Herren Jr already at BC

We knew that Chris Herren Jr was interested in BC, but his decision to enroll now as a preferred walk-on came together relatively quickly. Aside from not getting a scholarship, there is little downside for Herren. Maybe he thinks he can get some of Robinson's shots and minutes. And if he breaks into the regular rotation, I am sure he will get a scholarship.

The issue with Herren Jr was never really about basketball. His family and his father's legacy at BC is complicated...to say the least. His uncle Mike had a short, troubled career at BC. Chris Sr allegedly committed to BC in part to fulfill his brother's potential. We know how that ended. I hope Chris Jr is coming to BC without any burden.

These things are always complicated (look at the expectations of the second generation of Fluties). I hope Chris Jr has a great career and establishes himself as more than a walk-on and more than just his father's kid.

Herren Jr gets BC offer

I don't know what to make of Jim Christian's offer to Chris Herren Jr. Barring a huge turnaround, Christian is not going to be coaching any of these new offers. If tradition holds, most recruits will bail or be unwanted by the new coach. When you throw in the Herren family history, that's a whole lot of baggage for a young kid starting the process. 

As of now, Herren is a mid-level recruit. The recruiting services don't expect him to be a difference maker. BC is the first Power 5 program to offer. The BC interest may spark other programs to offer or they might just consider him a legacy recruit from a lame duck staff.

I know Christian has to keep recruiting. I just wish he would pursue elite talent or kids who can be pushed off by the new staff without any hard feelings.

If Herren does eventually commit, I hope he makes the best of his BC career. His uncle and father both washed out at BC while battling personal demons. The pressure from fans and the media would be to finally fulfill the Herren potential (I have no idea if there would be family pressure). I also hope the new BC coach honors any offer. It would be nice to have a Herren-BC story with a happy ending.

Meter and Christian and other links

BC posted the highlights of Meter's interview with Jim Christian. He's not especially charismatic, but I think Christian handles himself well in these sorts of things. He has a quiet confidence that reminds me of Skinner.

The Heights posted a great Q&A with Chris Herren. The Herren story is well known at this point, but when he shares the BC portion of his saga, he still tends to just note his injury and failed drugs tests. This interview goes a little deeper and gets more specific about his time at the Heights. Good job by the interviewer Connor Mellas. It is interesting how younger BC folks view Herren. His legend has grown in part due to his struggles and his recovery in the spotlight. As someone who started at BC at the same time, Herren was always a "what could have been" to me. But he flamed out and was an afterthought during the final good JOB years.

Former BC Basketball assistant Bonzie Colson decided to get back into coaching at New Bedford High School. I actually applaud Colson for not using his son Bonzie II to get a college job. He probably could have packaged himself with Bonzie II at some mid-major. Instead Bonzie II is freshman at Notre Dame while his dad is back working high school games.

BCI uncovered New Mexico State still listing BC as one of their 2015 opponents. I still have my doubts that it happens. I just think NM State would rather buy us out than give up paydates at Florida and Ole Miss.

BC leads a weird note on Ivan Maisel's "Three Point Stance." I don't think anyone is surprised by BC's struggles in the passing game, least of all Addazio. I think Daz just wants improvement.

20th verbal and other links

New Jersey Tight End Tom Sweeney is now the 20th commitment in the 2014 recruiting class. I keep thinking Addazio might slow down and save a couple of scholarships for late bloomers or big names, but he seems ready to take the guys he wants. The consensus on Sweeney is that he is a good athlete but needs to fill out and grow into his frame. It is nice to keep the Don Bosco connections strong.

Chris Herren is now taking his story of demons and redemption to NFL rookies.

I still don't get the connection, but Matt Ryan attended the William & Mary Football camp Tuesday. Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck were also there. Somebody in Williamsburg has got some serious pull.

The ACC signed a deal with the Pinstripe Bowl. A guarantee BC will play in that bowl at least once during the life of the agreement.

Steve Donahue is a fan of Kelly's Roast Beef.

BC guy and WWE star Alex Riley (fka as BC LB Kevin Kiley) might become a WWE commentator.

Who knew Addazio would spend so much time talking about former Florida players.

BC-themed 30 for 30 suggestions for ESPN

ESPN debuts another 30 for 30 tonight with the "Ghosts of Ole Miss" and yet again the series presents a film with a college theme. Mining college sports makes sense since the professional leagues have their own in-house producers focusing on lesser known stories and are experts at crafting a history and mythology for their sports. Because so many college stories are left untold, in my opinion some of the best films in the series have been college focused like "The U" and "Pony Excess." Former BC basketball star Chris Herren was featured in an ESPN Film and BC grad Joe Tessitore produced ESPN Film's "Roll Tide War Eagle" but neither is technically a "30 for 30" film. There are many BC stories that could carry a film. Here are few of my suggestions.


"The miracle before the 'Miracle'"
Flutie's story is well known, but there is much more to it than one Hail Mary. I think a more interesting film might be how he and Jack Bicknell really helped change college football with BC's passing offense. In the early '80s, BC and BYU were shattering records with their prolific passing schemes. The concepts and aggressiveness were way ahead of their time and still influence college and pro football today. How they arrived at the offense, why Flutie succeeded within the system and why it took two more decades to become mainstream would make for a great movie.

"Coughlin in charge"
As Tom Coughlin keeps winning Super Bowls his legend and legacy grow. NFL Films recently produced a special on him, but I still think his time at BC could carry its own feature. What did he face when he arrived? What did his college players think of him then and now? How he has changed? Did he ever consider staying at BC forever? Are all questions that could carry a narrative.

"Goodfellas go to college"
I was a student during the '90s gambling scandal. There wasn't much to it. However, the basketball point shaving scandal could make a great movie. I doubt BC would be very cooperative. And with Henry Hill dead, one of the most intriguing characters is not available to give his side. The other challenge to the film would be player cooperation. All the accused and alleged players have remained relatively silent about what happened. I don't know if ESPN's cameras would be enough to finally get them to talk in more detail.

"The upset that saved BC"
In 1942 undefeated BC lost its final regular season game to Holy Cross at Fenway Park. The loss caused the team and BC fans to cancel their postgame celebration at Coconut Grove night club. That night the club caught on fire killing nearly 500 people. It is assumed that if BC had won and gone on to celebrate, many of the team would have died in the blaze. This is probably a little to dated to draw ESPN's interest, but it could make for a good documentary.

Filmmakers could build full features around Peter Frates, Jay McGillis, Jerry York or Welles Crowther, but I don't think ESPN would see enough marketing dollars to support a "30 for 30" for any of them.  The BU-BC Hockey rivalry has already been a subject of a sports film by another company. I would love to see a film about the rise of the Big East and about the conference shuffles of the 2000s, but ESPN is too involved in those stories to allow someone to make an honest film out of them. If you could give someone a blank check and a camera, what BC story would you want ESPN to tell?

Wanting to believe in Chris Herren

Chris Herren's new book is stirring old memories and lingering questions. We arrived at BC at the same time but under very different circumstances. I met Herren once and sat up close for his first and only game at BC. Before he could truly recover from his injury or give BC fans more memories, he bolted to Fresno State. Shortly after the transfer, Will McDonough dropped the hammer on Herren in the Globe announcing to the world Herren's drug problem. Those of us on campus had already heard the rumors. For the next few years there was a lot of "what could have been"s regarding Herren and his time at BC. I never bought into the talk. I always thought Herren was more hype than substance. If he hadn't arrived as a local star and book subject, no one at BC would have given Herren a second thought.

My doubts about Herren the player were also influenced by the questions regarding Herren the person. The guy was his own worst enemy and with each recovery I became that much more skeptical.

Because we are close in age and are both fathers, I have new empathy for Herren. Reading the excerpts of his new book, has me rooting for him for the first time since 1994. Yet I still have serious doubts. Is he sober now? Is this all an act to keep his name out there and sell a few books? Is his co-author Bill Reynolds (who put Herren in the spotlight as a high schooler) doing him a disservice by putting someone who cannot handle the public back in it?

Every time someone tells Herren's story, they use BC as a turning point. The Heights is where it began to unravel. Because I was there I should care. I didn't for a long time. Now I do. Now I want to believe. Let's hope this is finally his happy ending.