Jagodzinski jettisoned

DeFilippo decides BC coach must go

Boston College fired football coach Jeff Jagodzinski yesterday, ending his successful two-year tenure by delivering on athletic director Gene DeFilippo's threat that interviewing for the New York Jets coaching position would terminate Jagodzinski's career at the school.

The unusual sequence of events became official after Jagodzinski and DeFilippo met for roughly 25 minutes yesterday morning, the start to a day DeFilippo called the hardest during his 11 years at BC. DeFilippo made the decision after seeking and receiving approval from school administration.

DeFilippo was friends with Jagodzinski before he hired him after the 2006 season, when he assumed he had found his coach for the future. And DeFilippo said he remains friends with Jagodzinski, even as he became his coach of the past.

"Today is a very difficult day for our football team, for our fans, our alums, and, more importantly, me," said DeFilippo, seemingly holding back tears as he opened a press conference at the Yawkey Athletic Center. "Those of you who know Jags and I, we're really good friends. This is a very, very difficult thing to do. Jeff Jagodzinski is a wonderful person, and he's a heck of a football coach."

The search for a new coach will begin immediately, DeFilippo said, and it will include both internal and "at least two or more" external candidates. Defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani is expected to be named interim head coach today, and he will be a leading candidate for the full-time position.

BC offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., whose father once coached the Eagles, and offensive coordinator Steve Logan are also potential candidates. Richmond head coach Mike London, whose team won the Football Championship Subdivision national title, is expected to be one of DeFilippo's external candidates. London served as BC's defensive line coach from 1997-2000.

"We're going to go quick, but we're not going to hurry," DeFilippo said. "We're going to find somebody who really wants to be at Boston College and who is going to be here for the length of their contract."

Jagodzinski went 20-8 and won two Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division titles, twice bringing the Eagles to the ACC championship game. The Eagles rose to No. 2 in the rankings in 2007 as Matt Ryan became a Heisman Trophy candidate. BC lost its final game under Jagodzinski, to Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl, but the Eagles seemed poised to remain among ACC contenders with Jagodzinski at the helm.

Jagodzinski instead opted to try returning to the NFL, where he spent eight seasons as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons. One of his prospective job opportunities, as Seattle offensive coordinator, evaporated yesterday when the Seahawks hired Greg Knapp. Jagodzinski interviewed for the Jets position Tuesday, a meeting he arranged without informing DeFilippo. After DeFilippo discovered Jagodzinski's intention, he told him Saturday that interviewing would mean his dismissal.

"I made this decision because Jeff and I are really divided on the future of this program and what we wanted for the program," DeFilippo said. "I thought we had a football coach that wanted to be here for a long time. And that wasn't necessarily the case."

BC had changed coaches only once in the past 12 years, hiring Jagodzinski to replace Tom O'Brien when he left for North Carolina State after 10 seasons. The Eagles are now familiar with the climate, chock-full of coaches bolting from team to team. Given the job-seeking climate, Jagodzinski's firing because of an interview could dissuade candidates from showing interest in BC. DeFilippo defiantly dismissed that notion.

"That may be the case," he said. "I have not talked to a coach yet. But I've got a stack out there of coaches - some are 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."

When asked if Jagodzinski expressed a desire to remain at BC, DeFilippo declined to answer, saying Jagodzinski should address that issue. Jagodzinski was not seen at the Yawkey Athletic Center, and he did not return messages.

"My family and I have enjoyed and cherished being part of this great community," Jagodzinski said in a statement released by BC. "I would like to thank many people, especially Father [William P.] Leahy [the school president] and Gene DeFilippo, for the privilege to work here. I am so proud of what these student-athletes and our staff has accomplished during our tenure here. I wish everyone at Boston College the best in the years to come, both on and off the field."

Jagodzinski's departure brings into question several aspects regarding personnel. Recruiting will require that the Eagles act quickly.

Twelve players have verbally committed to BC, and keeping them will be a priority. There is also junior linebacker Mark Herzlich, a third-team All-American, whose decision on whether to return for his senior season or enter the NFL draft could be swayed by a coaching search.

Days ago, DeFilippo never imagined this being an issue. Yesterday morning, he woke up and said goodbye to his friend and coach. Before it concluded, he said, "I wish this day would end and get over."

Adam Kilgore can be reached at akilgore@globe.com.