BC on the job in offseason

Traditionally, this is the time when college football coaching staffs take their break. Recruiting is put on hold, spring practice is over, and plans for a new season are in place.

It is time to take family vacations, play a little golf, and recharge batteries for what soon will be seven-day work weeks.

Not this year. Oh, it's not game-week mode, but make no mistake, it is game-face time as BC deals with one of the most turbulent offseasons in memory, as depth charts that looked solid a few months ago are being reshuffled, sometimes on a daily basis.

The latest twist came Tuesday, when it was announced that Dominique Davis, the presumed No. 1 quarterback, had been suspended by the school for academic reasons, and has decided to transfer.

Not that Davis's spot at the top of the depth chart was secure, but at least he had experience, something no other quarterback on the roster has.

"How are things going?" repeated Frank Spaziani, who has only been head coach since January. "You tell me. It's a challenge. We've got a lot of work to do. The written word for crisis consists of two symbols, one for danger, one for opportunity, which is the one I favor."

Spaziani, 61, finally got the opportunity to be a college head coach when Jeff Jagodzinski was fired by athletic director Gene DeFilippo after refusing to end his flirtation with the NFL. Jagodzinski is now the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Spaziani has tried to make the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach as smooth as possible.

It has not been easy. Consider the events of the past six months, some expected, some unexpected, some stunning:

Finding replacements for defensive linemen B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, both NFL draft choices. Everyone knew this was coming. The uncertainty is the quality of the replacements. Seniors Austin Giles and Jim Ramella are penciled in as the ends and sophomore Kaleb Ramsey and Damik Scafe are the tackles. The unknown is junior defensive end Alex Albright, who is coming off neck surgery.

The loss of linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is starting a series of chemotherapy treatments for a rare bone cancer called Ewing's sarcoma. Herzlich is optimistic that he can return to football, but that is secondary right now. Under any circumstances, Herzlich, who was the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season and a leader on the field and in the locker room, will be missed.

Middle linebacker Mike McLaughlin, a cocaptain, is iffy after tearing his Achilles' tendon prior to spring practice. The most optimistic prognosis has McLaughlin returning by September, but that may be a stretch.

Although the secondary appears solid with three returning starters - cornerbacks DeLeon Gause and Roderick Rollins and free safety Wes Davis - the intensity will increase if there is less pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the front seven.

Small wonder that new defensive coordinator Billy McGovern, who retained his title as linebackers coach, was in a series of meetings this week as he tried to put together Plans A, B, and C.

"Spaz always tells us that nothing is tattooed on you," said McGovern. "Nothing is ever permanent, either good or bad. Things change. So we have to adjust and so do our kids."

McGovern says the staff is still absorbing the news about Herzlich, which came shortly after spring practice concluded.

"First and foremost, the shocking news about Mark caught us all off guard," said McGovern. "The main concern is health. What we are telling the players is that it was an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up and show us what they've got."

Still, the Eagles' resources are being drained quickly. Spaziani has had to deal with that, as well as continuing the transition process that comes with any new staff.

The most pressing decision concerns finding a starting quarterback. Spaziani has made it clear that all offensive options are open.

"I will tell you what I tell my kids," said Spaziani, after word of Davis's departure became official. "If you come up with an offensive scheme that we can use, I will pay you $50."

Spaziani was diffusing his concern with humor, but he faces difficult decisions. The Eagles even considered trying to get former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus to come to BC before he opted for Syracuse, where he will try out at quarterback, but were quickly denied because of an ACC rule that prevents transfers between conference schools.

"Believe me, we talked about [Paulus]," said Spaziani, who also has had to adjust at fullback as James McCluskey continues his recovery from a broken leg suffered last season. "We are talking about a lot of things."

Spaziani laughed when it was suggested this could be a character-building season.

"There was a high school coach in New Jersey who was asked about that," said Spaziani. "And that the team had gone through a tough year, but it would build character. He said, 'To hell with character, I'd rather win games.' "

The timeline for the Eagles is clear. Meetings and plans will be made for the next few weeks, followed by a brief break in early July, and then the Eagles will be back at work as Spaziani and his staff prepare for the season opener against Northeastern Sept. 5.

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.