. Shame on you!!

He was a good coach, maybe the AD needs to go, he's a power-laden control...
He's not a God and you don't deal with adversity by getting rid of somebody. I would not send my kid to BC, with the kind of mindset like this...

If it's true that his contract does not prohibit talking with NFL teams...then it is BC who will be in breach by firing him. It sounds like DeFillippo is being a bit of a cry-baby.

Funny. Fact is BC is a mediocre, almost anonymous football program. When Jags looked up into the stands at both the ACC championship game and Bowl game and only saw 5 fans not related to someone on the team who bothered to make the trip, he most likely realized he was coaching a sinking ship and started looking for a way out. Perhaps if fans actually supported the team instead of just with their mouths they wouldn't have coaches ditching the program left and right.

wonderful to see bc come full circle after screwing the big east with their Mangine-like on again off again back stabbing of the schools they made their name with. also wonder how much bc is enjoying the cost of sending 24 athletic teams into the deep south virtually every day.

BC WILL BE A WORST TEAM WITHOUT HIM AS A COACH AND PLUS BC GOING TO BE A BAD TEAM NEXT YEAR ANYWAY SO IT DOESNT MATTER

I think it's great. He's another opportunist who only thinks of himself. What ever happened to loyalty and commitment? Athletic director Gene DeFillippo has every right in the world to can him! He signed a contract and now he is breaking it. Screw him!

If what you say about no clauses regarding talking to NFL teams in his contract is true, then it seems that it is a weak contract to begin with. That does not mean that I agree with anyone running out on their contract, unless it is specifically allowed via some provision within the contract. I sympathize with BC, but maybe they left the door opened a little too much. You would like to think that a individual would honor a commitment, but society has taken such a selfish stance in recent years, this just fits that mold. On the other hand a man has to do what's best for him and his family. Just play fair.

how is Jags recruiting

Unless there is a contract clause forbidding NFL discussions it seems unfair to fire the coach for this reason. College football is the minor league for proball, with coaches and ADs getting millions in salaries and colleges getting mult-millions for bowl games. Many of the big time school athletes never finish a degree and many leave before their senior year to enter the NFL draft (and not all make it ). One wonders if the AD got a NFL offer to be a team president would he refuse on the basis of his allegence to his school? If the offer doubled his current salary. We live in a market economy so we should not dictate after the fact terms to control the freedom of movement of it's workers or we will not have that kind of economy for very long and our democracy will fade away too..
Who can predict that the next coach might actually win the BCS bowl someday.

Good riddance.

It is reasonable for the AD to want a coach to fulfill the majority of his contract before looking for something better. At the same time I understand Jags desire to leverage the fact that he is somewhat of a hot commodity because of BC's success the past 2 seasons.
Considering that Jags' career can best be described as highly transient it is not shocking he's moving on. I hope Coach Spaz gets a shot. I suspect he'll be around a while if he's successful.

I think they should not fire the head coach because he has had an excellant season with the boston eagles that's just my point of view?

Good riddence, a contract should be honored

Maybe, with the potential loss of Josh McDaniel, he can be a candidate for the Offensive Coordinator with the Pats

Defilippo is wrong. If it isn't in his contract then he should not have pulled this ultimatum crap on his coach. Jags has the right to explore other jobs, happens all the time with coaches. Defilippo was also involved in the mess when BC elected to leave the Big East and jump ship to the ACC even though they had been in meetings for months with other Big East teams on how to save their conference knowing VT and Miami were leaving. Connecticut won't even consider playing BC in basketball now, same with Syracuse. Just another instance in where BC's administration think they are above everyone else and can do whatever they want.

This is a free world the last time I checked. Who do they think they are over there at BC - he's free to do what he pleases - Are they being sore heads that he might want to better his life/career/income, etc.

fire his ass

Mmm....seems spiteful.

it is unfortunate that the BC AD is that short sighted. If would seem that he wants a coach with no drive or ambition, and that is what BC will get going forward. Any coach with a dream of going to the NFL will now avoid BC. If this restriction were applied relative to other Division One football programs, that would be a different story. The guy had an opportunity to substantially improve himself and I guess he was supposed to let it pass him by???? Just wait and see what BC gets for candidates now.

Wow, can't wait to see all the BU/Syracuse/BC Banter on this one

college football coaches are a dime a dozen-- see ya jaggs--you aint getting the jets job anyway. I hear home depot is hiring

Stupides move by BC ever.

Jagodzinski has now joined a long list of coaches who AD's and GM's know do not keep their word. In my opinion coaches fall into two categories in this regard, those who honor agreements (contractual or handshake) and those don't. This can be a tough call sometimes. To be a coach who keeps his word you may have to turn down one or more good offers. If you are going to be a coach who doesn't keep his word then you had best be a very good coach. Think of Parcells, Saban, Petrino etc... People know they don't keep their word and will likely jump at the first better offer but they hire them anyway. Why? Because they are phenomenal football coaches and it's worth it. Go ahead and break your word if you want but before you join that fraternity you better be darn sure you can coach as good as they do because you won't get another job if your just mediocre.

Good for BC. College and Univesities are being stepped on all over the country by coaches looking to get into NFL. I don't blame Jagodzinski for trying to get NFL job, because who wouldn't if the opportunity came about... but if he did make a verbal commitment to stay with BC for 5 years and not use them as a stepping stone, he should honor it.

Trivia on the front page?

As a BC alum, I would like to see them get rid of DeFilippo. We do not need a czar in charge of our athletic program.

If there is nothing in his contract that prohibits him from talking to NFL teams, he should be allowed to. Talking about a potential job is a lot different from actually taking a job.

If BC fires him simply for talking to a potential employer without a job materializing, I am sure Coach Jagodinzki will find a very good attorney to deal with a possible wrongful termination claim. If BC wanted him to not even talk to potential employers, then it should have been explicitly written into his contract that he was prohibited from doing so. While he would be breaching his contract by accepting another job, I don't think he would not be breaching it simply by talking about a possible job.

This is absolute embarrassment....there are a play of egos here...he is good for BC...and...he has always had aspirations of being an NFL head coach...Gene...say it aint so!

If there was language in his contract which did not allow him to talk to any prospective employer while under contract at Boston College, then B.C. has every right to fire him.

It would be a shame to lose a good coach. Maybe B.C. should look at losing an A.D.

Since his contract doesn't preclude Jagodzinski from talking with NFL teams, if he is fired will BC be required to pay him for the remainder of his contract? Based on the article, I don't see how BC could breach the contract without cost.

If Coach Jags wanted to get back in the NFL so badly he should have been upfront with BC from the gitgo and gone to them and said, look I appreciate all you have done but my heart is really in the NFL and I have a chance to interview. Perhaps then they could have come to an amicable parting of the ways or at the very least the BC door would not be closed behind him. I don't think Gene D would have been upset if Jags went to him in the beginning and told him what was going on instead of having to hear it from a reporter. In the long run program wil be better off with someone who wants to be there.

If Jags did indeed go behind GD's back and didnt tell him that he wanted to interview for the Jets job then I think they should fire him. I know it's hard to keep good coaches these days. The NFL is alot more attractive to alot of coaches. Jags is an NFL guy anyway and he did a good job at BC. I just dont like that it happened when it's recruiting time it hurts BC chances of keeping the kids it's trying to allure. Time to move on and hopefully BC will find someone that will want to stay long term.

too bad, because the coach did a helluva job here. this is unfortunately what happens when dealing with big egos. next time, the AD needs to get everything in writing.

I agree with Dan Shaughnessy. A contract is two way street. A guarantee for BC for coach loyalty, and the guarantee for the coach that BC will pay him. The coach here is not showing any character or loyalty to BC. BC took a huge risk on a 5 year contract, he should have at least shown the respect and asked BC properly if he could interview.

Hey, Blaudschun - do you know if it was written in Jags contrakt that he could NOT talk to any other teams? One thing you you might not get, since like you said, this isnt a college sports town, is good coaches are a rare thing. There's what, 117 D1 coaches in the entire country? It's not like sportswriters, or lawyers, or delivery guys or ditch diggers where there are millions of us in the herd. If DeFilippo had a clause in the contract about this, then his recourse is to fire'm -- woopeee. Otherwise he's just being a whiney beeyatch who's stuck too far North - away from the realities of College Football.

Unless he takes the Jets job, he isn't in breach of contract. If he doesn't get the Jets job and is fired for interviewing, any sensible jury would find that BC owes him 3 years pay.

hj

Same old BC. . .what happened there, happens everywhere. Get over it - you're not a top tier sports school. When you become Texas, Ohio State, or any other consistently solid football school then you can have those demands. You just lost to a bad Vanderbilt team in the Gaylord Bowl.

BC can't afford to be a stepping stone to the NFL for coaches. If we want to develop into Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State programs we need coaches here for the long run. When Tom O'Brien was introduced as the new BC football coach to BC boosters in NYC back in the late 90's he said the great programs are those where the coach has longevity.

BC needs to get over themselves.

remind sports radio that he was not contracted for long term

Type your comment here...I mean who can blame the guy for taking advantage of the opportunities he created for himself. Nothing in his contract restricts him from talking to NFL teams. BC should have thought about that before hiring him. BC has every right to fire him, but I think Coach Jag looks better throughout the situation. Look forward to the Pats whipping you and the Jets next season, Coach Jag!

Can we say "Lawsuit"?

DeFillippo, the BC Athletic Director, needs a reality check and a class in HR managment . I have been a BC football season ticket holder for over 20 years and besides T. O'Brien & Tom C., Mr Jagodzinski has been the best coach .
It is not an bad event that Jagodzinski would interview with the NFL, it is DeFillippo, bad reaction and subsiquent actions that indicate that he is does not stay close to his key coaches nor communicates well with them.
Less worring about The Flynn Fund and more attention to People and Values.

agree completley respect your contractual obligations!

I think he should be fired. Sadly he will probably still get paid by BC after getting fired for showing that he has no moral ethics and that he believes the contract is only in place to protect him if he doesn't perform but is negotiable if he does. Let him go, he has no loyalty to his coaches or players and suceeded with Tom OBriens players anyway.

Maybe it should be the Athletic Director that needs to go.

If he violated any clauses in his employment agreement that prevent him from seeking employment elsewhere while employed at BC...it's the right thing to do for Boston College.

Go after Dough Flutie, if he has interest. He is very knowledgeable about football, as been a winner in everything he has attempted, is certainly a long term hire and would be a great success in recruitment.

What a POS....BC gives the guy a shot as a HC, he wins with kids that O'Brien recruited and now wants to bail....if I was BC I wouldn't pay him a dime....let him sue, BC I am sure can show damage trough what will now be a terrible recruiting class...

He's like having a girlfriend, or boyfriend who develops 'wandering eyes'. You can no longer trust his commitment. Get rid of him.

As likeable as Jags is, he hasn't improved upon the previous BC coaches' inability to win the big game when needed to get them into a BCS Bowl. Like it or not - that's got to be the goal of any major football program such as BC's.
Additionally, it has hard to recruit if the prospect suspects the head coach could leave at any time.

It's kinda silly. Defillipo should have realized Jags was a longshot for the Jets job and that he would undoubtedly be back at the heights with diminished NFL expectations and refocused on the task at hand at BC for years to come.

Instead he made it impossible for Jags to come back even if he opted to not interview. Now he's hurt his program's continuity and his own reputation as someone any incoming coach would want to work for.

You can't lie to your boss, and Defillipo stupidly drew a line in the sand - so if Jags didn't go it would be like he's getting punked by the AD. since he did interview DeFillipo has only one recourse - he has is to fire him or be punked. The question is: Who are we going to get now to take that job!

What is this, Oklahoma? This isn't Oklahoma is it, Danny?

Who cares? It's college... if the Pats were in the playoffs, we wouldn't even hear of this until after it happened. Even then it'd be a footnote.

BC won't lose much if Coach Jags leaves. Whatever reputation he made at BC was earned with Coach Tom O'Brien's recruits. In other words, next year's team will probably suffer from Coach Jags' failure to recruit the kind of players needed to compete in the ACC. Anyone who watched the Music City Bowl has to realize that BC was unprepared to play that game with an all-freshman backfield. Where were the sophomores and juniors that will represent the heart of the BC squad in the years to come?

At first I thought this was a terrible move for BC. Why try and bully a good coach just because he is looking for a better job? That is the name of the game. However, as I have had time to think it over and read more, I am glad that they are firing him. The fact that Jags actually went out looking for a job and did not tell BC about it is unprofessional and lacks any sense of loyalty. He did tell BC he was making a long term commitment to the program when they chose to hire him, it was certainly a key qualification in anyone they were looking for, so good for DeFillippo for letting him go. He clearly has no vested interest in success at BC and the program deserves much better.

Jag did not break his contract, and has done a great job a coach of the BC football team. If BC can fire this guy on principal while owning him so much money they are not worthy of their TAX EXEMPT STATUS. What is BC doing with our TAX dollars and how can they justify this action the State of Massachusetts and the tax payers.

Please write the Attorney General Office, BC, Better Business, Citizens against Taxation (if they can use their tax break to buy of principal, they can help reduce our tax burden in the Commonwealth). That money could be used to pay down the big dig....... that money could be used to keep Boston Police on the job.

Tax payers are hurting and BC is rubbing it in our face.

would he be a good replacement for Josh McDaniels if he gets a head coaching job?

What Jags did to DeFillippo and BC is exactly what Defillippo and BC did to the Big East...time for Gene to open up wide and get a good taste of his own medicine

peace! You were nobody 2 years ago, they made you who you are and you don't even have the courtesy to tell them that you're interviewing for another job. See ya buddy! It's about time a college holds it's coach to the contract that he signed.

I think that BC and DeFilippo should be embarassed for the way they are reacting. If they wanted to secure a coach for long term then it should have been clear in black and white within the contract, you can not blame Jagodzinski for wanting to get back into the NFL and to improve his professional as well as personal life. What a joke! This makes me feel a lot better that I am not wasting my time and money on season tickets anymore.

I think it is appropriate

Good for BC. The problem wasn't so much that he interviewed, which BC wouldn't have liked, but that he didn't tell the AD, then lied about it after. They should have fired him Saturday.

Jags crossed the line his employer drew. He must have wanted out.

I think it's kind of an interesting story because usually, the team fires the coach, but in this case, the coach basically fired the team.

Beat it Coach Jags! The Eagles deserve more loyalty! Thanks for nothing but ruining BC's bowl record.
PS - Why don't you take that kicker with you...

In retaliation, the Jets are threatening to fire Brett Farve. Well, they were thinking that anyway...

Hey, it looks like BC is part of the MIAA...See what they did to Mansfield and North Attleboro.
He is an awesome coach. Maybe DeFlipout should go...

Coach has shown great disrespect for his employer...if what has been reported is correct..
He should understand that when that happens..there are consequences...
One would hope that he was teaching that very thing to his players.

Sadly ,no winners here...just a downer all around..

Jags signed a contract and it included restrictions on farming himself out to the NFL. He inherited a really decent team from O'Brien and he's lived off those victories.
He has to be held accountable.
I say hire Spaz as the Head Coach. He's shown nothing but loyalty to BC!!

Let's see. Jags had success at BC. Everyone likes him. He's a good coach. The AD wanted a long term commitment from him but fired him for interviewing for a new job, thereby garranteeing that Jags would be gone.

As long as BC acts like a second tier sports school, coaches will treat it as such. If BC doesn't want to take the next step, and I can understand why they wouldn't, then they have expect good coaches to leave when better opportunities present themselves. Right now, the biggest attraction of BC football for a prospective coach is that it is a stepping stone to the NFL.

Should have hired Mark Whipple two years ago.

Did they mention that BC still has to pay him 3 million dollars!!!

Jags didn't handle it like a pro. Would you hire him to coach your team?

BC should give up there sports program or get an athletic director in there who doesn't have a stick up his butt!!!

good. there was something about him i didn't like anyway and he shouldn't be the coach if he doesnt want to be there.

Two words...Turner Gill!

You stay classy BC

BC is making the right move!

BC needs to be bigger than this. Firing the coach is BS not BC.

It certainly does not appear that Jags is too upset about leaving BC. Maybe when he never heard his name mentioned regarding any collegiate job he realized he'll prosper more from another position, like the Seahawks O-Coordinator or QB coach for the Eagles (after Mark Whipple leaves Philly to take the BC gig).
And hold on Defilippo...you need to search for all the african american coaches who are more qualified for this job before you promote from within.

Just heard there is a 3:00PM press conference at the hights! Hope Jags lands on his feet.

Hey if he signed something that said he would stay at BC for long time fine, if he never did why shouldnt he be able to pursue his dream to coach in NFL as head man. BC needs to get a grip on things.

Good for Boston College. If Jags told Gene he would be there for 3 years and Gene took a chance on him and put himself on the line to hire Jags than letting him go is the right thing to do and what Jags deserves. Why the rush for Jags anyway, there are openings in the NFL every year. You would think coach jags would want to at least do something at BC like win an Orange Bowl or something before moving on. This way makes him look like he is using BC and probably the next place he goes to as well.

Minorities can't get head coaching jobs in the college arena...but whites coaches gets the opportunity to get hired and then after a year go on to bigger things. Land of opportunity.... for some.

BC wants it both ways.

Hey why shouldnt the guy be able to pursue a coaching job in the NFL, if he signed something saying he wouldnt do it then went and interviewed anyway then fire him, but do you make people sign stuff when they are hired that they will never leave your company. Get real BC the AD needs to chill out. Get it in writing or to bad.

Coach Jags is a really good game day coach but his recruiting efforts were poor. He saw that the future was not looking very bright and so he forced the issue and got himself fired. No big loss.

What cry babies over at B.C. , par for the course. If it wasn't written into his contract then why cry about it.

Catholic guilt, they need to get over it! Everyone has the right to better themselves!

Jags is a moron

This is a silly ego thing for Mean Gene. Jags is a great coach, and his departure is inevitable, especially since BC is not a top 10 college coaching job and never will be. An AD should know this and keep a great coach as long as he can. Iff Gene put his ego aside and understood the reality of the situation, BC would probably have Jags another year or two. Now we'll get a second tier coach and we'll see how it works out.

Read Dan Shaughnessy's article today on this (and pro coaching/player contracts) and you will get my feelings. The article is right on. Bye Bye Jags.

The National Football League is a step up from Boston College.

Would the Coach at Revere or Braintree High Schools be fired for interviewing at, say, Boston College?

Would the Coach at Beaver Country Day School be fired for interviewing at Catholic Memorial?
Very petty move by Boston College.. Not even the unlistenable hack Meterperel could spin this one..

coiul spo

as a double eagle, I think BC is overreacting by firing him. it is good publicity for the school to have a coach being considered by the NFL

They should castrate him too!

who cares? im glad i went to a school where academics and prospering after graduation were the top priorities

press conference on wednesday at 3pm

Seems like Jags realizes he rode Matt Ryan's coattails last yr, and this year, without Coach Spaz's stellar defense, Coach Jags would have a losing season and no bid anywhere. He wants out now before he is exposed and while there is still a bid for him. Given how important stability and long-tenure was to the university in interviewing head coaches 2 yrs ago, obviously Jags mislead them and that coupled with him hurting recruiting this year makes him a big let down. I only wish he would go to the Jets for the Pats sake.

Sad affair, I support the AD. The BC Def. should take over and he will stay at BC. How can a recruit commit to BC when he knows the coach wants to go pro?

Type your comment here...

Let him go in peace. Bottom line is, if his performance was the opposite and he took the Eagles to two losing seasons, they'd pay out his contract and kick him to the curb. A la Ty Willingham at Note Dame!

He has a contract with BC, he broke the terms of the contract with BC, he should be fired.

I agree with DiFilippo. Jagodzinski knew that they wanted someone for the long term, to stay and be the coach. If DiFilippo cannot trust his coach how can he expect to keep him on? Jagodzinski was aware of the reprucssions and has to face the music, no matter what the outcome. I wish the best for the Eagles and hope they can find a coach that will stay for a while and bring them to victory.

..ridiculous...BC looks like a bunch of big babies...

It is unfortunate if he does get fired but, I believe it is what he wants. In fact, he orchastrated it well! Next year, the BC cupboard will be bare and this is a good time for him to exit to the NFL. Not having viewed his contract, it is difficult to speculate about the terms. Hopefully he does not walk away with a large buy out and the next coach's contract has firm language regarding under what circumstances he can interview for another position.

I'd have to read the contract to see if BC is acting within its established rights, but at face it sounds like the college is liable for interfering with economic advantage. If Jagodzinski fails to land the Jets job he could probably sue for wrongful termination.

I still can't help that is exactly what Jagodzinski wanted, better know early in the recruiting season than later. It is a shame though the way this has gone down, both Jags and Gene look bad as does BC. it is unfortunate because is setting BC back rather than forward.

Jags should have been up front with BC. BC should recognize it's a stepping stone until they stumble upon those rare individuals like Al Skinner and Jerry York..

Yes, fire a good coach and hire a spaz

BC did the right thing. Read the full story. Also, where was mention of the BC bowl score throughtout the game or BC hoops beating UNC on boston.com? It was in a small box halfway down the page. Now that there is something to beat up on BC about, it makes the front and center on the website. Ridiculous.

This is rediculous. You can't honestly think that as a D-1 school in a BCS contending conference that you are going to keep a coach for more than 3 years these days, unless your last name is Bowden or Beamer. In the carousel of NFL coaching, there is no 15 or 20 year coach as there was in the past. The NFL is a situation now where you are either successful and you stay on until being successful is no longer worth the stress or you're not sucessful and you're out in 3 years. It's a win or go home attitude and D-1 BCS schools are the testing ground for future NFL Coaches. BC is putting a black on on the last two years of success.

Classic BC arrogance. This is exactly why BC lovers whine they never sell out their games. They are impossible to like if you did not go there.

Sports is not sports anymore, it is all about the money. Greed!! Tom Yawkey , the Sox owner used to handshake the players to seal a deal. Now it is all about long drawn out contracts between agents and owners. Fans of the Sox & the BC students/families end up paying for the huge contracts. The costs are just passed onto admissions, concessions and TV, who in turn pass the costs to their sponsors who place the advertising costs into the price of the products sold to consumers. The ultimate consumers or fans pay the bill for these big contracts.

Jags should have been honest and I don't thing there would have been this major issue. Lying to a boss in the public arena is not a smart thing to do. Jags knew exactly what would happen and that is why he lied about it. All these people defending out right lying amuses me and tells me they have a different agenda here and that is to knock BC at any opportunity. Boston College is bigger than Coach Jags and should do what they feel is right.

I hope he does get hired by the Jets so we can boo him and throw small objects at him at Gillette. Anybody but the Jets, Jags...come on buddy.

Let's look at the logic here. Perhaps BC should have written a slightly better contract. If you're going to fire a person who's looking, then you need to make sure the contract carries a financial penalty for looking. If he's looking, he knows he's likely to leave anyway, so firing him does no good for the college. If anything, you give him an incentive to take a chance, because you have to pay him $3 million anyway! So BC, next time,when you write a contract for a coach, make sure it says that you get to fire the guy if he goes looking for another job, and that HE pays YOU $3 million if he does. Then you'll keep a coach.

College football is all about recruiting (as opposed to HS or the pros) - after this, Jags could never again look a recruit in the eye and express his commitment to the school and the program. Do you think a kid would want to sign on at BC if there is a very real threat that the coach will be gone next year?

BC made the right move - see ya Jags

Who really cares....they always fall short on a big game. Losing to a 6-6 Vandy team was an embarassment

Who are all you people who think BC's at fault? Sure Jags can do whatever he wants, but so can they as his employer decide to fire him whenever they want.

If I shopped my services around to the highest bidder without my current employer knowing about it and they found out, I would not be suprised if they gave me the boot. Who here would be?

Just seem like a ton of BC haters out there. Guess none of you realize that BC is a school first and a "program" second. Last time I checked that's how it should be.

What's next? People going to start making fun of BC because it's student athletes can actually read and write. Good Grief you people are insipid.

Coach Jags is doing it with O'Brien recruits....wake up and smell the coffee! This guy is a snake oil saleman who is doing nothing to promote the good name of BC...let him go, and promote Spaz....he has the loyalty and the respect of the kids and will do a great job....talk to those who know him and his personal reputation at Green Bay and you will find out ..."all that glitters isn't gold"

How thick do you BU/NU grads have to be? -- HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE THERE.

For those of you condemning the AD, you're missing the larger point: DeFilippo is absolutely aware that BC is regarded as a stepping-stone job. He's trying to CORRECT this. That is precisely why he had the conversation with Jags two years ago that he is looking for somebody to provide some stability. I don't think he was looking for the coach to stick around for ten years, but four might have been nice! Two years is ridiculous. Jags' move cements the idea that the BC job is a second rate job, and this is precisely the type of perception that Gene D. is trying to correct. As an AD, that is absolutely the right move. He's trying to improve the stature of the program.

Good luck Coach Jags, you've proven yourself to be dishonest and selfish. That's not BC material.

Bottom line, Jags didn't produce, and the AD didn't have a contract that protected the school. Having to buy Jags out of the last three years is a disgrace!!
Give the job to Spaz, a loyal first-class guy.

I think a lot of people are missing the details of this situation. He had no head coach experience, not even high school. BC gave him this opp. in exchange for a long term coach. He knew what he was risking, and maybe wanted out to get back to the NFL cooridinator role that could lead to a head coaching gig. He is not likely to get the Jet job so it's pretty obvious he wants out. Coaches and players now want to get out of contracts within a year or two. It's pathetic and yet another way that money has ruined sports. For once I agree with 'Shank' Shaughnessy.

Originally I was against the firing, but am now in full support of it. I am a season ticket holder and have enjoyed Jagz as coach, but the more I look into it, the more I realize that he wasn't really responsible for the past success. 07 was all TOB recruits, and though I think Jagz/Logan playcalls were better (anything is better than TOB/Bible draw plays on 3rd and 8) and helped Ryan succeed, I think most coaches would have done well, especially in a weak conference. This past year really showed his abilities to coach. He was brought in to bring a high powered offense to BC to get us over the hump. Instead, our offense went backwards, VERY backwards. Our running game was pretty good, thanks to a TOB line but our passing game was horrendus. I thought Crane was terrible, and never should have been our starter, until I saw Jagz "prize" recruit in Davis who looked like a lost child out there and threw more passes to the crowd then he did his receivers. Thankfully Spaz had a top 10 defense out on the field that won us all 9 of those games. I have heard from many people that Jagz was confronted by Defilipo (who I greatly dislike) that his recruiting was sub-par and unacceptable. Jagz and Bible apparently both hate to recruit, and it shows by the poor talent they have brought in. Jagz saw an out, and took it. He lied, lost his committment to the program and deserves to be fired. Bring in Spaz who has consistently given us a top defense, is a class act (coaching the bowl in 2006) and is devoted to the university and his players.

Since when does any employee have to tell an employer that they are interviewing for other potential jobs? Unless there was something in writing in his contract saying he could not do that, BC is totally out of luck on this one, regardless of what the understanding might have been.

I think a lot of people are missing the details of this situation. He had no head coach experience, not even high school. BC gave him this opp. in exchange for a long term coach. He knew what he was risking, and maybe wanted out to get back to the NFL cooridinator role that could lead to a head coaching gig. He is not likely to get the Jet job so it's pretty obvious he wants out. Coaches and players now want to get out of contracts within a year or two. It's pathetic and yet another way that money has ruined sports. For once I agree with 'Shank' Shaughnessy.

Who cares about BC. Go UMass!!

I hope Di Fillippo is prepared to stay at BC for life, until they fire him, that is. He'll NEVER be able to honestly entertain any other job possibility or upward move based on his own criteria for Jags while he's at BC. If that seems sort of un-American, well, there you have it.

The other issue here is that the school ought to have brought these two adolescent-acting boys into a meeting BEFORE this got aired in public. The losers - as always - are the kids.

Are some of you serious? Yes, there was something in the contract prohibiting Jags behavior, his signature. That's what a contract is! He agreed to coach BC for five years and signed the deal. He didn't agree to coach them until something better came along. He investigated another job without permission from his current job and then lied to his boss about doing so, when his boss asked. Fire Him! Just because other coaches are allowed to break their contracts doesn't mean BC needs to allow it.
Jags hasn't exactly done a great or different job than any of his predecessors. BC continues to be a second tier program that wins (except this year) second tier bowl games. However, the recruiting has suffered greatly under Jags, which may be why he was looking to get out of Dodge before he had to coach his own recruits.
And to the person longing for NC St's supposed steller season, they went 6-6 in the regular season and lost their lousy bowl game to finish under .500.

He has to go. What a terrible message to young people. "I'll be your coach" and then leave. Bring on Spaz!

Good! BC Sucks! They should be 1 AA. That is the crappiest place I have ever seen a 1A college game. Can you say BORING???

Comments come from 2 sources:
1. the legion of BC haters (e.g. alums of competing schools, Big East, religious bigots); and
2. those who digest the facts and come out with an intelligent opinion.
Why is this so difficult to understand? In the real world, if you lie to your boss' face, go job hunting when you are supposed to be preparing for a bowl game and focusing on recruiting, then it's a clear issue. The haters muddy the waters with B.S.

Bye, Bye Jags. A deal is stile a deal and you wanted to go anyway.

He did so well with Tom O'Brien's recruits. Either way BC can't win the big game that puts them on the map. And their alumni don't know how to find their way to a bowl game with a map and a free ticket/trip.

Maybe next time BC can hire a coach with a last name Jayme Parker can pronounce instead of hiding behind "I am here with Coach Jags" (because I don't know how to say his last name).

He did a fine job with what O'Brian left him and I wish him well. Now, how about at least talking to Turner Gill, I know BC 'aint Auburn but Coach Gill may be just what this team needs. It can't hurt recruiting and it might land BC back in good with the national media who will have a field day with the Jags sacking and again it will help recruiting. We all love Spaziani and i think he could do the job but Gill would be far more exciting.

As a BC grad, i am upset with this firing. BC should love the attention that their coach is getting considered for these jobs. Maybe if the BC team would win a big game for once, then they would get attention for that. I give Jags all the credit for pursuing a better opportunity in the NFL.

Jags failed to handle this situation as a mature adult. He may be a good football coach (???), but it appears he has much to learn about loyalty, trust, honesty, truth, and commitment, especially to a cause greater than oneself. These are the most important qualities that BC student athletes must learn while at the heights, and it is obvious Jags does not possess such qualities. BC will be much better off without Jags, regardless of their win/loss record on the football field.

I think if Coach Jagodzinski wants to interview for a position with the Jets it's his business and if a bette rposition is headed is way then why not go for it

BC can always get another coach & they will look bad firing their own football coach

Good luck Coach!

Jags failed to handle this situation as a mature adult. He may be a good football coach (???), but it appears he has much to learn about loyalty, trust, honesty, truth, and commitment, especially to a cause greater than oneself. These are the most important qualities that BC student athletes must learn while at the heights, and it is obvious Jags does not possess such qualities. BC will be much better off without Jags, regardless of their win/loss record on the football field.

Jags is wrong and DeFillipo is a clown. DeFillipo is what's wrong with BC Athletics.

I think we should convince all high school grads of 2009 to go to trade school so that these big colleges will crumble. Then college tuition will have to come down and subjects like this "Jags issue" would be meaningless. Who cares what happens to Jags, lets care about our students and making education affordable.

BC ... Babys Crying. Best of luck Jag, tough luck BC.

#204, agree that Jags knew exactly how this was going to play out and orchestrated the whole thing, including his firing, to try to get a buyout. There's a reason he wasn't upfront with GDF.

One comment on DeFilippo - he hired a guys with a history of moving around A LOT. I don't care what he said to DeFilippo's face. He's used all of those lines before. Whipple was the right hire two years ago and now BC will regret all of this and has no legitimate quarterback in the school.

He has a contract for 5 years, he just finished year two. Contractually, he isn't available to work for someone else. If he was pursuing this at the end of the LAST year of his contract, that would be a different story. Clearly he wasn't just going out to "practice" interviewing, so there's more to the story, and getting caught in a lie to your boss pretty much sets the final outcome. I say promote from within. It's always going to be difficult for BC to compete with schools that don't care if their athletes attend classes and graduate, but it's not like they don't have a decent track record of players going on to the NFL.

Two big egos trying to prove they are more important than the other guy. Both sound pig-headed and a little dumb.

Jags was fine, but he lost the two big games that would have gotten us somewhere. (Isn't that why they canned O'Brien???) But he's a good coach and he'll land somewhere.

DiFilippo does come out of this looking the worst, though. He basically started this whole controversy where there didn't need to be one and now he comes off to me like the bratty kid with no self-confidence who always thinks he's getting dissed by someone. Or, He's like the mafia Godfather, who thinks one of his underlings didn't pay him proper respect, so now he wants him whacked. Get over yourself, Gene. All you have to do is hire the coaches and keep em in place and you can't even do that right.

I think you should be forced to admit your hatred for BC or if you're a UConn yahoo before you actually post a comment here.

Jags handled this terribly. I don't see how that's even debateable.

I have more important things to worry about than this. Frankly.

The sooner that BC realizes they are a second tier school (at best) both academically and athletically the better off they will be. They are not an ivy league school, although their alumni certainly think they are. And they are not a powerhouse in sports, never have been, never will be. Reality needs to sink in to this school...they should be happy that a coach they had was contacted by the NFL, that can only help recruiting. Threatening to fire him for taking an interview is INSANE.

DiFilippo needs to be fired. He made a mockery of the institution with this situation. Firing a coach because he interviews for another job is ridiculous. BC is going to eat the next three years of his salary just because he went on an interview. I smell incompetance.

Let Spazz run the show. Doubtful Logan will stay. Promote McGovern to D-Coordinator and let Day have a crack at the offense. This might all work out.

Jagodzinski did nothing wrong. He didn't need permission for the interview anymore than any of us would. Despite proclamations they wanted a coach for the long term, BC would have thrown him overboard in a heartbeat if he didn't win. BC shouldn't have made a public ultimatum,, which basically sealed the outcome on this. Now, reversing the tables a bit, do you think BC will decline to interview a coaching candidate who is currently under contract with another team, college or pro?

Gene-
You're wife won't tell you that she's thinking about having an affair before she does it.. When she does, she's in breach of her vows. Can't she find out a few things about her suitor before she decides to commit adultry? Maybe she'll see you in a better light. Typical Catholics...Control Freaks!

Honesty is the best policy. At a minimum a heads up would have been nice.

To those of you who test the waters to ascertain your marketability on a yearly basis: Do you inform your current employer? How would you like it if they interviewed potential replacements for your position to ascertain the talent pool? How would like it if your spouse interviewed better looking, higher earning, more intelligent replacements under the guise of "doing the right thing for themselves".

Could the AD have handled it better? Certainly, but you can't blame him for being shocked and angry.

As for Jag's success, he only had the most likely NFL Rookie of the Year at QB last year and one of the best Defensive Coordinators in the country to help him out.

BC has no desire to contend for football national championships on a yearly basis. They do desire to consistently be in and around the top 25. A goal which they have achieved. How is that second tier or mediocre when there are 119 D1 programs?

Kudos to BC for not being a doormat. Why shouldn't they try to replicate what they have with Coaches York and Skinner. Make mine Coach Spaz!

Screw BC, they don't deserve the guy. Only a fascist would terminate somone for talking to another, especially when said conduct was within the terms of the contract. I hope BC pays through the nose.

It's B.C. - Who cares?

I am not clear on how Jags breached his contract. I would like to see the actual contract, but going and talking to someone seems unlikely to cause a breach. I don't believe that the AD can tell Jags what to do in his free time. Even if he can, the breach is so minor relative to the termination, it seems that BC will be liable. If Jags does not land a new gig paying similar wages, BC might be on the hook for a bunch of money.

why is this headline news? maybe Gene is the reason jags wants to leave........flutie should take the job and put some fun back in the program.........

Fire the BUM! And do NOT pay him any contract termination $!
He's shown he cannot win the big ACC games vs. V/Tech, and now he shows he cannot be trusted either!

Good riddance!

Keep trying until the football program finds class acts like Jerry York and Al Skinner and I'm sure ohers at BC.

If Jags was calling about NFL coordinator jobs, then he didn't want ot be a college coach. Recruiting before this incidnet appears to be very poor.

Former BC Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner had JAGS pegged as a liar long before everyone else did. To bad Defillipo isn't to far behind.

BC has no fault in this, they hired a guy who said he wanted to build something here. The guy lied! Hope Jag's career goes down in flames for his dishonesty.

"Although there is nothing in Jagodzinski's five-year contract that bars him from talking to NFL teams, DeFilippo had made it clear when he hired Jagodzinski two years ago that he wanted a coach for the long term, not someone who would use the job as a steppingstone to an NFL job."

When your company hires you to do a job they don't want you to use your position to get a better position at a competitor in a few years but they can't stop you at the same time. Would my boss fire me if I was interviewing with the competition? I doubt it...that's called wrongful dismissal unless it's specifically stated in my terms of employment.

Everyone keeps mentioning Jags being under contract, but the school has a contract too and they're firing him. Coaches under contract get fired every year, as do pro players who get waived, etc... Basically the contract is you get paid X amount of dollars for X amount of years, and many different incentives or restrictions can be included. That's why you see some players and coaches who are successful trying to restructure their contracts for more money or more years to benefit both themselves and the team by locking them into a contract. You can write certain things into a contract, but B.C. didn't state in the contract he couldn't talk to the NFL. How do we know it was actually made clear up front that Gene DeFillippo told him he expects him here long term; because he says so in the press? If that was so important to him, wouldn't he make sure it was worded in the contract that if he left he would have to return some of the money or something. I had to sign a document at work that if I leave I can not go to work for a company in the same line of business for a year after I resign and I'm not in sports. Having a contract works both ways; if they can fire him before he's been there 5 years, why shouldn't he be able to leave?

I guess BC thinks its USC. It's not. BC will miss him when he is gone.

BC sucks.. awful fans, awful student body, awful football program, awful stadium. They don't even deserve Jags. They couldn't even sell tix to their bowl game

The reaction to this situation shows what is wrong in the system. That so many people think that Jags is getting the short end is outrageous. He knew the expectations, knew the consequences and knows he has a contract and will still get paid. Those who refer to BC as a stepping stone overlook Skinner and TOB who both had/have long tenures. Gino did the right thing.

Why is Seattle interested in Jags?

Do they want to play in next year's CarQuest.com bowl?

V

Just don’t replace the BC Remedial Tutoring Program:
No Eagle Left Behind

A contract is a contract, its time to realize that. Fire his ass and move on. I applaud BC for their stance.

It seems all DiFillippo expected was a little honesty and integrity. I hope that BC promotes Spaziani to head coach. He appears to be an honorable guy who has paid his dues. Not to mention, he's a heck of a coach.

I'd like to comment to all the sports writers(Ryan) who think that BC made a big mistake. First off, the guy is under contract for one more year and us in the real world know we have to honor it. It's not like jobs won't be available in a year! Also, those who say it makes players want to come to a school that has pro coaches, well what about Penn State or Florida State? Some players want to know that the coach they signed to play for is still there as opposed to a carousel of coaches!! How many different coaches have BC had in the last ten years? The bottom line here is Jag ignored his boss and was fired for it like the rest of us would have been and yeah it's tough but it's not like he wasn't earning a decent wage at BC!

This is plainly a business decision by Jagodinski....he inherited Tom O'Briens recruits who played very well. Jagodinski's recruiting classes haven't looked too good...business decision get out of Boston before his classes have to perform or not. His coaching style was status quo...no innovation, no vision, Jagodinski lost both of the last two football games by staying with an ineffective QB and almost lost to Maryland, but Spaziani's defense pulled it out. He realizes, after the fact, the most important game of his career was the ACC championship which he blew. Better get out while the resume is still positive,..getting out of town while the getting is good and before this years recruiting class is final...not his problem anymore Congratulations BC for your actions.

I don't have anything against Jags, but "a contract's a contract." He deserves to be fired and should have notified BC first. The fact that he didn't indicates he knew they'd deny him the right to interview, which is their right. If you don't want to uphold the terms of a contract, don't sign one. What is it with all these people that they don't think twice about breaking their word and their legal obligation? Any team hiring him knows how loyal he will be. And the Jets have a lot of gall, since they are the team who whined about Bill Belichick backing out on them! It just proves the Jets got what they deserved when they traded for (Me First Brett Favre) and missed the playoffs as they should have.

I have always thought of BC as a glorified High school. This confirms it.

Whether Jags gets the Jets job or not, he was a goner the moment that BC said he'd be fired if he interviwed. Who would want to work in that environment.

Jags will land on his feet, but will BC?

BC is now a dead end head coaching job. Yeah, that's going to lead to quality coaches to choice from. What if the new coach sucks? BC will never be able to lure a quality coach because the AD will throw a hissy fit if a NFL coaching job opens up.
I can understand if it was another college coaching job, or even an NFL co-ordinator job but it should be understandable that a chance for a head coaching job is something you can't pass up.

Whatever happend to the right to interview for any job available? Interviewing does not mean you have a job. Does the BC AD think he has an exclusive hold on Jags? I don't think so!

This all comes down to Recruits, kids sign on to play for a specific coach, if the coach leaves before they get there, they can choose another school, this damages the school in alot of ways. The ability to compete in the ACC, the ablility to attract quality recruits in the future.. The bottom line, the coach lied to Gene, he was trying to sneak out the back door and leave BC high and dry right in the middle of recruiting time. Let Spaziani handle the show... I live in SC and we are having a hard time getting coaches to come coach with Steve Spurrier, just because of his age, coaches are not wanting to committ to the program in case Spurrier retires, there is alot to it when the coach is involved, if you want to maintain a program and have success year in and out, you need to have a coach that is just as excited about the school as the kids. The People of Boston should be proud to have a top notch college program. Living in SC I hear it all the time when BC plays Clemson, the impact of BC sports is far reaching.... Believe it...

GO BC!!! Bring back Flutie!!!
beantownone in South Carolina.

I love that a lot of people are saying that the AD is a stand up guy. They use the word integrity when is comes to DiFilippo on how he is handling the situation. That DiFilippo is hurt because he was lied to his face.

People have short memories. This is EXACTLY what he did to the BIG EAST and all the football schools. He lied repeatedly and had many "secret" meetings.

Glad that it was turned on him. He is such a phony.

Nothing captures the spirit of the Jesuit community quite like BC athletics. Go Irish...errr...Eagles!

BC has a football team????? Who knew

Agree with "handled poorly on both ends".
Love BC, and I'm pathalogically loyal to my employer, but Jags knows how the game is played, as does Gene. The usual protocols were ignored. We end up with a "no-win mess".
End of game..........Sad!!

Did anyone consider that DeFilippo and Jags are friends and they orchestrated this firing so Jags could get his 3 year pay?

Think about it. Jags gets OUT of his BC contract, gets paid, and will get a job in the NFL. DeFilippo looks like a guy protecting the University.

Win-Win for everyone.

wow. Boston College is bush. Pete Carroll interviewed with both the Dolphins and the Falcons during his tenure in Los Angeles. It just shows how insecure BC is with regards to a mediocre football program. Weren't the Eagles number two last year? and you're gonna fire the guy for an interview? HAAAAhahaa!! get a grip.

wow. Boston College is bush. Pete Carroll interviewed with both the Dolphins and the Falcons during his tenure in Los Angeles. It just shows how insecure BC is with regards to a mediocre football program. Weren't the Eagles number two last year? and you're gonna fire the guy for an interview? HAAAAhahaa!! get a grip.

I am glad some institutions and people are still willing to uphold high standards of conduct(especially in Massachusetts). It does not matter what the people with no understanding want, leaders need to lead from above.

If gold will rust, what is iron to do.

Thank you BC

I am glad some institutions and people are still willing to uphold high standards of conduct(especially in Massachusetts). It does not matter what the people with no understanding want, leaders need to lead from above.

If gold will rust, what is iron to do.

Thank you BC

Does anyone really know the whole story? I wonder if Jag's just wanted to reach out and see if there was any interest in him as a head coach in the NFL. Everything got out of hand once a "source" decided to let everyone know about it. Is talking to someone about a potential opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL a serious ethical breach? The AD at BC provided Jag's with a great opportunity to become a D1 head coach. Jag's took advantage of the opportunity and his team exceeded expectations not only in the ACC but in the entire nation. Now Jag's just wanted to talk about an NFL head coach job and somehow he is the bad guy?

The BC AD is a moron!

So many comments about BC being irrelevant. . . hmmmm, must be BU football fans! Here's hoping Coach Spaziani gets the nod, he's proven his ability and loyalty to the Eagles.

Jags had it coming... too bad it had to end this way and too bad it had to do with Jets. Thanks again Brett.

The Boston College AD did what he felt was right and will pay the remaining salary for Coach Jags to go away.All I have to say is if it was truly about honoring your contract then we had better not see Boston College or the AD interview anyone who is currently under contract at another University or PRO team.

DiFilippo manufactured a crisis. Maybe he belongs in the US Senate where they seem to create a crisis, where there is none, on a regular basis.

Didn't BC lose this year's Who Gives A Sh**.com Bowl?

Over the past few years, BC has had "Student" Athletes busted for drugs, stolen credit cards, trashed an opposing stadium's locker room, DUI, jumping from second floor apartment windows, etc. and they worry about a football coach wanting to go back to the NFL?

Give me a break.

There is a concept in organizational behavior that the lowest standards of the leaders become the highest standards of those they lead. Deflipper set the standard for BC when he bolted the Big East, the standard being that commitments to others are meaningless if they don't meet your personal needs.

The president of BC should fire DeFilippo for setting the standard that was followed by Jagodzinski.

Ultimately its about intimidation by BC of current and future employees. It's a free market, and we're supposed to encourage individuals to pursue opportunities, not punish them.

Jags behaved badly. When he became head coach he went on and on about how he thought BC was a class school with class student athletes. He talked how he planned on being at BC for years and years to come. I guess it was year and year...
The annoying thing is how he's being described as having two great seasons. Jags traded on the great players that O'Brien found. He didn't take BC to the next level as he pledged to do when he got here.
If anyone thinks he's the reason Matt Ryan had such a great season they're crazy.
I hope they hire Spaziani as the head coach -he is a great coach and has the loyalty BC deserves.
I'm curious about what's going on with Gene. This mess and the Ingelese situation last year...something's got to be up.

So BC thinks it can hold people hostage and not allow them to talk to anyone else? It's a college, not indentured servitude.

Nose: Ha! Take THAT face!!

Gene, Gene, Gene,Gene, Gene......

Get over yourself buddy ...... PLEASE .......

Thanks

No one CARES about BC outside of Boston, and even Bostonians don't care! When Boston College can sell out two consecutive football games let's talk. No wonder they get crappy bowl games every year - look at how their organization is being run!!! The athletic department at BC would rather see a half empty stadium game day then sell tickets to the opposing fans because they know they would out -sell eagles fans. Truly pathetic facad that was just cracked wide open by the AD. Jigg's up, go back to the Big East Eagles!!!!

I wonder if anyone else has ever perused the want ads just to see what was available. From the contents of the statement Jag's put out he was grateful for the opportunity BC gave him. I am sure he knew the job at BC was a very good one. Just because you have a contract, be it at a company or a college, I guess you are not allowed to talk to anyone else about bettering yourself and your family. The AD at BC was not the coaches father. Gene made is seem like Jag's was a teenager who didn't ask permission to use the family sedan to take a girlfriend on a first date.

BC is making a big mistake

how are they going to be able to attract good coaches if this is the way they deal with things. This will put football program into a tailspin

they will get a second teir coahc from some small school or stay within -
hugh mstake on BCs half -it wasn't in the contract

Where have you gone Chet Gladchuk?

it stink

Too bad on all sides; he seemed a good coach, but if he didn't like the recruiting aspect should have been up front with the AD (who needs to be more flexible). Go coach Spazz, and let's hope he can recruit and move the program along. Super Fans, don't listen to the anti-BC rhetoric; you are a growing legion. Ever to Excel.

His teeth were too white

Over 200 comments over a stupid college coaches job? You Bostonians need to get a life.

How many of you have interviewed for a job while already having one? Isn't it just the same thing? If he doesn't get the job I don't think it would mean he would do his job at BC the way he has been.

He's a terrible example of integrity at a time when integrity is lacking in much of what goes on around us. BC is better than that so good riddance to a disappointing and classless man. Bring on Spaz!.

I think its great !!! it about time coaches were held to their contracts --everybody else has to abide by them -- he had told BC he was there for the long term - but when a better job opened --Bye Bye --just like Petrino did to the Dolphins -Hats off to BC I hope the Jets feel sorry for him now --and actually hire him to coach their team - Good Luck he did lose to Vandy --

How many games has the AD won? They'd fire Jag in a heartbeat if he'd lost 20 games.

If there is nothing in his contract that bars him from talking to NFL teams then BC has no right to fire him for interviewing with the Jets. Sounds like DeFilippo is taking this personally and reacted emotionally. BC tried to bully Jag and he basically told them to go F themselves. GOOD! BC can pound sand. And why is it that every BC Alum has to let you know they went to BC?

He deserved it. the BC position was not a stepping stone. He made the choice. good riddance.

The school is nuts to do this.

Who among us would take a job, *any* job, if that job required that we not discuss or consider other opportunities? They'll be lucky if any decent coach even considers the job at Boston College.

This is not the way it's done in big-time college athletics. Which means BC is headed back to the small-time. And deservedly so.

#63 Dan - don't you get that people watch and follow sports to take their minds off the 2 wars, the tanking economy, etc.?

I hear that Romeo Crennel is looking for a job....

BC should not complain about this turn of events. Didn't they break their word to the "Big East" to stay and help make it a better conference and do a sudden about face and break their word when the ACC came beckoning a second time after the initial rejection. What goes around come around. Sorry BC.

Who cares ?!!! It is run like a minor college program anyway. When was the last time they voluntarily played anyone from the SEC or Big XII ( or the upper half of the PAC 10 for that matter) ? I seem to recall them playing Alabama like twenty five years ago or something. They duck those guys every chance they get because they know playing them will show people exactly what second tier status they occupy in the college football world.

He was warned. That is why you dont tell your current employer that you're job hunting. Who out there has a boss that wouldn't can you for it?

He got what he deserved. Its about time a college said enough with these coaches leaving every year.

If BC fires the coach in the middle of the contract, the coach expects to be paid for the remainder of the contract... after all, a contract is a contract..... right?

If the coach quites in the middle of the contract, the coach expects to be able to walk away from his obligations under the theory that he isn't performing his services any more, nor is he getting paid.... so both sides are even.

Well, the problem with that thinking is that this is a personal services contract. The school hired not any coach, but Coach Jag, with his special capabilities as they saw them. That's why they pick him over someone off the street. This isn't like buying and selling potatoes.

Good thing we live in a free country, huh? Oh, right, BC is a Catholic school Freedom need not apply. Pray, pay, and obey, eh, Geno?

Jags doesn't care, he knows he will be happier in the NFL as assistant coach while getting close to same money. BC is still the JV when it comes to major college football, BC has a history of not being able to keep their good head coaches happy for various reasons. DeFillippo is a joke as AD as has been every BC AD for the past 15 years. Remember the blunders with BBall Coach Jim O'Brien, the point shaving scandal, and football coach Tom Coughlin to just name a few. Just like everything else BC, its much ado about nothing.

There certainly is more going on here than Jags interviewing for another job. Tom O'Brien couldn't run from BC fast enough. He went to a weaker program without a pay raise. AD needs to go. Certainly tarnishes BC Football!!!

BC made a big mistake in firing the coach. I'm not a fan of the coach but now any good coach will think twice about going to BC. I agree with an earlier poster, BC should have had language in the contract to spell out terms if the coach didn't stay the full 5 years. BC you get what you deserve when you have to settle for a second rate coach.

He should be fired.

He broke his contract.

I'm a BC alum and I guarantee that Fr. Leahy will have the BC Development Fund manning the phones tonight and calling all of us to pay for Jags severance package. They should take out DeFilippo while they're at it - Gene you're an idiot!! Good luck getting my $5,000 for a friggin' football parking space next year! And you wonder why we don't travel well. My God.

'Jags' needs to take a Freshman Composition class...

If jags becomes HC of the NYJ he will be THE most hated man in boston...except that College football ranks no higher than 5th in this town

Obviously Jags has a very good friend in DiFilippo. How much of that contract would he have received had he walked away from the job rather than being fired?

BC posted a 20-8 record over the last two season, with O'Brien's recruits (minus two RBs and a DB). The defensive coach has been there for 12+ years and their offensive coordinator called the plays. I'm not sure what Jags did....except wonder about when he can get out of there. He wants the quick glory, good luck getting that in the pros as a sweet talking assistant coach.

Good move BC....can jags and promote Spaz!

He is just trying to advance his career as many people in many fields try to do. Its nice his current employer would punish him before he evens says he will leave. Now how does BC look to other potential college football coachs who used to thin they want to work there....they have a AD who will fire you if you do something he doesn't agree with!

Classless move by a third rate football program.People have a right to pursue their career goals.This isn't Nazi Germany,Gene!!!

People look to improve their careers or positions all the time. If Coach Jagodzinski's teams had gone 0-24 during his two years, then DeFilippo would have been breaking the contract for a different reason. The guilty party in this case depends on the hiring terms that DeFilippo discussed with Jagodzinski during the interview process. It appears to me however that DeFilippo overreacted and has now made the head football coaching position one of the most unappealing jobs in the NCAA.

he should not have interviewed, with the jets THEY ARE A bush league organization !!!! iF HE WAS WARNED NOT TO TAKE THE INTERVIEW, then he should be fired defiippio made the right decision BC WILL GO ON AND BE SUCCESSFUL, the HELL WITH JAGS !!!!

BC should note that their Football program has been like a turnstile. They can't seem to retain a coach for more then a year or two and there is certainly more to this story.

BC seems to do better when they recruit their coaches from the college ranks rather than from the NFL. True, there have been successes with Tom Coughlin and Jeff Jagodzinski if success is measured in terms of victories. But these coaches are nFL-oriented, and seem to return to that fold as soon as it makes sene to do so. Think of Coach O'Brien and Coach Bicknell and you have the paradign for true college success at a school like BC.

BC said, if you do the interview, you're history.

The guy did the interview.

He's history.

What's the big deal here?

I hope this does not jeapordize BC going the the Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl next season. HA HA HA HA HA

The guy hung himself out to dry. He deserves to be put out with the trash.

Yawn.

BC made the right move. If recruits can't count on a coach being there for them, then they won't come to BC. This is the only move that is good for recruiting. Now let's see Spaziani get the job that he deserves and see if he can do for the whole team what he has done for the BC Defense.

Should have fired him for losing to VaTech again and to Vanderbilt..

a contract is a contract...and so the merryround goes..Hire Doug Flutie!

Why does BC have a right to fire him? Aren't they the ones breaching the contract?

How ironic is it that Boston College, who left the Big East Conference and schools that it had long term relationships with, is going to try to teach its coach a lesson about loyalty. So, when Jags sought to seek a better opportunity for himself, and talking to the NFL was not apparently a violation of his contract, he gets fired. Yet it was Boston College who stated it was doing what was in its best interest. If BC wanted Jags to be up front with it, it should practice what it preaches as it never acted in good faith with the Big East during 2003 and could care less whether the Big East Schools athletic programs lived or died. Nice job Gene. You reap what you sow.

Allegedly our institutions of higher learning are in the business, among other things, of teaching ethics.

There is no honor among either coaches or institutions when it comes to abiding by a contract. They can be dissolved by either party regardless of their length. In this case if the AD of BC did not insert a 'buy-out' clause in this guy's contract, the 'dumb' is on BC.

One cannot blame the man for wanting to advance to a higher level in his profession (altho I am not certain that coaching the Jets is attaining a higher level) but he has exhibited a very poor example of loyalty to the young men that he has recruited. It is no wonder that they bolt from full scholarships to the NFL or NBA when someone 'throws' money at them.

It seems that any entity that deals in money and immediate results has lost it's moral and ethical compass. What a hell of a mess we are creating for the young people of this nation.

This really is so simple, yet we as Sports Fans have allowed it to become clowded and complex. There is a contract in existence between the two parties - Jags and BC. I was raised to believe that once you sign a contract you have to honor it, with rare and limited exceptions. I applaud the AD for forcing Jags to honor his or be terminated. His methodology was heavy-handed and by the looks of it portrayed by the press, totalitarian. I applaud Coach Jags for seeking better opportunities but his methodology was underhanded, disloyal, discourteous and cowardly.
We, as sports fans and observers, have gotten the collective attitude that contracts are merely guidelines and not binding documents. Jags was wrong. He didn't have permission to seek the interview (nor did the Jets ask for it as they should have to show some professional courtesy as well). Yes, Mr. DeFillippo will be pilloried if the football program falters over the next couple of seasons. Still, I wonder how Mr. Jagodzinski will be perceived 12-24 months hence should he once again coach in the NFL, either as an assistant or top dog. Time will tell. In the end, I think BC acted properly albeit harshly. The athletic program there was, is and ever shall be secondary to the academic program. For you folks who judge the schools you are loyal to by the performance of their athletes, remember that. BC does. Bravo.

It took over 200 posts for someone to nail it, (K). They have Skinner and York in the first place because they readily admit that BC is not for everyone. Unless you expect more than most institutions, you won't get it, re loyalty and values. (This revisionist history from Big East students is hilarious. The contract EXPIRED and BC gave everyone plenty of warning. Further evidence that some folks don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.) BC should try to get the football equivalent of Al or Jerry. They may fail, as they just did. That doesn't mean it's not worthy of the effort.

A few years from now BC will be seen as a leader for getting out front on this issue. Finally someone is taking a stand against prima donna coaches who don't observe basic tenets of ethics or understand the purpose of a legal contract. As far as the comments suggesting BC's football program is second-tier: Second-tier relative to whom? How many other schools in New England manage to produce a class product that is of BC's caliber. Answer: None. Considering BC's academic standards and Boston's apathy to college sports it is a miracle that we have any college games televised. When Tom Brady is gone, you may wish you had another local team to root for.
For those geniuses who are bashing BC - we're all very sorry that your little Johnnie didn't get in - this may be the most socially permissible way for you to vent. Hope you get well soon.

Stupid move by GDF, if Jags is going to leave, let HIM break the contract and don't offer any severance package and hopefully there were penalties built into the contract for such actions (if not, treat it as a lesson to write better contracts next time). If Jags interviews and stays, the better for the image of the program that their coach is getting NFL attention, and BC should honor the contract. Threatening Jags is not a good way to keep him, and now BC is breaking contract, is obligated to pay some sort of severance, and looks arrogant. GDF did a disservice to the athletic program and to the students.

Jags wants to be an NFL head coach. Although his contract did not exclude him from talking with NFL teams, he should have been honest with the AD and told him he really wanted to go back to the NFL. Doing this on the side is cowardly. Obviously, Jags cares more about himself than the BC program. If this is the case then we dont want him at BC. Let's bring on Spaz. Let me ask you this? Would a guy like Bill Flynn do what Jags did?