Occupy Wall Street -- BC style

Tuesday night is BC's annual Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner. It is one of BC biggest fundraising events and the most concentrated collection of big donors outside of reunions and a big football game. Father Leahy will be there. Among this crowd are a lot of passionate BC fans. Many of them have given large amounts of money to the school. While that doesn't buy you a say in BC's decision making (see Gregory Barber), it does get you the the opportunity to talk to Father Leahy. What I hope those fans do tonight is let him know that we still care and we want great Athletics. We also want someone who understands BC and is given the tools and support to succeed. At this late hour, it probably won't change Father Leahy's decision, but it still needs to be said. BC's current and future leadership need to know that we support the school but we also expect the school to strive for excellence. BC cannot be a Stanford, Duke or Notre Dame if we don't make the commitment with all the school's resources.

It will be also interesting to hear how the crowd reacts. In general, these folks are loyal, but I also sense discontentment. Maybe Father Leahy will sense it too.

Silly season

In my offline life, I probably overuse the colloquialism "if you throw enough -hit at the wall, some of it will stick." Right now that phrase perfectly captures what's going on with the BC message boards and with Twitter. You can say a decision is near because frankly there aren't that many weeks of school left. No source needed. You can say there are finalists because there are seemingly endless rumors of finalists. One particular reporter continues to throw up names and rehash talk and rumors from BC message boards. [I know I am being very hypocritical about aspects of this, but please trust I am trying my best to be rational, consistent and accurate.]

The rumor and candidate de jour is former MLB and NFL executive Mike Dee. I can see where his name would be leaked because that is an old Red Sox move. I know the leak is not coming from Father Leahy. There is no way he is talking to old Boston College beat writers. If Dee is talking to people, it is because he is trying to drum up interest. But if he is talking, he is doesn't understand the current BC dynamics. Talking out of turn causes problems (see: Ammaker, Steve Donahue, etc.) I imagine if Dee truly made the face-to-face stage with Father Leahy, going to the media before a final decision won't help his candidacy. But even beyond that, I don't believe Dee is a finalist. BC has told donors they are looking for someone with Athletic Director leadership experience and a history of hiring coaches. Dee doesn't have that. If Father Leahy goes in that direction, it will be a big surprise to some of his most active donors.

I would be very upset if BC hired Dee. Fit and experience are my main gripes, but there are others too. I will save those issues for when I am proven wrong and he is hired.

Baseball wins their first ACC series of the season

After a rough start to ACC play, the Baseball team finally won a weekend series. They won two out of three against Duke. Unfortunately Sunday's loss meant that it wasn't a sweep. While the little momentum is nice, BC has just three ACC wins so far this year.

The team takes on Dartmouth next and then resumes ACC play next weekend against NC State.

The arms race

I retweeted this Saturday, but thought it deserved its own post.

Waste of money. Give it to the athletes https://t.co/FDManqLCXz

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) April 15, 2017

Woody is right. This sort of thing is an enormous misuse of funds. The costs of those flat screens should go directly to the players. Seeing this sort of misguided largesse is also a reminder BC is taking the wrong approach.

Publicly BC's leadership has been against official payments to players. The only problem is players are getting paid illegally and through stupid benefits like 10K flat screens on their lockers. BC -- because of our revenue and our philosophy -- will never be able to keep up with all this nonsense. The indoor facility is nice but it won't have the bells and whistles the power programs have. So instead of keeping up with the Joneses, BC needs to argue for a true salary program for players and true direct benefits. It is only fair and will correct the market. Currently we have an inefficient black market where things like high-tech lockers are considered a good investment. If players were allowed to negotiate or get a salary, they would probably take much less cash into their pocket and hang their things on a hook!

More on Milano and other links

I don't know where Matt Milano will go in the Draft, but he is getting plenty of attention. This Steelers' blog breaks down his strengths and weaknesses. This write up thinks he is a top 10 Linebacker.

The Baseball team got its second ACC win of the season.

Softball lost both ends of a double header to UNC.

Women's Golf fighting for ACC Title this weekend

After one day of competition, the Women's Golf team sits at seventh overall in the ACC at +10. Duke put up the best numbers the first day and leads at -4. BC has two more rounds to improve their team score. While Women's Golf doesn't usually get attention around here, it would be nice to finish well in an ACC event this spring. Good luck to the women.

More Spring Game info and other links

We've known that the Spring Game would be streamed live. Now we know a few more details. ESPN  -- via the ACC Network -- will show the game live from Alumni. Cronin will be in his usual role of commentator, but Scott Mutryn will be filling in for Meter on play-by-play.

Could the Bears be one of the team's interested in John Johnson.

This blogger thinks Matt Milano could be the latest BC guy to sign with the New York Giants.

The waiting is the hardest part

I tweeted this earlier, but because of the shortened week at BC, it appears the AD announcement is not eminent. The school is closed Thursday through Monday for Easter. It is always possible a deal could come together over the weekend, but an official announcement is unlikely. The bigger challenge to this process is that no one knows much and it remains in Father Leahy's hands.

I will admit that I am frustrated with the whole thing. I keep telling myself to be patient. The frustration comes from BC having nearly a year to prepare for this, an opportunity to pursue a wide range of candidates and then finalize a deal that could have allowed the new AD to come on campus and begin a transition. Instead things creep along. The other challenge to taking so long and not engaging any media on the process is that it allows for all sorts of gossip and speculation. (Once again, I am guilty of this too.)

The only solace I have is that many of the names leaked of floated are not in the mix. I just hope that whoever Father Leahy finally decides to hire is better than the rumors.

Turner gone

Boston College sophomore AJ Turner told ESPN he will transfer. Has received his release.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 10, 2017

If you want an example of the sorry state of BC basketball look at the case of AJ Turner's departure. Turner has been a frustrating disappointment who has never lived up to his recruiting ranking, yet the team will be much worse without him. Most view Jim Christian as a lame duck. But with a new Athletic Director coming in there was always the chance he would turn things around. Without Turner, things seem less likely to turn around. Maybe Chatman will get Turner's minutes, but there is no obvious replacement.

Other than frustration, I don't know why Turner is leaving. While BC is losing, I doubt he will be an impact player at other elite program. Plus, he will have to sit a year.

Where does Christian go from here? Hopefully the returning players step up. Who knows? I think we are in for another long season.

Smoke signals on new AD

There is a rumor going around the BC Message boards that that new AD is Memphis' Tom Bowen. I have heard it will be offered to someone else. But the point of this post is that we are all waiting and it appears the decision is coming soon. This is what I do know:

-- The Parker group and the small team of BC people have completed their interviews and made a recommendation to Father Leahy.
-- While the leading candidate's name has been mentioned, most of the finalists have not been named publicly.
-- The decision is all Leahy's and no one knows which way it will go. There has been a lot of talk and speculation about Leahy's future (I've been part of the gossip too) but those closest to him during this process see no signs that he is nearing his own retirement. This is not a situation where he will hire an AD and then walk into the sunset. Father Leahy plans on working with this AD in the years to come.
-- Many of the leading candidates brought up BC's commitment to athletics. Not just the head coaching, but some of the smaller details that hamstring our players and coaches. If we hire someone who did not challenge BC's current approach, then we are in long-term trouble.

The timing remains weird. It would make sense for BC to announce this week, yet Holy Week shortens the work week at BC.

I can't report when this will all be over. Other than the details listed above, no one knows anything. It is all in Father Leahy's hands and he is not telling anyone.

Football adds another grad transfer

West Virginia Tackle Marcell Lazard is coming to BC. I know some feel Addazio is hurting the true development of the team by not playing more young kids, but this -- like all 5th year football players -- is a win-win. 

As a reminder, BC faces many challenges getting JUCOs admitted. However, grad transfers are not a problem. So Addazio has been aggressive about bringing them in. Even though few have been stars, most contribute and are low risk. If the player is ineffective or gets hurt, it only cost BC one scholarship for one year. 

Lazard's transition to BC will be interesting to watch. He was a part-time starter at WVU, so he has elite level experience. Yet West Virginia's Oline operates very differently from BC. At West Virginia the Oline is nearly always playing zone. There is not much movement. Plenty of pass blocking and lots of spacing. At BC, Lazard will do more traditional, power stuff. If he adjusts, it should be a great learning experience.

I am sure this post will spark a few rebuttals regarding Addazio's misuse of the roster. In my opinion, leveraging 5th years is the smartest things Addazio has done. I hope Lazard plays well and looks like another coup.

A few recruiting notes

Four star California QB Brevin White is coming out to BC on his own dime. That's a good sign. But at the same time, it sounds like he is more excited about his Harvard visit than his BC visit. Maybe Addazio can sell him on our combination of athletics and academics.

BC sounds like they are in a good position for Indiana LB Hugh Davis.

Spring injuries and other links

It is tough getting through Spring Practice without some problems. Addazio didn't get lucky this year. Two promising players went down this week. Elijah Johnson suffered a knee injury. BC isn't talking specifics but social media is saying it is a ACL. We will see how long he is out. The other loss is linebacker Max Richardson. He broke his foot. That recovery shouldn't be as long.

If Jared Dudley really does plan on coaching after the NBA, this season is another example of his instincts and ability to develop young players.

Former Eagle Ryan Quigley signed with the Vikings.

ESPN's projections aren't optimistic about BC

ESPN published their FPI projections for the 2017 season and their computer simulations don't have much faith in BC. As of now, we are only favored in three games. Wake Forest and Virginia are within reach, but still have us an underdogs. While this is proprietary stuff, I imagine the Sports Books will have similar expectations going into the season.

As we know, games are not won in simulation. BC also has many factors that would hurt in a modeling situation -- new QB, lack of stat sheet filling playmaker, losing some productive defensive players. A model will always have trouble predicting growth, maturity and development. I am more optimistic about our chances. I think we will win the three games ESPN predicts and then split with our peer programs. I also hope we are at the stage where we steal a game from the powerhouses on our schedule.

Addazio has been pointing to Year 5 for a long time. If the computers are correct, then he won't get a Year 6.

Weather disrupts Baseball/Softball and other links

Maybe we should build a roof over the new baseball/softball complex? I don't know any other way to prevent the early season weather issues BC has every year. The turf and drainage will be an improvement, but you can't stop the rain. 

Former BC Field Hockey players are using the Marathon to raise money for a former teammate. 

BC is going head to head with Don Brown for interest in a Florida DB.

Finally, I came across this BC-Holy Cross game from 1983. You'll see plenty of familiar BC names, plus former BC coach Bill McGovern on the Holy Cross side.

Another ACC Champ

North Carolina just won the National Championship. We now play in the conference that is home to the football and basketball champions. It might seem like BC will never be in position to win either championship, but being in the ACC is a huge benefit as we try to take the programs to the next level. If you are ever going to win anything big, it will be through recruiting and developing those players under intense competition. By playing champions annually, BC has a direct barometer of where they are with regards to the best teams in the country. Right now we are not doing enough. But by coming up short, the pressure increases. Hence the change in AD. And there will be more changes if Addazio and Christian do not start competing.

Getting crushed by the eventual champions can be deflating. Some long for the good ol' days or think that if we were in a mid-major conference, we could be more successful. I don't agree. As frustrating as this can be, I want to be associated with the best. I want to know how far we have to go. When we do turn things around, it will make things all that much more satisfying.

Tourney still lucrative for BC

I tweeted this out on Friday, but I still wanted to draw attention to this article on the ACC's Big Dance revenues. Because of the conference's success and North Carolina's deep runs, the ACC is bringing in record amounts of TV revenue for its members. BC will collect $6.8 million for doing nothing. That is not a bad deal. Of course the lucrative failure sends BC the wrong sort of message. I hope someone in leadership realizes how much more lucrative winning will be.

Dude?

This is not an April Fool's joke. Just thought I would point out that Don Brown is using the "dude" term again on Social Media. While the whole thing is silly to get worked up about, it does deal with the touchy subject of media attention, branding and the Addazio/Brown relationship.

As a quick reminder, Brown brought the "dude" term with him to BC. But Addazio really embraced it and splashed it all over social media. It then went viral and got plenty of attention from the College Sports media. There was less dude talk this year with Brown gone, but you could still see it sprinkled into BC coverage. Now that Brown is out there using it again, I bet Addazio will stop talking about it. Not out of hurt feelings, but probably based on his desire to create his own BC brand. You saw that a bit during Signing Day when BC had recruits tweet "#decidetofly."

Using "dude" doesn't win games. Getting dudes to come to your program does. I don't care if Addazio uses "dude" anymore. Just do what the kids like and get some good players this spring!

Sometimes a pair beats a full house! Two DUDES yesterday!#DUDESOFTHEDAY pic.twitter.com/4TgAcacS5z

— Don Brown (@FBCoachDBrown) April 1, 2017

Baseball loses series opener to VT

It wasn't close Friday as Virginia Tech really took it to BC Baseball. It is the Hokies' tenth straight win over BC Baseball. With the loss, BC is now 1-9 in ACC play. As the season moves on, last year seems more like a fluke and not a step forward. Let's hope they start to turn things around the rest of the weekend.

BC talking up Oline during Spring Ball

Because there are no games and mostly closed practices, we only really learn about Spring Ball from BC. It is up to us -- the BC fans -- to read between the lines based on what BC shares. If you want to read into Thursday's news, Addazio feels pretty good about the Oline.

The Globe had a feature on the OLine and the young guys coming along. BC's own release updated the young Oline in the notes section. Let's hope this is all a good sign. While the Oline improved last year, it still wasn't as strong as the first two years under Addazio. The squad is now his. They are young, but they are all his recruits who have all come up in his system. If BC is going to be good, it will really start up front.