Go listen to BCI's interview with Jags

Former BC Coach Jeff Jagodzinski had a long interview with BC Interruption. It is long but well worth your time.

I've been waiting for the right time and place to write about my experience with Jags. There is a long draft of a Jags chapter as part of my potential e-book.  Hopefully I will get the my book done by Christmas.

It is and was a unique time in BC Sports. Things will be fun again one day.

My thoughts on all the BC names floated for the UMass job

No one is asking me, but since the media is leaking a whole bunch of guys with BC-ties to the UMass job, I thought I would weigh in on the opening. The most surprising to me is Blauds promoting Spaz for the job. He mentioned "sources" saying Spaz is interested. My guess on his source is Spaz himself. Spaz even thinking about the UMass job was shocking. Retirement must be miserable if he wants to get back into the coaching game in Amherst. But that doesn't really matter. UMass is not hiring him for a variety of reasons. His age and his record at BC are the biggest factors. But with Spaz a non-factor, who should UMass hire?

A competitive UMass team is good for BC. Added interest in college football in the region is a good thing. Better high school development is a good thing. And a respectable, yet consistently beatable opponent on BC's schedule is always a good thing. I want them to make a good hire. If only so we don't have to keep reading why college football cannot work in Massachusetts.

Mark Whipple and Don Brown are both being mentioned too. I don't know enough about the UMass politics and history to know if they would rehire one of their old coaches. Both seem relatively safe hires and have proven themselves away from UMass. Despite the stats, I would hate to lose Brown now as we would probably have to scrap his system and rebuild one side of the ball again. I don't know where Brown stands, but if he wanted to be the head coach at UMass, would he have ever left years ago?

I have yet to read Jags' name for the job. Once again, I don't know the politics, but doubt UMass would want someone BC fired. I think Jags could do well there. He's never led a true rebuilding project, but I think he could get enough talent out of the northeast and midwest to win in the MAC. I also think he'd build a decent staff (just like he did at BC).

Of all the names, Jack Bicknell Jr. makes the most sense. He had college head coaching experience. He has multiple ties to the region. He now has solid NFL experience to sell to recruits. I know he interviewed there years ago and didn't get the job. They probably should have hired him then and should hire him now. He's a safe hire, can handle the job and doesn't come with any of the baggage that some of the other candidates have.

Bill McGovern interviewed with UMass in the past. He lacks the head coaching experience, but is probably the best recruiter of this bunch. Because of his success as a recruiter, he would probably leave UMass in a better place. However, I doubt he'll get serious interest this time around.

The most intriguing name associated with the search so far is John DeFilippo. To UMass fans he's just a young up and coming coach. To BC fans he'll always be the son of Coach Flip. I've heard that John is a good coach. But I will also never get past all the stuff I also heard about the two Flips assessing and gossiping about the different coaches and position coaches that BC interviewed over the years. It's all second hand information (and probably unfair of me) but I would never want him anywhere near the BC job. UMass can have him.

ICYMI: Jags and other links from the past few days

More positive press about Jags' work at Ave Maria. He's saying all the right things and I hope his story has a happy ending.

Earlier this week the basketball team announced that Dennis Clifford had been elected team captain. I always find these things telling. In my opinion, it means Clifford's teammates are expecting a breakout season from the big man.

CBS thinks our best case basketball season would end with an NIT bid.

Hockey picked up a big road win at Maine.

New blogs, new BC names for UConn and other links

Welcome Around the Res to the BC blogosphere. They are off to a promising start with this interview with Codi Boek. I wish Boek had gotten a little more playing time while at BC since he embodies so much of what we want our guys to be.

Bill McGovern is getting mentioned as a candidate for the UConn opening. In the past McGovern interviewed for openings at Holy Cross and UMass. I would be surprised if he gets the job, but good for him getting in the mix. As for the other BC-UConn connection, Jags is still mentioned yet his contract was not renewed with the UFL. Of course, this being Jags it is never that simple. The UFL called it a firing and said Jags wasn't getting it done on the field. Perfect timing when you are trying to get another job. What is interesting is that the UFL's news might have derailed his UConn shot yet his UFL GM said he is hoping Jags gets the UConn job?! What a strange two years its been for him.

The Patriots put Ron Brace on the IR which means he's done for the playoffs.

In case you missed this article on Wes Davis over the weekend, it is well worth the read.

I've harped on the Chip Kelly connections in the past. With the BCS Championship approaching I think you'll see more articles like with quotes from Sean Devine.

Coaching rumors and other links

Bruce Feldman and Tom Dienhart are both reporting that Jags is in the mix for the USF job. These jobs tend to find a guy who is a 180 from the previous coach and I would say Jags and Leavitt are on opposite ends of the spectrum. With Logan in town, it might be a good package deal for the Bulls.

Fenway is expected to sell out for tonight's game.

Quinton Porter resigned with Hamilton in the CFL.

Clarifying my Jags stance

I really didn't want to get into a whole Jags rehash and debate this week but Tampa Bay's move, my tendency to be a Jags apologist and some readers inability to step back and read all that I've said on the topics leads me to this post. I will try to keep things as short and clear as possible.

1. I don't feel sorry for Jags. He is an adult and in a high-risk, high-reward profession. He created these circumstances both good and bad. He has to live with his actions and decisions.
2. I don't know Jags well. I spoke with him on a few occasions the last being Rhode Island last year. I have no idea what happened in Tampa beyond the press reports.
3. I feel sorry for his family. The life of a coach is tough and the uncertainty is part of the package. That said, it stinks to move around with kids especially when you have a daughter with special needs.
4. I feel sorry for the Logans. I met and spoke with Logan briefly and he was always very nice. Like the BC situation, he is now caught in the middle.
5. Regardless of what Jags ever did once he left BC, that doesn't mean his firing was handled well. Spaz may turn into the greatest coach in school history. That doesn't mean we handled it well. Regardless, the firing will only be a footnote in BC sports. I have moved on and I implore everyone else to also.

Jags fired again and other links

I hadn't expected to talk about Jags much this week, but he is top of mind this morning having been fired by Tampa Bay. I have no scoop on the situation and ultimately feel sorry for his family and the Logans. I go back to my sentiment in January that none of this had to happen...

In much more pleasant news, Herzy got a lot of coverage locally for his return. WEEI posted this link and NECN interviewed our newest "coach."

DiSanzo is our latest walking wounded. He will miss Saturday with a shoulder injury.

The ACC will honor Mike Mayock as part of their Legends series.

Here is a good article on Castonzo in the Herald.

Incoming Eagle Seth Betancourt is considered a Pennsylvania player to watch.

This article on Chip Kelley references Ryan Day. What I found interesting is Kelley's reliance on situational statistics. I wonder if his three former colleagues on our staff are as dependent on stats?

Women's soccer beat BU.

John Bunting recalls recruiting Hakeem Nicks and Russell Wilson. What's the BC connection you ask? Both were "discovered" by current BC staffer Dave Brock.

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.

Where are they now? The 1997 Football Staff

With Don Treadwell and Mike London in the news, I thought it was as good a time as any to look back at TOB’s first staff. Thrown together during a transitional time at the school, the unheralded group consisted of young unproven guys looking for a break and retreads looking for a second chance. Although the record wasn’t great, the guys began the rebuilding project and many used BC as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

1997
Tom O’Brien: Head Coach
Jeff Jagodzinski: Offensive Line and Offensive Coordinator
Don Treadwell: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Passing Game Coordinator
Don Horton: Tight Ends
Frank Spaziani: Running Backs
Tim Rose: Defensive Coordinator
Mike London: Defensive Line
Al Golden: Linebackers, Recruiting Coordinator
Jerry Rosburg: Defensive Backs
Jerry Petercuskie: Special Teams Coordinator

2008
Tom O’Brien: Head Coach, NC State
Jeff Jagodzinski: Head Coach, Boston College
Don Treadwell: Offensive Coordinator, Michigan State (and rumored Head Coach at Miami of Ohio)
Don Horton: Offensive Line, NC State
Frank Spaziani: Defensive Coordinator, Boston College
Tim Rose: Defensive Coordinator, Toledo (interesting note on Rose: he was a defensive coordinator for TOB, Steve Logan and Jack Bicknell Jr.)
Mike London: Head Coach, Richmond
Al Golden: Head Coach, Temple
Jerry Rosburg: Special Teams Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Jerry Petercuskie: Special Teams and Recruiting Coordinator, NC State


There are many factors into why BC has offered stepping stone opportunities instead of final destination type jobs. I actually think the energy and aggressiveness of guys looking to make a name for themselves is a good thing. In turn, I think many of the young coaches who pass through look back on their time at BC fondly. The next time we are in the market for a head coach, I hope we give preferences to guys who have worked here before. It worked well with Coughlin and we’ve had good returns with Jags.

If I had told you...

-- That we would lose Alex Albright, Clarence Megwa, Brian Toal, James McCluskey, and Chris Crane to season ending injuries
-- That Chris Crane would lead the ACC in turnovers
-- That Montel Harris would be our leading rusher
-- That we would face elimination games in our final three regular season games
-- That Dominique Davis would lead a comeback at Wake Forest
-- That Dominique Davis would start a must win with the ACCCG on the line
-- That we'd allow non-offensive touchdowns against NC State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech
-- That we would play eight true freshmen
-- That Steve Aponavicius would only make 13 of 20 FG attempts

Would you believe that we would win the Atlantic and now be one game away from winning the ACC?

Hell of a job by Jags.

You tell 'em, Jags!

Jags silenced media members with his retort during Wednesday's conference call. When asked about our tough schedule he responded:

"Guess who else they're going to be tough for? All those teams that we play."

You can listen to the exchange here.

The importance of this game to Jags

TOB is downplaying the importance of this game. He should. It is just another ACC game for him. While Jags will never admit it, this game means everything. Because of the way the season has played out and because of the guy on the opposite sidelines, Saturday’s results will have short and long term effects on Jags’ future.

Bowl Eligibility
First the simple: Jags needs this game to get to six wins. 6-6 is the minimum required for bowl eligibility. 6-6 should also be the minimum requirement for a BC coach. Given the way we schedule there is no reason we should finish below that. 6-6 with this defense would be a disappointing season. While we can get to the .500 record even if we lose, NC State is one of our weakest opponents. With the wide open nature of the ACC you need to get every W you can.

Team Psyche
I usually try to avoid the hokey mental aspect of sports. It is completely subjective and impossible to measure. Yet there is still a place for it in college sports. Toal’s UCF halftime speech showed that the confidence on this team is teetering. We responded once to an emotional momement. How many times can that happen going forward? Controlling and winning this game will help this team mentally. They need to believe they can win and they need to believe that the offense can score. Therefore Jags and Logan need to handle the QB situation delicately.

Perception
There is no draft in college football. There is also no playoff. Unfortunately that means perception matters. If Jags cannot beat a bad NC State team the media will start to question his ability to win altogether. Last season will be yesterday's news. The media will certainly heap credit on TOB for beating his former players and pupil. Worse than the media will be other coaches. A loss to NC State will be used against us in every recruiting conversation going forward. Finally, this game will influence how many casual BC fans perceive Jags. Lose to TOB, and you’ll hear chatter: “we should have kept O’Brien.” These folks don’t follow the situation closely enough to know what TOB could or could not do. Nor do they give much thought to the roster holes he left behind. All they will know is that we can’t beat our old coach. And that negative perception will hurt in fundraising, atmosphere and in attendance.

Recruiting
In perception, I mentioned other coaches using a loss to TOB against Jags. No one will use it more than TOB and the NC State staff. We are going head to head with them for a few Midwest recruits. If we lose, TOB can pitch his own rebuilding project as the future and claim that Jags is headed down the wrong road at BC.

Each division game has equal importance, but as far as stability and perception, the only game that approaches NC State in significance is Notre Dame. It’s not fair. It’s not rational. Smart fans can see beyond TOB. But the smart fans are not who will make or break Jags. He need to win this game for the season and the future.
This is a must win.

Campus School connection to football

In interviews and in recruiting pitches Jags talks about BC being a special place. Every coach says something similar when selling his school. However, I think Jags can speak with a certain level of authenticity because of the Campus School. His daughter Jaci (pictured on the first page) attends the unique learning center.

Coaching is tough on families, especially ones with special needs. I am happy for Jaci and the Jagodzinski family that BC could be a place where they all thrive.

"I'm kind of a big deal"

Courtesy of Claver 2010

Love was in the air as Will Ferrell serenaded Jags last night at the Funny or Die show. If anyone has video of it, please share.

One year ago

It was a year ago today that TOB officially left BC for NC State. I think time has proven that it was a good move for all those involved. For those of you who weren't reading this blog last year, here are a few posts of note from the time.


-- Stuck in a rut. I wrote this after the Miami loss and TOB's flippant "we're up, aren't we?" comment to Erin Andrews. I feared no one would want him and we would never fire him. NC State made things easier. It gave BC a fresh start and avoided a bitter firing.

-- TOB to NC State rumors. NC State's courting of TOB was interesting for me as a blogger. Running this blog I hear a lot of things. Much of it is rumor that I don't feel comfortable posting. However, I knew the NC State stuff was real based on who was visiting this blog and what terms they were searching. In the five days leading up to the TOB to NC State announcement I kept getting curious searches related to TOB -- all from the Raleigh area and many with NCSU.edu as their ISP. Funny how that stuff works.

-- Thank you Tom O'Brien. He's done and said things since this post that have rubbed me the wrong way, but I still stand by what I wrote.

-- For Gene's consideration, Part I: The TOB Tree. This is the first mention of Jags anywhere and it came 30 minutes after TOB's departure. Like I said earlier, I don't break news. I hope I provide analysis and information that others don't. That is why I am proud of listing Jags the first night.

-- Anyone else as excited as I am?. My post right after Jags' first press conference.


If you want to look back at everything you can always read the December 2006 archives.

The Road Not Taken

When Jags was hired he told the story of leaving Logan Airport ten years ago and telling his wife that “they’d be back.” Funny how things work out. When Jags looks across the field at Notre Dame he’ll have another reminder of his serendipitous career. Bill Lewis is Notre Dame’s DBs coach. In the early ‘90s he made a name for himself by leading East Carolina to their best season ever and capping it off with a Peach Bowl win. Georgia Tech quickly hired him to replace the departing Bobby Ross. Most of the East Carolina staff followed Lewis to Atlanta. Two notables (Steve Logan and Jags) stayed on at East Carolina. Logan, given the chance to run the show, went on to become the winningest coach in Pirates history. Jags helped Logan and then used East Carolina’s raised profile to get the job as TOB’s first OC. Lewis washed out at Tech after three seasons.

Debunking more myths

I fear that if BC continues winning you’ll hear more and more about Jags winning with TOB’s players. It pisses me off and is unfair to the current staff and a convenient crutch of the new NC State coaches. This article by David Glenn sparked this post, but I am sure there is more TOB-Jags spin to come. Let me reiterate: talent and experience explain part of BC’s success and part of NC State’s failures, but not all of it. Coaching style and use of your players is as important.

First let’s poke a few holes in the cupboard is full theory and TOB won because of strict roster development. Jags inherited a very good team, but not all the starters are 23-year old Seniors. Take a look at the starters for the Bowling Green game. You have two true freshman and a Sophomore on the offense and three Sophomores (two of them true) starting on the defense. There are also numerous underclassmen scattered throughout the depth chart. To say the 2003 class was all by design doesn’t jibe with TOB’s actions before and after. He played seven true freshmen last season. He played four true freshmen in his very first year at BC. Redshirting is a good policy but never a mandate.

Jags is also working around TOB’s inability to find a dominant pass rushing after Kiwi, a very thin backfield and an overrated offensive line unit. Next year Jags will have to deal with TOB misfires in the 2005 and 2006 QB recruiting. Every staff in the country deals with holes. The new staff has done a good job of finding their own talent (true freshmen and Jags recruits Castanzo, Momah, Gause and Newman) and coaching up guys who weren’t starting for TOB (Tennant, Ramsey).

TOB can whine about injuries, but Jags lost Brian Toal, B.J. Raji and Jeff Smith all before the season even started.

The second part of the success is giving players schemes and gameplans in which they can succeed. Jags first good move: keeping on Spaz. The continuity on defense has been obvious and made the transition much easier. He then went out and found a good teacher and play caller in Steve Logan. As much as the defense looks the same, the difference in how BC approaches offense is obvious to even the most casual viewer.

BC is 5-0 and in position to do something big in part because of the players but also because Jags has been very shrewd in what he changed and what he didn’t change. You will find very few BC fans that believe we would be 5-0 now under TOB.

I don’t know as much about the NC State roster or even the game to game decisions that may be hindering the Wolfpack. I do know from reading that TOB is blaming the lack of talent and the adjustment to his system. This wouldn’t be the first time he wasted talent in order to move to a system. It may pay off in Raleigh and Jags may not be able to duplicate TOB’s long-term success, but the wins and losses of the 2007 season can be attributed to the current coaches of both schools and no one else.

What point differential tells us

After the game I said that winning ugly games by 20 points is a good indicator. While margin of victory and point differential over the course of a season are not foolproof, in general, they are a good indicators of how good a team is and how lucky or unlucky it has been.

Take our three most recent 3-0 starts (two under TOB and one under Jags) and compare the fourth game.

2004
W – BC 19, Ball State 11
W – BC 21, Penn State 7
W – BC 27, CT 7
Point differential through three games: 42
Fourth game
L – BC 14, Wake Forest 17
BC lost on a “fluke play” (we’ll get back to that concept) to a game, but still inferior Wake Forest.

2006
W – BC 31, Central Michigan 24
W – BC 34, Clemson 33
W – BC 30, BYU 23
Point differential through three games: 15
Fourth game
L – BC 15, NC State 17
BC lost on a “fluke play” to an inferior NC State team.


2007
W – BC 38, Wake Forest 28
W – BC 37, NC State 17
W – BC 24, Georgia Tech 10
Point differential through three games: 44
Fourth game
W – BC 37, Army 17
BC wins against an inferior opponent by a comfortable margin despite uneven play.


As you can see not all starts are equal and point differential is not perfect. 2004 and 2007 had a very similar differentials through three games yet very different results in game four. In 2004 we lost to Wake on a late bomb. BC had dominated but couldn’t convert in the redzone and had three missed field goals. It truly was a “fluke” play and BC was unlucky. Contrast that with 2006. BC escaped Central Michigan, and won two games that where they were generally outplayed (Clemson and BYU). Then NC State happened. While it seemed unlucky at the time, it was probably more of a case of BC’s luck running out. The common trait in both 2004 and 2006 losses was that BC did not play its best game in the losses…which brings us to this season. Army was clearly the worst performance of the season, yet the team won by 20. Talent explains part of it, but the other part is aggressiveness and style of play. Even when misfiring, Logan is relentless and doesn’t eat clock. Increasing number of possessions when you have the talent advantage should produce winning football. Contrast that with TOB’s clock eating mentality. While TOB’s close to the vest, conservative style might steal a game or two, it also invites games to be stolen by inferior opponents on “fluke plays.” And playing TOB’s way in college football, where there is no postseason tourney and there is a premium on minimizing losses is limiting to a teams championship aspirations. In college football you have to be perfect every week. You must play to win and winning big helps.

Now Jags aggressive stance guarantees nothing. It can all come to a halt at any minute or be undone by one off day, but the style of play and the results are important in college football. Winning ugly yet still winning by 20 indicates that we should have a very strong season and Jags' aggressiveness is about winning championships.

The four most important games of the season

In college football every game is a must win. Lose to a MAC school and fans start tossing around the letters “W”, “T”, and “F.” Lose to the Miamis or Florida States and the media starts chiming in that BC cannot battle the big boys. The reality is that Jags won’t win them all. However there are four games that are pretty vital to a successful 2007 season and building a bond with BC fans. In my opinion these are the four must wins in their order of importance. Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section.

1. NC State. Jags must win this game. Although we’ll play NC State every year, winning the first time will have the most significance. It will be TOB’s return to the Heights. It's Jags second game as a head coach. It will be our experienced team against their rebuilding model. Knowing TOB, I expect him to place a huge emphasis on this game and pull out all the stops to win it. He’s trying to prove something and NC State will be ready. If BC loses this game, Jags will be in a big hole with the fans and Gene and Jags will start hearing whispers that the wrong guy is coaching the Eagles.

2. Notre Dame. I’ve been critical of the BC fans who only care about Notre Dame. The forced break in the schedule the past two seasons has been a godsend as those fans came to realize there is more to college football than the Irish. Even with this change in attitude, this game will go a long way with the majority of BC supporters. Win this game and everything tastes sweeter, the sky is bluer, etc. Like the TOB/NC State game, Jags is facing the Irish at the right time. They are in rebuilding mode and BC could be favored come game time.

3. The bowl game. The bowl win streak became a major crutch for BC sports information and for TOB. The streak is filled with mid-major afterthoughts played in less than desirable locations. Regardless of the ignominious past, you don’t want to be the guy who ends the streak. BC prepped for bowl games well under TOB. Jags will be expected to do the same. Look out for the sharks if we don't make a bowl.

4. Wake Forest. The first win is the hardest. The last BC coach to win his first game was Jack Bicknell in 1981. Adding importance to this game, BC takes on the defending ACC champs in the opener. Winning here would help propel the team into the TOB game and provide a good path back to the postseason. And hopefully it will put to wrest Jim Grobe’s ability to ruin BC fans’ weekends.

Just win, baby

Although he has never been a head coach, Jags isn’t some newbie walking in off the street. With his 20+ years experience also comes with a nice track record of performance. The teams Jags has been a part of are 159-116-1 (per standards in each level of the sport, I did count college postseason but not NFL postseason into this record.) Here is a breakdown of Jags travels. Ironically, the only place where he coached for more than one season without a winning record was Boston College.

1986, Northern Illinois – 2-9
1987-88, LSU – 18-5
1989-1996, East Carolina – 53-38
1997-1998, Boston College – 8-14
1999-2003, Green Bay Packers – 51-29
2004-2005, Atlanta Falcons – 19-13
2006, Green Bay Packers – 8-8

Ultimately this doesn’t guarantee anything. After all, Dan Henning won two Super Bowls prior to coming to BC. But like many of the things I’ve tried to examine this summer, I think it is a good indicator. If anything the guy knows when to pick his spots…he turned the ECU job into a coordinator spot and the BC gig into an NFL job, he left the Packers before they collapsed and left the Falcons before their collapse. Let’s hope his winning ways and ability to find good jobs where he can succeed continues at the Heights.