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College-Football Notebook: Boston College's Jagodzinski may be pursuing Jets' coaching vacancy
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Published: January 6, 2009
■ Jeff Jagodzinski of Boston College has been invited to interview for the New York Jets' coaching job, a BC official said yesterday, and ESPN.com reported that the school has threatened to fire him if he goes through with it.
Athletics Director Gene DeFilippo would not confirm that he gave Jagodzinski an ultimatum, saying only, "I want a coach who wants to be at BC for a long time." But ESPN.com reported Sunday night that Jagodzinski would not be welcome to return if he seeks work in the NFL.
A BC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the school was not commenting publicly, said that Jagodzinski, a former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, committed to stay at BC longer than two years when he was hired. Leaving during the last week of recruiting also would put the Eagles at a disadvantage.
DeFilippo first learned of Jagodzinski's contact with the Jets on Saturday and had not spoken to him since Sunday, according to the official. The school did not know whether Jagodzinski planned to withdraw from the Jets search.
The Jets declined comment through a team spokesman, neither confirming nor denying that Jagodzinski was interviewing for the team's coaching vacancy.
Earlier yesterday, DeFilippo said he would not rule out Jagodzinski's return.
"I like Jeff. I mean, I really like Jeff," he said. "We're going to handle the situation as it unfolds."
■ John Chavis, a veteran defensive coordinator with 20 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference, was chosen as LSU's new defensive coordinator yesterday.
Chavis, who will also coach linebackers, is replacing co-defensive coordinators Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory. Peveto has been named head coach at Northwestern State, while Mallory is headed to New Mexico as defensive coordinator.
During his 14 years as Tennessee's defensive coordinator, the Volunteers ranked among the SEC's top four in total defense 10 times. During that period Tennessee won at least nine games 11 times. The Volunteers won a school-record 13 games on their way to winning the BCS championship in 1998. The team had 11 wins in 1995, 1997 and 2001 and won 10 games in 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Chavis has been a college coach for 31 years -- 20 of which were spent at Tennessee. He also coached at Alabama A&M and Alabama State. In 2006, Chavis was named the American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.
■ Rodney Garner, Georgia's defensive-line coach and recruiting coordinator, said he has turned down an offer to coach at Tennessee.
Garner had an interview for a position on the staff of Lane Kiffin, Tennessee's new coach, but said yesterday that he was "flattered" and "sincerely appreciative" of the interest from Tennessee but that there are more positives at Georgia. Garner has been a Georgia assistant since 1998, and his salary this season was more than $250,000.
■ Auburn has named Trooper Taylor assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers.
Taylor was Oklahoma State's co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach last season. He was an offensive assistant for Tennessee before that.
Taylor joins offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn from Tulsa.
Oklahoma State produced two All-Americas during Taylor's stay, receiver Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter.
■ Coach Paul Rhoads of Iowa State has hired former Auburn assistant Terry Price as defensive-ends coach.
Price coached Auburn's ends from 1999 through 2008. He spent last season working with Rhoads, who was Auburn's defensive coordinator.
Price, a former star at Texas A&M, was Mississippi's defensive end coach from 1995 through '98.
■ Linebacker Gerald McRath of Southern Mississippi is declaring himself eligible for the NFL Draft, the school said yesterday.
McRath made 137 tackles (78 solo) during his junior season, and has 386 tackles, 321/2 tackles for loss and eight sacks in his career. McRath, a native of Powder Springs, Ga., was the 2007 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
If he does not sign with an agent and decides to return for his final season, McRath must submit a letter informing the NFL of his intentions by midnight on Jan. 18.
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