Boston College fires Jagodzinski

Jan 7, 2009 - 8:18 PM CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired Wednesday, one day after he interviewed with the New York Jets about their head coaching vacancy.

Eagles athletic director Gene DeFilippo followed through on his promise to dismiss Jagodzinski if the coach met with the Jets, which he did against Boston College's wishes.

DeFilippo fired Jagodzinski after meeting with him Wednesday morning and made the announcement official during a hastily called news conference at the school.

"We are really good friends," DeFilippo said. "This is a very difficult thing to do. As I've said before, Jeff Jagodzinski is a wonderful person and he's a heck of a football coach."

Jagodzinski's ouster follows a bizarre three days in which the Eagles' program seemed to be in a holding pattern. Reports of his possible firing surfaced on Sunday.

Although he is not considered a leading candidate for the Jets' position, Jagodzinski interviewed with the team even though he was warned that by doing so he would be fired at Boston College.

According to the Boston Globe, DeFilippo made several attempts to contact his former coach Tuesday but phone calls were not returned.

"I made the decision (to fire him) because I thought that Jeff and I are really divided on the future of the football program, what we want to do for the football program," DeFilippo added. "With that in mind, I thought the decision had to be made."

Jagodzinski, 45, signed a five-year contract at Boston College in December 2006, and DeFilippo wanted him to honor it for more than the two years that have elapsed.

DeFilippo reportedly also was upset that Jagodzinski failed to inform him of his intent to meet with the Jets.

The Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator before taking the Boston College job, Jagodzinski enjoyed two successful seasons at The Heights. He guided the Eagles to a 20-8 record and a pair of appearances in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

However, he apparently wants to get back into the NFL - even as an assistant - and has been linked to a possible job in Seattle. Jagodzinski worked with new Seattle coach Jim Mora Jr. in Atlanta.

His departure creates uncertainty at Boston College, which now has its third coach in three seasons.

Jagodzinski took over at Boston College for Tom O'Brien, who left following the 2006 season to take the job at North Carolina State. He had three years remaining on a five-year contract.

DeFilippo said a search for a replacement will begin immediately.

"We are going to find someone who really wants to be at BC and will be here for the length of his contract," he said.

Defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani and assistant head coach Jack Bicknell Jr. have been mentioned as possible candidates to replace Jagodzinski.