Boston College Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien opened eyes with a 7-6 season during his first season in Chestnut Hill. What’s next in Year 2?
Bill O’Brien Returns Home and Thrives in Year 1
Growing up in Danvers, Massachusetts, O’Brien probably never thought that he would helm the FBS school just 45 minutes from where he grew up.
Yet, he wears the red and gold. On Feb. 9, 2024, he accepted the job at BC, replacing Jeff Hafley, who took the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator job.
After a winning first campaign, College Sports Network awarded O’Brien an A- grade for his first year as the Eagles head coach. According to the article, “the seven wins are tied for the most since 2009.” This makes sense, as it has brought the program up from less-than-ideal seasons.
At the start of the season, BC ventured to Tallahassee to play Florida State, escaping with a 28-13 convincing victory. The game happened on Sept. 2, when people didn’t realize that FSU would devolve into a dumpster fire. That win made the nation stand up and take notice.
From the outside, prevailing thought saw BC as a weigh station job for O’Brien, a short stay until a bigger job arrives. Meanwhile, the team started the season off with a proverbial bang.
Under O’Brien, Boston College fielded a competitive team on both sides of the ball. With six games ending within a one-score frame, the Eagles thrived on fighting through the whistle. The offense, led by now-Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, ranked 67th in scoring (28.9 ppg) and 59th in total offense.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Eagles controlled the run, allowing just 114.92 yards per game, ranking 22nd.
While not exceptionally eye-popping or extraordinary, the team executed and snagged an invite to the Pinstripe Bowl. BC enjoyed a turnover margin of +9, showing efficient offense and aggressive defense.
As mentioned, Castellanos now calls FSU home, which will lead to a new QB stepping up. At the same time, pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku leaves for the NFL, creating a cavernous void.
However, Dylan Lonergan, an Alabama transfer who will challenge for Castellanos’ spot, and small school transfer edge rushers Onye Nwosisi (Muskingum) and Favor Bate (Merrimack) look to fill in. However, BC turns most of its eyes and collective hopes to recruits Israel Oladipupo and Jayden Fry to scream off the edge.
Games with Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame, SMU, and Georgia Tech will provide a litmus test to whether O’Brien can recreate the magic of 2024. If the Eagles can emerge with a win from that group, taking care of business along the way, 2026 could actually serve as more of a breakout moment.
More importantly, crafting a core group of players who aren’t scared of a daunting ACC schedule. O’Brien earned a reputation as a hard-nosed coach. As a result, the players that he will bring in should personify the exact viewpoint.
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Doug Flutie, Pete Mitchell, Mark Herzlich, Stephen Boyd, Mike Mamula, Luke Kuechly, A.J. Dillon, and Zach Allen aren’t walking through the door. Whatever Boston College was in the past needs to reside there with that elevated set of expectations.
The fall of the Big East football conference hurt no one more than BC. Instead of lamentation, O’Brien can use 2024 as a building block, turning Boston College into a threat. While it could take a couple of recruit cycles to assemble a deeper program, last year showed a pathway.
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