Co-owner of New England Football Journal®️ covering the Pats, D1 (FBS/FCS) & high school. BC coverage for
@BCEagleAction
. Content manager for
@bostonlaxnet
Being told that BC is in fact going with Bill O’Brien. Most likely announced tomorrow, possibly Saturday. The week-long saga was more of a formality than anything else. BOB was interested from the jump & mostly everyone involved with the decision making had him at the top of the…
New Pats WR Javon Baker on his IG story:
“No way in f’n America 10 receivers better than me. Outta your f’n mind.”
I absolutely love this kid’s attitude & swagger already
Quick Matt Slater story:
Following the 2022 Jets game, I walked up to him in the locker room to congratulate him & ask a couple questions. It was only my 2nd season covering the team & I hadn’t wanted to bother him to that point. But, I walked over & introduced myself,…
Known about this for a while now but crazy to see it in writing. The opportunities I’ve had the past 12 years to work at Fenway, Gillette or the Garden have been cool but the relationships I’ve built with various athletic departments, AD’s and towns has been the best part.
Coach Hafley just said Matt Ryan, Doug Flutie and even
@celtics
coach Brad Stevens texted him last night saying how impressed they've been with the effort Hafley's team has been putting in. Says the support around Boston and "what everyone is seeing" has been awesome
@newftbj
Interesting nugget from Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney from the game against BC. Power went out in the HC booth early in the game. Coaches weren’t using headsets, but since it wasn’t a conference game, BC was able to keep using them
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
@TheFWAA
@NCAA_FCS
Bill O’Brien has done a hell of a job selling the spring game to fans & there’s legitimate student interest. Higher ups already making his job harder & it’s only April. Bad look.
Nice email received by mod residents, these rules are totally reasonable for a community of 21+ year olds! Mike:
#thetailgate
is happening. Take a hike pal.
Bill O’Brien just stopped a period to call the team together & *loudly* express his thoughts on their efforts early on with some colorful language.
It’s only 9:30…
@BCEagleAction
@newftbj
Where things currently stand:
There is no question BC has zeroed in on O’Brien as the main target. Interest is mutual. Still plenty of things to work out, but moving towards this becoming a reality from everything I’m told.
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
@BCEagleAction
“How it’s been done in the past.” -O’Brien on his response when asked how he’d win at BC. Adds he’s gotten tired of hearing you can’t win with local guys. “I’m going to show you how.”
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
@BCEagleAction
@BCFootball
Sources: Boston College is working toward a deal to hire Bill O’Brien as the school’s next head coach. A deal is expected soon, giving BC a well-regarded coach with extensive NFL experience and strong local ties.
4 HS football games on ESPN networks today & 2 last night. Tough look for states that decided to *possibly* play in the spring while other states safely showcase their athletes nationally with fans in the stands
@newftbj
@TheFWAA
@HSFBamerica
@MHSFCA4
For those that say Thanksgiving football no longer matters here, go take a look at the enormous crowds across the state today. Aside from the Super Bowls, it’s still the best day of the year and you aren’t going to tell some of these kids in historic rivalries it’s over
9 months later & got it in the NESC parking lot, but still extremely humbling. This serves as a great reminder 2020 wasn’t complete trash & a great motivator heading to 2021. Thanks to Pete Jones for the “presentation” & thanks again to
@MSSADA9
,
@MetroWestSports
&
@thattimwhelan
“...I’m going to coach how Coach O’Brien wants me to coach...when it comes to relationships with players and building relationships with players, helping them get where they want to go in life and being there for them now as well as 15 years from now, that’s everything I learned…
Matt Ryan on with
@FelgerAndMazz
on the coaching search and Bill O'Brien:
"Bill O'Brien, to me...I think it would add a little bit of juice. I hope that there is the resources there to be able to provide what he needs to provide. I know he's got ties to that part of the country…
ICYMI earlier: My thoughts on how important it is for the
@MIAA033
to not rush decision on the fall season & why HS football is so much more than just a game to many kids & coaches
@newftbj
:
Unbelievable. 5-win Millis upsets 15-win AMSA 73-72 to advance to the D4 CMASS semis. Mohawks trailed by 20 at one point and by 12 with 7 minutes remaining
@MillisAthletics
@MetroWestSports
During Pats open locker room I just asked Jabrill Peppers if he spoke to Don Brown after the big win the other night. Said he texted him. On Auburn: “you never know with a Don Brown coached team, man. Them dudes is gonna come out and play hard.”
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
…
Already seen about a dozen “alcohol compliance supervisor” jackets patrolling the parking lots.
Zero buzz around the stadium other than the fan fest set up outside of Alumni.
Sad.
Big day for
@Merrimack_FB
. Jay Nyamwaya has signed with the Steelers, Anthony Witherstone has signed with the Chiefs & Tyler Roberts received a mini-camp invite from KC. Wouldn’t be surprised to see all 3 make rosters, congrats fellas!
@newftbj
@awitherstone_
@Tyler_Roberts33
…
Tonight should've been the first night of HS football in MA. I'll still be doing a feature on a player/team each week & John will be interviewing a coach in the "Coach's Chat." Please reach out to either of us if you'd like your program featured!
@MIAA033
@MHSFCA4
@newftbj
Asked coach Hafley if he had any thoughts or rebuttal to the comments made by Missouri HC Eliah Drinkwitz yesterday. As you’d expect, he took the high road
@newftbj
@TheFWAA
@BCFootball
The Bill O’Brien effect already having a big impact. Fitzgerald had just taken the ‘director of performance’ position with the Gators two months ago, but is joining BC as strength & conditioning coach because of his longtime relationship with O’Brien
Historic night for the Natick lacrosse program getting its first EVER win over Wellesley, 9-2 final. The Redhawk program has been around for 18 years
@NatickAthletics
@MetroWestSports
Arguably the dumbest hit you’ll see at any level all year from Khari Johnson. It’s being reviewed after the flag was thrown for targeting. Looked like he was going for a header in soccer. He’ll be ejected with BC already thin in the secondary
@newftbj
@BCEagleAction
…
Update on the BC coaching search according to sources:
Bill O’Brien still expected to be the guy. Interviews are in fact taking place today, believed to be happening so BC can “go through its process.”
Sticking with what I’ve reported since Friday. People on BC & BOB’s side…
Well, that was fun.
Bill O'Brien is the new head coach for
@BCFootball
, a move that was a week in the making.
On the process and how huge this hire was for the Eagles:
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
@TheFWAA
If you've followed the Patriots for the last 20+ years, you've undoubtedly seen, heard or read coverage from
@JumboHart
,
@MikeGiardi
&
@pfwpaul
.
Now, their sons are forging their own football paths on high school fields around Massachusetts:
@newftbj
…
For Holy Cross fans worried about coach Chesney possibly leaving after another successful year in 2023, that won’t be happening any time soon. This release was just sent out
@HCrossFB
@newftbj
Before Pro Day Friday, Bill O’Brien said he’d get me a cot in the media room so I could just sleep here. Told him I wanted a mini fridge stocked with beers instead.
Probably should’ve taken him up on the cot offer though.
Day 7 of spring ball. Eagles scrimmaging 11-1…
Goodnight from Gillette as we officially close the 2023 high school season.
To the players & coaches: thank you for letting us tell your stories.
To everyone who provided encouragement, gave us an idea for a story or got a subscription: we can’t thank you enough for the…
Another schedule adjustment from earlier! Dante Scarnecchia joined NEFJ to talk Mayo, Belichick, Mac Jones, retirement life & the NFL Combine. Awesome stuff from a legend
@newftbj
@AdamKurkjian
@BigNEFootball
Further proof this is the dumbest time in history to be alive. People will literally bitch about anything. I hope they pay her a visit and spike it in front of her
@bigjimmurray
Final.
@HCrossFB
sees its historic season end in the playoffs, 42-21. 12-1 final record. Congrats to
@CoachBobChesney
on an incredible season. Can't overstate how much we enjoyed covering the team and appreciate the access we were given. Already looking forward to spring ball
UMass announces the Don Brown introductory presser will be Wednesday at 5 PM in the football performance center & it will also be held virtually for media members who can’t make it to Amherst
@UMassFootball
@newftbj
People questioning why a return to HS sports (done safely) is so important simply don’t understand that the games are secondary for a ton of student athletes
@MHSFCA4
@MIAA033
@newftbj