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A Continuing Descent Into the Vortex of Hypocrisy 
by Matt Strobl 

 

As a former resident of greater Boston, and as a sports fan with family (academic) connections to Boston College, I was sorely dismayed by the recent actions of Eagles' Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo. As you've no doubt heard by now, former coach Jeff Jagodzinski, brought to Chestnut Hill two years ago, has been fired following his pursuit of the head coaching vacancy with the New York Jets.

DeFilippo has attempted to rationalize and justify his spiteful and hypocritical maneuver to the media, claiming that there was "an understanding" built into Coach Jagz's contract precluding him from taking interviews for other positions. Must have been one HELL of a handshake. He has eve gone so far as to assert his continuing friendship with the former coach. Forgive me, Mr. DeFilippo, but we weren't born yesterday.

To a certain extent, I am able to see Boston College's side of this issue. Jagz WAS using his work at BC as a springboard. Your relatively new coach is already jetting off, inquiring about other jobs. That hurts. It's a blow to potential recruits, to the school that showed faith in the man, and to the team who depends on him. It shakes the confidence that an AD has in his guy, and frankly, I don't blame you for being a little hot about it.

But your reaction was poorly measured.

Your decision to uphold the contractual "understanding" at all costs has now cost you a great deal- a good coach is out the door. And perhaps more importantly, you're still paying him. So when you promote from within, you'll be paying two salaries for the same job. Sir, that is NOT a sound financial decision.

What's that? Why am I so sure you'll promote from within? Well, you wouldn't be so hypocritical as to go out and do EXACTLY what you vilified Jagodzinski for doing, would you? You wouldn't presume to interview candidates who are currently under contract with other institutions or organizations. Any candidate who took such an interview offer would certainly be violating his contract in a manner similar to Coach Jagz's indiscretion. You wouldn't be part to that, you have much more integrity.

Except now that I look a bit closer...you don't. First, you'll argue that,

"All contracts are different, as well as the spirit and intent of the contract."

A convenient defense considering you won't release the terms of Jagodzinski's deal. Unfortunately, convenience is about all it has going for. This is a lousy cop out to justify your past and future moves, nothing more. When you interviewed and hired Jagodzinski, he was under contract with the Green Bay Packers. That didn't stop you. You had absolutely no problem with him breaking that contract to benefit BC.

Some pundits are willing to overlook that raging hypocrisy, as you can see here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010703355.html
http://www.sportsline.com/print/collegefootball/story/11234670

However, I am not. Contracts were of no importance to you when you were seeking to hire a coach. Contracts are of no importance to you as you seek out new candidates outside the program.

If Jagz had compiled only a .300 winning percentage, would his contract have spared him termination? Doubtful.

Oh! The integrity of the football contract!

You are the ultimate hypocrite, Mr. DeFilippo. When it served to benefit the college, you had no problems with the current system. But when it became apparent that said system might bite you back, you suddenly want to change the rules. If coaches are to be expected to adhere to their contracts, will schools do the same? Can we expect colleges and universities to stick with their head men through lean times?

I'll believe THAT when I see it. And until I do, I"ll deem your decision to be merely punitive and ill-considered.

Submitted 1/2 2009

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