ACC Football Standings 2012: Florida State and Clemson rule the conference

Florida State and Clemson had terrific years, while Boston College sank into the basement.

Frank Spaziani fired: Boston College AD Brad Bates speaks on Spaz's firing

CHESTNUT HILL - Boston College athletic director Brad Bades spoke about his decision to fire head football coach Frank Spaziani on Sunday evening. Spaziani guided to Eagles to a 22-29 overall record in four seasons.

Below is the complete transcript of Bates' interview from Sunday evening.

Question: How soon was this decision made?

Brad Bates: "It was made at the conclusion of the season yesterday. It's been an assessment that's been ongoing since my arrival here and really an evaluation of the body of work and not a game-to-game emotional decision."

Question: What were some of the specific factors that you used for this decision?

Brad Bates: "Ultimately all of us are measured on our performance, and when you're working in a profession of athletics, winning is a very big factor in that performance.

Question: Did you and Spaz have a chance to meet after the season?

Brad Bates: "Oh, of course. Yeah."

Question: Have you talked to any of the players about the decision? Do you take any of their opinions into consideration?

Brad Bates: "We did talk to the team, not in advance of the decision."

Question: Are you aware of any disconnect of the players in the locker room or taking any pressure from them for a change?

Brad Bates: "No, I didn't have any players coming to me and criticizing the program or anything like that."

Question: Did the opposite happen? Did any players come to you lobbying for another chance [for Spaz]?

Brad Bates: "Yeah, good question. No. Part of that may be because I haven't been here very long. I've only been here a little over four weeks."

Question: The assistant coaches were thanked for their service, too. Have they been relieved of duty as well?

Brad Bates: "They're still employed by Boston College and will be so through the end of their contracts."

Question: Did you have a chance to sit down with Coach Spaz? You've only been here four weeks, but during that time sit down and just kind of evaluate?

Brad Bates: "I don't know that I would say we had a thorough conversation that was an ongoing dialogue about the assessment of the program, so no would be the quick answer."

Question: Without being too specific, do you have a frame work of what you want in the next coach?

Brad Bates: "Yeah, there's three [qualifications]. We want someone who oozes with integrity. Secondly, we want someone who genuinely and sincerely cares for the students, particularly their intellectual development, and will engage in facilitating their maximum development as scholars, as athletes, as leaders and serves. The third thing is we want someone who's going to win."

Question: Is there a timetable for making a hire?

Brad Bates: "We'll move as quickly as possible, but we will be very, very deliberate. This is an incredibly significant hire relative to the leadership of our department and our program, so we've got to make absolute sure we get the best fit for what this program needs right now."

Question: You're new here and now have an opportunity to put a stamp on the program. Could you talk about how you'll approach that and what it means for you?

Brad Bates: "It's not really about me. It's not about my stand. This is about a football program that has a storied history and tradition. It's about the players that have come here in the past and the level of achievement and standards they've set for us to live by daily and it's about other current and future students that are in this program. I'm really a caretaker of the great things that have happened in the past in this program, and hopefully a catalyst to returning to those high standards."

Question: Is there any increased pressure with all the head coaching positions across the country to fill that position quickly before others?

Brad Bates: "There may be candidate competition, but I think you'll see that BC is a very unique place and the types of people that will be very attracted to the situation because of its uniqueness will stand out."

Question: Have you piled a list of potential candidates?

Brad Bates: "Any athletic director in the country is prepared for any change that takes place. Does it mean the peopl on the list will ultimately be the ones that are hired or interviewed? Of course not. But we've got to perpetually prepare for any attrition that takes place."

Question: You gave the list of three characteristics that you're looking for. Is it fair to say that Spaz was good at two of those and it was just the winning?

Brad Bates: "I would say absolutely. Spaz is a man of integrity. He genuinely cared about his students. And the performance, obviously in the last couple of years has struggled."

Question: What factor did [Spaz's] contract running through 2015 play in this process, and do you have any information on how that will play out?

Brad Bates: "I won't go into details on the contract, but I will tell you that ultimately our responsibility is to do what's in the best interest of the students, the program and the team. And so that was clearly our focus all along."

Question: How important is it to have a guy with head coaching experience?

Brad Bates: "I wouldn't back myself into a corner saying that's a mandate. There are a lot of very talented coaches out there that have not had head coaching experience. Having said that, if all else is equal, that would clearly distinguish someone."

Question: Is anyone on the current staff a candidate?

Brad Bates: "No."

AUDIO: Brad Bates Press Conference On Firing Of Frank Spaziani (11-25-12)

For more Boston College football coverage, visit our blog, BC Interruption.

Frank Spaziani Fired: BC blogger reaction

After the firing of Boston College Eagles head football coach Frank Spaziani on Sunday, our Eagles blog BC Interruption reacted to the news.

Frank Spaziani will forever be remembered as the coach that took over for a Boston College program that went to back to back ACC Championship game and during his tenure brought them down to a two win team. Spaziani struggled mightily failing to beat rival Notre Dame during his four years and managing just six wins in his final two years with the program. He never beat a Top 25 team and failed to get the Eagles to a bowl game during his final two seasons.

During his tenure Spaziani had difficulties with managing his roster and coaching staff, most notably throwing Montel Harris off the team and an alleged altercation with former offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers. Current players such as Chase Rettig and Emmett Cleary jumped to his defense, but it was clear that when Bates took over, Spaziani's job was in serious jeopardy.

Frank Spaziani went 22-29 at BC after taking over as head coach in 2009. Spaziani was also 1-2 in bowl games, with his lone bowl victory coming as an interim coach in 2006 for Tom O'Brien, who had resigned to take the N.C. State job. O'Brien, whose Wolfpack defeated the Eagles on Saturday, was also fired on Sunday.

[Related: Click to read Spaziani's statement on being fired as BC's head coach.]

Spaziani had been with the Boston College program as an assistant coach or head coach since the 1997 season and saw the team shift conferences from the Big East to the ACC in 2005. Spaziani's win totals dwindled from eight to seven to four to two in his four seasons at BC.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Boston and BC Interruption as the immediate search for a new head coach of the Eagles continues.

Frank Spaziani fired: Former Boston College football head coach issues statement

CHESTNUT HILL - Frank Spaziani, now the former head coach of the Boston College football team, has issued a statement regarding his firing, which occurred early Sunday evening.

"Obviously this is a sad day for my family and me," Spaziani said. "Boston College has been my home for more than 16 years, and I have been fortunate to work with some amazing student-athletes. I will always treasure my relationships with them and the BC staff. Boston College is a tremendous place, and I am extremely thankful for my time there. I wish the current and future Eagles nothing but the best."

Spaziani leaves Boston College with a coaching record of 22-29 after another disappointing 2-10 season. The Eagles have missed a bowl game for the past two seasons after being bowl elibigle for 12 consecutive years prior to that.

For more Boston College football coverage, visit our team blog, BC Interruption.

Press release: BC's Spaziani will not return as football coach

Below is the full press release regarding Boston College's firing of Frank Spaziani.

Boston College Director of Athletics Brad Bates announced today that Frank Spaziani will not return as football coach of the Eagles. The decision is effective immediately.

"A personnel decision of this magnitude affects many people and is never taken lightly, but I felt a change was necessary," Bates said.

Spaziani completed his fourth season as head coach and the 2012 team finished with a record of 2‐10. Spaziani's four‐year record stands at 21‐29.

Spaziani was named head coach in 2009 after a 10‐year run as the Eagles' defensive coordinator and two as running back coach. During his time as defensive coordinator, Spaziani produced one of the toughest defenses in college football and played a key role in Boston College's unprecedented run of 12 consecutive winning seasons and bowl games.

"It is with gratitude that we recognize the many contributions Coach Spaziani has made to Boston College during his 16 years in Chestnut Hill," Bates said. "He displayed unwavering dedication and loyalty to our institution and our football student‐athletes, while consistently representing Boston College with class and dignity. He and his staff have devoted countless hours to our student‐athletes and the BC community. We thank them and wish them well."

Bates said Boston College would begin a search for a successor immediately.

"We will be seeking a leader whose vision of our football program mirrors the mission of our University, who values the development of our student‐athletes and whose goal is to return our program to national prominence," he said. "Our fans and the entire University community value the rich tradition of Boston College football, and we are committed to making it a successful program."

Frank Spaziani fired: Boston College makes announcement official

CHESTNUT HILL - Frank Spaziani has officially been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Boston College Eagles football team. Boston College sent out an email to media members saying that Spaziani would not return and that new athletic direction Brad Bates will be made available to the media at 7 p.m. ET.

Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com was the first to report Spaziani's firing.

Spaziani guided Boston College to a 22-29 overall record and 13-19 in the Atlantic Coast Conferenceover while going 2-1 in bowl games in four seasons. Boston College finished 2-10 overall this season and 1-7 in the ACC. Before being hired as head coach in January of 2009, Spaziani served at Boston College as a running backs coach (1997-1998) and defensive coordinator (1999-2008).

Spaziani still has three years left on his contract with Boston College.

For more Boston College football coverage, visit our blog, BC Interruption.

Frank Spaziani fired: Boston College football coach reportedly on way out

Boston College football head coach Frank Spaziani has been fired, according to Pete Roussel.