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Right now, we, the collective heart and soul of Boston College football, are sitting at the bottom of the FBS after a very, very forgettable season. It has been one of the most frustrating runs in recent memory.
The 2012 season featured a rushing defense ranked 112th in the nation, an offense ranked 97th in the nation, and a fragmented, frustrated group of football players left without a coach—although that is not necessarily a bad thing given Spaziani’s 22-29 record over four years in Chestnut Hill.
While we are at a pivotal crossroads, idly waiting for a decision made by Bates on who the next head football coach will be, we can still ponder over the potential candidates for the 2013 season. This is likely the most important personnel decision BC will have to make in the next decade, given that the football program’s integrity and pride is on the line.
Brad Bates made that very clear in his press conference on Sunday night, saying, "We'll move as quickly as possible, but we will be very, very deliberate. This is an incredibly significant hire relative to the leadership of our department and our program, so we've got to make absolute sure we get the best fit for what this program needs right now."
Rumor has it that big-time money (about $2 million/year) is being allotted for the vacant head coach position, per BC Interruption writer A.J. Black’s tweet on Tuesday night.
Here are some candidates that Bates seems to be strongly considering:
Bob Diaco, Defensive Coordinator, Notre Dame
Diaco is the perfect fit for Boston College—a program that needs better recruiting and a disciplined, focused mindset. Born and raised in New Jersey, Diaco played college football at Iowa and coached with Brian Kelly at both Cincinnati and Notre Dame. He knows the northeast all too well, supervising all of Notre Dame’s recruiting affairs in the region.
Getting Diaco as the new HC would certainly boost Boston College’s recruiting class. A close look at Diaco’s recruiting history shows that he consistently pulls in four-star recruits in the northeast, racking in some of the best talent the region has to offer. Alex Anzalone, the 6th ranked LB in the country and John Montelus, the number one O-line recruit in the nation, have both been recruited by Diaco to play at Notre Dame next year.
Beyond his recruiting successes is the obvious fact that he is the defensive coordinator for the best defense in the nation. Cultivating players like Louis Nix and Manti’ Teo, Diaco has showcased his ability to mold players into college superstars and national championship contenders.
Pending Cal, N.C. State or Purdue pouncing on Diaco before BC, there is a solid chance he is the next head coach on the Heights.
Pete Carmichael, Offensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that Carmichael was on BC’s radar—something that makes a lot more sense under closer observation. Born in Massachusetts and a graduate of Boston College, Carmichael coached at UNH and Louisiana Tech before engaging in stints with the Redskins, Chargers, and Saints.
Carmichael’s tremendous experience in the NFL as an offensive coordinator coupled with his New England pedigree makes him an outstanding candidate for the job. It really comes down to whether or not Carmichael has the ability to recruit players from traditional BC pipelines—something that Spaz failed to do.
Darrell Hazell, Head Coach, Kent State University
Photo courtesy of ksuwebteam/Flickr
Hazell was formerly the wide receivers coach under Jim Tressel at Ohio State before turning a suffering Kent State football program into a Top 25 team. He has ties with Bates through the MAC and could be a worthy shot in the dark. A multitude of competent coaches have surfaced from the MAC in the past few decades, including Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, and Jim Tressel.
Al Golden, Head Coach, University of Miami
With Miami’s hearings from the NCAA pending, Golden may leave Miami to pursue an opportunity without restrictions. Golden offers a swagger and presence that would bode well for BC in terms of recruiting and add character to a program that has been without some for ages.
Born in New York, from Philadelphia, but meant to live in New England.
