Weekly Blabber 1/26/2009

It's that time of the week again.... the Weekly Blabber! This week's blabber will be about something that happened a few weeks ago, the firing of Boston College's Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski. Let me lay down the basics of what happened in this situation.

Jeff Jagodzinski was fired as the Head Coach of Boston College on January 7, 2009, after interviewing for the head coaching vacancy at the New York Jets. Jagodzinski had completed only two years of his five year contract with the Eagles. According to Director of Athletics, Gene DeFillippo, Jagodzinski interviewed with the New York Jets without his knowledge. DeFillippo found out about the Jets interview the evening before the interview was to take place. DeFillippo informed Jagodzinski that if the interview took place that he would be terminated. Jagodzinski interviewed with Jets personnel anyway. So, after winning 20 games and two ACC Atlantic Division titles in two seasons, Jagodzinski was terminated by DeFillippo.

For me personally, this type of event is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I applaud Athletics Director, DeFillippo for not tolerating the constant "job jumping" that goes on in college football today (i.e.; Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino). DeFillippo wants a coach that is committed to the program and is in it for the long term. DeFillippo nurtures a college football program that has stability and continuity. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those are the things that win games and championships. But loyalty is a fickle thing in college football now-a-days.

On the other hand, I feel like Jagodzinski got the short end of the stick. Jagodzinski was a long shot at getting the head coaching job at the Jets. I don't see any thing wrong with him wanting to test the waters elsewhere. Perhaps just to see where he stood in the eyes of an NFL organization. I mean DeFillippo doesn't expect a coach to stay his entire career at Boston College does he? Just about everyone at any job eyes a better position at a different company from time to time, right? I think it is very wise to always keep your options open. Would DeFillippo be any different? Is he THAT committed to permanently being the Director of Athletics for Boston College? What if, let's say, The University of Maryland had a University President vacancy and he was interested in becoming a university president. Becoming a university president has always been his dream job; it is what he has always aspired to be. Would he not at least check into it? Shouldn't he be excited at the possibility of getting a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity?

Jeff Jagodzinski is no different. Truthfully, Gene DeFillippo would be no different.

All in all, I feel that Jeff Jagodzinski's firing at Boston College came down to one thing.... E-G-O!

On January 13, 2009, Boston College hired long time Defensive Coordinator, Frank Spaziani, as the new Head Coach. Good luck to Coach Spaziani and the Eagles in 2009!



New Boston College Head Coach Frank Spaziani