Boston College A.D. Brad Bates Letter To Flynn Fund Donors

Shortly after news broke that Boston College football coach Frank Spaziani had been fired, new athletics director Brad Bates send out an email to Flynn Fund donors. Here's the email:

As a valued stakeholder in our football program, I wanted you to be among the first to know that Frank Spaziani and I met today. Coach Spaziani will not remain as our football coach, effective immediately. Coach Spaz and I have met with the team and we will issue a press release shortly.

It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the many wonderful contributions Coach Spaziani has made to Boston College during his 16 years in Chestnut Hill. He and his staff have devoted countless hours to our institution and our student-athletes. We thank them and wish them well.

Please know that I understand how important a successful football program is to you and our entire University community. We will begin a search for a new head football coach immediately. We will be seeking a leader whose vision of our football program mirrors the mission of our University, whose first priority is the development of our student-athletes and whose goal is to return our program to national prominence, tenaciously pursing the mantra "Ever to Excel."

I know how much you treasure the rich tradition and heritage of our football program, and I promise we will do our very best to find the right person to be your football coach. Thank you for your loyalty and continued support through this period.

Brad Bates
Director of Athletics

The conspiracy theorist in me has me questioning whether Bates was actually planning on making a move today or whether the BC hoops terrible home loss to Bryant accelerated his timeline. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that one of the school's coaching announcements diverted attention away from the basketball program.

Regardless, I appreciate how fast Bates is moving here and his email to Flynn Fund donors is a step in the right direction. He said all the right things and has me confident that he'll hire the best candidate that fits with the Boston College football program. I have a feeling the program will surprise many with the next hire. Here's to hoping that Bates proves me right.

When your alma mater's football program has struggled as much as it has over the past two seasons, today's news can be extremely cathartic to many long-time season ticket holders and fans. I did want to thank Coach Spaziani for his 16 years of service to our alma mater and wish him all the best in the future.