New coach, new QB could have BC breaking out of ACC pack

BOSTON — Jeff Hafley’s first year at Boston College won’t be anything like he expected. Maybe the new Eagles coach can have some surprises for the Atlantic Coast Conference, too.

The former Ohio State assistant took over in Chestnut Hill in January — a move that had to wait until the Buckeyes lost to Clemson in the national semifinal — and had just a couple of months to get settled before the coronavirus pandemic shut the school down. BC only had five spring practices — a problem everywhere, but an extra challenge for a firsttime head coach in a new place.

“Our players feel safe. And our players want to play. My job is to coach them the best that I can, as hard as I can and make them feel as safe as they can,” Hafley said this spring.

“Going through all of this, and seeing how hard it’s been for our players and seeing how our players have responded, makes me realize even more what a great decision I made coming here, and how excited I am to be the coach here.”

The program that went 44-44 in seven seasons under Steve Addazio got a boost when Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec was granted an immediate eligibility waiver by the NCAA.

One of the most successful players in Pennsylvania high school football history, Jurkovec is expected to be an upgrade over Dennis Grosel, who started the last six games last season after Anthony Brown was injured. Brown, who finished two of his three seasons with an injury, transferred to Oregon.

Jurkovec completed 12 of 16 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 130 yards playing in six games — including the Nov. 23 matchup with BC — as a backup for the Irish in 2019. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

“I knew it has been a weight on his shoulders,” Hafley said. “He’s been here since January, and he’s been patiently waiting to see if they’ll be able to play football. So that’s one of the moments as a coach, you really look forward to deliver the message. There were times when I’m sure he was frustrated.”

Hafley also landed defensive end Luc Bequette as a graduate transfer from California. As a three-year starter, he had 130 total tackles, 12.5 for loss, 10 sacks, and four forced fumbles.