EagleOutsider.com

Dick Rosenthal {l Wrote}:I talked to Frank this afternoon, he isn’t interested, thinks the country club scene in Massachusetts is pitiful and that the Country Club in Brookline sucks balls as a course and he is not wrong. He is happy being the power behind the throne as Fordham basketball returns itself to the glory days of Frank’s old boss, Richard “Digger” Phelps.

As such, Frank is throwing his support behind Christopher Logitano. The gig as Dean of the Diploma Mill didn’t work out, but honestly, the BC AD job is an even less prestigious position so perhaps Logi has a shot.

HJS {l Wrote}:I hear you. And I think, from an athletics perspective, there is a foundational/structural issue that makes it impossible for any coach to succeed. I blame that on Leahy. It is the reason why I say I never want to do another coaching change while he is still President. That said, his last AD is the wealthiest sports administrator in the country and his predecessor just piloted UCLA to the B10. I’d suggest that most would view Kraft and Jarmond as home run hires for BC. So, I have a hard time blaming James for the malaise that Kraft and Jarmond delivered (even though they are both considered elite).

HJS {l Wrote}:Agreed with everything but Kraft (with the caveat that I never met him). But, as shown above, DOCTOR Kraft leads the nation with his $3.5mm per salary. As for James not impressing in his brief tenure… sure. But, the knives were out for him the second he was hired and my original question was… Why?

As for the current state of BC athletics… it ain’t the fault of James. These aren’t his coaches. He was hired in June. Whatever problems that exist are the fault of the aforementioned, richly-compensated Kraft and Jarmond. It is James’ responsibility to clean up the mess he played no role in creating. But, I find it weird that posters on all of the boards treat him like he’s Bates in his final year at BC.

James, as I understand it, was a well-thought-of administrator throughout the industry. This was evidenced by the roles he played on various committees. I was under the impression that the reason he was hired was not because BC was looking for the best day-to-day steward of ticket sales and free shirts. But, because he was someone who was well-informed with the market structure that is rapidly changing in college sports. Also, it was my impression, that there is concern about the conference shifts and BC wanted someone who could be a Rep in the room that carried some gravitas among the other admins. I guess what I’m saying is… I never got the impression that Blake James was hired to pick items for the nutrition table in Yawkey or shake hands at tailgates. I thought he was hired to handle the impossible task of keeping a school terrible in all sports (due to 15 years of neglect) in a relevant conference getting paid for membership instead of performance. But… I could be wrong (and perhaps I am since no one else sees it that way).

: having or expressing little or no sensibility : unemotional

OCs_Inner_Eagle {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:Agreed with everything but Kraft (with the caveat that I never met him). But, as shown above, DOCTOR Kraft leads the nation with his $3.5mm per salary. As for James not impressing in his brief tenure… sure. But, the knives were out for him the second he was hired and my original question was… Why?

As for the current state of BC athletics… it ain’t the fault of James. These aren’t his coaches. He was hired in June. Whatever problems that exist are the fault of the aforementioned, richly-compensated Kraft and Jarmond. It is James’ responsibility to clean up the mess he played no role in creating. But, I find it weird that posters on all of the boards treat him like he’s Bates in his final year at BC.

James, as I understand it, was a well-thought-of administrator throughout the industry. This was evidenced by the roles he played on various committees. I was under the impression that the reason he was hired was not because BC was looking for the best day-to-day steward of ticket sales and free shirts. But, because he was someone who was well-informed with the market structure that is rapidly changing in college sports. Also, it was my impression, that there is concern about the conference shifts and BC wanted someone who could be a Rep in the room that carried some gravitas among the other admins. I guess what I’m saying is… I never got the impression that Blake James was hired to pick items for the nutrition table in Yawkey or shake hands at tailgates. I thought he was hired to handle the impossible task of keeping a school terrible in all sports (due to 15 years of neglect) in a relevant conference getting paid for membership instead of performance. But… I could be wrong (and perhaps I am since no one else sees it that way).

HJS I'm glad you posed this question. Upon his hire BCI reviewed his record on coaching decisions and on finances, facilities and politics. James seems to be a loyalist to whoever he reports, and will carry out their wishes as he has no particular philosophy that would preclude him from doing so. If Fr. Leahy has little interest in encouragement of NIL collectives, then James will express little interest save for Federal regulation of said entities so that there's predictability. If a more proactive President comes along, I'm sure James will note the lack of Federal intervention and change his tune. If he can avoid having to go through the turmoil of a coaching change, that would be his preference. If he has to make a change, he's no visionary but he'll have as good a chance as the average AD in making a successful hire. He'd prefer to hire someone outside with a decent record of experience as an HC (Richt, Grant), or elevate someone in-house who has shown some level of predictability (Diaz).

I can see why someone unemotional, functional, low-key and passive would be popular on various conference and NCAA committees. Perhaps a good word to describe James is"stolid", which Merriam-Webster describes as:

: having or expressing little or no sensibility : unemotional

He'll do what he's told. That seems to be the perfect fit for Fr. Leahy, but also someone who won't resist a Monanesque replacement.

HJS {l Wrote}:There isn't an AD in this world who doesn't serve at the whim of his employer. Fans at U didn't think James did what was necessary to win a National Championship, it is likely because Donna Shalala didn't want to do it. If BC is institutionally incapable of athletic success, it is likely more the fault of Leahy than Jarmon, Kraft or James. No AD was ever going to walk into Yawkey and change the focus of the school. It is quite naive to think otherwise. The best part of these responses seems to be that James could be decent if the University decided to give a crap about sports. That clearly is a regime change (either via a new President or the Board doing something beyond cocktails in 2101 Comm Ave). But, is a regime change is what would be needed to have either Kraft or Jarmond be successful (as the this year shows that the fruits of their labor was anything but).

DomingoOrtiz {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:There isn't an AD in this world who doesn't serve at the whim of his employer. Fans at U didn't think James did what was necessary to win a National Championship, it is likely because Donna Shalala didn't want to do it. If BC is institutionally incapable of athletic success, it is likely more the fault of Leahy than Jarmon, Kraft or James. No AD was ever going to walk into Yawkey and change the focus of the school. It is quite naive to think otherwise. The best part of these responses seems to be that James could be decent if the University decided to give a crap about sports. That clearly is a regime change (either via a new President or the Board doing something beyond cocktails in 2101 Comm Ave). But, is a regime change is what would be needed to have either Kraft or Jarmond be successful (as the this year shows that the fruits of their labor was anything but).

Also available for weddings: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/auxil ... ealth.html

StratEagle {l Wrote}:Has anyone seen or heard from Blake James since his hiring? The guy is completely invisible at a time when the athletic building is basically engulfed in flames. Teams all suck, the coaches suck, e-commerce site is a complete joke, and Baum has not been replaced. Even much of the social content team has now been poached.

It's not his fault we're at rock bottom, but where the fuck is he?

claver2010 {l Wrote}:the boos for him came across pretty clearly on tv

BostonCollege1 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:the boos for him came across pretty clearly on tv

He started talking the second he was introduced, because he knew the boos were coming. Can’t think of the last time our AD was booed - maybe Gene at the end?

BostonCollege1 {l Wrote}:

StratEagle {l Wrote}:Has anyone seen or heard from Blake James since his hiring? The guy is completely invisible at a time when the athletic building is basically engulfed in flames. Teams all suck, the coaches suck, e-commerce site is a complete joke, and Baum has not been replaced. Even much of the social content team has now been poached.

It's not his fault we're at rock bottom, but where the fuck is he?

He was just at the ceremony honoring Jerry York. And called us “Boston College University” on semi-national television (ESPNews).

HJS {l Wrote}:

BostonCollege1 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:the boos for him came across pretty clearly on tv

He started talking the second he was introduced, because he knew the boos were coming. Can’t think of the last time our AD was booed - maybe Gene at the end?

And that was exactly the reason for my initial question. The guy has been here a couple of months and has kept a low profile. Why in the fuck do people hate him so much???

ATLeagle {l Wrote}:

BostonCollege1 {l Wrote}:

StratEagle {l Wrote}:Has anyone seen or heard from Blake James since his hiring? The guy is completely invisible at a time when the athletic building is basically engulfed in flames. Teams all suck, the coaches suck, e-commerce site is a complete joke, and Baum has not been replaced. Even much of the social content team has now been poached.

It's not his fault we're at rock bottom, but where the fuck is he?

He was just at the ceremony honoring Jerry York. And called us “Boston College University” on semi-national television (ESPNews).

Please tell me this is a joke. The man worked at Maine, Providence and Miami.

Uptown Eagle {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:

BostonCollege1 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:the boos for him came across pretty clearly on tv

He started talking the second he was introduced, because he knew the boos were coming. Can’t think of the last time our AD was booed - maybe Gene at the end?

And that was exactly the reason for my initial question. The guy has been here a couple of months and has kept a low profile. Why in the fuck do people hate him so much???

I think the reason is pretty simple: the product on the field/court stinks.

To most casual observers, the blame for that has to fall on the figureheads of the athletic program, including the AD. Whether that's fair or not is a different question.

Thornton Melon {l Wrote}:So amongst my social and professional groups - I am known as the BC fan, the guy who can tell you Jags' winning percentage or that Ivan Boyd caught the pass to set up David Gordon's kick, etc. Everyone knows BC sports suck in every way.

So who do you boo? It's not like Leahy is out there much, you don't really want to boo the kids, it's not their fault - who the hell do you let know that you're repulsed by the program and everything it stands for?

Thus, boo Blake James.

Swann resigned in September 2019 after his own embattled, three-year term as AD. USC hired Turnkey Search, which said more than 80 candidates were considered for the AD position.

“Mike Bohn was selected because of his integrity, his NCAA student-athlete focus and his people skills,” Turnkey’s Len Perna said then. “President Folt was looking for a people person with strong interpersonal skills for building engagement, followership and galvanizing the USC community.”