Bill O'Brien has been officially announced as the new head football coach for Boston College, a decision that Bill Belichick described as a "great choice". During his introductory press conference, O'Brien expressed he was "thrilled and honored" to take up the role and committed to building a tough team, stating, "We might not win every game, but we will not be out-toughed." He thanked several individuals, including Ryan Day, whom he called an "outstanding person, and outstanding coach", and acknowledged Jeff Hafley's "really good job", emphasizing the need to build on Hafley's foundation. Athletic Director Blake James called O'Brien's hiring a "monumental step" for the program and shared that after speaking with 10+ people, O'Brien's strong connections to the New England area and his impression from the start made him the right choice. James also had "extremely high praise" for Hafley. O'Brien mentioned his decision to join Boston College was a "definitely a no-brainer", highlighting his deliberate choice to leave the Patriots, where he felt Jerod Mayo should assemble his own coaching staff.
Asked Blake James about Hafley's tenure. He had extremely high praise: "There’s not a better person to work with. Not a person who loved BC more than Jeff Hafley." https://t.co/eCipwu5yrh
Bill O'Brien had opportunity to stay with Patriots, thought Jerod Mayo should hire own staff. https://t.co/ZfyMWbeYSC
Blake James: "As word started to get out that Jeff was leaving, I got a lot of people reaching out to me, saying that Bill O’Brien should be on my list ... It became very apparent that he had very strong connections to the New England area."
Blake James said they spoke with 10+ people: "It was important for us to find the right person. From the first conversation with Bill, I remember hanging up saying, ‘If it gets better than this, we’re going to have an incredible coach.’ Bill was impressive from the very start."
Blake James: "It was important for us to find the right person. From the first conversation with Bill, I remember hanging up saying, ‘If it gets better than this, we’re going to have an incredible coach.’ Bill was impressive from the very start."
Bill O'Brien on the Patriots: "I definitely had an opportunity to stay. I felt like it was really important for Coach Mayo to hire his own staff."
Bill O'Brien: "It was definitely a no-brainer to me."
Bill O'Brien: "I want to thank Bill Belichick for all he’s done for my career. I’ll never be able to repay Bill for what he’s done."
Bill O'Brien: "Jeff Hafley did a really good job. He did. We need to build on that."
Bill O'Brien: "We might not win every game, but we will not be out-toughed."
Bill O'Brien thanks Bill Belichick and Robert and Jonathan Kraft.
Bill O'Brien: "I really want to thank Ryan Day ... Ryan Day is an outstanding person, and outstanding coach."
Here at Boston College for Bill O'Brien's introductory press conference. AD Blake James calls O'Brien's hiring a "monumental step." O'Brien says he's "thrilled and honored" to be BC's new coach.
“I am thrilled and honored to be the head football coach at Boston College.” Welcome to the Heights, Coach! 🦅 https://t.co/BDyZ3gyr7O
Bill O’Brien: “You can win at a place like this.”
Bill Belichick says Boston College made a "great choice" going with Bill O'Brien as new head football coach https://t.co/S7ykgxpScW