All good things to those who wait

BC fans are getting antsy because we haven't named a new coach. Our last football search took nine days and gave us seven years of .500 ball. Do we want that again? The truth is there was never any need to rush. This was a relatively slow coaching carousel and we had no real competition for the type of job we are offering nor the type of candidate we want. Luke Fickell was the only name associated with our job who was also floated for the other openings. All those openings are filled and Fickell is still with Cincy. We didn't need to rush him or bid against others.

Why is it taking this long? Aside from the obvious targets being tied up with Championship games last weekend, there were also NFL people to talk to. That carried into this week.

In the meantime, a few names have entered the transfer portal and Dillon declared for the NFL Draft. Dillon declaring happens regardless of the coaching change. The transfers are typical for a coaching change. You don't rush these sorts of things to appease a few guys on the roster. A head coach's impact is much bigger and with a school much longer than a few players. It is important to name a coach before Signing Day but that is still more than a week away.

In the end this has been a more thorough process than our last football searches. I remain optimistic that BC will hire a good coach. For now, we continue to wait.

What I know and what I think

Things have been relatively quiet on the coaching search front. Most of what you are hearing is speculation. For the first time that I can remember, BC fans have gotten into the flight tracking game and it appears there was a flight earlier in the week that went to Cincinnati. That would make sense as it would allow Jarmond and his small crew of BC folks to talk to Luke Fickell, Jeff Hafley and potentially Al Washington. From there we have no idea where the BC crew went.

Things I know
-- There are plenty of names that at least got looked at and/or reached out that have not been posted anywhere. Also more NFL names than people realize. I know some are concerned about the NFL and the signing period, but many coaches have made the transition and usually an NFL team will let the coach recruit while still finishing out the NFL season.
-- There has been lots of discussion of salary among BC fans. BC has enough to pay a new coach. The challenge is always do we pay enough for the coaching and support staff. Supposedly that has been addressed and will not be an issue with the new guy.
-- Don't believe that anyone is close and could be done this week (like some have speculated). Father Leahy is not involved in the search process, but will meet with the finalists. That hasn't happened yet.
-- This is probably the best coaching cycle timing we've ever had. There aren't many openings and there is no opening even comparable to BC. Even a guy who seems to have plenty of options and zero fit with BC, like Mike Norvell, has interest. In part to get leverage but also because our job is viewed as an opportunity. It is relatively low pressure and you can win at BC. While the other jobs like Arkansas or FSU pay more, they also come with huge expectations. Even a place like Mizzou fired their .500 coach after four years. We gave Addazio seven.

Speculation
Army coach Jeff Monken's name floated up Wednesday. Monken has done well at West Point, but he would not even come close to Jarmond's idea of a retool vs a rebuild. Going to option football would be a total revamp. And if Monken ditched the option, then you are taking a big risk that he can adapt from the scheme he has built his entire career on. I doubt he gets the job.

Buckle Up: Coaching Search 2019!

Addazio is gone. Gunnell is the interim. Jarmond is leading a search. That's what everyone knows. This is what I've been told.

Addazio

The writing was on the wall a long time ago. But things have been falling apart behind the scenes since the Kansas game. You saw testiness from the staff online and even behind closed doors (an alleged assistant fight). Addazio didn't know if he would be fired for certain, but that was the rumor going around the team after Notre Dame. BC also granted Rutgers permission to talk to Addazio, so that also sent a message. 

Gunnell

While they could have gone in many different ways with the staff, Gunnell was a relatively safe pick. He can focus on recruiting between now and the bowl (mostly keeping verbals committed) and let the coordinators get ready for the bowl game. He is well liked by all and will be a very likely candidate to stay on with the new coach. 

The Search

Lots of names have been floated by Feldman and Thamel. Most are predictable and are close to what I have heard. The only name that I think will get a real look that wasn't floated out by those two is Bret Bielema. While there have been feelers and guys who have been reached out to, nothing is even close to being done and no one has had a formal interview. That will start soon (probably later this week). Father Leahy has traditionally been a Wild Card in these events with regards to budgets and approvals, but supposedly he is truly going to let Jarmond run the show (see the wording in the press release).

The Al Washington stuff is pure gossip or speculation. Al might end up being the guy, but this wasn't predetermined and it certainly won't be decided early this week. The Al/Don Brown package is also not a thing. 

If I were betting, I would predict Jeff Hafley but this process never settles on the first hot name (see Mark Whipple, Jack Bicknell Jr or Bob Diaco).

Coaching Candidates: BC Guys

There will be lots of names floated for any BC opening. And with each coaching carousel there are plenty of names mentioned for every opening. However, there will be a few BC-specific names that will at least get a look. These are the sorts of candidates who won't get interviewed at any other P5 jobs and probably wouldn't be considered for BC if not for their alumni status. I would be very surprised if any of these guys got the job, but all might be worth the risk. Getting a true BC guy to take us to the next level would be special.

Mike Reed '95
Defensive Backs Coach, Clemson 
Bio: A player from the Coughlin era, Reed has been in coaching for 18 years. He had a stint coaching in the NFL with Eagles, then worked for TOB at NC State and has been with Dabo in Clemson during their championship run.
Pros: Reed is considered a very good recruiter and is well liked by the BC Football alumni. He works in the ACC. He has been part of one of the most successful college programs of the decade.
Cons: Reed has never been a coordinator and has turned down chances to come back to BC as an assistant (under TOB, Jags and Spaz).
Bottom Line: If Reed was one of Clemson's coordinators, he would already be a Head Coach. Unlike Brent Venables -- who is not particularly polished -- Reed can be the face of a program. The only hole on his resume is the lack of track record of calling a game on one side of the ball.

Pete Carmichael Jr. '94
Offensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints
Bio: Carmichael is a former BC baseball player and his dad was a football coach at BC under Yukica, Bicknell and Coughlin. He has been the offensive coordinator for one of the NFL's best and most dynamic offenses for a decade. At 12, Pete served as Bicknell's headset/cord guy. That is young Pete getting the headset right after Flutie's Hail Mary.

Pros: The Saints have been innovators at the NFL level, so you assume Carmichael would bring an exciting product and also blend the best of the NFL and college. His NFL pedigree could be an effective recruiting tool.
Cons: Carmichael doesn't call the plays in New Orleans and Payton and Brees tend to get all the credit. He hasn't coached or recruited in college since the '90s.
Bottom Line: Despite expressing interest Carmichael never even got a sniff at the job when Bates fired Spaz. It was surprising then and also remains a bit surprising that he hasn't been given a shot in the NFL.

Marc Colombo '02
Offensive Line Coach, Dallas Cowboys
Pros: He coaches arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. He transitioned seamlessly from his playing career to coaching. The Jones family loves him and there is already speculation that he will be a Cowboys Head Coach one day. He would continue the BC tradition of developing great OLines.
Cons: He has only coached in the NFL and only been an official coach with the Cowboys for three seasons (prior to that he was in their front office). He has no experience recruiting and no experience running one side of the ball.
Bottom Line: Colombo might turn out to be one of those names that has us saying "what if" a decade from now, but if he were to come to BC this year it would be a huge risk. His lack of experience would probably create growing pains that other candidates wouldn't face.

Report: Christian to BC

As with all of this nonsense, I will wait until official word from BC. However, this time feels a little different. I believe it and will have more later. I think this is the wrong hire. Jim Christian might be a fine coach, but my expectations are low. I also think Brad Bates bungled this process and possibly doesn't understand what BC is. And I don't mean as just a basketball program, but as a community, school, being part of Boston and New England, etc. Fit is subjective, but it should be a factor. I will expound more later. Good luck to Christian.

Boston College has agreed in principle to a deal with Ohio University's Jim Christian, multiple sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 3, 2014

Report: BC hires Christian

The latest. I will wait until official word from BC. Lots to digest.

BC hires Christian http://t.co/qHo14RW50F
— mark blaudschun (@blauds) April 2, 2014

This is getting silly

So we are close...or we're not. This guy is getting the job, but wait, he's totally not. The sky is falling! We're going to make a huge splash!

Ohio's Jim Christian involved at BC, but no offer on table and still unclear whether he's leader in clubhouse. Story: http://t.co/tyn4PGdzeh
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 1, 2014

St. Bonaventure Coach Mark Schmidt was in Boston area today for his first in-person interview with BC, according to sources.
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) April 1, 2014

A new name has emerged as a contender in the BC mix, Ohio Coach Jim Christian. Sources say he's a legit candidate.
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) March 31, 2014

St. Bonaventure's Mark Schmidt and Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins are no longer options at BC, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 1, 2014

I write this with some strong conviction: none of that news came from Brad Bates. This is from the coaches and/or their agents. And even then, I doubt the veracity of much of it.

I can be as unreliable as the rest, but let me share what I know.

1. The Board approved a significant budget for the new head coach. I don't know if that budget is tied to certain candidates. I don't know if there is a closed window on the approval. I also know that having a big budget doesn't guarantee the ability to hire whomever you like, but it leads me to believe BC and Brad Bates have bigger ambitions than the names floated.

2. There have been prolonged discussions with candidates not highlighted by the media. Once again, talking to and actually signing a big name are two different things. We had talks with Bill O'Brien and Al Golden during the football search and nothing came of it. But once again, it speaks to Bates' process.

I don't know who we will hire at this point. Once we actually make a hire, I will give my opinion on the process and the end result. Until then, I just have to be patient.

Advice on the coaching search: trust Vega, ignore others

As the coaching search continues, it seems some BC fans are getting restless, while some in the media are having a field day posting nonsense. My suggestion is to ignore most of it. As with the early Donahue news, it is probably wrong. This is not like the days of Gene when he would freely share his thoughts and opinions with media, staffers and boosters. Bates is different.

If you are waiting for validation or insight from any of the mainstream media, then rely on the Globe's Michael Vega. Despite my occasional frustrations with Vega's beat work, the guy is well liked at BC and has the most trusted sources. If BC is going to hand news to anyone on anything, it will be Vega. Just look at his news on Hanlan leaving and others considering transfers. The Hanlan stuff is looking accurate and so is the transfer speculation (although BC won't release or address any player status until after the new coach is hired).

I've tweeted this before, but let me also say that Bates is talking to many people and many names that have not been leaked or speculated. I don't know what he will do, because he doesn't talk to me or any others writing about the situation. I still have trust that this process will produce a good coach. Let it play out and avoid the BS coming from people who have been wrong so many times before.

"Walta" and other links

If you follow one subject long enough you start to realize that a story can pop due to little more than a passing comment. Take the "Walter McCarty to coach BC" stuff that has creeped up in the last 24 hours. McCarty makes a comment and then all the sports and news outlets in New England comment on his comments. Meanwhile he's probably not even getting a second glance from BC. I don't know McCarty. He may have earned his stripes as a recruiter for Louisville, but I don't think Bates is going to spend much time on an NBA assistant who has never been a head coach. But take the story and run with it Boston media!

The ACC Tournament plans to come to Brooklyn in 2017-2018. That's good news for BC fans who have yet to make the trip down south for the games.

I knew we were a blot on Syrcacuse's resume, but I didn't realize they were the worst team to start 25-0.

Baseball had to move their game against Northeastern. Softball cancelled their game with UMass.

Reminders about the coaching search

As Brad Bates travels across the country for his face-to-face meetings with coaching candidates, the familiar worry has set in among BC fans and the familiar BC bashing from the media has begun. This is a reminder: don't worry about any of it.

BC is a good job

Marquette. Not even close. RT @williewatston: @GoodmanESPN better job: BC or Marquette?
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 24, 2014

Plenty of good coaches want the BC job. The media can say whatever they want, but power is clearly consolidating in college sports. Midmajors don't win NCAA Tournaments. Schools without football don't win NCAA championships anymore. For a coach with real championship ambitions, BC is a step up. Some programs like Marquette may have traditionally spent more than us, but that doesn't mean we aren't able to spend on the right coach. BC competed for the ACC under Skinner. A good, ambitious coach knows we can do it again.

Money
BC comes off as cheap in many of these discussions but it usually is not in context. Could we pay a Buzz Williams or a Ben Howland more than $2 million a year? Sure and we might if we get a coach we want that can demand that sort of money. But should a coach we hire from a midmajor automatically get $2 million? No way. Not if you are running a good business. I don't think we are going to lose any coaches to money this time around.

Urgency
Bates is clearly methodical, but I don't think it is costing us the right candidate. Bruce Pearl was never coming to BC, so his early decision with Auburn was not a factor in the BC search. Masiello might bolt for USF, but a job hopping Pitino protoge was not getting the BC job for just that reason. Marquette doesn't have an AD or President and just lost their coach on Friday. To think they are going to have their new guy in place tomorrow is just not realistic. BC will know our new coach soon enough.

No gossip
Once Bates starts meeting with candidates, agents will start leaking names. Until then, no one knows anything because Bates doesn't talk.

A Michigan Man on Tommy Amaker

The biggest issue I have with Tommy Amaker was his mediocre tenure at Michigan. As an outsider, it always seemed like he underachieved. But to get a more informed opinion on his time in Ann Arbor, I asked blogging pioneer Brian Cook of MgoBlog his thoughts on Amaker. Brian's two cents follow:

"Amaker walked into a disaster area at Michigan and did make things better pretty much from the drop. Brian Ellerbe had filled the roster with ne'er-do-wells and many of them left either on Amaker's hiring or once they discovered that Amaker had a problem with them, say, jacking contested threes from halfcourt on the regular.

Amaker came in, nailed down a top-50 point guard from Texas named Daniel Horton, and made Michigan generally competitive except for one year where his team was destroyed by injury.

Unfortunately, that's where the improvement stopped. Michigan was perpetually on the bubble under Amaker and never got over the hump. His teams continually turned the ball over and he never got over .500 in the Big Ten except for one year where Michigan started out 0-6 with losses to Central and Western Michigan. His recruiting was wildly erratic; he was capable of getting kids to Michigan that few others would have managed but he also made crazy early offers to guys who had no business at a D-I school--a couple in fact transferred to D-II Saginaw Valley State, where they were bench players. Beilein inherited a mess comparable to the one Amaker did, without NCAA sanctions hanging over the program.

It does seem that Amaker's figured a few things out at Harvard he never did at Michigan. His time at M was seven years ago, as hard as that is to believe. He's built the Crimson into the most impressive Ivy program in 50 years. You would get an instant and real recruiting bump and he would get BC to a level where they're at least on the bubble. It's a defensible hire."

No Country for Old Men

Thank you, Jim Calhoun. By letting the college basketball media know you are interested in the BC job, you gave the position a bit more appeal. However, you are never ever ever ever getting the job. Like ever. Putting aside Calhoun's obnoxious comments about BC over the years, his sketchy relationship with NCAA rules and inability to graduate players, the biggest issue with Calhoun is his age. The man is weeks away from turning 72. Brad Bates specifically mentioned energy for this job. Do you think he wants a guy who recently broke his hip and has battled cancer?

BC should have hired Calhoun in 1986. We didn't and it changed the course of UConn and BC basketball forever. But this is not the time.

As for real candidates, I've learned that Bates doesn't have a tight or final list yet. He's talking to plenty of people and getting background. Amaker is being considered but is not the leading candidate. In fact there is no "leading candidate." When Wake Forest forced out Bzdelik, some speculated that they locked up Howland. Yet reports Friday say that they are going after Shaka Smart first.

I also predict in the coming days you will hear unnamed sources or talking heads saying that BC is not a good job. Nonsense. Most of that is coming from coaches and assistants who won't even get contacted. I am not delusional with regards to our place in college basketball or that we need to invest in facilities and up our basketball budget, but unless a coach has a better job than BC, he would take the BC job. Just know that regardless of what the Boston media says, if Tommy Amaker stays at Harvard it is not because he didn't want to coach at BC.

What we learned from the Football hire

The search begins officially now. But as Bates said in his press conference, every AD in the country has a list. It now becomes a matter of working the list and finding the right coach. Unlike past BC leaders, Bates plays his cards close to the vest. I don't think you will hear much leaking. News will lean heavily on speculation. However, we can glean a few things from Bates' work during the football search.

1. He's not afraid to reach out to a big name. During our last football search we know Bates reached out to Al Golden and Bill O'Brien. There's also been speculation that he talked to Chip Kelley. Even at the time all of those names were longshots, but it is encouraging that he approached them. I don't think he's going to get Tom Izzo or Coach K, but I am confident that he won't let a name or current salary keep him from exploring interest.

2. Recruiting matters...a lot. Bates follows recruiting closely. He knows it is the lifeblood of the program. It was Addazio's biggest strength and probably what ultimately cost Donahue his job. We couldn't let him comeback and hamstring the program with a mediocre 2015 big recruiting class. I don't know who our new coach will be but I expect him to have a reputation as an ace recruiter.

3. Fan opinion doesn't matter that much. The "splash" of the hire in unimportant to Bates. He said so during the press conference. He wants the new coach to be the right coach. A temporary splash can be a fringe benefit, but not the priority.

4. Administration opinions do matter. One of the reasons Bates hired Addazio is that Addazio wowed the BC Staffers and the school had already done its due diligence on him in 2009. Bates put stock in that...or at least more stock than he did in the boosters who told him not to hire Addazio.

I don't know how this will play out. I hope for Howland, but there are plenty of good candidates. The Globe said Amaker is the leading candidate. That makes sense since he is a known recruiter and already has a few different BC constituents pulling for him. I am not a fan of Amaker, but will wait to see how this plays out a bit.

I don't expect this will be a rush job. We have one of the better openings and many of the coaches and assistants we would want to interview are in the tournament.

There are no guarantees in any of this. However, it is nice to have hope and it is comforting that we didn't waste an extra season of everyone's time like we have in other sports.

Coaching Profiles: Mike Hopkins

BC returns to the Carrier Dome Wednesday night. As important as it might be to face the nation's top team, the game might also serve as a preview of BC's basketball future. Syracuse's top assistant Mike Hopkins is nearly everything BC would want in a new coach. He's been an ace recruiter for a leading program. He has experience in the best basketball conferences in the country. He's brings a solid basketball acumen and a proven defensive system. He's worked at private schools. The only thing missing on Hopkins' resume is the issue that he's never been a head coach.

What you need to know
Hiring an assistant usually isn't an issue. 99% of them would jump on the chance to have their own program, especially one in the ACC with a winning tradition. Hopkins' is not a sure thing. He's turned down other jobs in the past and most assume that he will be Boeheim's successor at Syracuse. But his multiple interviews for the USC job showed that he was willing to leave for the right situation. Who knows his motivations these days? These handoffs when an icon steps down are always political and fraught with egos. Maybe he's tired of waiting. Or maybe he knows that the right job -- and winning there -- will make him that much more desirable to Syracuse down the road. I don't think BC will look at many assistants, but I think Hopkins will be on the short list.

Pros
-- Brings in BC's most aggressive and successful recruiter in 30 years
-- Could install the 2-3 and have BC playing good to great defense within two seasons
-- Personable "face of the program" type who will be accessible
-- Strong ties to northeast AAU
-- Strong ties to Southern California basketball scene

Cons
-- No Head Coaching experience
-- the chance that he might leave for Syracuse the minute Boeheim retires

Overall
BC hasn't hired an assistant for the head basketball job since Bob Zuffelato. Maybe it is time to try the idea again. I like everything about Hopkins and I am not worried about his lack of head coaching experience. Boeheim delegates so much that Hopkins has better "big time" experience than half the candidates that BC will consider. There is a chance the he runs back to Syracuse one day. But if that is a fear, BC just needs to build in some sort of contractual, time-adjusted buyout. We can require that he spends four seasons here.

Bates said during the football search that prior head coaching experience was critical. I think he will probably follow that model this time too. But if one guy gets a pass on the head experience, it will be Hopkins.

Coaching Profiles: Ben Howland

Whenever people speculate about the BC job, Bruce Pearl is the first name mentioned. However, there is another high profile college basketball coach who is available. To me Ben Howland is the most intriguing candidate out there. He's a proven winner, he's available and he supposedly wants to coach in a situation like BC. Many things can happen to trip up these sorts of perfect fits, but to me Howland represents BC's most realistic chance to land an elite, high-profile coach in a major sport since the hiring of Jerry York 20 years ago.

What you need to know
Howland is the former UCLA and Pitt coach. He's known for his defensive focus and like Donahue has a tendency to coach possession to possession. If Bruce Pearl never met a reporter or AAU coach he didn't like, Howland would be the opposite. It wasn't his record that did him in at UCLA (the Bruins won the Pac 12 last year -- and he was still fired!). Howland was let go because he had worn out his welcome with all the UCLA power brokers. He didn't kiss the rings or do the rubber chicken circuit. I don't know Howland and only get gossip from people around basketball, but the guy wants to coach again and wants to coach at a school where he won't have to put up with a lot of the B.S. Gosh, if he could only find a BCS Conference team where the media and boosters wouldn't be on his back? Where he could just focus on basketball. Does anyone know of such a place that might be looking to make a change?

Pros
-- Familiar with coaching and recruiting in the Northeast.
-- Proven winner in major conferences.
-- Multiple Final Four appearances.
-- Has a long track record of developing mid-level recruits into elite players on elite teams.
-- Has familiarity with a school like BC (Howland got his Master from Gonzaga).
-- Only five losing seasons in 19 years at three different schools.

Cons
-- Other than stint at Pitt, has been primarily a West Coast guy.
-- No ties to BC or Brad Bates.
-- Will not be a marketer/media guy like Pearl or Addazio.
-- Other coaches using his UCLA exit against him with elite recruits.
-- Plays a methodical, defensive style of basketball that won't excite the casual fan.

Overall
If you are thinking "dream coach," think Howland. He's much more realistic than BC bringing Pearl home. Despite his BC ties, I think Pearl's baggage is going to be too much for BC.  I don't care about Howland's lack of sizzle. If he wins like he did at Pitt and UCLA, Conte will be filled. While BC would have to pay Howland more than we've ever paid a basketball coach, I don't think money is going to be the issue. Howland is going to be able to pick his spot. I hear he wants a situation "like BC" but that doesn't mean he wants BC and BC only, or that this is going to happen. BC's history says that Howland won't happen, but that shouldn't stop Brad Bates from reaching out. If Howland is willing, he's the best coach BC can find.

Advice for Steve Addazio

The Steve Addazio hire left me lukewarm, but because I see some positives in the move, I am being put in the Pollyanna category. I wish BC had gone in another direction, but that is a Brad Bates issue. For now, I want Steve Addazio to succeed and believe he can. To help him succeed, I am posting some straight forward advice.

1. Do not retain Bill McGovern, Mike Siravo, Jeff Commissiong or Sean Devine. I don't write this lightly. Families are impacted by these moves. I know all four have served BC well for many years. I am sure Ryan Day and Kevin Rogers will provide endorsements of all four. But if you want to succeed and truly rebuild you need new ideas and new blood. These four staffers are too closely associated with BC's decline under Spaz. High school coaches, recruits and fans need to think BC is turning the corner. It is hard to do that with the same faces on the sidelines. If Ryan Day is coming back to BC, I don't know if you need to retain any coach to provide a bridge between staffs.

2. Recruit like there is no tomorrow. One of the things I like about Addazio is that he is supposedly handsoff with his coordinators. That is good and leaves him more time to do what he is known for: recruiting. Not only does Addazio need to hold this class together, he needs to pick up a few guys from other programs. With the shakeup at Wisconsin and the staff changes at UVA, there should be some good kids to poach. I also want him loading up for next year. Spaz didn't leave Addazio with a ton of talent, but he left him with plenty of scholarships. BC should take 25 kids in 2014 and 25 in 2015. Recruiting for that class starts now.

3. Hire the best Offensive Line Coach in the country. I don't know anything about Justin Frye (Addazio's current Oline coach). He could be a fantastic coach and teacher. What I do know is that Oline U is a shell of its former self. Addazio being a former OL coach will understand and also appreciate that a good line can cover a lot of our problems. Tons of good OL coaches would consider BC simply because of our reputation  Go find the best. 

Steve Addazio to BC

It is now official. Boston College named Steve Addazio its new head coach. The name should be somewhat familiar since it was floated when we hired Spaz. Since that time he got his shot at being a Head Coach at Temple. He is 13-11 in Philadelphia. As I posted previously, my gut reaction is that Addizio will be a fine coach. I don't think he has huge upside, but he will do enough things well to help BC reach a consistent level of success.

Pros: Hardworking and respected recruiter. Florida was often able to poach the best players from New England and New Jersey. That was often because of Addazio. He has worked at schools that require athletes to attend class and graduate (Syracuse and Notre Dame). He already has a staff that is very familiar with BC's roster (Ryan Day and Kevin Rogers). This might mean that Chase Rettig gets one of his old offenses back. He's an Oline coach and will hopefully emphasize our OL tradition. If any coach is going to win, he will need to build great lines.

Cons: He's 13-11 with Al Golden's players and trending the wrong way. Florida fans thought he was a terrible offensive line coach and terrible offensive coordinator. He's got Day and Rogers on staff and took Montel Harris on as a transfer. I would have preferred someone with less association to all the drama that went down with Spaz.

Bottom Line: This was an opportunity to do something special. We went safe. Bates ignored or brushed off some candidates with great upsides or close ties to BC. You can rationalize that if you have a home run hire. Steve Addazio is not a home run hire.

I think we are on our road back. Addazio is well-respected and a hard worker. I wish him the best and will root like hell for him to succeed. Ever to excel!

[More to come tonight.]

Report: BC hires Steve Addazio

SI's Pete Thamel is reporting Temple Coach Steve Addazio has been hired as BC's next coach. I didn't see that one coming. Did anyone?

I will hold my longer post until later and official word comes from BC. Gut reaction is he's a decent, safe hire. I don't see him taking us to the next level, but I think he can reach TOB's level of success.

Afternoon update: we are nearing an end

As the Heights reported, an announcement on the new coach should come within 48 hours if not earlier. Multiple people are reporting that the finalists are Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco, Ball State Head Coach Pete Lembo and New Orleans Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer. Based on all the gossip, Diaco would have to be viewed as the front-runner.

I would be happy with Diaco. I would like the Lembo hire and defend it thoroughly. I am not onboard with Kromer. For now, I am hoping for a positive conclusion and a new start for BC football.

UPDATE: Two minutes after I posted this, NECN said Lembo is not a finalist. Stay tuned. Based on who BC has eliminated, it is looking more and more like Diaco or some left field candidate.

A new coaching update

This is the latest that I know...

-- Tennessee is no longer considering Al Golden. (I got this info after my post last night.) His options now are BC, stay at Miami or try to get in the mix of another opening (Cal?). Miami folks I talked to think he is staying. Their reasoning isn't particularly emotional. They pointed out that he has a 20 starters returning and can win a bad Coastal Division next year. Even with another bowl ban coming and reduced scholarships, a successful 2013 season makes him that much more marketable. 

-- Last week before the "Finalists" were culled, Board of Trustees members were given bios and summaries of at least eight potential candidates. All the coaches profiled had expressed some level of interest in the job. The briefs were reviewed and a few candidates were eliminated without  getting an official interview.
-- Dan Mullen is not a "Finalist." Despite backchannel discussion, the two sides weren't even in the same ballpark salary-wise. In fact, Mullen has priced himself out of most jobs like Colorado, Purdue and Cal. If he doesn't get Tennessee, he will just go back to being a highly-paid sparring partner for Alabama and LSU.
-- While Golden and Diaco are the confirmed members of the final three, no one seems to know the third. Highly respected message board poster BC West posted that Mike Sullivan had not been contacted as of Sunday.
-- Pete Carmichael Jr is not a finalist. Dealing with Alumni is always a tricky proposition, but I am disappointed that Carmichael didn't get more traction in the process. Despite his lack of college experience, I think his role in New Orleans was significant enough to get a long look. If he didn't have a BC degree, would he be considered before other NFL guys like Greg Roman or Mike Sullivan? Probably not. But he is a BC guy and son of a long-time BC staffer. It should be factored and viewed as a positive.