It would appear that Boston College athletic director Brad Bates has his finalists.

ESPN's Brett McMurphy is reporting that Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, Ball State coach Pete Lembo and New Orleans Saints offensive line coach Aaron Kromer are the three finalists for the vacant BC head coaching position.

Diaco, the 2012 Frank Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant, has served as the Irish's defensive coordinator since 2012. Lembo is 23-12 in two seasons at Ball State and has the Cardinals bowling for the first time in four seasons. Kromer, a college assistant at Miami (Ohio) and Northwestern, has been an NFL assistant since 2000 and is currently in his fifth year with the New Orleans Saints.

Update: sounds like Lembo is no longer a finalist. If the report is true, this seems to be down to one of Diaco, Kromer or a surprise hire.

An announcement should come within the next 24-48 hours, according to The Heights.