Breaking: Frank Spaziani Fired by Boston College

Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

For Boston College football, a dark chapter in its history has come to a close.

Word has broken on Sunday evening that Frank Spaziani, head coach of the Eagles since the 2009 season, will be fired by Boston College. Spaziani is being dismissed after a devastating 2-10 season, the first ten-loss campaign for the Eagles since 1978.

During his four years in charge, preceded by a decade as the team’s defensive coordinator, BC went 22-29, including 6-18 in the final two seasons. His record against ACC opponents was 13-19 from 2009 to 2012, while the Eagles only at 17-29 against FBS opposition during that period. Spaziani also coached the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 30, 2006 as an interim.

As a defensive coordinator, Spaziani retained the respect of many Boston College fans, but his installation as head coach in 2009 was not without its detractors. In fact, each season Spaziani had as head coach saw fewer wins than the previous, with the Eagles going from nine wins in 2008 (the season before he was hired) to eight in 2009, seven in 2010, four in 2011, and just two in 2012.

Spaziani’s head coaching tenure will be remembered as having arguably lacked a signature moment as Boston College did not defeat a ranked team during his four years. It will also be committed to the annals of history as one of the least-noteworthy coaching tenures in Boston College football history with an increasing number of losses, recruiting missteps, a sharply-declining defense, and four years of generally poor offense, thanks in part to heavy turnover at offensive coordinator.

The Eagles will now be left to find a new coach to rebuild the program. There is little debate at this point that Boston College needs it, as the school has lost 18 games in the last two seasons after having had nine consecutive winning seasons before he was hired. Spaziani inherited a team that won back-to-back ACC Atlantic titles and is now in last place. It will be a difficult job for the new coach, and one should expect that BC Athletic Director Brad Bates, hired in October to replace staunch Spaziani ally Gene DeFilippo, will take his time in getting the hire right.

The end of the Spaziani era at Boston College will likely take no one by surprise, but the program remains at a critical juncture, and the hire to come from Bates will help shape its long-term future.

UPDATE
The text of the letter sent by Boston College Athletic Director Brad Bates to Flynn Fund donors

As a valued stakeholder in our football program, I wanted you to be among the first to know that Frank Spaziani and I met today. Coach Spaziani will not remain as our football coach, effective immediately. Coach Spaz and I have met with the team and we will issue a press release shortly.

It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the many wonderful contributions Coach Spaziani has made to Boston College during his 16 years in Chestnut Hill. He and his staff have devoted countless hours to our institution and our student-athletes. We thank them and wish them well.

Please know that I understand how important a successful football program is to you and our entire University community. We will begin a search for a new head football coach immediately. We will be seeking a leader whose vision of our football program mirrors the mission of our University, whose first priority is the development of our student-athletes and whose goal is to return our program to national prominence, tenaciously pursing the mantra “Ever to Excel.”

I know how much you treasure the rich tradition and heritage of our football program, and I promise we will do our very best to find the right person to be your football coach. Thank you for your loyalty and continued support through this period.

Brad Bates
Director of Athletics