Sunday, April 30, 2017
Addazio gets verbal from Jersey QB
BC should have a pretty good sense of Langan as a player and a person, because his high school coach is Anthony Campanile's brother Nunzio.
Welcome Langan and hopefully he helps lead a big Garden State push for this recruiting class.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Bills draft Milano
The good news for Milano is going in the 5th round. The difference in pay from a later round isn't high, but the odds of making the final roster are better. Teams expect production out of the 5th round. Milano is a versatile player. Hopefully he can get some quality playing time this year.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Rams draft Johnson
There are still plenty of rounds of the Draft to come. Hopefully Milano will get his shot too.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Ohio State football series pushed back again
What makes this unique for BC and Ohio State is that Martin Jarmond is technically in charge of scheduling at Ohio State, and starting in June will be in charge of BC's schedule. Neither BC or Ohio State attributed any quotes to Jarmond nor did the school reference his ties to both schools. There is not quote from Addazio or Bates either.
The reality is that as much as Jarmond is "in charge of" scheduling, he is really just doing what Urban Meyer wants. By pushing the series back, it makes it that much more likely this game won't happen. It also increases the odds that Meyer won't have to face his friend Addazio. Based on coaching trends, it is unlikely that both will still be in their respective jobs. Plus Addazio will be 66 at kickoff.
I don't know if Addazio wants this game either. His recent schedule moves have been against lower-tier Power 5 teams. He is looking for very winnable games. It is likely that even in 2026, BC would be an underdog to the Buckeyes.
I am disappointed. I would like to see more opponents like Ohio State, not fewer. The landscape in college sports keeps changing, so I have no idea what 2026 will bring. TV deals and more conference shakeups, not to mention a potential rights fees bubble, could mean that teams play more conference games or it could mean ESPN has even more say over non-conference games. Now that BC has a opening, I hope Jarmond uses it to find a great replacement for Ohio State. As I have said and written many times, it is worth the risk for BC.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Maybe Jim Harbaugh should be one of Addazio's role models
I know Harbaugh is far from perfect. He's a college coach, so there is a healthy mix of ego, hypocrisy, obsession and misguided priorities in his life. However, the guy has passion. And the guy turns that passion into interesting opportunities. Last year as part of spring ball, he took his team to Florida. This year, it went bigger and he took the team to Rome. Since you can't pay these players, a truly educational trip like this is a justifiable form of compensation. It is great PR too. Heck, we might get more BC alums to travel to Rome for a Spring game than we would hosting one in Alumni.
An added bonus is that Harbaugh got to meet Pope Francis and hand him a Michigan helmet. Given the Pope's history as a Jesuit, do you think he would turn down a visit from America's only FBS Jesuit football team?
Make this happen, Martin Jarmond.
Coach Harbaugh & Pope Francis!! ππΊ πΊπΈ 〽〽〽 #GoBlue #HailToTheVictors #FaithFamilyFootball #TheMichiganDifference #HarbaughEffect pic.twitter.com/VUvJ7G7yh8— Michigan Nation24/7 (@247Wolverines) April 26, 2017
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
More Draft stuff
Here is the video of Mike Mayoc's visit with Johnson.
MUST SEE VIDEO: @MikeMayock is back on campus with @nflnetwork to interview @iamjohnthethird leading up to Thursday's #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/PVB03RoGGb— BC Football (@BCFootball) April 25, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Jarmond says all the right things
The session was light on details, but that really can't be a surprise. The guy is not even officially in the job yet and hasn't met the whole staff. He may have very specific plans for BC, but now wasn't the time to share them.
He emphasized BC's balance of academics and athletics and even sprinkled in a reference to the spiritual (which is a slightly new twist). While still not battling the specifics of parking, food, tailgates, etc, he did address that the fan's game day experience starts at home and BC needs to make the trip to campus inviting and easy. Jarmond avoided a pointed question about both basketball programs and did say that he has hired and fired people before (it is just not on his resume).
I also appreciated his humor. He joked with alumni Tom Leyden that the school will soon be asking him for money. I can't see Brad Bates ever joking about something like that. But the joke, his background and his reference to BC's financial commitment show that we have a AD focused on fundraising. That doesn't guarantee success, but having more resources won't hurt any program.
Press Conferences don't make a team or program. They are only really notable when they are screwed up. Jarmond did better than most, but I don't think anyone is going to remember this day. What he does in the next two years will be more important.
Welcome Martin Jarmond pic.twitter.com/KTpJgEUnQt
— #BCEagles (@BCEagles) April 24, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Baseball gets much needed sweep
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Trying to read into the Spring Game
Friday, April 21, 2017
Christian gets another guard in the recruiting class
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Can Martin Jarmond fix Boston College Sports?
BC doesn't have a problem on its hands with Martin Jarmond. It is the opposite. The new Boston College Athletic Director has a huge problem on his hands. The problem is BC sports. At this point in time, BC Athletics has a fanbase problem, an execution problem with their most high-profile sports, a fundraising problem, a facilities problem, a local and national perception problem, and another dozen issues in some of the non-revenue sports. All of the problems are solvable. I had hoped for a more experienced operator who had been hardened in previous political battles. I will take someone who seems to have youthful energy, ambition and a vision. Jarmond is going to need all of it.
The good news is that Jarmond has a history and passion for fundraising. That was one of the known prerequisites for this search. Raising money at Ohio State and Michigan State is a completely different animal from BC, but if Jarmond's quick accent shows anything, it is that he can adapt and rise to the occasion. Development is hard and a lot like sales. There are many dinners, and coffees and rounds of golf, and at the end of each one, you have to ask the person across the table for more money than he or she ever planned on giving. Bates was never comfortable doing that. It looks like Jarmond can. That alone will be a breath of fresh air and should help BC's sports revenues grow. I am happy for the people in BC Development who have gone a long time without an AD they could leverage in their jobs.
Bringing in someone from a sports factory like Ohio State is an interesting decision for BC. We do so many things differently. BC won't change how we handle admissions or academic tutoring, but maybe we will become more like Ohio State in our sports operations. Instead of doing things on the cheap and how we've always done them, maybe Jarmond can instill some new methods and minimums to give our athletes and coaches an even playing field.
But years from now -- when we look at Jarmond's legacy -- it will be how he handles Football and Basketball. I am less concerned about Basketball. Jarmond is a former DIA basketball player. Jim Christian is a lame duck. Jarmond has nearly a year to get things in place and find a new coach next spring. He has never hired a basketball coach, but has been around the sport for a long time. I will trust him on that. Football is a different issue. The Urban Meyer clique did have influence on this process. They went to bat for Jarmond. Jarmond and Addazio already have a relationship (Addazio was keynote speaker at an Ohio State coaches clinic just a few weeks ago). Bates never stood up to Addazio. Will Jarmond tell Addazio to ignore the critics? Will Jarmond tell Addazio to watch his temper with lower level employees? And most importantly will Jarmond make a difficult decision on Addazio if we go 6-6 again next fall? We won't know until things play out.
The reaction among BC fans and in the Athletic community has been overwhelmingly positive. This is the honeymoon. I now hope that Jarmond can fix BC before the frustrating BC-ness of our sports operations break him.
BC names Martin Jarmond new AD
Congratulations to BC's new Athletic Director Martin Jarmond. He has a big job ahead of him, but seems up for the challenge.
I will have a more in-depth post later.
Heights says it is Jarmond
Source: Deal with Martin Jarmond is 100% done. He's going to be the new AD at Boston College.— Michael Sullivan (@MichaelJSully) April 20, 2017
More as it unfolds.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Explaining my Martin Jarmond tweets
In the ever-changing BC AD search a new name emerged Wednesday: Ohio State assistant AD Martin Jarmond. The name first leaked out on the BC message boards, then the Heights and finally via SI's Pete Thamel. I immediately went to Twitter to share my skepticism on the reports. Because this post could be meaningless in less than 24 hours (see the Mike Dee talk), I will try to keep things short. I don't believe Jarmond is the choice and I would be less than thrilled if he is the hire.
My skepticism on Jarmond being the candidate is based on how quiet this process has been. For better or worse, this is a Father Leahy decision and he has shown no history of sharing his opinions or news with sports reporters. The only thing I hear from BC people is that this is all Leahy and he is not talking. So if Jarmond is truly a finalist, it is his side that is talking to the media or BC folks speculating. If Jarmond's representatives are leaking to the media prior to a deal being finalized, they are playing with fire. It is the surest way to lose a BC offer. I would also be surprised by Jarmond based on the prerequisites that BC wanted in a candidate. While he has fundraising experience, Jarmond has never run his own department and has never hired or fired a coach. Of course, BC can say they want something and totally flip on that requirement, but it would be somewhat out of character for Father Leahy given his decisions since firing Gene D.
As for my skepticism on Jarmond's ability for the role, I just think BC is not in a place where we want someone learning on the job. We have major building projects to execute, decisions to make on our three biggest coaches (I am including a plan for when York steps down), and a fan and donor base to build up. Jarmond might be an Athletic Director wunderkind, but I would prefer someone who had a longer track record and a proven history of success.
We will see how this plays out. As the constant naysayer in this process, I will be wrong eventually. I just don't think it will be with Jarmond.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Occupy Wall Street -- BC style
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.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Silly season
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.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Baseball wins their first ACC series of the season
The team takes on Dartmouth next and then resumes ACC play next weekend against NC State.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
The arms race
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.Waste of money. Give it to the athletes https://t.co/FDManqLCXz— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) April 15, 2017
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!
Friday, April 14, 2017
More on Milano and other links
The Baseball team got its second ACC win of the season.
Softball lost both ends of a double header to UNC.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Women's Golf fighting for ACC Title this weekend
More Spring Game info and other links
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.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
The waiting is the hardest part
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.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Turner gone
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.Boston College sophomore AJ Turner told ESPN he will transfer. Has received his release.— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 10, 2017
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.
Sunday, April 09, 2017
Smoke signals on new AD
-- 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.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
Football adds another grad transfer
Friday, April 07, 2017
A few recruiting notes
BC sounds like they are in a good position for Indiana LB Hugh Davis.
Thursday, April 06, 2017
Spring injuries and other links
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.
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
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.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Weather disrupts Baseball/Softball and other links
Monday, April 03, 2017
Another ACC Champ
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.
Sunday, April 02, 2017
Tourney still lucrative for BC
Saturday, April 01, 2017
Dude?
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