Tuesday, December 11, 2018

BC and Addazio out of limbo, so now what?



When is an extension, not a real extension? When your own press release buries the news in the fourth paragraph on the announcement. The message from Jarmond is light on specifics and lacks any dollar signs (which is typical of BC). It only explains that Addazio's contract was extended for two years. The extension had to be done. BC was in an untenable position...of their own making. But why did they do it like this and what does the future hold?

Clearly BC is frustrated with Addazio. You don't start your message off with we wish we had won more if everything is wonderful. But following the losing streak and the rumors, BC had to say or do something. In College Football it becomes very hard to lock down quality recruits and a quality staff if there is much uncertainty. This public extension provides some relief to Addazio's recruits and anyone he is going to try to bring on as a new staffer. (But as the Coen news mentioned, most of the new hires will probably ask for and get a two-year deal.) That was the only reason for the extension. There are no other suitors out there trying to hire Addazio away from BC. He wasn't walking away either. This settles the public aspect. Behind the scenes is a little different.

You don't drag negotiations after six years, no suitors and a .500 record if you want to secure and pay your coach for the long term. You don't have to because you are negotiating against yourself. While there was incentive to help recruiting, there was no incentive to help the Steve Addazio retirement fund. I don't know any of the specific financials of the deal, but do know that this new commitment won't be a financial obstacle if BC decides to make a change next year.

This means that Addazio is coaching for his job. He's got the talent, the practice facility, a schedule he handpicked, his best recruiting class, a veteran QB and playmakers all over the roster. There are no excuses. And if he doesn't break his ceiling, he will be done.

Knowing this only makes me frustrated with how Martin Jarmond played this. As I said the Sunday after the Syracuse game: Addazio is either the right guy or not. We are not learning anything new in Year 7 that we don't already know in Year 6. He is who he is. While that had value at a certain point to BC and while he does deserve credit for building BC up after Spaz, at what point do we say we can be more? It is a risk, but I think it is a risk worth taking. Jarmond himself has even said in sports you are getting better or you are getting worse. Does he really feel we are getting better or are we stagnant?

I don't know how this will end. My gut tells me it will end with seven wins in 2019 and Addazio being fired. I hope I am wrong because that will mean we wasted a year of everyone's time.

59 comments:

Big Ern said...

Don’t think we get to seven wins. That said this just delays the inevitable and antagonizes the fan base.

Hope he has that $150 million lined up. Gonna be tough convincing fans that BC is serious about sports.

Unknown said...

ATL remains a "homer" predicting 7 wins in 2019. We're only winning 3 or 4 depending on Kansas game.

A look at the 2019 Schedule and early predictions with Daz

Richmond Sept 7- Win (The cupcake on the schedule)
Kansas Sept 14- Loss (Les Miles & co. will come into Alumni having beat Indiana St. and
Coastal Carolina. They'll be gunning for their first 3-0 start since 2009)
@ Rutgers Sept 21- Win (If BC loses fans revolt en masse and Daz loses the team for the season)
Florida State- Loss
NC State- Loss
Virginia Tech- Loss
Wake Forest- Win (Daz makes this one interesting though)
@ Clemson- Loss (Blowout by more than 40 given BC's lack of offense and poor defense)
@ Louisville- Loss (New Louisville head coach senses and draws blood because of a weak opponent at home)
@ Pitt- Loss
@ Syracuse- Loss
@ Notre Dame Nov 23- Loss (Second major shellacking loss of the season by more than 40 points)

Daz ends the season 3-9, 1-7 in conference. Drops overall record (after 2018 bowl loss) to 41-48 (0.460) and 19-37 (0.339). Record vs. the top 25 drops to around 1-20.

JBQ said...

It does look like 3-9. It is a long way to the Fall. However, there are major graduation losses on defense in both the line and secondary with the middle linebacker going as well. The offensive line will be gone. If they go 3 and 9, he will be gone.---- They also now need a new O.C. Major problems are shaping up. The slide will begin with the game against Boise State. Actually, he should play backups for a spell at all of the graduating positions to give them some experience. Allen and Ray cannot be replaced.---Actually, Jarmond was put in an untenable position. You cannot fire a coach with a winning record albeit padded with podunks. BB and his extension of three years at 2.5 mill really looks crooked to me.---From a visit in 2017 to the athletic department, Bates was never there. He was either out drinking or philandering. Jill Hegarty ran the entire athletic department and has experience as director of football operations with her husband (evidently) being the director of hockey operations. I met her and found her to be knowledgeable and personable. Obviously, she should have been made the athletic director. It is becoming more and more obvious just why Jarmond got the job with no relevant experience.

bceagle93 said...

This has not been a good week for BC. As you may have seen there was another act of racism on campus this past weekend making it the 2nd time in two years. This (mis)handling of the situation with Daz, the University’s highest paid employee, along with the departure of a successful, long standing female coach is also going to get alumni asking questions about institutional leadership. And I think the spotlight has to swing more toward Leahy now than MJ. None of this is befitting of our community —and I find it hard to believe that donors and alumni are going to put up with it much longer. It smacks of leadership that is completely out of touch with the community and reality. At this rate I would not be surprised if we will be getting a new football HC AND president before 2022....

Bravesbill said...

Any extension is an extension especially if Daz gets to coach another year.

Bravesbill said...

What I can’t figure out is what Daz has over Jarmond. Why would Jarmond hitch his wagon to that loser when Daz isn’t even his guy?

Shabby1011 said...
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Shabby1011 said...

How in the world was Alison Foley fired? And to confirm to everyone, she was fired. You don’t resign to pursue other opportunities when you have gone to the NCAA tourney every year and coach in ACC. The AD should be called out on this hard....but won’t

The operations department of BC athletics right now is at an all time low. The Cuse game day operation was inexcusable, Clemson wasn’t much better (woefully understaffed as well) and the Texas A&M debacle is unheard of. There has been far too many incidents of unprofessional and inexperienced performance in such a short period it is alarming. Further the launch of a 150M fund when zero changes to Flynn Fund is unattainable. Not one thing has yet to be done to overhaul the archaic Flynn Fund parking/donor system. Nothing. That is surprising, Gene D put that in 15 years ago and attendance has basically plummeted since. I would think it’s time for a change to the system but what do I know.

As for Daz, the extension means nothing. For recruiting purposes they had to extend him out for time being once they decided to not fire. I am sure they are more favorable to BC then to Daz. Next year with the launch of the ACC Network BC will be getting about $50M a year from the ACC, hopefully that would cover a coaching change.

The bigger issue is as ATL correctly points out what are you learning in year 7 that you don’t already know. Daz has improved program and gotten roster on stable ground, recruiting has improved. That being said this was a terrible ending to what could have been a nice season. Next year they will find a way to win 6 go to Quick Lane Bowl and be good enough to not fire. The cycle will most likely to continue for a couple years. That said if Daz can land Pyne and hire a legitimate OC then with a healthy Dillon next year who knows.

The AD got off to a decent start and seems to hear the fans on some issues but recent incidents are reason to pause. Someone should demand answers on the Foley situation

Edward Griffith said...

Instead of paying one of the ten lousiest coaches in the US a minor fortune for
coaching malpractice or malfeasance a 200,00 raise to Allison Foley for her tremendously
successful women's soccer program would be in order.

mod34b said...
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mod34b said...
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Geezer eagle said...

Careful, Mod. You're dishing "The Anointed One."

ObserverCollege said...

People have misrepresented the timeframe. You have the predecessor coach's holdovers for the first four years of the new coach's tenure (until the redshirts under the predecessor finish their fifth years). But then you have players who interacted with players who played under the predecessor. You have to flush out that misplaced peer influence.

So in the fourth year, the now-fifth years who redshirted under the predecessor share the weight room and the practice field with kids redshirting in the new coach's fourth year. Those fourth-year redshirts don't leave the program until after their fifth years, which correspond with the new coach's eighth year.

So it's really only in Year Nine that the Head Coach has been able to fully implement his program. Until then the predecessor contaminates the current Head Coach's best efforts. We should admire Coach Addazio's ability to win seven games with a contaminated roster, and look forward to 2021 when we can see his program unencumbered with the stench of the past regime.

Napolean Bonaparte said...

Foley is a real loss - like everyone I'm just guessing - but I doubt it was money as she could have said "fine" and easily gone about finding a better paying head coaching position at another program. It was probably a personal decision relating to a sudden crisis (health, family, etc.) or something else which is her business alone. It's also not inconceivable that she wanted to do something else in the soccer field outside of coaching. But it seems inconceivable that she would have been fired. In any event - whatever it may be - she came across as a class act, did a great job at BC and will be sorely missed.

The Addazio thing? My bet is that Leahy thinks very highly of him and under no circumstances was prepared to let him go after a consistent winning record (regardless of the accuracy of that) and his success in keeping the program under control (i.e., no player scandals, in compliance, etc.). And in no way was he prepared to swallow $5 million on his contract. The extension - like most have said - was probably cosmetic in most respects. I think Leahy supports athletics generally but in no way wants BC to enter the cutthroat realm of big time college athletics as he perceives it. And while that is laudable to some extent - I think the problem we see is one of inconsistency in that we are enjoying the $$$ benefits of that realm by being in the ACC while incurring nearly $3 million in rolled up costs (salary, benefits, etc.) for a head coach (who may be an extremely decent fellow) but is not delivering equivalent value and meeting expectations as the highest paid employee of the university. Jarmond - as a relatively new hire - does not have the influence or political clout to push back on Leahy as much as he may want to. Anyway - my two cents.

Anonymous said...

93, How did you find out about that, seriously? Was it in the paper?

Geezer eagle said...

Observer, have you ever considered stand-up comedy? Lol

Anonymous said...

. . . The acting Dean sent out an email to all students this week decrying it and saying the male student who did it is up for expulsion(they gave him his lawsuit there by indicating gender and insinuating a predetermined outcome of his case).

Not sure why didn't handle the case and move on. The acting Dean is asking for trouble from the press. There have been incidents before two you mention in the early 2000's, there was black student who stabbed a white student over a laundry issue that had racial motivation against the white student.

Not a big deal. The Dean is making it one though. She won't get hired.

mod34b said...
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bceagle93 said...

Knuck -- actually, I first found out about Foley on BCI when I saw the Daz news break.

https://www.bcinterruption.com/boston-college-womens-soccer/2018/12/10/18135262/alison-foley-longtime-womens-soccer-coach-resigns-post-as-head-coach

There was an official announcement made on BCeagles.com and it was on social media as well.

I find the timing of it very interesting. It could be completely coincidental, but you have to wonder....I'm also surprised that there hasn't been more made about the racist incident on campus over the weekend. Pretty big deal (Globe coverage), and not a good look for the University at all. The Heights ran the story and released the kid's name. I actually first heard about that from my high school aged son who saw someone he follows post about it on Instagram.

Echoes will be ringing louder on Leahy's ability to lead going forward for sure....

Anonymous said...

Mod, you are a loser and contribute nothing, like a true Rutgers fan.

mod34b said...
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BarraCuda said...

As I see it there are two possibilities to explain the extension:

1. Jarmond thinks that Addazio might be the long-term answer and wants to buy more time. As incredible as this might seem, at least it would explain why Daz wasn't fired.

2. Jarmond knows that Addazio is not the long-term answer but wants to "save the recruiting class", which is another way of saying "wants to deceive a bunch of 18 year-olds".

Neither of these is especially palatable.

bceagle91 said...

Mod, I agree with your point about BC's response to the racist incident. I do wish Fr. Leahy would have issued a statement himself, but everything else, I think, was handled well. Not a BC problem but a problem student. We have over 9,000 undergrads and this was a bad apple.

Cuda, if Jarmond wants to "save the recruiting class", this is a very expensive way to do it. If we couldn't get over the 7 win hump this year, we never will under Daz.

Eagle98 said...

Deal is 2 years at $3M per a raise of $400k for Mr. 7-6 himself!

bceagle91 said...

'98, I'm off to the vomitorium.

bceagle93 said...

Mod - don't disagree about the mental illness thing and I had similar thoughts about it. But it is the second such incident on campus in the last two years. And no response from Leahy -- just the underlings. It appears to be a very big deal on campus if you check out the Heights coverage. You can try to dismiss it, but with the impact of social media, word spreads amongst prospective students and their families very quickly (as I said, I first heard about it on Sunday via my son and social media). And if you have not been on campus lately, the AHANA population is definitely much more prominent than in the past (though not socio-economically diverse).

My point: while a large portion of the alumni base are unaware or ambivalent to these things, they are not lost on the engaged base -- the ones that write the checks. And those of us who have been around a while know Leahy was likely the ultimate driving force behind the Daz decision, likely undercutting a new, energetic, popular, highly visible staff member in the process. I think all together these just call his ability to lead the University moving forward into question. We live in different times now than we did in 1996...

One final thing to think about: in 2020, Leahy will be the same age Fr. Monan, our longest running president, was when he retired. If he stays in his position until then, he will have served as president for 24 years, 2 years less than Monan. While his contributions to the growth and success of BC during his tenure are unquestionable, for the first time I am beginning to wonder if it is not time for new leadership at the top.....to paraphrase, I knew Father Monan, and Father Leahy is no J. Donald Monan....

The Tall One said...

I think the team AT BEST goes 6-6 next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see this team go 5-7 with the only wins coming from: Richmond, Kansas, Rutgers, then 2-3 out of FSU/Louisville/VTech/Wake). It's going to be a much harder schedule and thus far, nothing Adazio has shown leads me to believe that he is a better coach than that of the opponents his team faces.

Also, there are going to be more bowl games next year. Although they would try, BC shouldn't hang its hat on having made another bowl appearance if that happens in 2019.

I really hope that the termination fee is reduced if Adazio gets fired.

Shabby1011 said...
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Unknown said...

There are some posters at BCI talking crap about some people on this board, namely mod.

Geezer eagle said...

Get off mods back. He brings a lot to the table.

mod34b said...
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mod34b said...
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Geezer eagle said...

If the damn alumni would just unite and rise up in revolt ( i.e. withhold donations and organize game boycotts), Jarmond and Leahy would get the message and Dazoshit would be ridden out of town on the rails.

Big Ern said...

Georgia Eagle. I agree. I stopped giving during the Spaz debacle. If there is anyway to give less than zero please let me know. I have no idea how to show how displeased I am with BC at the moment. Ever to Excel seems to be more a punchline than a motto.

Anonymous said...

Mod contributes nothing. Literally nothing. He gets a person in his pea-brain and cannot get him out. Strange person with bizarre fixations.

Mouse this and Mouse that. Ryan Day this and Ryan Day that. Daddy this and daddy that.


Anonymous said...

Mod, How does someone get caught writing racist words on a wall?

mod34b said...
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Anonymous said...

Figured you would know.

dixieagle said...

I saw another disgusted alum raise the possibility in a Twitter message of ordering customized BC t-shirts with "7 wins" on the back. I could get on board with that.

Anonymous said...

This is great. I just read the comment above about BCI trashing Mod. I have never been to that corporate bullshit site in my life, once.

And he is taking the quotes from the other site and posting them here with commentary of the commentary. And he is losing it telling me I am virtue signaling and living a fake life. That is rich. Thorazine ey?

The "Biz" must be booming.

Go BSI where they hate you more and defend yourself there you miserable prick.

This is better than the other guy yesterday who wrote Jim "Christian."

That Rutgers typing degree is coming in handy as FUCK!!!!!! today isn't it Mod?

BCEagles2014 said...

Hey Mod, glad you found my comments on BCI! To set the record straight, I hate Laura B and think she’s a feminist on a power trip. She spreads her PC BS all over the site and threatens to ban you if you disagree with her. It’s a big reason I much prefer this site and Bill as an editor.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that there are indeed ignorant people on this site and yes, racists. I’m a registered Republican and voted for Trump so you can’t accuse me of being a millennial liberal. Just calling it how it is.

Geezer eagle said...

Most left wing forums don't tolerate conservative opinions. ( Just like our college campuses.) They do this by shutting down free speach under the leftist playpbook of calling anyone who strays from pc orthodoxy a racist,sexist or homophobe. So let me ask you 2014. Who are the real bigots? The term racist has been misused and beaten to death.

Geezer eagle said...

Mod, be careful with BC2014. He plays both ends of the candle.

BCEagles2014 said...

Comments like calling jarmond a “diversity hire” or describing the “ghetto-ization” of the men’s basketball team are great examples for starters. It’s not playing both ends of the candle, GE. Being conservative and also denouncing ignorance are not mutually exclusive things. And this is is coming from someone who agrees accusations of racism are used far too often by the political left to demonize their opponents.

mod34b said...
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BCEagles2014 said...

Yes, I saw that article before. Leahy is a joke.

Geezer eagle said...

So 2014, what's your take on Leahy's motivation for hiring Jarmond?

BCEagles2014 said...

After the last 2 disaster AD’s, Leahy and the BOT wanted to hire someone young to breathe new energy into the program. I’m sure his experience at a major powerhouse in Ohio State was also a motivating factor. In any situation, you hire the best person for the job and I believe Jarmond was at the time. That being said; his blunder with the Addazio situation has me severely concerned that he is just more of the same.

Geezer eagle said...

Thank you, young attorney of law. I agree with part of your explanation - the beginning and the end. I absolutely don't believe he was the best person for the job. He is more of the same and appears to be under Leahy's thumb. In Leahy we have the corps reason for BCs mediocre sports performance.

Geezer eagle said...

Core

mod34b said...

'14, you did not mention race as a factor in Jarmond hire? It is ok to say. That is what affirmative action is all about. Celebrate diversity.

BC touted race in its own comments: "Boston College President Father William Leahy didn’t sign, in part, because the pledge wasn’t strong enough, according to university spokesman Jack Dunn, who pointed out the school just hired Martin Jarmond, who is black, as athletic director.

The Heights has complimented Jarmond on his efforts to bring in "diverse" employees: "Over the summer, Jarmond hired Jocelyn Fisher Gates and Vaughn Williams, who previously worked at BC, as senior associate athletic directors. Like Jarmond, Williams, a former Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year for his work with Kennesaw State, and Gates are both former student-athletes of color, bringing much-needed diversity and experience into the BC athletics program."

The Liberal Globe applauds this too: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/colleges/2017/07/11/new-martin-jarmond-ready-tackle-diversity-while-rebuilding-athletic-program/x3mrKZJM59FoPVVzvcIUFP/story.html

why so timid to state the obvious, and an obviously good thing. Diversity was a major (and long over due) factor in hiring Mouse.

Problem now is that Mouse appears to be a dud. He brought beer to Alumni, he likes to cheer and party, but does not seem to do much else.

Anonymous said...

The posts are getting more extravagant as the walls start caving in Mod. Nobody gives a shit about you. Your comments are stupid and you are in denial of that fact.

It is raining in Mod-ville again. Even though the sun is out.

Typical Rutgers grad.

mod34b said...

i view you constant post about me as pure projection by you about the sad world of knucklehead.

You know we can't be friends... right? I've made that clear. Maybe you could be CTeee's new bitch? I see you are trying with CTeeee

So why do you keep following me around? Is being creepy your thing?

BCEagles2014 said...

Careful guys, Laura B and her BCI staff are patrolling these boards to see what we are all saying about her behind her back!

Geezer eagle said...

I have a name for her - femi-nazi. Put that in your Christmas stocking, Eva Braun.

mod34b said...
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BCEagles2014 said...

She will often remind the BCI community that she is the editor and has ultimate control over what is allowed to be said. Talk about a power trip! She actually tweeted a passive aggressive comment about me talking about her on here. Hilarious!

Big Jack Krack said...

Back from a wonderful European Adventure to 8 cities in 4 countries and I read about some kind of an extension!

How will this look when Addazio gets pounded by Boise State? (I have no hope that he will have this team ready.)

What will it say - Losing 4 in a row when the results should have been much better, given the talent on the team?

Anyway, I was half watching Sports Center in advance of the Chargers against the Chiefs.

Philip Rivers has an unconventional throwing motion, yet is one of the best.

Let's give McDonald a chance in the Bowl Game.

Go BC.

BCNavy89 said...

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/519450-what-exactly-makes-steve-addazio-the-atrocious-coach-that-he-is

Written in 2010! Nothing changes