Boston College: Hire Charlie Strong or Die

So you're a moderately successful ACC program in a state where the college football prospects all wear skates and drop their Rs. You've just fired a guy for having the temerity to interview with an NFL team. You're about to hire your third head coach in four years and the last two left because your athletic department just can't get along with folks. Recruiting already sucks and is only going to get worse.

Meanwhile, Charlie Strong finally came out and said what everyone's whispered about for years: he can't get a job in the South because his wife is white. He's been a college coordinator for a decade. He's a college lifer. And he's probably not going anywhere anytime soon. You want a guy who will stick at BC. You want some positive press after this debacle. You want a guy who's proven over the past ten years that he's one of the best defensive minds in college football. You want Charlie Strong.

Or do you want to promote some guy named "Spaz"?

There's no comparison between the two: Strong's fifteen years younger -- BC DC Frank Spaziani is already 63! -- and has just as much coordinator experience. Both men became DCs in 1999 and have remained at that post since. Strong's defenses have, on average, been better. He's supposed to be a better recruiter. And, critically, he's not two years from social security. The only way you could possibly justify a Spaziani hire when Strong is sitting out there, superior in all ways, is by claiming "familiarity with the program."

That may or may not be racist -- I won't throw that bomb -- but if it transpires as rumored, it would definitely be stupid.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-28-2009 @ 1:40PM

Mike said...

I love it! Strong would be fantastic. And BC would be a factor in Florida recruiting.

1-07-2009 @ 6:31PM

T said...

The thought police want to see you,BC

1-08-2009 @ 12:54AM

krispykreme487 said...

Dear BC:

Hire Strong. He is young, he is experienced, he deserves it. I know it seems like a cheap PR move, but after this mess, hiring Strong brings good media coverage for the school and gives us a good coach.

Sincerely,
A Current Boston College Student.

1-08-2009 @ 12:59AM

bc fan said...

As a BC grad I certainly hope that Charlie Strong is given the chance to interview for the position. I think he would be a solid head coach and would breath life into a program that has had a tough couple of weeks. That said, I believe you are too dismissive of Coach Spaz. He has been fully committed to the program since arriving on the Heights and is a major reason the transition from TOB to Jags did not hurt the program in terms of wins and losses. If Spaz gets the position this time around (he was a finalist during the last search), it would be because of loyalty, not racism. While I am hopeful that Strong and other outside candidates are strongly considered, I would not be surprised if an AD who just held a press conference demanding loyalty from a head coach would turn to the most loyal member of the staff over the past 12 years.

1-08-2009 @ 8:17AM

Greg - BC Alum said...

I wish people would stop saying things like "fired a guy for having the temerity to interview with an NFL team." That ignores the most critical aspect of the story. If you want to say that it doesn't matter that a guy says one thing to the university, fans and players, and then does something else behind their back, fine. But at least say it.

On the other hand, I would love for BC to interview Strong.

1-08-2009 @ 10:17AM

Brian said...

Greg-BC Alum,

I hope you never get an opportunity to interview for a better paying, higher profile job. You won't be able to accept it because you once told your boss that you like working there.

Sincerely,

Hypocrisy

1-09-2009 @ 11:04AM

Mook said...

Brian,

Enough with ripping off an old gimmick from a third-rate egomaniac who can't even hold Chris Russo's jock strap.

Signed,

Originality

1-08-2009 @ 10:53AM

EagleE said...

What about the issue that Jags lied about talking to the Jets. Fine, coaches will interview other places that is to be expected, but the best way to get what both parties want out of it is to be open about it, thus creating the opportunity for a potential salary increase OR amicable departure.

And Brian you can never compare jobs like ours to being the head football coach of a growing program...not the same thing. That being said I would expect to be fired if my boss found me looking for another job.

1-08-2009 @ 12:56PM

Skapanza said...

That's funny. I wonder how places people don't want to work at stay in business.

I have always been on the lookout for a more desirable job. Bosses firing people who look should be chastised for opposing ambition. It's idiotic to declare that you know what is best for an employee and that their final resting place is in your office/firm/school/team. As long as there is free will, this firing will look really stupid.

1-08-2009 @ 1:44PM

Boston Nick said...

Sir, as a BC hater, I'd like for you to shut your trap, just in case that retard DeFelippo actually gets word of this and hires Strong. I'd be upset then.

I want Charlie Strong to get a well-deserved opportunity. But I'd much rather BC remained a second-tier, generally irrelevant in their own town unless there's a controversy involving their coach, kinda team.

1-08-2009 @ 9:59PM

Takeitorleaveit said...

Skapanza:

You fail distinguish between a typical at will employee and employer relationship and the contractual arrangement that existed between BC and Jags. Not to mention what I'm sure was a "my word is my bond" promise from Jags to the AD to stay for the full 5 years and bring BC's program to new heights. Of course, things change but Jags could have at least had the common courtesy and decency to let Gene know that he changed his tune and wanted to go back on his promise upfront instead of sneaking around.

If you are telling me that if you signed a contract to work for a company for 5 years for a lot of money and also promised that you would stay the duration and help the company succeed and then actively went out looking for a better gig after two years I would be shocked. If that is the case then clearly honesty, respect and integrity are not part of your make up.

1-09-2009 @ 1:10PM

lunchbox said...

I think you're off base. Do you think if after two years "Jags" had won a grand total of four games that BC wouldn't be looking around? You can't use words like honesty, integrity, and respect when you're talking about DI college football. Its dog-eat-dog and you're an idiot if you're not at least exploring your options whether you're a coach or an AD...but I'm sure this is new territory for BC fans since you haven't been anywhere near the top 60 programs in college football since Flutie was running around in his cut-off jersey.

1-09-2009 @ 10:48AM

Any one who disparages BC for firing Coach Jags is either lazy, ignorant, or just plain out of touch. There is no argument to be had on the matter - BC's hand was forced. Or do they sit back and let their head coach repeatedly lie to the AD, assistant coaches, and players, thus making their rising program look like crap? I don't know many people who would have let Jags play them for a fool. The man was under contract, not an at-will employee, and promised during his interview that he was in it for the long term.

The right way to do it? Jags should have advised BC that he wanted out of the college coaching scene BEFORE going on an interview. But why didn't he do that? Well, perhaps he still wanted some $$$ remaining on the written "commitment" (it's called a "contract," a document in which promises are exchanged and bound).

And you have to be nuts, Brian, to even infer that it would be racist for BC to hire Spaz over Strong. Spaz is one of the greatest DCs in the country, has strong loyalty for BC (a huge factor for Gene D, apparently), and has a direct connection to BC. I wouldn't be shocked for Strong to pull a Jags, on his way to an NFL job. The man has NO connection to BC. Yes, he would probably jack recruiting up sky high (if he could comply with the rigid academic standards and the idea of nearly the entire team graduating), but BC needs to be realistic and hire a guy who will stick, not the latest hot name.

I will not be dissapointed if BC hires Strong, he appears to be an excellent candidate, but right now Spaz is the best guy for the job.

1-20-2009 @ 9:37PM

pepe1974 said...

As Florida Alumni I would hate to see Charlie Strong depart our defense. But realistically he is an intense coordinator who certainly deserves a chance. His hiring is absolutely another school's gain. As long as he does not coach at Florida Stink University where Bobby will never die or go away or something.