If Tom O'Brien Were To Move On After 2005....

With the Red Sox getting rained out and the bad news on both Rodney Harrison and Matt Light coming down yesterday, the local sports news today is in the midst of a thunderstorm -- literally and figuratively. That's why I have decided to take a close look at the future of the local major college football team, the Boston College Eagles. Yes, B.C. is off to a terrific 3-1 start in their inaugural season in the A.C.C. but that is for Michael Vega and Mark Blaudschaun to ponder over at the Globe. I am more interested in the future of the program, after the 2005 season. And that focus is squarely on the head coach at The Heights, Tom O'Brien. O'Brien is the biggest reason that B.C. football is the up-and-coming major program that it stands as today. Before O'Brien was hired away from Virginia, where he was the offensive coordinator, the Eagles were in a serious tailspin. Under former coach Dan Henning, the football program found itself mired in a gambling scandal that rocked the school. Under O'Brien's guidance however, the team has become a prominent outfit, winning five straight bowl games and being admitted into the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference. Now in his ninth season at B.C., O'Brien has a career record of 60-40 after defeating Clemson on the road last Saturday, the programs first ever A.C.C. victory. But for those of us who follow the Eagles, reality may be about to set in. Boston College fans must be prepared to eventually bid farewell to the man who rebuilt the football team from the ground on up. O'Brien is a coveted coach by many on the national scene -- remember that he nearly left for Washington last December before Tyrone Willingham landed there after being bounced from Notre Dame. One school that O'Brien would fit perfectly in is Penn State. Joe Paterno can not coach forever and as the Nittany Lions are off to a 4-0 start, Paterno may opt to step down after a successful last season. O'Brien, already established in eastern football, would be more than a logical choice to replace the legendary JoePa, he would be an extension of what Paterno has been doing in western Pennsylvania for the last five decades -- producing successful and disciplined football players who are also solid students and citizens. If O'Brien were to leave for Penn State -- or any other school -- a suitable replacement would have to be found. Local names such as Tim Murphy at Harvard and Sean McDonnell of New Hampshire (the top ranked team this week in 1-AA) would be sure to garner interest but with the Eagles making a move into the college football elite, athletic director Gene DeFilippo may opt to go for a coach with division 1-A experience. Pat Hill of Fresno State, Gregg Brandon of Bowling Green and Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator, Bryan Stinespring. This is not to say O'Brien is a lock to leave Boston College but if he does, be assured that the Eagles would find a replacement that would keep the football program moving towards the top of college football.