FanPost

"There's just something about cave paintings, man." An Interview with Steve Addazio

JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

It’s only early August, but a crisp wind blows onto the shores of Dennis, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod town is still reveling in the twilight of summer; for others, however, the cool breeze signifies that football season is right around the corner. And no one man corners the market on elite football coaches quite like Steve Addazio.

As I enter the lavish Addazio household, I notice the family name spelt out in big blocks over the fireplace. Addazio takes note of my wandering eye. "My son used to be obsessed with those. He still misses those blocks." We make our way through the foyer and into the spacious living room. I take a seat on the couch while Addazio makes his way to his usual spot.

He reclines in the chair of his Cape Cod home and demonstratively points at the TV. "You see that right there?" Addazio never stops coaching. "He’s spreading the sauce too thin; it needs to be thicker." I keep quiet as Addazio explains how to properly make a pizza from scratch. He’s demanding of the pizza maker, but fair. It’s a characteristic that most all of his players and coaches are aware of.

But few outside of his close inner circle know that Addazio is quite the historian as well. He is fascinated with the writings of Samuel Beckett and Albert Camus… and he especially marvels at the works of such artists as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Carvaggio, and the like.

"I’m telling you, those guys could paint. You give those guys any amount of canvas and you’re gonna see some kind of painting."

While Addazio has immense admiration for those artists, his favorite artists remain those that are unnamed.

"There’s just something about cave paintings, man. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it gets the message across."

As we finally get to talking about football and the current philosophy employed by his Boston College Eagles, it’s no surprise that their style of play mimics the approach of the ancient cavemen. In the college football arms race of today, one would be forgiven for thinking it unwise to fight with sticks and stones, but Addazio has always been an innovative thinker. "Think about it." Addazio pulls out a breadstick and places it on the coffee table. "This breadstick is us… tough, mean, high in carbs, you name it. Over there, you got the Clemson’s and Florida State’s of the world." He points with his eyes to the cup of marinara sauce near the end of the table. "Our philosophy is this… we’re gonna come atcha." Addazio violently dunks the breadstick in the marinara sauce and chomps down with force. "It’s as simple as that."

I don’t quite understand the analogy, but Addazio’s passion is contagious... his players feed off of it. Growing up in a big Italian family, Addazio has always had a strong sense of camaraderie. "Family is a lot like a football team. Every guy has his role in the family."

"You mean, dude, right?" I sheepishly look away as Addazio shoots a cutting glance in my direction as he wipes off the remaining marinara sauce from his face. It's just that defensive nature that has helped Boston College to develop one of the staunchest defenses in the country over the past few seasons.

"Like I said, every guy has his job. Some guys are the cooks of the family… they run the whole thing. They keep everyone in line. Other guys are just there to pass the Bolognese sauce when they’re asked to."

At times, the Eagles did enjoy success "passing the Bolognese," finishing the season at 7-6 with a bowl game victory over Maryland (BC’s first since 2007). Passing the football, however, was once again a pain point for the team from Chestnut Hill. Kentucky grad-transfer, Patrick Towles, struggled mightily against ACC competition and the Eagles had one of the worst offenses in the nation for the second consecutive year. But Addazio expects things to change under the leadership of Darius Wade. "I look at Darius… tremendously talented kid. He’s going to be our Steve Young. He’s a lefty, he has the ability to throw on the move, and he has the will to succeed despite being Young."

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Wade may be asked to do a lot this season… the once-reliable ground and pound running game of the Eagles has also stagnated as of late. One of the main causes of the Eagles' running woes is that its historically successful offensive line has been bullied by the faster and stronger athletes of the ACC. To many Boston College fans, O-Line U seems a lifetime away. "Somestimes I feel like me and Scot Loeffler are just standing next to each other and ‘Waiting for GodOT’… you get it? Waiting for a good offensive tackle."

After Addazio has finished explaining how big of a Samuel Beckett fan he is for a second time, we walk outside to his garden. It’s expertly manicured, and it’s a testament to Addazio’s always-on work ethic for being able to find time to manage his garden despite being a full-time football coach. As I look around, I become fixated on a small tree sprouting from the ground. Steve Addazio planted it nearly five years ago in hopes that it would one day bear fruit… this year in fact.

"What kind of tree is it?" I ask.

"Orange," he replies, as he gazes off deeply into the distance.

It’s going to be Addazio’s 5th season at the helm of Boston College, and the ACC will be competing in this year’s Orange Bowl. Perhaps it is time for Addazio’s Eagles to bear fruit as well. Perhaps.