Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Landry talk and other links

Campus Insiders consider Landry one of the most important returning players in college football.

Former BC Offensive Coordinator Kevin Rogers abruptly retired from William & Mary. Rogers and Addazio are very close. It will be interesting to see if Rogers returns to BC in some sort of advisory role.

This site Kavalec as he prepares for the draft. [EDITED: That got autoocorrected as I rushed late at night.]

Monday, February 27, 2017

Will the AD change impact Addazio's recruiting?

When Addazio ended the season with a win streak, it gave his recruiting a shot in the arm. He flipped Dillon and pulled off a few other late signings. It seems like that momentum has waned. BC lost a key Massachusetts target over the weekend and a Michigan QB target to Michigan State. While it is still very earlier in the recruiting process, it is concerning to strike out on local talents. Maybe things will turn around, or maybe the looming AD change has dulled Addazio's momentum.

Negative recruiting is a fact of life. One of the best things to say to a kid is that a coach at another school won't be there all four years. When a coach has a contract and some momentum like Addazio has, it should be easy to counter that argument. But the AD change undermines Addazio's defense. The commitment that the school has given Addazio in the past year now doesn't mean much. A new AD is going to want to bring in his own coaches and signal to the fanbase that things are changing. The easy way to do that is with a new coach in the school's most high profile sport. Addazio will have to win and probably win big to buy time with his new boss. Another 7-6 season doesn't create much goodwill.

The new hot seat then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Addazio needs talent to improve but talent won't come because they are afraid of a coaching change.

We've seen this before. Spaz's last recruiting class was very thin. (In hindsight it did prove to be productive.) I want Addazio to find all the talent he can. Get that cupboard full either for himself or his successor. If he can't turn recruiting around then it becomes one more reason for the new AD to make a change.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Jared Dudley speaks out on BC Basketball

While there is an occasional critical tweet during a game or season, in general, alumni BC athletes don't openly criticize the school. I don't know if they keep their mouths shut out of loyalty or not caring, but it tends to work in BC's favor. Fan complaints can be dismissed among BC's leadership because we don't know the whole story. A former player -- especially one who has had success beyond BC -- is harder to ignore. That is why Jared Dudley's comments on Saturday were so welcome.

The former ACC Player of the Year took to twitter to discuss BC Basketball's problems. What's interesting is that he didn't really take on the players or Christian's coaching. He address two issues that the new AD should address. The first is the lack of a basketball culture inside the Athletic Department. Dudley was disappointed that it took so long to recognize Barros and Bagley. We should celebrate our hoops history more than we do. The school also needs to do more so the Basketball Alumni feel more connected to the school. Their network is not as strong as the similar one among football and hockey players.

Dudley also touched on facilities. Any regular reader knows this is a recurring theme. Dudley knows that we don't need to win the facilities arms race. But we do need to look like we care about our student athletes. Any AD candidate worth hiring will figure out our facilities issues on the first campus tour. The challenge will be can that new AD raise enough money and push through all the BC and neighborhood road blocks.

The irony of all of this is that a player like Jared Dudley didn't come to BC because of how we treat our former players. He didn't come to BC because of the facilities. He came because we were the only major conference to offer him a scholarship and he had something to prove. We need more highly motivated players who have a chip on their shoulders. That is what will change BC Basketball. I just want to make sure that when we do get enough of those players, we also have the infrastructure that allows those teams to reach their potential.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Basketball's can't seem to break bad habits

BC lost again on Saturady. This time to Virginia Tech. Losing isn't new. BC has now lost 12 in a row. Losing to Virginia Tech isn't new either. BC lost to them earlier this year. But what worries and frustrates me is that this team is not getting better and not showing signs of improvement. For example, here are some of the recurring issues from the season that happened again Saturday:

-- BC started really slow, giving VT a comfortable lead
-- BC's defense was terrible and never really adjusted. VT shot nearly 67%
-- The bigs got in foul trouble and going small was a problem defensively.
-- Not enough scoring from the role players.

In the coming weeks there will be plenty of talk about Christian's future. Does he deserve another year? Should BC leave his status up to the new AD? Christian deserves to be fired. He won't be, but he does deserve it. This team doesn't have enough talent and the talent that is there is not getting better. The Defense is inexcusably bad. But I don't know if it matters. I don't think BC will hire a new coach during the AD transition. So all we are left to do is wait and hope for a sudden breakthrough.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Hockey is in a big hole

BC Men's Hockey is in a rut. With their lost to UMass Lowell, they are not even a bubble team. They are on the outside looking in. They now need to win the Hockey East Tournament if they want to get into the NCAA Tournament.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Don't make the "AD from the outside world" mistake

The Athletic Director's job is pretty complex. An AD deals with millions in revenue. Represents the school in a partnership worth hundreds of millions (the ACC). Leads an operations team that must pull off dozens of huge events each year. The Department also must sell and raise money. Then there is the human management aspect of being in charge of staffers, coaches and hundreds of athletes. Wearing all those different hats makes things comparable to a CEO. Other colleges have recently tapped CEOs from outside the sports world to lead their Athletic Departments. I hope BC doesn't make that same mistake.

Michigan, Notre Dame and Texas have all hired non-traditional ADs recently. All looked to accomplished business types to take over their huge departments. Other smaller profile schools have done it too. In most cases the results have been bad. Even the arguable best -- Notre Dame -- has still had problems. Too often the outside CEO is not used to the bureaucracy, politics or spotlight that comes with the job. Given that BC just had an AD who didn't adjust to our internal politics, I don't want another leader who struggles with the same mistakes. Each failed AD can set back our program another three or four years as we slog through a bad hiring cycle.

Any good CEO delegates. So I am sure BC could rationalize hiring an outsider and letting him/her put more experienced college admins around in supporting roles. But even with a team of staffers, there are two areas an AD cannot delegate: hiring and firing coaches, and raising money. Even if we don't promote someone who has done it at a Power 5 level, I still want someone who has hired a coach before. And I also want someone who has raised money. Raising money is tough. You have to grovel, beg and stroke egos. Bates didn't care for it and that is part of his downfall. Our new AD cannot be so proud or stubborn. He or she is going to have to sit through the dinners, play those rounds of golf and burn up phone lines. It is not fun or glamorous, but that is the job. 

BC could have taken a risk four years ago. That time has gone. Now get someone who understands the job and is willing to embrace it. Not someone who is just learning and adapting.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Will any old candidates get a second look?

Because Bates' tenure was relatively so short, some of the candidates from our last AD search could still be in play. Let's look back at some of the more prominent names from last time around.

Boo Corrigan
The first name leaked by the media on Monday was Army AD Boo Corrigan. It makes sense. Nothing in the last four years has done anything to diminish Corrigan as a potential replacement for Bates. Army has improved their football program and Corrigan has led numerous fundraising campaigns. Four years ago some worried that Corrigan would just use BC as a stepping stone. Would anyone mind that now? Using BC as a stepping stone would require that he does well. I never heard why Corrigan wasn't picked last time. There were even reports he was getting the job. Maybe he really did have his eyes set on a bigger opportunity. Since no one has hired him away, maybe this time around he will realize that BC is his best chance at a Power 5. 

Sean Frazier
Last time around Frazier was a Senior Associate AD at Wisconsin. Now he is the AD at Northern Illinois. That progression helps his candidacy this time around. Frazier publicly acknowledged his interest last time around and did the public face saving tweet of removing his name so that he could stay at Wisconsin. Would he be willing to go down the path again with BC? However frustrating it might be, the chance to lead a Power 5 school doesn't come along every day. 

Mike Cragg
Cragg is still the No. 2 guy at Duke. His name was floated the last time around but I never heard if he ever got any real interest from BC. He was Coach K's mouthpiece for a decade, so I am sure if he wanted his name out there again, he could go to friends in the media. Since it hasn't floated this time around, maybe he is happy at Duke and wants to finish his career there.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Keeping it in the family

It is natural to turn to your alumni and long-time employees when looking to fill a critical role like AD. The hope is that familiarity makes any transition smooth and that the passion for the school guides your program to new heights. All colleges consider this during major hires. Because we are replacing an AD who never really fit in, it seems even more obvious that BC should go with "BC guy/gal" right now. I don't think BC has some sort of quirky or impenetrable culture that only an insider can understand. But I do think this time around we should strongly consider someone with real ties to BC. Our coaches and fundraisers have a credibility issue with our fan base. If one of our own takes over, some of that skepticism will die down.

Here are a few candidates with BC ties who might be considered this time around.

Jim Paquette -- Athletic Director at Loyola

If anyone could hit the ground running with fund-raising, it would be Paquette. The Providence grad already served a decade as Gene's primary fundraiser and has led a number of big projects while at Loyola. He knows the administrators. He knows the big donors. He knows what has worked and hasn't worked at BC. Paquette can be the face of the Department and will understands the BC culture. There are only two issues related to Paquette's candidacy: his association with Gene and his lack of experience running a Department with Football. The association with Gene is something he can easily talk around in the interview process. He just has to explain how his vision for BC would take the best aspects of Defilippo era yet avoid his old boss's pitfalls. In my experience, Jim is not as much of a lightning rod as Gene, so I don't think he will rub anyone the wrong way. But he also has more personality than someone like Bates. As for Football experience, while he doesn't deal with it at Loyola, he certainly dealt with it at BC. He doesn't need to have Xs & Os expertise. He just needs to set expectations for the program, get the resources the program needs and find the right coach to lead that program. 

Bottom Line: I think Paquette would be the safest hire. But in this process he needs to prove that he is the type of leader who can not just return BC to its 2000s success, but take BC to that next level.

Ed McLaughlin -- Athletic Director at Virginia Commonwealth

McLaughlin is a 1995 BC grad but has built his career away from BC. Yet every step has been a step towards a place like BC. He worked for Hockey East. He worked in the area at Merrimack. He was the AD at a Catholic school (Niagra) and has now been at a mid-major power like VCU. While he has never raised money at a Power 5 school, I think his familiarity with BC and work at private schools can help any transition. Like Paquette, McLaughlin is not at a football school. But VCU basketball comes with some of the pressure and expectation that an AD faces at a football school. 

Bottom Line: McLaughlin can sell his love and ties to BC but doesn't carry the baggage of having worked at BC. Of the people tied to the school, his fresh perspective offers the biggest upside.

Chris Iacoi --  Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Chief Financial Officer at UCLA

Iacoi is the youngest among this "family" group. He graduated from BC in 2001 and worked for the school for a dozen years. Like Paquette, Iacoi was part of the success during the 2000s. However, unlike Paquette, he has never run his own department. While he has been part of critical business decisions, marketing deals and financial operations, he has never led a major fundraising campaign.  

Bottom Line: Iacoi's rise is impressive, but he would never sniff this job if not for his BC's degrees and previous work at the school. He is a likely candidate down the road, but I don't think now is Chris's time.

Vaughn Williams -- Athletic Director at Kennesaw State

Williams also worked at BC during the first half of Gene's tenure. He played football and graduated from UMass and also has a Masters degree from BC. Between his time at BC and Kennesaw, Williams worked at UConn. I know many BC fans are not aware of Kennesaw State, but as a Georgia resident, let me tell you how impressive their rise has been. Since he's been there, KSU has started a FCS Football team and has plans to make the jump to FBS. They also have some of the most elaborate and expensive Lacrosse facilities in the southeast. Williams wasn't involved with fundraising a BC, but has done enough of it at KSU to think he could adjust to our alumni and fans.

Bottom Line: Vaughn should be interviewed. It would be a big leap from KSU to BC, but he has enough of the boxes checked to at least get a chance to sell his vision for the Athletic Department.

Current Staffers

You could make some case for many of the current Athletic Department staffers like Jaime Seguin, Steve Novak, John Kane, Jill Hegarty, and Tom Peters. Many of them are BC grads and long-time loyal staffers. However, promoting from within would send the wrong message to our frustrated fans.

Bottom Line: I don't think BC will promote from within. 

Monday, February 20, 2017

Shock the system with a play for Chip Kelly


There is a lot to the Athletic Director's job and many things BC must consider in this search process. But for a moment throw that all out the window. Instead of going the predictable route, I think BC should swing for the fences. The predictable candidates will always be there. Let's think boldly for a moment. BC should offer the Athletic Director role to Chip Kelly.

Now I don't think Kelly as Addazio's boss is some sort of Dream Team. My goal in offering the AD job to Kelly now is that he can take it immediately and start planning for his eventual transition into AD and Head Football Coach. As we saw in San Francisco and Philadelphia, Kelly wants to run his own show. Any college that hires him is going to give him autonomy. Nothing will signal that autonomy more than making him AD too.

In a different era, head coaches also served as ADs. The demands of both jobs are now so consuming that is in unrealistic to do both. However, hiring Kelly as AD now allows him to build a staff and infrastructure so that when he does resume coaching duties, his full Department staff will be in place. It will be his show. His people and his approach.

Would Kelly even want this? I don't know. He seems to have a healthy ego and interested in aspects of sports and coaching that are not strictly football. Maybe it is the type of challenge he would welcome. Would he be willing to raise money and glad hand donors? I don't know, but his presence will open wallets and he can hire some people to do the calls and dinners. Would it upset Addazio to the point where he would bail on the 2017 season? I don't know, but if that comes as a result of Kelly taking over, I don't think many BC fans would worry about it.

This would be the longest of longshots, but why not. What's the worst that could happen? We've already been to the bottom of the Power 5. Landing Kelly would be a sign to the sports world that things are different at BC.

Bates officially out

The long-discussed and often rumored situation with Brad Bates is finally official. He will step down this summer when his contract ends. Per the BC release, he will go into consulting. I will have much more on this in the coming days, but Bates' tenure will go down as a failure. While he avoided scandal, his inability to adapt to the BC culture or establish a clear one of his own, his failure to raise significant money and his curious and questionable hiring decisions have led to this moment.

BC has a lot of options going forward. And while this is just officially news now, many of the candidates and players have known this was coming. It will be interesting to see who emerges. My guess is that BC will hire someone with clear ties to the school and a clear track record raising money.

Best of luck to Brad Bates. He seemed like a nice guy. Just the wrong one for this job. 

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Confusion at Bosco and other links

One of the most important pipelines for BC Football is in a bit of a shakeup. Last week it was announced that long-time Don Bosco Head Coach Greg Toal Sr was out at the New Jersey power. The initial announcement framed it as voluntary and a retirement. Based on this article and Toal's continued and purposeful silence, it seems like there is more to the story. Toal is promising his former players he will speak this week. Future Eagle Marcus Valdez was one of the players rallying around Toal. As for why this matters to BC...Toal is the father of two former players and has sent dozens of players from the school to BC. Having him serve as an advocate for BC has always been an asset to our New Jersey efforts.

Former WZBC guy Mike Gualtieri has a podcast and has interviewed a few BC-related people like Meter and Luke Russert.

BC Baseball is off to a bit of a rough start. Bethune-Cookman swept them this weekend. Softball lost to Drake Sunday but is off to a much better start.

The Women's Ice Hockey team finished their regular season with a win over Providence.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

BC ties Vermont again

Yesterday I wrote that BC needed another win Saturday against UVM. That didn't happen. Unfortunately the boys tied Catamonts. again.

This does not impact the Hockey East standings -- where BC remains the top seed. BC now has a series against Lowell before the Hockey East Tournament starts.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Good news, bad news for BC Hockey

After the past two weeks, BC needed a win. They didn't get one. They tied Vermont. However, it was one of those ties that felt like a loss since BC squandered a three goal lead.

The good news is that BC did clinch a bye for the first round of the Hockey East Tournament. But this will also be a different sort of Hockey East Tournament. Usually BC has some breathing room entering the postseason. Now -- according to many bracket watchers -- BC is on the bubble. BC needs to finish strong and hopefully get wins over UVM this weekend, and Lowell next weekend, plus a good Hockey East showing. I trust York. Let's hope the guys rally.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Can #decidetofly catch on like #beadude?

Prior to Signing Day, you may have noticed BC Football folks using the hashtag #decidetofly in various social media formats. BC not only had their recruits use the tag, but they also asked BC Football alumni to explain why they decided to fly and how "#decidetofly" has helped them.

Signing Day has come and gone, but #decidetofly is still around. Addazio tweeted it out again Thursday (below) as he shared the team going through offseason conditioning drills. The video is good. The message is good too. I hope it works. If BC can get "Decide to Fly" to actually catch on, it may prove more timeless than "Be a Dude" and applicable to multiple aspects of Boston College, not just Football.

Now I just need someone to explain why they are hashtaging "IRENE."

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Two BC players headed to NFL Combine and why that matters

Congratulations to Matt Milano and John Johnson. Both received invites to the NFL Combine. This doesn't guarantee that either will be drafted, but the Combine is the best place to generate interest. The guys will be facing the best of the best and get to prove the belong. While this is really about Milano and Johnson, it is also good news for BC. The school can use their success as another thing to sell to recruits. Addazio can say we develop recruits for the next level.

Does anyone remember Milano and Johnson's status as recruits? Milano was 3 star from Florida, but was ignored by the traditional powers in his own state. He did not even receive an offer from Central Florida or South Florida. His only other Power 5 offer was from Arizona. Johnson's offer list was a little better, but he was only rated as a 2 star. And as he mentioned during the bowl game, Johnson was ignored by Maryland despite playing in their backyard. As high schoolers, neither projected as future NFL stars. And although they were recruited by Spaz, most casual fans don't know that. They were part of "Addazio's first Signing Day." He can tell other recruits, "I found these guys and my staff made them better."

Milano and Johnson might not be the only success stories out of this group of BC seniors. BC will have its own Pro Day in March when others on the roster can show their stuff. Good luck to all of them.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Bowman's big night not enough against ND

Ky Bowman is an ACC player. We just need about eight more like him. He scored 29 -- including 5 3-pointers -- in BC's loss to Notre Dame. To make things that much more frustrating, two of Notre Dame's BC-connected players Bonzi Colson and Matt Farrell scored 20 and 19 respectively.

Other parts of the game that felt frustratingly familiar: BC had the lead again at half and couldn't maintain it. Chatman couldn't score. BC's bigs had trouble on D. No one else stepped up to help Bowman with the scoring burden.

After the game, Notre Dame's Mike Brey had nothing but praise for Christian and the job he is doing. But I don't care what Brey thinks or what he says. These coaches are always very forgiving and patient when it is another guy losing. Other coaches made the same sort of comments about Donahue. BC has nearly a week off before taking on Florida State next Monday. I hope Christian is productive with that time. I don't know if it will make a difference at this point.




Monday, February 13, 2017

Hockey struggles continue

BC finished lasts in the Beanpot. Let that sink in for a minute. BC is a bit at the stage where nothing can go their way. The loss to Northeastern was somewhat controversial. Cotton scored what should have been the go ahead goal late in the third, but it was called off. Following that decision, Northeastern answered to take the lead and then added one more empty net goal in the final seconds.

This was the first time that BC finished last in the Beanpot under Jerry York. Traditionally the team used this little series as the starting point for another championship run. Now York has to use a different tactic. The team has lost three straight. Some of it has been bad luck, but the team also needs more scoring. 

The team takes the ice again Friday against Vermont. I trust York will have them ready.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

John Johnson scouting and other links

After a solid Senior Bowl, John Johnson is getting more attention.

Give credit to BC basketball assistant Scott Spinelli. Even as the team looks terrible, he's still beating the bushes looking for more talent. BC is in the mix with many players from this New Jersey showcase.

If you want to get a glimpse into how the sausage is made in recruiting rankings, it will be interesting to follow Florida Running Back Deshuan Fenwick. He was an unranked and relatively unknown prospect. BC recently offered him. Now Georgia has come into the picture. Want to bet that if this once unranked junior signs with Georgia, he will have three stars at a minimum?

Saturday, February 11, 2017

BC falls into a familiar pattern and loses again

While both teams looked lost in the first 15 minutes of the game, BC was still able to establish a big lead. They were playing good defense, and although shots weren't dropping, they made some good decisions on the court. But just like the Pitt game, BC's opponent chipped away at the lead before the half and then dominated the second half. The final score was GT 65, BC 54.

BC did not shoot well in the second half, but that is only part of the story. The D got lazy in the second half. They let guys get position and also gave up too much space. There were other issues too. Why in the second half when were a desperate to score, did we find new ways to get it to Jeffers? The other two transfers (Tava and Chatman) dd not look good either.

Bowman seems to be trying to lead, but I don't know if the older guys are buying in to what he does. He had 13 points, but GT did a good job containing him and not give him good looks from outside.

I don't know what the answer is. Christian is still juggling the minutes. so maybe he is still trying to figure it out. I just want them to improve quickly so that there is hope for the future.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Bad day for Hockey

In a big upset, the BC women lost their first game since November and their first home loss since 2013. Northeastern built a 2-0 lead. BC fought back to cut it to 2-1 but never we able to get that second goal. The loss is disappointing, but the streak should be respected. It was a great run and this team will probably start another one soon.

The Men's team -- hoping to bounce back from the Beanpot -- lost 6-3 to Merrimack.

Thursday, February 09, 2017

Signs of activity for Addazio's next recruiting class

As I've written before, I am not real concerned with recruiting rankings. I do find the sausage making of recruiting interesting. Where BC recruits, who BC recruits, and how BC recruits tells us about Addazio's approach. BC can't officially talk about recruiting, but the openess of social media allows us more insight into the process. For example, since Signing Day Addazio and staff has been busy offering players for the 2018 class. Look at all the players mentioning offers on Twitter below. From Twitter, it is also clear that BC wants them to share their status. BC must be providing pictures and logos to these guys since the same ones show up on tweet after tweet.

Traditionally Addazio locks in most of his class over the summer. With this current wave of activity, maybe things will fill up even faster.

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

Basketball loses to Pitt

Basketball's slide continues as they lost another game Wednesday...this time to Pitt. BC built an early lead but Pitt made a run to tie the game going into the half. In the second half Pitt stayed hot. BC did not.

BC needed this game. Not for postseason play or resumes. But for momentum. It was at home against another bad ACC team and we didn't respond after their run. BC's shooting faded and there was no answer. The challenge remains with the front line and with the D. If our shooters are not hot, we have no chance.

The team's next outing is against Georgia Tech on Saturday. I will be there in person. Hopefully the momentum will change.

Tuesday, February 07, 2017

Monday, February 06, 2017

BC bounced from Beanpot

The team came in hot, but it didn't matter once they dropped the puck. The Terriers dominated throughout and went on to a 3-1 victory.

BU controlled early and got the first goal. Meanwhile, BC couldn't muster much offense at all in the first period. It wasn't a huge surprise as BU also won the season's previous matchups. They have more top level talent right now and a little more depth. The hope was that BC would start coming together right about now.

With the loss, BC has to regroup and take on Merrimack Friday and then the Beanpot consultation game against Northeastern on Monday.

Sunday, February 05, 2017

Thank you, Matt Ryan

Like most of you I am stunned and without much to say. I don't know what the future holds. Sports are funny. Windows and opportunities close unexpectedly or last longer than anyone could have planned. I hope Matt has many more chances in the coming years.

While I feel for him, I am not offering up my pity. I doubt he wants it...or cares, frankly. What I do want to offer is my thanks. I think I have watched every snap of football he has taken in college and the NFL. During that time, he has put 100% effort and determination into every play. He has also been a class act on and off the field. Football is a team sport, so one player can't do it all. However, Matt is one of those people who make everyone around him better. Thank you, Matt.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Matt Ryan is the NFL MVP


The NFL named Matt Ryan the MVP of the league. Sunday is when he can really cement his legacy, but the MVP award is certainly historic. Ryan finished ahead of Tom Brady. The New England quarterback missed the first four games of the season, but even if Brady had played, it would be hard to deny Ryan. The Falcons had the best Offense in the NFL this year and Ryan set career marks in nearly every category. He also spread the ball around so that it was more than just Julio Jones.

I didn't understand the hostility towards Ryan as he became the favorite for the award. I know I shouldn't care this much, but it often felt like because he doesn't play for one the NFL's golden franchises and because he went to BC, he was never going to be considered great by the talking heads. Fortunately, as in other sports, statistics and analytics are now overcoming "narrative."

Sunday matters more, but I am very happy for Matt. This has been a long time coming. I hope this is the first of many.

Basketball loses to Louisville

I don't have much to add to the final score of 90-67, Cardinals. Bowman played well, but Louisville has more size, speed and talent than BC. Robinson was not on, but that wasn't the sole reason BC lost.

The guys now have a few days off until they take on Pitt Wednesday.

Friday, February 03, 2017

Hockey stays hot

The Men's team held off UNH in Durham 6-4. (Goal chart below.) Let's hope they keep it up Monday night at the Garden.


Thursday, February 02, 2017

BC's recruits get some media attention

Addazio raved about AJ Dillon during his interviews Wednesday and the four star running back received the most attention in and around Signing Day. He was on ESPN and also featured in the Boston and Connecticut media.




Because of the time difference on the West Coast and an afternoon press conference out there, Addazio couldn't talk about QB Matt McDonald. His story sounds great and seems like he has real upside.

As Addazio mentioned, Tate Haynes will also be given a chance to play QB at BC.

Even though Travis Levy is already on campus, he is still getting attention from his home town paper.

It sounds like Isaiah McDuffie's dad is building a regional power in Buffalo. Probably not a bad guy to have in BC's corner.

Noah Jordan-Williams tried to talk BC into recruiting his high school teammate. Obviously Addazio and crew did not. But that sort of loyalty is refreshing.

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

Thoughts on Football's recruiting class

There are many, many times when I feel like Steve Addazio is full of it and the wrong guy. One area where I don't doubt him is recruiting. Wednesday was National Signing Day and Addazio was finally able to discuss his latest recruits.

While the ranking services are killing the class (calling it the worst in the ACC), the coach doesn't seem concerned. I am not concerned either. There seems to be a good mix of highly touted players and under the radar guys who can develop in the system. Here are a few other thoughts.

Addazio recruiting for depth and balance

This will be the first season where the entire roster was recruited by Addazio. This is also the point where he can have the depth chart where he wants it. Over and over in discussing this class, he emphasized that in the first few classes they were fixing holes and starting guys too early. Like last year, I expect most of this class to redshirt. So we won't even know their true value for another season or two.

He brought in three QBs in this class, plus he spoke openly of Darius Wade returning. Wade's Twitter feed indicated he was looking around. Maybe they've got him to buy in for one more season. But regardless, there is now plenty of depth and variety at the QB spot. Brown remains the favorite, but the quality around him will hopefully push him to be better.

Shifting from ACC Country to California

Addazio repeatedly mentioned going into California, especially the Catholic Schools. This is also the first year in a while where we don't have players from the heart of ACC country (Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas). You can't be everywhere at once, so it makes sense to be in places where you can sell your product to quality players. In California we are clearly different. And for such a huge population, there are fewer Power 5 programs out there recruiting certain pockets. Are we going to steal kids from USC? No. But we do have a good pitch to kids with lower level Pac 12 offers. And being so different allows us to really see if a kid is interested.

No one knows anything

I've been following BC recruiting long enough to know that predicting who will pan out is nearly impossible. The only time I get concerned about recruiting is when there is obvious coaching mismanagement (scholarship usage) or when a seemingly perfect fit turns BC down for strange reasons. When that is happening, you can't trust what is going on at Yawkey. Even after some rocky moments that is not happening with Addazio. That tells me the lockerroom still believes in him and the high school coaches do.

BC being so different from other Power 5 schools means that there is a lot of self-selecting going on with the guys we recruit. That has produced quality, committed, motivated players over the years. Let's hope that is true of this class.

BC making a big deal out of National Signing Day

One of the reasons I feel good about the Signing Day is due to all the access BC provided. Addazio and his two coordinators sat down for one-on-ones with Meter. While coaches all love their players, there is a sincerity and a level of detail that allows me to trust their evaluations. Remember a few years ago when players joked that Spaz didn't know their names. That's not a problem now. You can tell just from the interviews.

Addazio also went viral with more videos. When I was at lunch, the restaurant had ESPN on in the background and they were already playing the Addazio Saltbae things. I don't know why his videos catch on and other coaches don't but, hey, do what you can. As long as the kids like it, right?

BC also put the Addazio press conference online and had Addazio, Barry Gallup and Ricky Brown sit down for a podcast with Meter.