Can the Women's Hoops Coach tell us about Jarmond's hiring?

BC hired Joanna Bernabei-McNamee as the new Women's Basketball Coach. Bernabei-McNamee comes to BC after successful runs at Albany and University of Pikeville. Prior to being a head coach, Bernabei-McNamee served as an assistant at Maryland and West Virginia. I don't know enough about Women's Basketball to know if Bernabei-McNamee will be a success at BC. What I do find interesting and relevant to the bigger picture is what her hire tells us about Martin Jarmond's process.

1. No ties to BC. Women's Basketball is a relatively low stakes hire for Jarmond. The program has not been good for a long time. While location and conference affiliation means we should be better, very few BC people are breathing down Jarmond's neck to make BC Women's Basketball elite. He could have hired someone with ties to the program (a former assistant, a former player, etc.) and kept those who do care happy. Now that model didn't work with Erik Johnson, but it still would have been low risk. Instead, he hired a true outsider.

2. No ties to Jarmond. Many ADs gravitate towards coaches they know and have worked with before. Unless we hear otherwise in the press conference, there is no prior connection between Bernabei-McNamee and our current AD. He didn't even take the easy route of hiring a respected Big Ten assistant.

3. Track record of success as a Head Coach. Bernabei-McNamee has won in both her prior stops. Now there are always coaches who reach the Peter Principle once they make the leap to a more competitive conference, but a history of winning is not a bad thing. It is something she can sell to recruits and indicates she can handle the ups and downs of a season.

4. He didn't just pluck an assistant from an ACC or Women's Basketball power. It would have been easy to pick a UConn assistant or Notre Dame assistant and hope he/she rebuild's BC in a winning image of those schools. But there is plenty of risk in that approach. Often the key ingredient is the head coach and the assistant doesn't have the tools to do it on his/her own.

I like what I read and see about Bernabei-McNamee. I think her success in Albany and history recruiting major conferences is a good sign. I also like that Jarmond didn't limit himself to the typical criteria often involved in a college search.

The importance of Women's Basketball's strong start

Because I tend to focus on football first and men's basketball second, there are plenty of BC teams I overlook. Both Hockey teams are elite and hardly get talked about here. But the focus of this post is another great team: the BC Women's Basketball.

It might be premature to call the team great, but they are off to a great start. They are tearing up their non-conference slate and their only loss came in a Holiday Tournament against Oklahoma. At this current pace, there is no reason to think they won't be ranked by the start of ACC play.

But aside from their hot start, BC fans should care about BC Women's Basketball because they recovered from a recent low point.

For all of Gene's bad hires, his worst might have been Sylvia Crawley. She left BC with an overall winning record, but the program fell apart under her reign. There wasn't much talent left when Erik Johnson took over. Johnson started to patch things up with recruiting and transfer, but his first three season as the head coach at the Heights were frustrating and full of losing. Now it looks like the team has turned the corner. If they are even close to .500 in ACC play it will be Johnson's best season at BC.

The lesson of Johnson though is that we as fans need patience. The lesson for other struggling BC coaches is that they need to recruit, recruit and recruit. Recruiting Women's Basketball prospects to BC is a different sell than other sports, but it is all about effort and passion.

Johnson's former BC boss Cathy Inglese also started slow at BC. But once she turned the corner, there was a long stretch of very good basketball. Let's hope Johnson matches that and our other lost programs do too.

Murphy's role changing in Pittsburgh and other links

Despite getting snaps earlier in the season at QB, Tyler Murphy seems like he's headed to WR.

BC is still in the mix for BABC forward Kevin Marfo. He's the type of local recruit Christian needs to change perception among the local AAUs.

The Women's Basketball team is on a European Tour. These trips are good for building comradery and evaluating the team's depth.

LSU sweeps Baseball and other links

The Baseball team got an early test this season by taking on LSU in Baton Rouge. It wasn't pretty. The Tigers swept the series and BC's bats never heated up. The team has a few days off before taking on Nebraska-Omaha Friday night in Florida.

Future Baseball Eagle Dominic Hardaway is putting in long days getting ready for college baseball.

Softball had a great weekend and improved to 11-3 on the season.

Women's Basketball lost to Florida State.

We know about the guys who committed this weekend, but here are some of the other guys who visited campus this weekend.

More details are coming out regarding the strange murder of former Eagle Nate Fox.

Women's hoops wins ACC Opener and other links

While we've all focused on the disastrous Men's season, many (including me) have overlooked the Women's Basketball team's great start. Sunday they beat Virginia Tech. It was their seventh straight win.

Auburn might take a page from BC's playbook against Florida State.

Boston's new Mayor Marty Walsh is a proud BC alum. You can tell by his choice for his inaugural.

Women's Hoops beats UVA and other links

The Women's Basketball team defeated Virginia Thursday night. The win improved their ACC record to 4-9. They play Miami on Sunday.

The Redskins signed Ron Brace. Let's hope a new system and new team give his career a boost.

BC is looking at New York DT prospect Thomas Holley. BC also offered Ohio WR Derek Kief.

The New York Times quoted BC's Warren Zola on the insurance ramifications of the Nerlens Noel injury.

Weekend Roundup

While most of us were watching football, the Women's Hockey team staged an improbable comeback and win in OT.

New WRs Coach Todd Fitch's hometown paper is keeping tabs of his recruiting in Ohio.

With their win over Clemson, the Women's Basketball team already exceeded their ACC total from last year. Congrats to Coach Johnson.

The Men's Hockey team lost Saturday's game to UNH.

Hockey starts weekend on a good note and other links

They hockey team began Notre Dame weekend on a winning note by beating the Irish 3-1.

If you didn't read it earlier this week, here is the moving story on Women's Basketball Coach Erik Johnson's return to Boston and dealing with the loss of his son. Johnson's team lost their season opener.

Soccer players Kyle Bekker and Charlie Rugg, and Derrick Boateng earned 2012 All-ACC honors.

Women's soccer defeated Hofstra 2-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Here is Romo's pep talk for the football team.

What to make of the Erik Johnson hire

Erik Johnson is the new Women's Basketball Coach. Congratulations to him and welcome back to Boston College. I know very little about Johnson. Based on his resume and his head coaching track record, Johnson was as good a candidate as anyone. It's not like he has big shoes to fill and the program has no where to go but up. But the Johnson hire probably felt very familiar to critics of Gene D. Obviously there are exceptions to these cases, but they do form a pattern.

1. Hiring former BC Assistants that he already knew. Johnson is just the latest. Spaz, Jags, Aoki, and Gambino were all BC assistants under Gene. Donahue was one of the few finalists in the last basketball search that didn't have a BC connection.

I want guys who know BC as head coaches. There are enough quirks to our school and programs that familiarity helps any learning curve. But Gene's reliance on his network means many good candidates don't get consideration. Cynics would also wonder if these coaches are hired because they are willing to kiss Gene's ring.

2. Gene is more willing to share responsibility when it comes to sports other than football. Gene credited Steve Donahue for assisting in the process. When he hired Crawley he also leaned on basketball guys he knew to asses her ability. I know he seeks feedback and recommendations on the football searches, but ultimately he is making the call and taking responsibility for what happens on the football field. In the other sports he either doesn't have the connections or doesn't trust himself to make a solid pick. In general I am glad he asked for Donahue for feedback.

3. Money is not an issue. We always hear how tight the purse strings are at BC, yet here we are handing out another big contract. BC only seems to go cheap when it can be used as a crutch to neutralize candidates that might be a threat to Gene's power.

I know when we make our next football change, Gene will want to hire someone he knows. But if he knows that we know his M.O., maybe there is a chance for him to make a great hire.

Potential replacements for Crawley

I am sure Gene has a few potential names lined up for the women's basketball opening. These are a few that I've already heard mentioned.

Jen Rizzotti; Head Coach, University of Hartford
Rizzotti's name was mentioned when Inglese was fired. At the time she was pregnant, so that may have been a factor in her not wanting to make a move then. She's experienced and she's worked in New England. The only drawback might be the UConn connection.

Kelly Greenberg; Head Coach, Boston University
Knows the area. Has recruited at an Ivy League school earlier in her career. She also worked at Holy Cross.

Kenny Brooks; Head Coach, James Madison
A couple of Crawley's BC players actually transferred to James Madison and found success there. He's been a head coach for many years and won consistently.

ACC hoops play primer and other links

BC begins ACC play this weekend against North Carolina. As you can imagine, the Tar Heels are heavy favorites. I just hope that BC keeps it close. UNC will be without one of their freshmen stars in James Michael McAdoo. Here is Andy Katz's overview of the ACC.

I found this roundup of links regarding Dana Holgorsen to be very enlightening. As we continue to struggle scoring points, I think our approach to offense has to change. It is not just play calling. It is about execution and preparation.

BC offered a scholarship to 2013 target John Montelus. He is an offensive tackle from Everett.

In an offbeat but interesting story, Billy Flutie saved someone from chocking at the Applebee's in Cleveland Circle!

BJ Raji is ready for another Super Bowl run.

The women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech.

The women's hockey team also lost a close game, falling to St. Lawrence 2-1.

BC women upset and other links

A disappointing end to a disappointing regular season as NC State upset BC in the first round of the Women's ACC Tournament. BC has a winning record so they are likely to get an invite to the NIT.

BC was the first to offer a scholarship to Jarron Jones, but now that he has made ESPN's 150, most major programs will come calling.

If you find the ACC Tournament seeding scenarios confusing, this post should help clear it up.

Starting 2012 recruiting and other links

I've always wondered why we weren't more relevant in the Michigan Catholic schools. Our message is well received at the Catholic powers in other parts of the Midwest but we haven't brought in an impact player from Michigan in a long time. Maybe that will change with Devin Church. The running back stars at Brother Rice (the Brennans's alma mater). BC was the first to offer him and he seems pretty excited.

Although Duke is hitting him hard, OT Graham Shuler says he will visit BC.

People in Albany are enjoying John Cahill's moment of glory.

Women's hoops lost to Duke and dropped to 4-6 in ACC play.

Women keep rolling and other links

The women's basketball team must really like Greensboro. How else can you explain their sudden surge. They beat Florida State Friday night and now advanced to Saturday's semis.

The hockey teams' Friday night wasn't as fun. Up 3-0, the guys let UNH back into the game and tie it 3-3. With the tie, UNH clinched the Hockey East regular season title.

Baseball is still in Florida and beat Florida Atlantic 5-2 on Friday.

Women win ACC Tourney opener and other links

The women's basketball team didn't waste any time with Virginia Tech Thursday [Fixed]. They took an early lead and never looked back. The girls take on Florida State on Friday.

Bill Coen credits Al Skinner for much of his coaching success.

Ayla Brown is thinking about her life after basketball.

BC women are giant killers

Earlier in the season the BC women and BC men hoops squads looked like they had a lot in common. Both had head scratching losses and roster issues. Things got so bad some felt that like this year would be a wash for all. While the men kept their end of the deal, the BC women just pulled off another big upset by beating North Carolina.

Congrats to the Coach Crowley and her team. I hope they can finish strong because their rough record will hurt their at large campaign.

Down goes Duke and other links

The BC women hit another high point in an uneven season by upsetting Duke Thursday night. Congrats to them. It was the first time we've beaten then since joining the ACC.

Syracuse fans are excited to have BC back on the schedule.

The Boston media is paying attention to Pete Carmichael, Jr.

Jamie Silva will be surrounded by BC folks in Miami.

Here are some additional recruiting links:

HD talked to recruiting coordinator Mike Siravo.

Pierre Louis is one of the keystones of this class.

Jaryd Rudolph thinks he might move to the defensive side of the ball.

Spaz placed a premium on character in this year's class.

Sean Sylvia's extra year of high school paid off.

Big recruit for women's hoops and other links

BC landed the commitment of mega recruit Justine Hartman. The California native is now the centerpiece of the 2011 class and should compliment the already strong 2010 group. If we were recruiting like this in football or men's hoops, the hype would be through the roof.

Earlier this week Pat Forde lumped our basketball team with other historically underachieving programs.

Even though they didn't win the conference, HD ranked the 2007 team as the 3rd best ACC team of the '00. She also listed the comeback at Lane Stadium as the best game of the decade.

Herzy's younger brother won Jim Henry Award. Brad is headed to Brown next year and will play along side Matt Ryan's younger brother.

More BC athletes helping out

Players from the women's basketball team, the women's hockey team and the men's hockey team recently visited Boston Children's Hospital. The football players had a conflict and couldn't make it. These are the little things that I am glad BC athletes do.

Thanks to Gordon's Left Foot for the pics.

End of the line for BC women hoops

The women's run through the WNIT ended tonight against USF. The game got away from them in the second half and they could never claw back in. It would have been nice to win something this spring. Regardless, the postseason experience will hopefully serve a a foundation for next season.