Boston College Football: Should Steve Addazio be on the hot seat?
Steve Addazio has led Boston College to respectability, but has the magic worn off and a change is now necessary for the Eagles?
I was a big Steve Addazio fan when Boston College hired him in December of 2012. He was a fresh start from Frank Spaziani, Boston College’s previous head man who just did not have the same amount of energy and enthusiasm as this new hire. Right from the start I knew Addazio would be a breath of fresh air and help lead a football program that was in shambles back to respectability. He was the future of Boston College football.
After leading the Eagles to two consecutive 7-6 finishes and two bowl game appearances, this year looked to be very promising. With dynamic running back Jonathan Hilliman returning and a slew of young talent, this was the year the program looked to make that next leap and be in the mix at the top of the Atlantic Division.
Fast forward to this season and things appeared to be headed in the right direction. After winning their first two games, they lost to Florida State 14-0 in a game that was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated. To add insult to injury, they lost quarterback Darius Wade for the season with a broken ankle. Addazio’s troops beat Northern Illinois 17-14 but there was no denying that losing Wade was going to hurt the program.
Indeed it has, but something else may also be hindering the 3-8 Eagles. The win against the Huskies has been the program’s last victory to this point in the season and it has been suggested that offensive coordinator Todd Fitch may be the problem, or at least part of it.
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Boston College’s offense has been sluggish and disorganized and currently ranks No. 127 out of 128 FBS teams in total offense with 3,068 yards of total offense and 193.6 passing yards per game which may seem like a low number, but when you consider that Boston College employs a run-first type of offense, then that number is relative. The Eagles rush for 158.7 yards per game which is a very good number and speaks to their offensive style.
However, the most glaring number to me was the 14.9 points scored per contest which is a low number to say the least. In four games this season, the Eagles have scored 10 points or less and that includes a 3-0 loss to Wake Forest in which again, the play calling was highly questionable. It is worth noting too that in that game, Addazio changed quarterbacks three times on one drive which left many confused, and his game clock management left a lot to be desired. To put it simply, all parties looked lost during that game.
Now, I am not suggesting that Addazio be fired, yet. If anything I would put Fitch at the top of the list of Boston College coaches who need to get the pink slip. I do think, however, that Addazio needs to be aware that he needs to put together a good 2016 season or else changes could be made.
Granted, this is me saying that changes need to be made. None may be made at all. He is slated to be the Eagle head man through 2020, but how many more seasons will he last if teams of his continue to underperform?. Is it all his fault? No. It does take a while to build a program, and especially for how the program looked before he got here, progress has been made.
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- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 3
- Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 3
- #21 Duke Football: 3 takeaways from home against Northwestern
- Wake Forest football: 3 takeaways from comeback win at Old Dominion
However, who do people look at when things are not going well? The head coach, and now things are less-than-stellar in Chestnut Hill. He started off strong in the beginning of his tenure, but now, things seem to be a little shaky.
Should he be fired this after this season? No.
However, if this trend continues we may see him on a different sideline sooner than later. After years and years of mediocrity, the program needs to do something to not only reignite their winning ways but to save face, to not become the joke of the ACC.
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Eagle fans are tired of mediocrity and something needs to be done so they can be proud of their football program again.