Gossip boy

In an effort not to cause a stir, I inadvertently did. Over the weekend I heard some stuff I would term as "gossip" regarding the staff and posted it on EagleOutsider. Here is what I wrote and why I wrote it on the message board instead of the blog.

When I put this stuff on the blog some readers accuse me of having an antiSpaz agenda. This is gossipy so I will leave it at the nexus. Take it for what it is worth...

The coordinators don't have the autonomy their boss portrayed in the media and it is causing some issues. Also, there is some descension among the staff on how we approached VT. Seems our head coach considered it a loss before we stepped on the field and our staffers were disappointed to say the least, especially those who remember beating VT the past two years.

I don't know how you can get to the next level when your head coach doesn't believe it is possible. I know it is only six games, but I think TOB with a mustache is the best we can hope for at this point.

Should I have posted it at all? Perhaps not. But I did anyway. Then on the EO boards and I guess on the Eagle Action boards (I don't have premium access to Rivals therefore I don't know what was written about my note or me) I was taken to task and said I am not "inside" at BC and don't break news. Let me clarify a few things...

This blog is not about breaking news. It is purely an outlet for me to talk about BC sports. See the subhead up above: "A Boston College sports blog capturing the highs and lows of being a BC fan living 1,000 miles from Chestnut Hill." In different times and different business models maybe this would be more of a full service BC news outlet and community, but for now it remains a one man shop and my hobby. I appreciate all the support and interaction but at the end of the day, this is a simple blog about my passion for BC sports. If I stumble across real news, I will post it. But because of my geography and fulltime occupation, breaking news is not really an option for me.

As for being "inside," "proJags, "proTuggle" and "antiSpaz" it is all just labeling. I remain first and foremost pro BC, but that doesn't mean I am always going to agree with everything BC does or anyone associated with BC does. I have a five year track record here and think I've been pretty fair and candid. Read the archives and judge for yourself. As for being inside...believe it if you like but there is a whisper network of BC folks who trade gossip. Some are donors, some are BC employees, some are students, some are past players, some are BC parents, some are bloggers, message board posters, etc. From that network stuff leaks. Assume that most of the leaks have agendas and the leakers (like me) are being used in one form or another. This piece of gossip I just leaked certainly has an antiSpaz agenda. Take it for what it is worth. But also know that most staffs in college football have these sort of blowups during the course of a season (see Clemson). Because of this blog I often find myself in the middle of some of this stuff. I try to be discreet in what I post and what I try to rebut. Once again I ask you to review the archives if you want to see my track record. I try to avoid the Jags topic in general. I clearly liked him but he is gone and not coming back. That chapter of BC football is over. I am not antiSpaz. I thought he was the wrong choice but desperately want him to succeed. I don't go the these games to watch us lose. Everything is better when we win. My dream post would be to say how wrong I was about Spaz after we win the ACC Championship Game. That said, when he makes mistakes I will call him on it. As for "proTuggle"...I've never been particularly passionate about any of these guys. I dislike yoyoing the QBs and have said that Shinskie is our best chance to beat NC State and still deserves to start.

Forgive any rambling here or for wasting your time. Let's hope we run the table and all this stuff becomes meaningless.

Press Conference for 3 PM

Just Gene. No Jags. No other coach.

My take on Jags to the Jets rumors

The talk of the day is the Jets alleged interest in Jags for their head coach vacancy. Here is a news rundown:
-- Jags himself denied it directly to the Globe.
-- Gene and Jags echoed that sentiment to NECN.
-- The Jets are also denying that Jags is candidate.
-- The Daily News captures the challenge of this whole situation:

The Jets wouldn't confirm or deny the interview. Know this: During recruiting season, college coaches will lie to their mother about prospective jobs. Could you imagine the fallout if the Jets hired Jagodzinski? Everybody would be saying Favre hired the coach.

My take: I don't think Jags will be the Jets coach. I think the timing is wrong, the situation in New York is too unsettled, and if he plays his cards right better opportunities will be waiting for him. But all that said, I don't think Jags is going to be a BC lifer. I see him in the Coughlin mode of using this as a stepping stone. But like Coughlin, I think he has a true appreciation for BC and will always be a friend of the program (unlike his predecessor). You can't begrudge him for listening to other offers. He's got to think about what is best for his family and his career. Let's just hope that as long as he's at BC we keep winning. If things do progress with this or other NFL openings, I'll dive deep into it like I did during the last coaching change.

Addressing the Jags rumors

Peter King has been banging the drum for Jags as a potential NFL head coach all week. That combined with the openings in Atlanta, Miami and Baltimore have a few BC fans feeling nervous that we are about to lose our coach. I have no scoop, but I am really not concerned about losing Jags this year. Do I think he'll be a BC lifer? Probably not. And if he continues winning at the Heights other NFL teams and college programs will come calling. But let's look at the current NFL openings. I don't see Jags fitting in for different reasons.

Atlanta Falcons -- I think Jags would listen to returning to Atlanta and working for Arthur Blank. I just don't think Blank can make this hire. It would be a PR nightmare locally. First he dumps Jim Mora Jr. because Mora was too much of a players coach. Then you bring in Bobby Petrino, who jumps right back to college after one year. So to fill the void you're going to hire a Jim Mora assistant from college football? Not going to fly and I don't know if Jags would want to take this job right now. From a salary cap situation the team will be in a hole for a couple of seasons.

Miami Dolphins -- the good news, you get to work with Bill Parcells. The bad news, you get to work with Bill Parcells. Despite the shadow and the potential of Parcells micro-managing I am sure the opportunity is intriguing. But Jags is not part of the Parcells coaching tree. I just don't see the Tuna hiring him when there are a dozen guys around who he knows and trusts.

Baltimore Ravens -- Don't have much of a feel for this job. However, Ozzie Newsome's last three hires have all been from within the NFL. Don't think they'll go the college route.