After the loss, O’Brien pushed back against mounting criticism and outside chatter about his future, insisting he’s staying the course with his team.
Bill O’Brien on BC’s struggles ‘I’m not a quitter’ amid job speculation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bill O’Brien didn’t dodge the noise. In the aftermath of Boston College’s 38–23 loss to UConn the team’s fifth straight defeat and one that intensified questions about his future, the head coach delivered a defiant message. The frustration was clear, but so was the resolve. “I’m a fighter,” O’Brien said. “I’m not a quitter. I’ve never quit anything in my life.”
O’Brien’s most notable move came at quarterback, turning to Grayson James in place of Dylan Lonergan in hopes of jump-starting a stagnant offense. “I just felt like after the game last week the best thing for the team at this point was to go with Grayson to give us a little spark,” O’Brien said. “It really isn’t as much of a direct reflection on Dylan. Dylan did a lot of great things… but I felt like the team needed a spark, and I thought Grayson gave us one.”
James provided flashes of energy, completing 16-of-28 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns, but the offense again failed to finish drives. “We just did not convert,” O’Brien admitted. “I thought the play-calling was very good…but the low-red area was tough today.”
Running back Jordan McDonald, still nursing an ankle injury, carried the offense with 24 rushes for 123 yards. “He ran hard, almost broke a couple for touchdowns,” O’Brien said. “He’s still playing hurt. Talk about a tough guy.”
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Despite holding the ball for more than 32 minutes and posting 395 total yards, BC couldn’t slow UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 362 yards and four scores. “He’s very calm,” O’Brien said. “He knows where to go with the ball. We don’t generate a lot of pass rush…that’s not a recipe for good defense.”
Asked what’s changed since the early narrow losses, O’Brien’s response was blunt. “If I knew, I’d fix it,” he said. “I’m a fighter. I’m not a quitter. I’ve never quit anything in my life...I have a connection with these kids, they give us everything they’ve got. We’ll show up tomorrow, we’ll fight, and just keep coaching. That’s the journey of coaching and right now, we’ll keep fighting to get out of it.”
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