Jeff Jagodzinksi, the current head coach of Boston College's football team, is, according to the Boston Globe, about to get fired at a press conference today because he chose to interview with the New York Jets, despite the team's insistence that he would lose his job for such an action. Even if they do not actually can Jago, there's still going to be a press conference to "discuss [the] football team and its coach." Update: They did indeed fire Jagodzinski.Jeff Jagodzinski will be fired as the Boston College football coach this morning in a meeting with athletic director Gene DeFillippo, according to sources close to the program.This isn't that huge of a surprise, I suppose; you can only have so many publicly scrutinized people playing a game of chicken before someone gets in a wreck.
After meeting with the New York Jets yesterday in New Jersey regarding their opening for a head coach, Jagodzinski called DeFilippo last night, setting up a face-to-face meeting this morning. They will finalize the details of his termination in the meeting. Jagodzinski has three years remaining on the contract.
At the same time though, it was a pretty bold move on Jagodzinksi's part to pull on the interview if he wasn't completely confident he would get the job. That being said, Gene DiFilippo only comes off looking worse if the outcome is termination, so he should probably be able to land on his feet elsewhere soon enough if the Jets gig doesn't come through.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-07-2009 @ 2:06PM
Bruce said...
Before any comments can be made, we have to establish if Jago was under contract. If he was then unless he had an "escape" clause then he should never have interviewed for a Jets job. He should have honored his contract. I know this is 1950's thinking but perhaps we must go back to the ethics, motals and accountability of that era where your word is your word.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 5:05PM
The J said...
So Bruce if he had 2 losing seasons you would say that BC shouldnt fire him and they should honor their side of the contract?
1-07-2009 @ 2:40PM
tim said...
hey what ever happened to bettering ur self boston collage ought to be happy for the man and quit the b s thats the problem with america no one wants anybody to do better for them selves get over it bc and grow up
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:03PM
scott said...
When is it illegal to interview with a potential employer. Actually BC may do him a favor. It seems maybe the real problem is their Athletic Director and this gives Jeff an out!!! I wouldn't work under a program like this either.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:08PM
Robert Thompson said...
Depends on his current contract. If it doesn't allow interviewing for another job, then sorry Charlie. If that isn't in there then I would suppose they have to honor the contract. A win for Jag.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:12PM
Steve said...
With Boston College's attitude, they will have trouble attracting a quality football coach in the future. You can't blame a coach for answering the door when opportunity knocks.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:20PM
bfash said...
I'm from Boston and have followed this story. The bottom line is BC will have to pay Jag's the remainder of his 5 year contract at $1 million plus per year for firering him!! They should have let him talk to the Jets and fired him for cause at a later date!! Contractually he was under no obligation to inform BC about talking to anyone about anything!! What happened to freedom. If BC didn't want him to leave or negotiate with the NFL (No Fun League!) they should have put it in the contract. They are like a spoiled little rich kid!! It's so stupid!!! There go's the cost of tuition ha!ha!ha!
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:24PM
Bernie said...
Coaches sign 3 yr. contracts for security. If the contract states you cannot interview with someone else, then honor it, otherwise sign only a 1 year contract. The school needs to also have some stability, also players come there to play for this coach and he wants to interview for some other job. I applaud Boston College for making the coach honor the contract and if he doesn't than you have a right to fire him. Does the school have to still pay him for the extra years?
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:54PM
Yannaro said...
The problem for the coach is that the AD was unaware that the coach was on a list to be interviewed for the Jets' position after the coach had denied being interested and after the AD told the Jets organization that he didn't want them to interview the coach. The AD found out about it when a reporter asked him about it during a press conference. Then the AD told the coach that interviewing for the job would cost him his job. So the choice was up to the coach. Many ADs would agree with the Boston College AD. It's not going for the interview that's a problem for them. The problem is not telling the AD.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 3:57PM
Mike said...
No one, especially college coaches, honors contracts anymore, so many applaud BC's stance on firing him. Who knows about the behind the scenes workings, there may have been something else also. I am a Jet hater, they are falling all over Brett Farve and undoubtedly interviewed this guy because they want to do anything to try to please Brett and make him stay. Congratulations "Coach Killer" Farve, put another notch in your belt. Stay unretired and watch your legacy slowly crash and burn.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 4:41PM
Richard Busic said...
This does not sound like the Jesuits I know. Then again he IS expected to fullfill his contract. Doesn't this sound like there is more to the story? Is Boston College trying to get out of the contract regardless of the expectations of his three year commitment? I wish everyone well.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 4:48PM
Jon R. Potter said...
This is ridiculous. What ever happened to the "American Way?" A man works hard to garner a great reputation and is fired for pursuing an interest in a better job. What about the great job he did for Boston College? It is a damn shame for an institution to behave in this manner. I would think it will be tough for them to find someone to replace him who would never think of bettering himself or his family.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 4:54PM
richard said...
Boston College says they wanted him to stay a long time, so we fired him. Read that again. Does that make sense? Jeff Jagozinski is a great coach, but he doesn't seem to stay anywhere more than a year. Look at his history, he's been in about 8 different coaching staffs, on about 6 different teams. He's been in Green Bay twice. What is he, like 30 years old? They should be looking at longstanding coaches, rather than these guys who move before you can tell if they are really good or just lucky.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 5:14PM
Butch said...
How ironic. BC said they were committed to the Big East and then left for the ACC. So why should they expect commitment from somebody else. What goes around comes around.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 5:36PM
rich said...
Your right Butch!!! They think because they have Jesus on their side,they can do anything they want! It is a 2 way street out there,Good Luck Jago!!!!!!
1-07-2009 @ 5:24PM
marye said...
what does this teach our kids ..if you try to reach for the stars you'll be left out in the cold without a coat
who would want to work for the AD anyway...he sounds a little
control freak anyway
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 6:01PM
Macdaddy said...
Yawn,I cant find my bong !
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 6:05PM
Jeff said...
He was under contract. He should honor his contract. If BC fired him because of a losing season and he had time remaining on his contract, BC would have to honor that contract.
That is what is wrong with our society today. Sign a contract today. Say screw it tomorrow and move on.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 7:06PM
NYG Fan said...
Sounds like BC wanted to get rid of him anyway. I mean the reason for firing him is very, very lame at best.
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 7:26PM
Denster said...
How pathetic...certainly NOT the reaction one would expect from a school founded by the Jesuits. I guess the win-loss record supercedes support, compassion, and understanding, even at a preiminent Catholic University.
Reply