ACC Football: Boston College Learning From a New Boss

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A lot has happened since we last saw the Boston College football team on the field. The win in the Fenway Bowl vs SMU gave the team an above .500 season at 7-6. However, soon after the team was walking off the field at Fenway Park, the changes started happening. It began with head coach Jeff Haffey who interviewed and got the defensive coordinator job with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. A search began immediately for his successor. The search did not last long, nor did Boston College have to go far to find the next head coach of the program. Bill O’Brien, who last fall was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots is now the man in charge of the Eagles program.

O’Brien, after his second stint with the Patriots, seemed headed to Ohio State to become their offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. But when the opportunity to come back to Massachusetts opened up, O’Brien could not pass up the chance to be the head coach of the Eagles. This will be his second head coaching job with a power-5 program. Back in 2012, he spent two seasons as the head man of Penn State where he guided the Nittany Lions to a 15-9 record overall and a 10-8 record in the Big-10. The native of Dorchester, MA. took over the program in early February and has since put together a coaching staff. He becomes the 37th head coach of the Eagles.

Which brings us to the present and Spring ball. O’Brien and his staff are getting to know the returning players from last year’s team. These practices that will lead into the spring game that will take place on April 13th are important. As it gives the coaching staff time to implented their system and give players a chance to understand it, before summer camp begins in August. The first spring practice brought together 94 players, including 12 newcomers. 10 transfers and two early enrollees were a part of the first workout that took place at Fish Field House. The transfer breakdown is as follows: six on offense, three on defense and one on special teams.

So far during the first eight workouts that have taken place, work has been done with the quarterback and wide receivers on the deep ball. There has been 7-on-7 work. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has looked good so far as he gets acquainted with his receivers from last season and the new ones that have arrived. Castellanos has shown he can still run the ball when necessary, as a 25-yard scramble during day 3 will attrest. The defense has also had their moments during these workouts. Defensive tackles Owen Stoudmire and Kwan Williams have found themselves in the BC offensive backfield at times during these practices.

The Boston College running game, which was key for them, especially during their 5-game winning streak, showed it’s formed in recent drills. Alex Broome and Kye Robichaux have been working with new members of the offensive line with good results, Not to be outdone, the defense keeps making plays. Safety Bugg Jones made his presence known with a couple of picks on Saturday and the goal line defense did their job as they turned away three straight third-and goal plays from the offense. Special teams has seen both Broone and CB Amari Jackson on kick return duty.

There are six practices left before the spring game is played. BC will hold two more workouts this week before the team gets a break for Easter.They will also hold their first scrimmage in the coming days. With 14 total practices before the spring game takes place, O”Brien, his players, and staff have made some progress in understanding one another. There is still more to be done in that area. That’s the beauty of spring ball. Everyone gets a clean slate to get ready for the 2024 season.