DeFilippo: 'A very difficult day'

Boston College should hire Mike London, Head Coach of the University of Richmond, this year's FCS National Champions. He's familiar with BC having worked there as an assistant, and with the ACC having served as D-Coordinator under Al Groh. He'll help BC football win the big game!

DeFilippo , like the Krafts and Belichick w/ the Pats, has a longterm vision for the team and he stuck by his guns. Good for him!

I hope Turner Gill gets a shot

I liked what Shaungessy had to say about this, a contract is a contract. A hand shake is a committment.

But.. yawn, what time is dinner?

yawn.....

Gene DeFilippo's threat of firing a coach interviewing shows a lack of professionalism and, perhaps, political paranoia.
Villanova was fortunate to have him leave as AD there some years ago.

"I have not talked to a coach yet. But I've got a stack out there of coaches -- some are from head coaches at very, very good institutions -- that are interested in this job should anything happen. I think they would be committed to staying the length of their contract, yes."

Wait, wait...DeFilippo's going to consider coaches from other institutions? Wouldn't they be UNDER CONTRACT to those schools? He wants to ask coaches to do the same thing (interview for a better job) that he just fired his own head coach for? You can't make this stuff up.

Irony, thy name is BC Athletics.

Defillipo is the one who should be fired.
Cut men's sports to dedicate all his attention to football and we're still playing in discount bowl games. Also, he lives in Boston and has a year long tan.

Can't Blame DeFilippo. I hate to see Jags go, as the football program seemed to not miss a beat since he took over, especially since switching conferences, (for the better, I might add). DeFilippo was very clear from the beginning about wanting a head coach that would be here for the future, & Jags obviously has other intentions. BC has a great reputation & I have no doubt that DeFilippo has several candidates that would love to have the job, so they will move on and God Willing, continue to be successful.

Good.

I guess Difillipo won't interview any coaches under contract at other schools because that is unethical in his book?

Given DeFilippo's comments about honoring a contract, I would think anyone under contract somewhere else is automatically eliminated from consideration.

Petty, petty B.C.

Its a shame that this guy represents the B.C.

"Its a sad day for the program, fans, alumni, BUT ESPECIALLY ME"

Wow.

I hope that Mr. DeFilippo does not interview a head coach that is currently under contract with another university....wait a minute...this is the same scum bag that left the Big East in a despicable manner. I am sure he will have no problem interviewing a candidate who is under contract with another school. It is just not okay for Coach Jags to look at a better opportunity!!

does he get paid or not?

HIRE SPAZZ!!!!!!

Dude's paid his dues at BC. We know he's not going to pull a Jags and the players love him. Give him his shot!

So, now does BC go out and hire a coach who is under contract somewhere else? Presumably an institution that thought it had a coach who wanted to be there a very long time?

As with most of what AD Gene has done since he arrived, I suspect there is more to this.

Give the job to Spaz and be done with it. Otherwise, I don't think he will be around a very long time, and that would be truly harmful to the program.

Dear Gene,

BC is not USC.

Sincerely,

Pete

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS...didn't know looking for a new job was such a bad thing...and he was HONEST about it...

"I liked what Shaungessy had to say about this, a contract is a contract. A hand shake is a committment."

Yeah, cause Shanks' column isn't colored given the fact that his son goes to BC and plays sports for them. No conflict of interest there...none.

So, should whoever interview at Boston College also be fired from their current team too?

"That may be the case," DeFilippo said. "I have not talked to a coach yet. But I've got a stack out there of coaches -- some are from head coaches at very, very good institutions -- that are interested in this job should anything happen. I think they would be committed to staying the length of their contract, yes."

"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and more importantly, me," DeFilippo said," MORE IMPORTANTLY - ME!!! Not hard to imagine why any coach would be plotting his exit while working for such an immense ego. Maybe Gene is part of the problem? Two solid football coaches in three years; the BC community deserves better. Is it possible that Coach Jags could not imagine working under this fraud for the next three years and beyond? I completely agree with the notion that a coach, or anyone for the matter, should fulfill the terms of an agreement. However, a certain environment needs to exist to make that happen. Why did Coach Hughes leave the baseball team to take a job within the conference. Coach O’Brien also took a job within the conference for a weaker program.Clearly it is not the conference. Is it time for Gene to plot his exit?

"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and more importantly, me," DeFilippo said," MORE IMPORTANTLY - ME!!! Not hard to imagine why any coach would be plotting his exit while working for such an immense ego. Maybe Gene is part of the problem? Two solid football coaches in three years; the BC community deserves better. Is it possible that Coach Jags could not imagine working under this fraud for the next three years and beyond? I completely agree with the notion that a coach, or anyone for the matter, should fulfill the terms of an agreement. However, a certain environment needs to exist to make that happen. Why did Coach Hughes leave the baseball team to take a job within the conference. Coach O’Brien also took a job within the conference for a weaker program.Clearly it is not the conference. Is it time for Gene to plot his exit?

"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and more importantly, me," DeFilippo said," MORE IMPORTANTLY - ME!!! Not hard to imagine why any coach would be plotting his exit while working for such an immense ego. Maybe Gene is part of the problem? Two solid football coaches in three years; the BC community deserves better. Is it possible that Coach Jags could not imagine working under this fraud for the next three years and beyond? I completely agree with the notion that a coach, or anyone for the matter, should fulfill the terms of an agreement. However, a certain environment needs to exist to make that happen. Why did Coach Hughes leave the baseball team to take a job within the conference. Coach O’Brien also took a job within the conference for a weaker program.Clearly it is not the conference. Is it time for Gene to plot his exit?

"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and more importantly, me," DeFilippo said," MORE IMPORTANTLY - ME!!! Not hard to imagine why any coach would be plotting his exit while working for such an immense ego. Maybe Gene is part of the problem? Two solid football coaches in three years; the BC community deserves better. Is it possible that Coach Jags could not imagine working under this fraud for the next three years and beyond? I completely agree with the notion that a coach, or anyone for the matter, should fulfill the terms of an agreement. However, a certain environment needs to exist to make that happen. Why did Coach Hughes leave the baseball team to take a job within the conference. Coach O’Brien also took a job within the conference for a weaker program.Clearly it is not the conference. Is it time for Gene to plot his exit?

The AD comes off as a wimp, full of love and appreciation for a man he just fired. Why hold a press conference if you refuse to give answers to questions from reporters? This conference was nothing more than a sham to fulfill an obvious obligation but provide no substantive information. The AD must follow his "good friend" out the door.

Sean McDonnell From the university of New Hampshire.

OK, now as long as DeFilippo only interviews candidates who are currently unemployed he's a man of principle.

If he interviews anyone who is already under contract he has no integrity.

Bottomline, I think it's a pig-headed move

As a season ticket holder, a B.C. and Div. I football fan, I am torn about this decision.

On one hand I feel that it is important to have a coach who is dedicated solely to B.C. football for a reasonable period of time. On the other, I think B.C. is a little unreasonable that a head coach would not consider an opportunity to be interviewed for an NFL job in the biggest market in the league. In a way it was an honor for B.C. to have Jags interviewed for the Jets job. If he were to get the Jets job, recruits would jump at the opportunity to come to B.C. "if they hire NFL caliber coaches, they must be a ticket to the NFL!"

If in the future a B.C. head coach is not sought after by an NFL franchise because he is considered not a viable coach due to his background and success level, is he then a good enough coach and program developer to lead the Eagles to a BCS bowl, or championship?

If B.C. is going to be a real player on a national scale in football, they must get a coach, give him complete control of the program and then pay him enough so that he is not tempted to jump ship to the NFL, or another college program. Is B.C. ready to get a Pete Carroll type and stay committed to him to a level that he in turn stays committed to B.C.?

I think it is very unreasonable to think that schools like Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and USC don't step up to the plate over and over to make sure their coaches don't keep looking for greener grass. B.c. needs to hire a coach and tell that person "if you win, you will never be tempted by another job, we guarantee you that!"

gene better not interview anyone under contract...who does Gene think he is? Is this something new in the coaching business?
why not go to the make millions?

If you're not going to comment on the reasons for firing the guy, why hold a press conference and take questions?

Good for DeFillippo. I was, at first, very bothered that BC was trying to bully Jags into staying. Now that the facts have come out, however, and we know that Jags was shopping himself to the NFL without notifying the school... good riddance. It is basic professionalism in the athletic business and ANY business that if your intention is to leave you notify the school of that intention. Jags was foolish to think that BC would not learn about his backroom discussions with NFL teams. BC has established itself as one of the strongest programs in one of the premiere leagues in NCAA athletics. They most certainly deserve a coach who is interested in a long term plan for success. Jags has made it incredibly clear that he does not want to be at BC and cares very little for the success of the program over the long haul. Good job DeFillippo for standing by a standard of professionalism. Good riddance to Jags.

Spaz has paid his dues and on more than one occasion has said he has no interest in leaving Boston because this is where he calls home. He has been loyal to the program for 12 years and in turn has loyalty from current and former players, none of whom have ever spoken bad about him. He is known throughout college football as one of the top coordinators, and you know other, probably better, schools have come sniffing around only to be rebuffed. Spaz is exactly what we need right now, and was probably what we should've done 2 years ago when we hired Jags. I'm not sure Jags knew what he was getting into and may have figured "I know Brett Favre" would be enough to recruit players. Judging by BC's lack of a QB next year, I guess it wasn't.

So glad the irony poice have joined the discussion.
As anybody who has followed this story understands, the problem was not that a coach was interested in another job but, rather, the WAY he went about it (including (1) it being after only two years; (2) lying about it ; and (3) after having made some sort of man-to-man commitment that he would be at BC for the long haul - or at least through his contract term). If BC hires a coach from another program under all those same circumstances, then you have a point. Otherwise... not so much.

How are they going to find a good coach that doesn't have a contract right now? I mean, think about it. How hypocritical would it be to hire someone from that pile of "head coaches at very, very good institutions" that were interested in case anything happened to Jags?

The comments about the AD having a stack of resumes....and that they could possibly be people who are indeed already under contract, and maybe, just maybe, have not told their boss yet...has anyone in his/her right mind ever informed the boss when "looking" for a job? I agree with other comments, BC is being consistent with its usual pettiness and lack of professionalism - and I always disliked how they left the Big East, and even before that, how they "sold out" and lowered academic standards when they first went big time to the Big East several years ago

There are head coaches out there whose contracts are either about to expire or have expired that Gene could speak to. I love the way people keep comparing this to BC leaving the Big East. Jags had a contract and made a commitment to BC to he needed to honor. From what I have seen Jags started to break that commitment by not recruiting, attending funtions and other duties that I am sure were spelled out in his contract. Don't forget the success Jags ahs enjoyed at the Heights over the past two seasons were a result of soomeone elses recruiting work. Gene made the right call here. What good is it having a head coach that obviously doesn't want to be there.

They should have hired Spaziani years ago when O'Brien left.

You can be sure that B.C. will ask permission from any university to talk to one of their coaches. B.C. gave permission to N.C. State to talk to Tom O'Brien. The Jets didn't ask permission to talk to Jags and Jags didn't tell Gene.

If Gene hires a current head or assistant coach from another school or professional team, this person better not have any years left on his contract. He will look quite foolish if he does. Hiring from within B.C. is a safer move.

Marc in SD is exactly right......

Frank Spaziani deserves a shot...to make him go through hoops again is a disgrace

I don't think its that he interviewed, but more the sneaky nature of going behind his bosses' back. Ratty move! BC is better off withou Coach Jags as he obviously wasn't committed to the program this year. First bowl game BC has lost in years - poor coaching. I say let Jackie Bick become head coach - its in his blood, great guy, knows his stuff and also how to zig & zag at BC.

I don't think its that he interviewed, but more the sneaky nature of going behind his bosses' back. Ratty move! BC is better off withou Coach Jags as he obviously wasn't committed to the program this year. First bowl game BC has lost in years - poor coaching. I say let Jackie Bick become head coach - its in his blood, great guy, knows his stuff and also how to zig & zag at BC.

BC has been dead to me since they stabbed the Big East in the back. DeFillippo's ethics change with the wind. If Jags had 20 losses over two seasons, he'd be fired today, too, despite his contract. I said it then, and I'll say it now... BC will not go to any BCS bowl games despite being in a weak football conference. They could have ruled the Big East for years to come.

What?
DiFilippo: "I have not talked to a coach yet. But I've got a stack out there of coaches -- some are from head coaches at very, very good institutions -- that are interested in this job should anything happen. I think they would be committed to staying the length of their contract, yes."

I certainly hope BC would never entertain the idea of interviewing any coach that is currently under contract working at another school. I mean, this quote from DiFilippo would seem to say that he's eyeing other coaches who are under CONTRACT to another school.

Should anyone among these "interested" coaches be interviewed by BC, that would be the EXACT thing that led to what happened here.

The ethical thing to do is to ask permission before interviewing someone else's coaches and I would expect BC to do that.

For the Jets and Jags to try to do all this behind BC's back is pretty sleazy and that's what all this is about.

good for DeFilippo! a contract is a contract. jag should be ashemed of him self...

Second da Spazzzzzz

Obviously the Big East and those contracts meant nothing to DeFillippo. He is third class hypocrite. First T. O'Brien and now Jags. Could it just be you Gene and not them?

BRING ON SPAZ! A MAN IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HIS WORD. DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ARS JAGZ, ALL YOU DID WAS LOSE TWO ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AND A BOWL GAME TO VANDY! ADIOS AMIGO, AND HAVE FUN PLAYING THE PATS TWICE A YEAR!

Bravo, Gene. You did the right thing for BC.

Gene:

You got exactly what you deserved. Didn't you do the same thing to the "Big East" several years ago when you defected to the ACC after telling the Big East that you were staying put? At that time I gave up my BC season ticket which was part of a group of BC alums.

HIRE SPAZZ

Not that I care much about BC, but I don't think this helps with recruiting at all. You would think that aspirations of the NFL would be shared by potential student athletes.

It would also be more than a little hypocritical if Gene were hire someone away from their current contract.

MJN - I thought the "especially me" comment was strange as well. How about me, the program, the fans, the alums, but especially the school. . . ."

I think it might be time for DeFilippo to go. And I am surprised BC has kept him around after the whole Big East - ACC fiasco. I certainly hope BC is required to pay out Jag's contract, since he was fired without cause.

BC has just taken another in their periodic successful efforts to brand itself as a mean-spirited place where officials do whatever they please, no matter how self-damaging, with an expectation of impunity. (Remember Leahy and/or DeF
publicly proclaiming that they were going to make the Big East the best conference in the country, while they were negotiating behind the scenes with the ACC? That torture of truth gained alma mater national plaudits, n'est pas? ).

Once again, this administration's petulance has earned BC widespread national publicity

Were you a coach on the rise, would you want to go to a place which fires you for INTERVIEWING for a better job?

And DeFilippo's stressing at the press conference that the decision to fire Jags was his alone convinces me that the exact OPPOSITE is true. The way the place is run now, it's a good bet that the guy DeF reports to is calling this shot, IMHO.

While Jags should have given timely advance notice of the interview with the Jets, this is hardly a mortal sin in today's sports business climate. He was a fine coach for he Eagles, who played interesting football, and did well this year with diminished talent at some key spots.

Thanks for two fun seasons, and good luck to you in the NFL.

Who cares if he comes or goes? He didn't deliver on the big one either.

But to lie to the boss and then have him find out from a sports writer, I'd say that's classless. I don't think Jags mommy taught him very well.

Don`t worry they will hire Spazz and he will fly the cop too.If they want a coach to stay a long time they have to pay big money.Look at Saban at Alabama 4 million.

Let me paraphase this master of doublespeak, Gene DeFillippo. Plenty of head coaches interested in the job, I have stacks of resumes. Yes from coaches who apparently are under contract too with their institutions, right Gene? How disingenous to be upset with Jags who is looking the same as they but then again, that's you to a T. Beating your chest when you left the Big East and watching Tom O'Brien leave for greener pasture when he was tired of being made the whipping boy. Now Jags loses twice to Va Tech and you still go to the no name bowls and he's out. Hope you find what you are looking for Gene, because you have BC apparently mixed up with USC

Given his questionable process for switching conferences and his stated desire to look at coaches at other programs, I think Mr. DeFilipo needs to look in the mirror.

How about looking at Tim Murphy from Harvard. He has an oustanding record not only in wins and losses but there graduation rate. Has been successful wherever he has gone. Won championships at Maine and gave Cincinnati it best record in years before he came to Harvard. There are 3 or 4 players in the pros which is outstanding for an Ivy League team. He is a proven recruiter who knows how to win.

I'd also like to see Spaziani get a shot at the Head Coaching job.
He's been a pretty good fit at BC for 12 years. You have to love his enthusiasm and spirit. Seems like a good fit.
I may be mistaken, but it seems like Jagz might have orchestrated this turn of events and perhaps wanted to be canned.

Jags accomplishments are questionable at best.....most of the impact players were not his recruits......he clearly misrepresented his intentions when he took the job.....he is Petrino with a personality. Good for the AD to fire him instead of the typical move of offering a contract extension and kissing his a**. What about the kids he recruited?....what did he tell them to get them to commit? Go back and listen to his introductory press conference....what a joke!

Well, this is what happens when you get a big head (or crave a fat wallet), sandbag the conference you helped found, and jump ship to a geographically distant conference with absolutely no natural rivalries, all for the purpose of getting one's hands on the big football money that comes with membership in a "big" conference. You get abused by coaches with stars in their eyes, who have bigger things in mind than Boston College. The last 2 BC football coaches both saw the handwriting on the wall - no matter how many games BC wins, they will always be an afterthought to the pro teams in this town, they will never play in an 80,000 seat stadium, and no one outside of the alumni is ever really going to give a damn about the next game against some goober school from the Carolinas. Imagine the football rivalry that would currently be developing between UConn and BC had the Eagles stayed in the Big East! SSorry but I don't feel sorry for BC this evening.

I 2nd SPAZZ !

blah blah blah...BC Football is overrated....its a hockey school always will be...they win big games not lousy bowl games that celebrate mediocrity.

Let's here the whole story unfold B4 we make a judgement. Did his contract prohibit any contact from another school or N.F.L. team? Did the jets or Jags follow protocal or guidelines of the contract? Gene told him what would happen if he did and he did. Bravo for following through.

BC recruiting for 2009 is rated 79th in the nation by Scout.com, but more importantly dead last in the ACC...Rest assured having 3 head coaches in 3 years will be an extreme recruiting negative, one which other schools will exploit to a fare the well...as an alum, I feel the management of the football program has been severely botched, and will lead to several lean years going forward

I was on the fence about this...until I heard Gene press confrence...this guy is all ego.

Bring back men's wrestling and lacrosse at Boston College.

For a channge hire someone who wants to stay, namely, Spazz.

College football is stupid. In fact all college sports are silly. Instead of wasting all this time and money on foolish recreational activities, BC should focus on actually giving something back to the community and education to education in general. This is just nonsense. Is BC a school? A sports franchise? or a soap opera?
I can\'t tell

I just feel bad for al the suckers who spend 200k to go there. Oh but wait without a BC sports program it would be twice that? yeah right. The Dean should be ashamed.

Gene has once again shown he is committed to Boston College , the institution and to building a program which is a cut above. A winning program based on winning principals- right and wrong. Gene showed his resolve with Sean Williams-
and has done so again with Jags. He loves the place and will not compromise,
its nice to see a guy with such high ethical standards, and vision. - Go get em Gene

WOW, BC must really think they are special, what a selfish school. They are setting an ugly precedent and I hope it discourages future candidates from posting for this position b/c obviously BC does not care about the development of their coaches/staff. Who would want to work for an organization or institution that has such unrealistic expectations.

BC IS A UNIVERSITY FIRST DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE IN ACCADEMICS AND CATHOLIC VALUES.IF A PROFESSOR FAILS TO BE A ROLE MODEL TO HIS STUDENTS DEDICTED TO THE TWO VALUES LISTED ABOVE HE /SHE SERVICES WILL BE TERMINATED.WHY SHOLD A COACH OR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR NOT BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THESE SAME STANDARDS. A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE EDUCATION NOT INCLUSIVE OF THESE STADARDS IS WITHOUT MERIT.THERE ARE THING THAT ARE RIGHT TO DO AND ARE WRONG.STUDENTS SHOULD BE SHOWN BY THEIR MENTORS THE VALE AND WORTH OF THESE STANDARDS IN THEIR LIFE!!! BCING YOU.

It's time for Frank Spaziani. BC football does not need another self-serving head coach.

The Big East wasnt good enough for BC. Tom OBrien wasnt good enough. Well if a coach under contract cant interview somewhere else, then a school also cant interview someone who is under contract.

DeFilippo decided to adopt this line about how he and Jags "disagreed over the future of the program." Yet, when asked to elaborate, his response is "that's between me and Jags." He is so full of shi*. He fired Jags for one reason - his own damaged ego. He was pissed off Jags didn't tell him about the interview. He couldn't be made to look like he was getting played. So when he started making his threats and Jags called his bluff he had no choice. If he doesn't fire him he loses face. I just wish he had the guts to be honest about his reasoning... but that would make him look like the arrogant SOB that he really is.

it's about time someone was called on to honor a contract they agreed on...

it's not like these contracts are forced on these coaches!

How many very, very good institutions are there with football programs within Rt. 495? Or, does Gene not realize that outside of Rt. 495 no one knows or cares about BC.

Coughlin leaves after upsetting No. 1 Notre Dame and the students trash his car. Coach O'Brien leaves despite having a senior-laden team with a Heisman candidate at the helm which HE developed. Jags leaves after 2 years not caring whether he is fired or not. BC must be a dream job.

BC is referred to as Fredo for a reason. They are getting what they deserve for how they agreed to hold the Big East together and then sold them out for their own gain. Enjoy the bottom of Lake Tahoe, Gene.

Suggest some of you get a grip. There is a right and wrong way , each well-known, to approach every aspect of this matter. Jags knows the MO at least as well as Gene; yet he chose to ignore it. Why should he not be held accountable?
An AD that allows a coach to run roughshod over him or her sets a bad precedent, and face-to-face, Jags would agree. Again, he knows how "the game should be played", because it's done all the time, and surely Gene will follow that script in the search for the new HC.

BC was, is and will always be a nice stepping stone job for aspiring coaches.

This is a deep scar on BC. DeFilippo needs to have a better reason to terminate a coach than just an "interview." If so, then it's his duty to terminate Jag. However, there's not a first class coach in all of football---and other sports as well---that isn't under contract when they choose to move on to a new coaching opportunity. This is normal behavior in the coaching world. To deny Coach Jag of this interview is categorically immoral and perhaps illegal. How can the University sit by and watch a power play like this happen to a man under contract?
BC needs to evaluate DeFilippo's judgment and determine if he belongs in his job.

Why ahnt all tha stories ahn he'uh about the Sawhks, for Crissake?

Who's the ONLY undefeated bowl-game-winning BC coach in recent history? Which side of the ball has been the foundation for BC's over-achieving teams? Does that man still want the job? If so, give it to him. Vegas Desert Eagle

The heck with the search - end it now and hire Coach Spaz - he's tough, he's loyal, and judging by this year's D, he's a heck of a coach.

What DeFillipo fails to understand is that people don't view BC as a destination they view at as a stepping stone. Sorry Gene, hate to break it to you, it's just the way it goes. You aren't the AD at Oklahoma, or 'Bama, or Florida, or FSU, or even VA Tech (look how long Frank Beemer has been there) people take a job at BC prove themselves and move on to bigger and better jobs be it in college or in the NFL. Furthermore, not only has Jags lost in the ACC title game the past two years but this year who did we lost a bowl game to? Gene BC isn't gonna be a major power in D1 or FBS or whatever it's called this week until you guys can first and foremost win the ACC and secondly win a BCS or whatever system they use bowl game.

"I liked what Shaungessy had to say about this, a contract is a contract. A hand shake is a committment."

...unless of course you have a chance to move from the Big East to the ACC. then commitments and the quaint idea of your word being your bond have to be weighed against the monetary rewards and the improved recruiting that comes from getting more national exposure

He doesnt seem happy i thought the fun was back in BC football and everyone was having fun..he seems like hes about to cry!

There's obviously a lot that we don't know about here. If Jags was not fired for cause, then there was nothing in the contract that said he couldn't discuss outside job opportunities at least at the pro level. So, it comes down to what did they each discuss and commit to when Jags accepted the job. Did DeFilippo ask him to never interview for a job elsewhere while under contract or else he would be fired? Did he ask Jags to swear an oath of loyalty to BC for the duration? DeFilippo's not talking, so we don't know. But I assume his wife is not allowed to have lunch or a drink after work with a another guy because DeFilippo would file for divorce. So if there's a vestal virgin coach out there who wants to commit to a lifetime of indentured service to BC, until that is BC decides that he's not winning enough games and terminates him, by all means send in your resume, assuming you're not currently employed anywhere.

Ha, ha....screw BC and its "elite" thinking.

Go UNH! GO blue!

Spaz or London are great options for HC interesting but I dont think Edsall would leave what he has going at UCONN

Hang in there, Gene. Totally agree with you. BC is one of the top programs in the country when you look at sports, academics, quality of life and the direction of the program.

You won't have any problems finding a quality coach who is committed. Good luck!!

Hang in there, Gene. Totally agree with you. BC is one of the top programs in the country when you look at sports, academics, quality of life and the direction of the program.

You won't have any problems finding a quality coach who is committed. Good luck!!

Here's a thought:
Our country is about to get a new President.
How about BC doing the same thing - along with a new AD?
Then maybe, just maybe, the school can stop the negative publicity bloodletting that has been a constant since 1996.
As they said on the campaign trail, we need CHANGE out there at The Heights!

One thing is clear, Jags wanted out of BC. He got his wish. One
way or the other, he wasn't going to be around long. I don't think
BC was asking too much for a head coach to stay more than two
years. I know it's tough to make ends meet on only $1 million per
year.
BC has a successful top 25 football program with a high graduation
rate. I wonder what the graduation rate is at Oklahoma. They're playing
in the national championship game tomorrow, but at what price?

who cares! this doesnt help my 401k crashing.

Maybe its time for Gene D. to go? He's made his long term basketball deal with Al Skinner - a guy who gets totally lost on the bench in post-season games. Nice fellow and decent recruiter, but folds like a card table in the NCAAs, forgets how many timeouts he has, lets key guys get in foul trouble, etc. No wonder he's willing to stay there indefinitely. So now Gene has sent a very good football coach packing. Yeah Jags should have told him he was interested in the Jets. Why didn't he? Because he was afraid Gene D. would do what he did - whine. Shame on both of them ..

Hi Gene, remember the "Big East"? What goes around, comes around.

The sore loser Big East crowd really makes me laugh. We GET it, you're still mad BC left for greener pastures. Get over it.

My take on the Jags situation is that he was very, very wrong to lie about his intentions regarding interviewing for the NFL. I suspect this isn't the first time he lied about the issue either because Gene D had no idea this was coming. The guy was under contract, he had only been there for two years and he got where he was on the borrowed wings of O'Brien (his players). More to the point, he couldn't close the deal with Matty Ice at the helm. Even if he were not two-timing BC, he's NOT that good to begin with!

DeFilippo is the ultimate hypocrite. Ask him about the Big East/ ACC "thing" a few years back. While he was at the Big East meetings talking about making the conference stronger, he was always saying to the ACC...Hey, boys...dont forget about us. He got what he deserved. If BC never wins another game, it'll be too soon. Go Orange...

Why not take a run at NH's Chip Kelly now at Oregon?

Finally somebody calls out these disgusting human beings "college coaches". A contract is a freakin contract.
College coaches are the biggest liars. They are all about money. I'm so proud of BC taking a stand. They lie to us saying they love their kids and then bail on them in the middle of their contracts. How do they sleep at night.
BC has just finally put the school first and those scum bag coaches in their place.

VOTE FOR SPAZ !!!

VOTE FOR SPAZ !!!

What's good the goose, or rather the eagle, better be good for the gander. If BC is gonna fire Jags for being interested enough to interview for another job, they better not hire another coach that hasn't finished his contract at his old school. If they do, they only encourage coaches to do what Jags wanted to do...leave before their contract is up.

Need to know what really happened before I make any judgment. If something to the effect about Jag's length of time at BC was in the contract or in a verbal agreement then Gene D has a point. As a former management executive and currently a consultant I have always maintained that one doesn't surprise the boss. It appears Jag did by not sharing the prospect of an interview with GD. On the other hand perhaps the relationship wasn't as vigorous as they might have publicly pretended. GD may have been waiting for the opportunity to can Jag though that seems doubtful. Bottom line I refer to my first sentence.
Juan

Hope B.C. Deflippio doesn't panic and takes the time necessary to get thr right coach. I rather have one bad recruiting class and get the right coach for the future.

it's about time sports contracts are considered 'contracts' which are binding on adults who have the legal capacity to enter into contracts. Both parties had attorneys. There is no reason BC should pay the coach a penny. The coach owes BC money if it costs them 1 cent more to hire a new coach. I wonder why the colleges don't go to court to specifically enforce the contracts. This case is even more compelling because BC warned the coach about he consequences of breach before he went to NJ. Bottom line - everyone is replaceable except maybe Bill Gates.

What a joke. DeF doesn't want to recognize that there is a market out there. "This decision was mine. I am the Director of Athletics...." Like most Directors of Athletics, it is about ego, not reality. The reality is that there is a market for talent, and BC doesn't want to compete in the market.

Maybe Gene should fire Al Skinner after BC's impressive game against Harvard. Harvard's first win against a ranked team in their history. How fitting!!

Since my son is entering college and BC has millions or billions in endowment funds and they will pay Jags the remainder of the years on his contract. It only makes sense my son should get a free ride to BC. Four years is much cheaper than the millions they will pay Jags for the next 3 years.
BC has money to burn, I don't, so while your wallet is open, educate my son.

Read the quote:"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and MORE IMPORTANTLY ME," DeFilippo said

It sounds as though it is all about him. I hope he has the courage of his convictions and does not interview any coaches currently under contract.

WANT TO BET ON IT.

Oh the hypocrites rule. The same athletic department that sued the ACC for stealing teams and then, 'oh we ARE invited?', why are you suing?
Seriously, all coaches are poached from somewhere and they are all under contract. It is the nature of the beast. The greater crime is the fact that the student athlete loses a year of eligibility if he/she chooses to transfer after a coaching change. This is the equivalent of going to a school to do research for a professor who specializes in FT ICR chemical analysis and then he leaves the U. Are you forced to stay? No. Is the college athlete forced to stay? Yes. This makes no sense. If a coach leaves players should be allowed to transfer, just not to the school the coach left for.

I don't understand the problem here. Isn't Jags the first HC at BC in a long time to NOT have a gambling scandal on his watch?

HIRE SPAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIRE SPAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DeFillipo never said he was gonna contact other coaches from other colleges. He simply responded to a question that said he might have trouble finding one because of his stance with Jags. He simply said that there are a lot of people out there interested in the job.
And as for DeFillipo leaving the Big East. NOTHING he did was unethical. He was up front with the Big East and told them he would consider leaving if they did not make certain changes to ensure future competitiveness. ANd when that fell on deaf ears, he went by the book and paid the departure fee just like the contract said.. Nothing was done underhanded...

Okay, so I'm late in the game and so what....but here's my take. A second tier school only helps itself by hiring and firing "flames in the night." So Jags leaves and BC is flashed all over ESPN.....HELLLLOOOO that where recruits decide their 2020 income. I liked him but hey, I'm not married to the guy, and neither are these guys committing to the program. They are committed to ACC covereage nationally for any team they commit to in the conference. HELLOOOO = BC is in the ACC. I went there. Yes, I'm overly emotionally committed and they were still in the Big East (my husband would testify in a NY second, but not if Yankee stripes were involved) but really matters is that even over looked good players would rather play for BC than eastern oklahoma CC. Please....its a business that just happens to be more public than that which we all in engage in. If every failed contract every business had to admit to was in the news, well, we'd all be...what's the word.....okay I think they would censor me here.....wait, are there censors here...???? ITS ONLY FOOTBALL PEOPLE....it took me 25 years and a loving husband to figure it out.....

Apparently not many of you who post notes here have never had a job of if you do you have never applied for a different job. I have retired from the Air Force and U.S. Civil Service. Any time I applied for a different job with Civil Service I never told my supervisors, because I would be at the bottom of their list for promotions. If you think Jag did wrong, the next time you go to apply for a different job (that is if there any out their) tell your current employer and see where it gets you. BC is with in their rights to hire and fire who ever they please, however see how many people will want to work for them.

I am a Boston College student and I'd love to see the name Phil Estes thrown into the mix. He's been the head football coach at Brown University for 10 years, winning the Ivy League Title in 1999, 2005, and this past year. He has a tremendous program that has bred a few pros, including Zak DeOssie of the New York Giants and Pro Bowl Special Teams Player/Wide Receiver Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals. He has been nominated for the Eddie Robinson Award multiple times and has compiled a 59-40 record over his career at Brown. He is a local New England guy, raised in New Hampshire, and a UNH Alum. I personally know Phil and would love to see him at least get an opportunity for the job. I believe that Phil would be just the type of guy BC would like at the position. Phil is a class act, a great man who loves his family and loves this area. He would not be the type of guy who would jet to the NFL. He would commit himself to the program just as he has to the Brown program. Of course, it's up to him whether he would leave Brown or not, I just believe he is qualified for the position and would bring alot of experience and passion to the job at Boston College.

There's an interesting coincidence in all of this. Fr. Leahy came to BC from Marquette. A similar incident happened at Marquette when Al McGuire wanted to leave MU to coach the Bucks in the NBA. Marquette required McGuire to fulfill his contract and, eventually, McGuire relented, and then went on to coach Marquette to both NIT and NCAA basketball championships. Marquette's stance was that the contract should be honored, and McGuire ultimately did. There was a financial side to this also. Later, MaGuire said he would not coach an NBA team unless he was paid $1 more than the highest paid player on his team's roster!

Wonder what the graduation rate is for athletes at Oklahoma .. probably right about what it is for the general student population there. Wouldn't be at all surprise if there is more of a slide between the graduation rate for athletes and regular students at BC than there is at Oklahoma.

The question no one is asking. WHY ARE QUALITY YOUNG COACHES LOOKING TO LEAVE BC SO QUICKLY??? My bet is that it's not the job all the alums think it is. It's a stepping stone job and nothing more.

Gene should call Dave Gavitt and ask him for a referral for someone who can make a long term committment. DeF is a 5 pound bag full of six pounds of sh**.

Gene D. is an embarrassment to the entire program. He's firing good coaches for the same stuff every other coach in the country does. Our oldest football rival -Notre Dame - has dropped us from their schedule in football and our oldest basketball rival - Uconn - won't play us anymore. Gene D. is a hothead who makes split decisions without thinking. For all the crazy changes he's made at BC in the last 10 years we are at the exact same play we've always been, a mediocre football and basketball school. Except now we have to watch them play schools no one cares about like N.C. State and Clemson. I never liked Gene D. moving us out of the Big East and today he has shown himself to be someone capable of making ill advised rash decisions without thinking about the consequences. Someone needs to fire that fool and bring some respectability back to BC.

The best guy for the job is already there and it isn't Spaziani. It is Steve Logan. Logan brings you someone with a track record of being a long term successful head coach with a reputation of running a clean program. He was a winner at ECU, which is no easy task. He also brings you the easiest transition because he is so close to Jags. Jags was actually HIS offensive coordinator at ECU. I would think any top recruits BC has would be reassured if Logan was elevated, especially any top offensive prospects. Also, I think Logan would definitely stay as he has said he likes working with intelligent kids like the ones that come to BC. I am sure Spaziani is a great guy and he is proven coordinator with a great defense for sure, but he does not have head coaching experience. He was there when they hired Jags. I would think if he had been the best one for the job he would have gotten it then. It seems the top reason people are giving for hiring him is that "he will stay". I do not think that is the criteria by which you should hire someone. You should hire the person that gives you the best chance at winning. I think Jags put a winning formula in place and I think Logan is the one that best gives you the chance of continuity with that program.

DeFilippo is one of the best ADs in the land-- few other people would have the guts or the insight to make such a move today.

Jags clearly wanted out at BC-- why would DeFilippo wait and let the program deteriorate and recruiting suffer while Jags interviews for his next position in the NFL? You don't wait for tomorrow to do what needs to be done today.

Props to DeFilippo and BC. Good riddance to Jags.

There is no principle. The Athletic Director learned that his head coach might be leaving if he got the Jets job, so he fired him.

There is no principle. The optics look pretty bad too. The AD has crocodile tears bemoaning what some alleged principle made him do to his beloved coach... its a crock of crap.

The coach has done well for BC and if he doesn't get the Jets job, then the Athletic Director pulled the trigger too fast (and shot himself in the foot.)

Ryan was rooke

After reading all these posts, I have to reply in defense of Gene DeFilippo. Gene is one the most honest and straightforward AD's in the country. He loves BC and the Boston community. Those who say he is such a terrible AD should know that he has been mentioned for and turned down offers from Michigan, Cal, and Uva among others since he has been at BC. DeFilippo was one of the main architects of the ACC expansion, which BC athletics have surely benefitted from. He made the right decision and I bet that many AD's and University Presidents have contacted him and thanked him for standing up and doing the right thing.

Let's be clear. BC only gets to play in December Bowl games beccause it can not guarantee the can sell 15K to 20K to their fans. Hence they go to Memphis or the Incite.com Bowl. It doesn't matter who the coac or AD is. BC will hire and other good person who will wnat to stay at BC forever or until the next best offer comes around. In the meantime, Mr. DeF has done a great job for BC.

So, uh, will he only interview coaches who are not under contract at other schools?

Plenty of blame to go around here. Obviously, Jags was trying to get fired- please, let's all agree on that. He perhaps should have been more honest with himself about the NFL blood coursing through his veins when he was interviewing 2 years ago. And, if nothing else, a good AD knows people. Gene D should have sensed that Jags might not be all in a couple of years ago...