More and more people seem to be realizing what we all said from the beginning, that it was a mistake for BC to leave the Big East and join the ACC.

http://www.newsobserver.com/734/story/518957.html

O'Brien leaving affects BC fans
Some disappointed with salary structure
Ned Barnett, Staff Writer

Boston College supporters responded Thursday to football coach Tom O'Brien's departure for N.C. State with a mix of chagrin and relief.
Some expressed admiration for O'Brien's character and his ability to turn BC into a perennial bowl team. Others said that after 10 years he seemed unable to win the breakthrough game.

Greg Barber, a Boston College trustee who donated $2.5 million to endow the position of football coach, knew another school would pursue O'Brien.

Barber said he warned the BC athletics department that O'Brien was underpaid compared to the rest of the ACC. According to a USA Today report, O'Brien's total compensation ranked 10th in the 12-team league.

"I don't think this had to happen," Barber said. "We could have done something proactive to keep Tom O'Brien at the school. When you're at the top of the league in wins and your coach's contract is at the bottom, there's a disconnect and that makes you vulnerable."

Phil O'Brien of Maynard, Mass., a 1969 BC graduate and no relation to the coach, said losing Tom O'Brien to another conference team compounded feelings that BC wasn't getting a fair deal in bowl bids since it joined the league in 2005.

Last year, the Eagles finished 9-3 -- tied for the second-most wins overall among ACC teams -- and were sent to the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho, the lowest-ranked bowl with an ACC affiliation. This year, BC finished 9-3 -- tied for third-most wins in the ACC -- and is going to the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte, the sixth-lowest paying bowl affiliated with the ACC.

"I was a big proponent of [joining] the ACC, but I think I may have been wrong with the way we've been treated, sort of like the wayward son or outside cousin," Phil O'Brien said.

Phil O'Brien said State's hiring of a coach within the conference broke "a cardinal rule," even if some fans were ready to see him go.

"That's the big thing everyone is annoyed by. It's not the loss of Tom O'Brien," he said.

Matthew Soldano of Wakefield, R.I., a 1965 Boston College graduate, said O'Brien's departure was a loss and an opportunity.

"I'm disappointed he's leaving because I thought he did a good job," Soldano said, "but he seems to have plateaued. We lost too many games we should have won. I'm optimistic we can find somebody who can do a better job."

Losing O'Brien to a school within BC's league and division didn't immediately bother Soldano. He said it depended on the circumstances.

"If O'Brien called N.C. State and N.C. State called the league, I'd be less likely to blame N.C. State, but I'd be disappointed in the ACC for telling [State] to go ahead," he said.

Peter Cronan, a BC football player in the mid-1970s who went on to play nine years in the NFL, is a radio analyst for BC football games. He said coaches moving within conferences are part of a new reality.

Cronan noted that the ACC's expansion triggered a lawsuit from the Big East and charges of greed.

"It's a new protocol as far as the ACC. Just go back and look at the bloody entrance of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College. That said an awful lot about the new world," he said.

Cronan said he wasn't surprised that O'Brien, 58, has sought to improve his earnings after years as an assistant and 10 years as a head coach who was considered underpaid.

"If he's a success, he can be Joe Paterno. If he fails, he can ride off into the sunset and retire comfortably," he said.

Come back home Boston College. I know many of the old guard would rather see the suffer their fate BUT they would help the current Big East.

Plus they would give someone ALL Big East schools someone to hate.

Louisville - Top 50 Media Market
West Virginia - State University
Rutgers - In the Number 1 Media Market
South Florida - Top 25 Media Market
Cincinnati - Top 30 Media Market
Pittsburgh - Top 30 Media Market
Syracuse - Number 1 Athletic School in New York State
Boston College - Top 5 Media Market
East Carolina - Foothold in North Carolina and strong fan base.

Go to a Pac 10 like 9 game conference schedule. Now that is a true All Sports league.

BC is a follower, not a leader. They have never been a leader and they never will be a leader.

The Beagles will remain in the ACC until either Miami or PSU joins the Big East or an all-sports Eastern League or until ND decides to play football in the league.

Cheers,
Neil

Maize Wrote:Come back home Boston College. I know many of the old guard would rather see the suffer their fate BUT they would help the current Big East.

Plus they would give someone ALL Big East schools someone to hate.

Louisville - Top 50 Media Market
West Virginia - State University
Rutgers - In the Number 1 Media Market
South Florida - Top 25 Media Market
Cincinnati - Top 30 Media Market
Pittsburgh - Top 30 Media Market
Syracuse - Number 1 Athletic School in New York State
Boston College - Top 5 Media Market
East Carolina - Foothold in North Carolina and strong fan base.

Go to a Pac 10 like 9 game conference schedule. Now that is a true All Sports league.

You forget about us already when we are your last game. lmfao

The problem with the idea of BC coming back is that would leave the ACC at 11. What would be the point of bringing back BC only to lose Rutgers or UCONN or Louisville to the ACC?

wvucrazed Wrote:The problem with the idea of BC coming back is that would leave the ACC at 11. What would be the point of bringing back BC only to lose Rutgers or UCONN or Louisville to the ACC?

The idea is to get a league (whether it is the BE or an Eastern League) to a monetary level comparable to the ACC so teams won't want to jump.

We closed the gap somewhat in basketball $$$ but we have a ways to go in terms of football $$$. Still, the ACC can't afford too many more years like this year in football, otherwise ABC/ESPN will consider they way overpaid there - like they thought they had pre-raid, which led to the expansion in the first place.

Cheers,
Neil

Maize Wrote:Come back home Boston College. I know many of the old guard would rather see the suffer their fate BUT they would help the current Big East.

[Southern]Y'all take BC back, give us Rutgers, and we'll call it even.[/drawl]

Even if Fredo/BC was in the new Big East...BC..even if they had a good football record...would always get selected AFTER Louisville, WVU, Rutgers, and probably Syracuse (if bowl eligible) because of a lack of traveling fan base.

Maybe BC could get selected in the Top 3 for a Conf Bowl Game if they were a member of the MAC...but that might be pushing it.

I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Source: Eagles To Name New Head Coach

Last Edited: Friday, 08 Dec 2006, 10:12 PM EST
Created: Friday, 08 Dec 2006, 10:12 PM EST

Sources close to the negotiations have told FOX25 that Boston College is close to hiring Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Exactly. 7 or 8 bowl appearance and numerous wins in a row, and Top 25 finishes 3 of the last 5 years. That is impressive to me.

CatsClaw Wrote:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Exactly. 7 or 8 bowl appearance and numerous wins in a row, and Top 25 finishes 3 of the last 5 years. That is impressive to me.

:iagree: If he had not done such a good job at BC do you think that NC St would want him. Better the ACC eats it own :domokun: rather than come hunting in the BE. :shhh:

panite Wrote:

CatsClaw Wrote:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Exactly. 7 or 8 bowl appearance and numerous wins in a row, and Top 25 finishes 3 of the last 5 years. That is impressive to me.

:iagree: If he had not done such a good job at BC do you think that NC St would want him. Better the ACC eats it own :domokun: rather than come hunting in the BE. :shhh:

I completely agree! It also keeps the sucking in the (ACC) family! ;-)

CatsClaw Wrote:

panite Wrote:

CatsClaw Wrote:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Exactly. 7 or 8 bowl appearance and numerous wins in a row, and Top 25 finishes 3 of the last 5 years. That is impressive to me.

:iagree: If he had not done such a good job at BC do you think that NC St would want him. Better the ACC eats it own :domokun: rather than come hunting in the BE. :shhh:

I completely agree! It also keeps the sucking in the (ACC) family! ;-)

:baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby: :baby:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Because even though they've been 'pretty good', TOB always seems to have a WTF kind of game or two where BC blows it. It always left the fanbase wanting more and he never got there. This is based on what I've read on eagleaction from time to time.

wvucrazed Wrote:The problem with the idea of BC coming back is that would leave the ACC at 11. What would be the point of bringing back BC only to lose Rutgers or UCONN or Louisville to the ACC?

The only reason that any of the schools were willing to follow Miami were that everyone thought, mistakenly, that the BE would lose its bcs status. Virginia Tech, would have gone to the acc anyway because that has always been their goal. Now that we have proven that the BE is a very powerful brand that did not lose its bid, why would anyone want to leave the BE for the acc now? They still have a better tv contract dollar wise, but the difference has been made much, much closer now. But the BE will still have more exposure, much more exposure.

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill

Jackson

This is a Pro sports town like Cincinatti, BC is second to the Pat's, the loss of Obrien is huge but they won't admit it, he did a great job turning around BC, he will be missed terribly here. The man is one of the most underated coaches around..........

Stookey57 Wrote:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill

Jackson

This is a Pro sports town like Cincinatti, BC is second to the Pat's, the loss of Obrien is huge but they won't admit it, he did a great job turning around BC, he will be missed terribly here. The man is one of the most underated coaches around..........

And under paid until now. lmfao

O'Brien intrigued by N.C. State's potential

By JOEDY McCREARY
AP Sports Writer



RALEIGH, N.C. - Tom O'Brien came away impressed by the scene at Carter-Finley Stadium three months ago when North Carolina State upset his Boston College team.

The Wolfpack's boisterous fan base, upgraded facilities and largely untapped potential helped convince him to switch sidelines.

"The excitement that fateful night I was here in September was as good as any place I've ever been," O'Brien said Saturday at a news conference introducing him as coach. "There's great people and great excitement at Boston College, but timing is everything. ... This is N.C. State or bust for me."

O'Brien, 58, came to Tobacco Road after going 75-45 in 10 seasons at Boston College and leading the Eagles to eight consecutive bowl berths. He replaces Chuck Amato, a former N.C. State linebacker who was fired the day after the Wolfpack closed a 3-9 season with their seventh consecutive loss.

O'Brien received a seven-year contract worth $1.1 million annually, but that amount could jump to $1.8 million if several on-the-field and academic incentives are reached, athletic director Lee Fowler said. The contract also includes a buyout of $600,000 for each year remaining on the deal, Fowler said.

"I think he's coming here to finish his career," Fowler said.

Fowler said O'Brien first appeared on his radar when his name was mentioned as a possible candidate for the North Carolina job, which ultimately was filled by Butch Davis.

After Amato was dismissed, Fowler said he interviewed about four coaches _ including Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a former N.C. State assistant _ and later became aware of O'Brien's interest through headhunter Chuck Neinas.

Fowler requested and received permission from Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo to speak to O'Brien on Dec. 3, and he discussed the job with the coach that night. Talks increased Wednesday, Fowler and O'Brien reached an agreement that night and the school's board of trustees approved his contract two days later.

The rare in-conference coaching switch _ just the second in the Atlantic Coast Conference's history _ comes with a noteworthy increase over O'Brien's reported salary of about $734,000 at Boston College, and a jump from the $995,000 N.C. State paid Amato annually.

"There was never a question in my mind, when I talked to his representation, that he was really interested. It wasn't like this guy was going to ask for the moon, and if we didn't give it he was going to walk away," Fowler said. "It came together pretty quickly as far as that was concerned."

O'Brien, who was an assistant at Navy and later Virginia before going to Boston College in 1997, called the N.C. State program "a sleeping giant" because the school has spent millions recently on its facilities yet has remained a middle-of-the-pack team in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"Just the whole thing of a state university, the state of North Carolina, a great high school football state, the opportunity to recruit in this part of the country and get back down here, that's the thing that enticed me most," O'Brien said.

Among the improvements: an $87 million project to renovate and upgrade the stadium, which included the construction of the 103,254-square-foot Murphy Center to house the football offices and the four-story Vaughn Towers with press and luxury seating. Permanent seats that bowled in the last open end of the stadium for this season also were added.

But N.C. State hasn't finished higher than fourth in the ACC since the Wolfpack placed second in 1994. N.C. State finished in last place in the Atlantic Division this season, and Amato's tenure at his alma mater ended with consecutive losses to in-state rivals North Carolina and East Carolina.

One of Amato's final victories came Sept. 23 when first-time starter Daniel Evans threw the winning touchdown pass with 8.5 seconds remaining in a 17-15 win over O'Brien and Boston College. Now Evans is in an unusual predicament _ the coach whose team he worked so hard to beat in September now will be calling his plays.

"You hardly ever saw a guy blow coverage or miss an assignment," Evans said. "It's really weird, but for me, it's exciting to have him here, and hopefully he can do the things he did there, bring them down here and we can be successful."

O'Brien leaves behind a Boston College program that went 9-15 in the two seasons before his arrival. It also won a share of the Big East in its final season in that league in 2004, and contended for the Atlantic Division title this season before a loss at Miami in the regular season finale.

Defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani will coach the Eagles against Navy later this month in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.

"It's the opportunity to be at a state university. Boston College is an entirely different school than North Carolina State is," O'Brien said. "I think they do a wonderful job. ... (but) the enthusiasm in this stadium (in September) was incredible."

Hoquista Wrote:

Jackson1011 Wrote:I'm still confused why any BC fan would be happy with O'Brien leaving ......I don't recall BC being any better for a prolonged period of time with maybe the exception of when Tom Coughlin was in Chestnut Hill



Jackson

Because even though they've been 'pretty good', TOB always seems to have a WTF kind of game or two where BC blows it. It always left the fanbase wanting more and he never got there. This is based on what I've read on eagleaction from time to time.

Well, they'll be wishing for those "WTF" games in the future.