Boston College Assistant Bill McGovern Reportedly Leaves for NFL

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Just as it appeared Steve Addazio’s new staff was complete, a vacancy has come open and taken one of Boston College football’s most tenured coaches.

New Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has reportedly hired Bill McGovern as an assistant on his coaching staff. McGovern spent the previous four years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Frank Spaziani and had been with BC under Tom O’Brien and Jeff Jagodzinski as just the linebackers coach. He also served as defensive backs coach under Dan Henning during the latter’s tenure at BC. McGovern was set to return in his linebackers coach role under Addazio in 2013.

Though McGovern was generally successful as a linebacker coach at Boston College, his tenure as defensive coordinator was mixed. BC had one season, 2010, in which the defense was one of the best in the country and another season in 2009 where it was also very respectable. Results began to diminish in 2011 and the Eagle defense was historically down in 2012. Addazio named former UConn defensive coordinator Don Brown to replace McGovern, who himself was slated to assume a demotion before Kelly hired him.

McGovern is thanked for his over a decade of service to Boston College football and there will probably be those within the program who know him that will feel his absence. Is it a loss for all fans to mourn, however? That depends on one’s attitude. There are two schools of thought: McGovern was a good linebackers coach and could have helped, and McGovern has been here for a long time and some new blood and fresh ideas are needed.

It is true that McGovern did well when he only coached the linebacking unit, but at the same time, with this team coming off of its worst season in over 30 years, BC should embrace the opportunity for change and find a fresh face. We wish McGovern well in his new job.