Tag: Boston College

Seahawks assistant coach Steve Shimko hired by Boston College

Seattle Seahawks assistant quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko took a job coaching tight ends at Boston College on Friday.

The Seattle Seahawks coaching shakeup has already begun as we head into the 2020 season.

Steve Shimko, who was an offensive assistant in 2018 and assistant quarterbacks coach last year, has been hired by Boston College to be their tight end coach. The move was announced by Boston College on Friday.

Shimko spent two years with the Seahawks, coming over after a successful stint as the offensive coordinator at Garden City Community College.

He also has successful stints at the University of Georgia (alongside Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) and Western Michigan.

Shimko was a quarterback at Rutgers from 2009-2012, but his career was cut short due to injury and he began his path into coaching as a graduate assistant shortly after that.

The Seahawks may lose another coach, Brennan Carroll – Pete Carroll’s son – to Hawaii, as they look the reshape some of their ranks following an 11-5 season and a heartbreaking exit in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs in 2019.

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TBT – Luke Kuechly’s Oddly Consistent Production vs. Notre Dame

Kuechly and Boston College went 0-3 in three games against Notre Dame between 2009 and 2011.  However, Kuechly’s stat-line in those three games was incredibly consistent.

The biggest story in the NFL this week aside from preparation for the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games has been the sudden decision by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly to retire.

Kuechly was a terror for the Panthers, twice leading the league in tackles while averaging 136.5 per season for his eight year career, intercepting 18 passes in his career and averaging more than half a tackle-for-loss each game he suited up for.

His NFL resume includes seven Pro Bowl selections, five appearances as a first-team All-Pro, three Butkus Awards and he was the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

It’s easy to forget but in no way a surprise, Kuechly was a monster on an otherwise entirely-forgettable Boston College team that went 19-19 in his three seasons in Chestnut Hill (2009-11).

During his time at BC, Kuechly walked away with the 2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as the Bronco Nagurski, Butkus, Lombardi and Lott Trophy Awards the same season.  To boot he was a two-time Consensus All-American.

Kuechly and Boston College went 0-3 in three games against Notre Dame between 2009 and 2011.  However, Kuechly’s stat-line in those three games was incredibly consistent.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNJHAq_igwU&w=560&h=315]

2009:  Notre Dame 20, Boston College 16 at Notre Dame Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended

2010:  Notre Dame 31, Boston College 13 at Alumni Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles, (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss

2011:  Notre Dame 16, Boston College 14 at Notre Dame Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended

I’m not a mathmatician but it’s pretty easy to figure out his averages in those three games.  So easy in fact that I’ll let you do it yourselves.

Congrats on one helluva career, Luke.

Jurkovec Indeed Transferring to Boston College

So Jurkovec leaves and there are conversations be had about why he didn’t develop at Notre Dame like so many had hoped and forced the hand of the coaching staff to get him on the field.

Friday night we shared the news with you that Phil Jurkovec, who recently entered the transfer-portal, was taking advantage of a rule that allowed him to make an official visit to Boston College because students resumed classes this coming Monday.

Well, where this is smoke there is fire.

And in this case Phil Jurkovec is the newest member of the Boston College football team.

As you’re probably already aware, college football coaches get weird on social media, especially when recruits are committing to their respective schools.

Saturday afternoon this is what Boston College’s new head coach, Jeff Hafley had to say:

Irish fans may be aware of how Brian Kelly tweets out #WeAreND whenever he lands a commitment, consider this Hafley’s version of that because sure enough, a short time later the Sports Illustrated Boston College Maven site reported the news.

So Jurkovec leaves and there are conversations be had about why he didn’t develop at Notre Dame like so many had hoped and forced the hand of the coaching staff to get him on the field.

At the same time, Ian Book has played well enough for long enough to not really make a quarterback controversy a thing.  Sure, you can zoom in on his poor performances against Clemson or Michigan and be rightfully upset, but this is clearly a long way from Book forcing a change to him from Brandon Wimbush like we saw in 2018.

Like most things in life there is probably blame that deserves to head to multiple people in this, as Jurkovec never sounded like he earned a real chance to play more and yet again, we speak of a quarterback failing to develop to the liking of most Notre Dame fans under this regime.

If Jurkovec does receive his waiver to play this season for Boston College, he’ll have three years remaining which means Notre Dame could face their former big-time quarterback recruit as the Irish and Eagles are scheduled to play at Notre Dame Stadium in 2022.

Phil Jurkovec – Boston College Bound?

And if he does ultimately end up at Boston College, he could very well be their starting quarterback when the Eagles play Notre Dame next, which is scheduled for 2022.

News came down earlier this week that Phil Jurkovec might not be the savior at quarterback at Notre Dame after all and that he may be taking his talents elsewhere as he’s officially entered the transfer portal.

Jurkovec is wasting no time trying to find his potential landing spot as 247Sports is reporting the former four-star recruit is spending this weekend on an official visit to Boston College.

Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown entered the transfer portal himself not all that long ago, possibly because of the hiring of new head coach Jeff Hafley.

If able to secure a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible to play in 2020, Jurkovec would have three years of eligibility left.

And if he does ultimately end up at Boston College, he could very well be their starting quarterback when the Eagles play Notre Dame next, which is scheduled for 2022.

I wish nothing but the best for Jurkovec in the future and don’t understand the die-hard fans that think he’s some sort of traitor.  He’s still young and things weren’t going as planned.  The world will continue to rotate.

Just as long as Jurkovec doesn’t ever lead BC to an upset win against Notre Dame, anyway.

Birmingham Bowl: Boston College vs. Cincinnati odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl betting odds and lines between the Boston College Eagles and Cincinnati Bearcats with betting picks, tips and bets.

The Boston College Eagles (6-6) and Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3) square off at the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl, played at Legion Field in Birmingham. Kickoff is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET (on ESPN). We analyze the Boston College-Cincinnati odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Boston College vs. Cincinnati: Three things you need to know

1. Boston College enters this game just 1-6 SU across its past seven games. The Eagles actually held a 7-0 lead in the first half last season in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in Dallas, but severe weather wiped out the rest of the game and it was not rescheduled.

2. Cincinnati is facing an ACC foe in a bowl game for the second straight year. UC topped Virginia Tech 35-31 in the Military Bowl last season, but the Bearcats are just 3-5 SU across the past eight postseason games.

3. Something’s gotta give, as Boston College is 2-7 ATS in the past nine bowl games, and Cincinnati is 0-4 ATS in its past four bowl outings.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Boston College vs. Cincinnati: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Cincinnati 34, Boston College 17

Moneyline (ML)

Cincinnati (-264) is just too expensive at nearly three times the risk of the reward. PASS and look to the spread instead.

Against the Spread (ATS)

CINCINNATI (-7.5, +100) is a good play, even with the hook. My personal preference is to buy that extra point and go Cincinnati (-6.5, -139), and even going down to (-5.5, -154) isn’t terribly costly.

Still, I expect BC to be a bit of a mess with head coach Steve Addazio fired and Richie Gunnell serving as the interim coach. Star RB AJ Dillon, who led the team with an ACC-best 1,685 rushing yards, is also sitting to protect his draft status. Oh yeah, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian left the team to take the OC job at Northwestern, so he won’t be in Birmingham, either.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 55.5 (-106) is worth a look. Cincinnati’s offense is pretty strong, but I expect BC to be a bit of a mess. This could be a blowout early on, with UC calling off the dogs with a lower-scoring second half.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Boston College at Duke odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Boston College Eagles at Duke Blue Devils sports betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting odds and picks.

The Boston College Eagles (8-5, 2-0 ACC) and Duke Blue Devils (11-1, 1-0 ACC) lock horns at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Boston College-Duke odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Boston College at Duke: Three things you need to know

1. This will be the conference home opener for the Blue Devils. They topped Virginia Tech in Blacksburg by a 77-63 count Dec. 6.

2. The Eagles fell 80-55 at Cameron last season, just failing to cover a 24-point number. They’re in a similar spot in this one. The Blue Devils fell 89-84 Dec. 9, 2017, in the previous meeting in Chestnut Hill, though.

3. The favorite has cashed in five of the past seven meetings in this series.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Boston College at Duke: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Duke 82, Boston College 65

Moneyline (ML)

There was no moneyline available at the time of publishing.

Against the Spread (ATS)

BOSTON COLLEGE (+22.5, -110) has covered the spread in nine of its last 13 road games, while going 9-4 ATS in the past 13 on the road against teams with a winning home mark, too. Duke (-22.5, -110), who inexplicably lost at Cameron against Stephen F. Austin earlier this season, has failed to cover in five of the past six home games.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 140.5 (-106) is the play in this ACC battle in the Triangle. The Under is 7-2 in the past nine for BC, but the Over is 4-1-1 in the past six road outings for the Eagles. For Duke, it’s all Over, all the time. The Over is 6-2 in its past eight, 4-1 in the past five at home and 5-1 in the previous six against teams with a winning overall mark. In fact, I plan to make the Over play as part of my pick pack in the final day of 2019.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Close 2019 With Win Over Alabama A&M

As if there was any concern about its final game before the New Year and the rest of its ACC schedule, Notre Dame led wire-to-wire in an 82-56 win over Alabama A&M on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion. Five players scored in double figures for the Irish …

As if there was any concern about its final game before the New Year and the rest of its ACC schedule, Notre Dame led wire-to-wire in an 82-56 win over Alabama A&M on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion. Five players scored in double figures for the Irish (9-4) while the Bulldogs (3-8) never recovered from a first half in which they shot 7 of 36 from the field (19.4 percent).

T.J. Gibbs had a 7-of-10 shooting performance while leading all scorers with 17 points. John Mooney pulled down his latest double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds. Dane Goodwin scored 12 off the bench, and 11 points each came from Juwan Durham and Prentiss Gibbs. Durham went to the locker room after suffering a sprained left knee on a rebound but returned to the bench before the game was over.

Notre Dame finishes its nonconference schedule at 9-2. The slate that will determine whether it goes dancing in March begins Saturday with a trip to Syracuse. A win would get the Irish back on the right track after earlier ACC losses to North Carolina and Boston College.

Ohio State reportedly targeting Kerry Coombs to replace Jeff Hafley

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is reportedly targeting former Ohio State assistant Kerry Coombs to replace Jeff Hafley.

Unless you’ve been away on a lunar mission, by now you know that Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is headed to Boston College to be its next head coach. It’s a big loss for sure. Hafley helped turn around an Ohio State defense in one short year, but with success comes opportunity.

It’s been a year of firsts for head coach Ryan Day, and now the next first will come in the way of searching for a replacement to one of the assistant coaches on his staff.

But, never fear Buckeye fans, because there’s a name from the past that has surfaced that everyone should get excited about. Former defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs appears to be the main target to fill the hole Hafley’s departure leaves, at least according to sources that have spoken to Lettermen Row.

As a reminder, Coombs is a long-time, well-respected Cincinnati area high school coach that was lured to Columbus to work under Urban Meyer at Ohio State. His secondaries included the likes of Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward. He was on staff in Columbus from 2012-2017 and has a hands on coaching style with a ton of energy.

And I do mean a ton. His guys often fed off what he brought in practice and on game days. It would definitely be a hire that would not only get the OSU fans excited, but a quality one to replace a quality departure.

The only question is if Coombs would want to come back to the college game after leaving OSU in the first place to be an assistant coach on Mike Vrabel’s staff with the Houston Texans.

We’ll have more on this as the story develops.

Notre Dame Basketball: Renewing Detroit Mercy Rivalry

If Notre Dame (6-3) ever needed a time for Detroit Mercy (1-7) to appear on its schedule, this is it. A blowout loss at Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge followed by a tough home defeat to Boston College reminded the Irish that their recent …

If Notre Dame (6-3) ever needed a time for Detroit Mercy (1-7) to appear on its schedule, this is it. A blowout loss at Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge followed by a tough home defeat to Boston College reminded the Irish that their recent six-game winning streak merely was a blip in a long season. They hope Tuesday’s game with the Titans at Purcell Pavilion will give them to relief they need.

Facing the Titans for the first time since November 2011, the Irish once again will look to John Mooney, the nation’s leading rebounder at 13.5 boards a game. Mooney logged his third consecutive double-double and sixth in his first eight games with 16 points and 18 rebounds against Boston College on Saturday.  He is 12 rebounds away from tying Rob Kurz (650) for most career rebounds in the Mike Brey era.

Notre Dame is averaging 10.1 turnovers a game after losing the ball a season-high 15 times in Saturday’s loss. It has not finished a season averaging double figures in turnovers since the 2013-14 season (10.3). Though the Irish rank sixth nationally in that category this season and second in the ACC, they’ll have to limit those turnovers to snap their two-game skid.