BC's Addazio: 'Here to win championships'

Steve Addazio was introduced as Boston College's new football coach Wednesday afternoon, and he said he was "humbled and honored" to take the reins of the Eagles.

"This is my dream job, and I have spent my coaching life at a lot of great places," said Addazio, a native of Farmington, Conn. "All the friends that know me, knew that I one day wanted to be here at Boston College. The messages I have been receiving -- “We’re so happy for you,” “We knew this is where you wanted to be.” Two years ago I had a chance to come back to the Northeast in Philadelphia, which was great.  Now I have a chance to come to New England, which is truly home, and we are ecstatic."

Added Addazio: "I'm here for the long haul, and I'm here to win championships. Win championships with class and honor, developing young men on and off the football field. I want to develop men that are going to leave BC one day to go make a difference in this world in a positive way. I’m a teacher, so it’s important to me to know that I can be a small piece in the development of a young man. Our football program is going to be about a lot more than just football. It’s going to be about family, academics, and making a difference in people’s lives."

Addazio comes to BC from Temple, where he was head coach for two years. That followed a six-year stint as an offensive assistant at Florida under Urban Meyer. There Addazio was part of two national title-winners and got to coach Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow.

Addazio, 53, is aware that some coaches have used BC as a steppingstone, but he insisted that he views this job differently.

"I want to be here and finish my career here," he said. "This is where I want to be. I have a home up in Cape Cod. I’m in New England. I’m at the most wonderful place I could possibly be at. I couldn’t be more clear about that."

Speaking about the team's offense, Addazio said one of his first priorities will be to improve the running game.

"Where I’ve been in my career, we’ve been in the top five in America in running the football, be it at Temple, Florida or Syracuse, he said. "As a former offensive line coach and as a run game coordinator and offensive coordinator, I feel I have a special expertise in the running game. I’m excited about that."

Addazio is just starting to put together his staff, although he did announce that he would bring Ryan Day from Temple to be his offensive coordinator. (Day previously spent five seasons as wide receivers coach at BC.) The new coach also is meeting some of his players, and making a good first impression.

"His energy is through the roof," junior linebacker Steele Divitto said. "It’s awesome and something we are looking to feed off. When you have a head coach who is very enthusiastic, players are excited to play for him. They’re excited to play for each other. Personally, with all of his traits and everything about him, I’m already excited. I’m excited about what this offseason can bring. It’s going to be difficult and grueling, but that’s what wins championships."

Read more from Wednesday's press conference at The BC Blog [1].