Spaziani fired as BC football coach

Frank Spaziani has been fired as Boston College football coach, the school confirmed Sunday night.

The move does not come as a surprise, as Spaziani's team went 2-10 this season, including an embarrassing loss to Army. The Eagles closed out the season on Saturday with a loss at NC State.

"A personnel decision of this magnitude affects many people and is never taken lightly, but I felt a change was necessary," new BC athletic director Brad Bates said in a statement.

The move is the first major change for Bates, who was selected to succeed Gene DeFilippo in October. Bates told WEEI earlier this year that he would wait until the end of the season to evaluate the program.

Spaziani became head coach in 2009, after 12 seasons as a BC assistant. His first team went 8-5, but his last three teams all had losing records. His four-year mark is 22-29 (13-19 in the ACC), and he never won a game against a ranked team.

"It is with gratitude that we recognize the many contributions coach Spaziani has made to Boston College during his 16 years in Chestnut Hill," Bates said. "He displayed unwavering dedication and loyalty to our institution and our football student-athletes, while consistently representing Boston College with class and dignity. He and his staff have devoted countless hours to our student-athletes and the BC community. We thank them and wish them well."

Spaziani released a statement later Saturday through the school.

"Obviously this is a sad day for my family and me," he said. "Boston College has been my home for more than 16 years, and I have been fortunate to work with some amazing student-athletes. I will always treasure my relationships with them and the BC staff. Boston College is a tremendous place, and I am extremely thankful for my time there. I wish the current and future Eagles nothing but the best."

Coincidentally, one of Spaziani's former bosses at BC, Tom O'Brien, also was fired Sunday when he was let go by NC State after six seasons. O'Brien had a 40-35 record but was just 22-26 in ACC play.