Can Jim Christian Return Boston College to Relevance?
Posted by Walker Carey on February 5th, 2015Throughout the first decade of this century, Boston College was among the most consistent programs in the Big East (and later, the ACC). The Eagles earned six NCAA Tournament bids between 2001 and 2007, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2006. Head coach Al Skinner enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for taking unknown prospects and turning them into marquee players. For example, Skinner plucked former Eagles point guard Troy Bell out of Richfield, Minnesota, before he became a three-time First Team All-Big East performer (2001-03) and two-time Big East Player of the Year (2001, 2003). Things were definitely going well on the hardwood for the program, but things took an unexpected downturn in the late 2000s, which resulted in Skinner’s termination following the 2009-10 season (his second losing year in three). Little did the school’s administration know at the time that disappointment experienced at the end of Skinner’s tenure was a sign of more to come.
Boston College Head Coach Jim Christian Gets Great Effort From His Players (USA Today Images)
Tasked with replacing Skinner was Cornell head coach Steve Donahue, who was fresh off leading the Big Red to the Sweet Sixteen. While his tenure in Chestnut Hill got off to a fairly promising start with a 21-13 record and a resultant NIT appearance, things only went down from there. In the next three seasons, Boston College amassed a combined 33-63 overall record with a 15-37 mark in ACC play. Donahue was dismissed following last season.
After Donahue’s termination, it was widely speculated that Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker would become Boston College’s next coach. Amaker said thanks, but no thanks, however, and chose to remain at in Cambridge. Shortly after that rejection, the Eagles found their man in Ohio head coach Jim Christian. In his introductory news conference, athletic director Brad Bates noted “three remarkable traits” that he believed set Christian apart from other candidates: 1) his ability to recruit and develop players; 2) his energy and enthusiasm; and 3) his proven track record as a head coach. And yet, before Christian could even preside over a single practice, his roster took a significant hit when incumbent starters Ryan Anderson and Joe Rahon both transferred out of the program.
In Christian’s first season at the school, the Eagles have performed like a team selected to finish 14th probably should, standing at 9-12 overall with a 1-8 ACC mark. However, Christian’s Eagles have shown a great deal of fight in many of their losses. Wednesday night’s defeat at Notre Dame was no different, as Boston College fell behind by 25 points at the 5:08 mark of the first half only to make enough adjustments to eventually cut the lead down to only six with 1:47 to play. While the Irish eventually survived the scare with an eight-point win, it was a good sign of Christian’s teaching that Boston College did not roll over after falling so far behind in a tough environment.
The Eagles are likely headed toward another sub-.500 regular season — its fourth in a row — but for the first time in a long while, there is some reason for optimism. Junior guard Olivier Hanlan, who lit Notre Dame up for 28 points, will return to the fold next season and remain one of the top players in the league. Junior big man Dennis Clifford and sophomore forward Garland Owens also provide Boston College with a few solid rotation pieces that it can rely on beyond this season. With only one ACC win on his record at the midpoint of conference play, It may not look like Christian is doing much, but from an overall effort standpoint, the Eagles appear well ahead of schedule in their first year of a new and hopefully fruitful era.
