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Will Boston College finally be saying hello to a BCS bowl?
That seemed to be the consensus after Jeff Jagodzinski was introduced as the program's 33rd head football coach Wednesday night. The 43-year-old offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers could not have been more enthusiastic about beginning his second stint on the Heights.
"[The Packers] are playing the Minnesota Vikings tomorrow night, and I had a hard time concentrating all day today because I was so fired up to get here," he said. "I am going to finish out the season at Green Bay, but I'm going to be in Boston as soon as our last game against Chicago is over."
Though he has never been a head coach, Jagodzinski's resume boasts impressive credentials which include 14 years as a college coach and eight as an NFL coach. He has served on the staffs of both the Packers and the Atlanta Falcons as the offensive coordinator, tight ends coach, and offensive line coach. In his previous two years at BC, he coached the likes of running back Mike Cloud, lineman Damien Woody, and reigning NFC Champion quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played fullback, he has also coached at East Carolina, Louisiana State, and Northern Illinois.
Jagodzinski emerged as the best candidate from among six candidates to replace former coach Tom O'Brien, which included Mark Whipple of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Frank Spaziani, BC's defensive coordinator and interim head coach. According to Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo, it was Jagodzinski's contagious enthusiasm for football that separated him from the pack.
"From the excitement, enthusiasm, and passion Jeff showed in wanting this job, I could tell in the first 20 minutes of our interview that he was very special," said DeFilippo. "His enthusiasm is infectious."
Jagodzinski's previous relationship with the University, as O'Brien's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in the 1997-98 seasons, also played a significant role in his hiring. Many believe that his familiarity with BC's mission and administration will better allow him to put together a team that will best represent the school's goals.
"He respects our tradition and he understands our academic mission and its importance," said DeFilippo,
"The thing that makes BC special is its tradition," agreed Jagodzinski. "I got a chance to talk to the team, and it's those guys, and it's the alumni that make this place special. I will do everything I can to hold the integrity and tradition of BC."
A main concern of alumni and fans is whether the new coach plans to retain much of the program's previous staff or if he plans to rebuild. Both DeFilippo and Jagodzinski stressed the significance of putting together the best possible football staff to attract the best recruits and most victories.
"I'm gonna get the very best football coaches and the best fits for BC," said Jagodzinski. "The more you keep the staff together, the better off you are. Every coach has strengths and weaknesses, and you need to build off those things. We will have good recruiters, teachers, and the very best staff around."
"Jeff will hire the assistants, and we'll hire whoever he wants to hire," said DeFilippo. "You can't give someone a job and then tell him how to do it, so any assistant will be Jeff's choice."
Another concern is whether this new coaching staff will be able to draw the same caliber recruits that O'Brien lured in bringing BC to national prominence. Though Jagodzinski spoke for only a few minutes, it was clear that his excitement and passion would only enhance his recruiting capabilities.
"Recruiting is about selling your school and selling yourself as a person and as a coach. You have to have mutual trust," said Jagodzinski. "That's very important to me: going out and recruiting difference-makers that can elevate your program. We're going to recruit the very best student-athlete and put the best product on the field."
It seems that nobody doubts Jagodzinski's ability to bring further success to the program, and his high-energy, let's-not-forget-to-have-fun approach has already caught on in the short two weeks since O'Brien's departure.
"He's definitely a player's coach," said junior captain Jolonn Dunbar. "I think that's what it's going to take to get us to the next level. The fun and excitement gives us a chance to enjoy football."
In 2004 with the Falcons, Jagodzinski's offense set the franchise record for rushing yards in a single season. In both of his first two seasons with the Eagles, his offense averaged more than 400 yards per game.
All of this is music to the ears of junior quarterback Matt Ryan.
"His credentials speak for themselves," said Ryan. "We're playing for a guy who has coached a lot of talent. Everybody is really excited. [DeFilippo] told us he'd find the best, and he did."
"We're going to have fun around here," said Jagodzinski. "We're going to win, and we're going to look good doing it."
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