Brian Schaible What began as another routine media session inside Fish Field House quickly turned testy. Boston College coach Bill O’Brien, visibly agitated by a question about fan frustration, turned the conversation into a defense of his own energy and effort. “I’m not down. Nobody’s down. We’re fighting.
We’re competing,” O’Brien said, bristling at the notion that the 1-8 Eagles had lost their edge. “It’s the second year of this program, Mike. You always come in here with these down questions. Like you show up once a month or something like that. You come in here with these down questions.
I’m not down.” The “Mike” in question is Mike Gualtieri, a New England-based broadcaster and BC graduate, who hardly seemed to deserve the heat. His question had been straightforward: what message did O’Brien have for a restless fan base? But O’Brien’s emotions spilled over. “You can go out there in your dark, clouded world or whatever it is and do what you want to do. We’re not down.
The sun is up and we’re fighting,” he continued. It was an outburst that said as much about the strain of a one-win season as it did about the man leading it. Later, O’Brien circled back to football. He confirmed that senior quarterback Grayson James, now in his second season at BC after three years at FIU, will remain the starter. “He competes. He’s doing a good job.
He’s fighting,” O’Brien said. “He’ll start against SMU.” But this week’s matchup carries deeper meaning.
It’s Red Bandana Week, Boston College’s annual tribute to Welles Crowther, the former lacrosse player who became known as “the man in the red bandana.” Crowther saved lives during the 9/11 attacks before losing his own, and his legacy of courage and service has become woven into the school’s identity.
Players and fans trade their traditional maroon and gold for red-bandana patterns, symbolizing selflessness and sacrifice. “We owe a lot to Welles Crowther and what he meant to this school,” O’Brien said. “The kids will understand it.” Still, the defining moment came in that earlier exchange – a coach trying to keep his program’s chin up, even if his own patience showed cracks.
“We’re positive,” he said one more time.
“We’re going to show up and play our asses off against SMU.” More college football news: 12 coaches who could be fired before December Belichick relieved after first ACC win Five jobs Coach Prime may conside r Dabo vows to keep fighting unless Clemson ‘sends me packing’ Deion Sanders says ‘come at me’ not the players or coaches Brian Schaible Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News.
He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.
Source: Sporting News
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