DECISION TIME: Jay Larranaga Looks To Be Favorite, Eric Olen & Eric Konkol Also CONTEND For BC Job

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Decision time is close for Boston College and they have the opportunity with the candidates available

to make their best hire since Al Skinner.

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This is Lockdown Boston College, AJ Black here.

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We're going to talk about linebackers ready to make a huge leap for the Eagles.

Who appear to be a finalist for this Ed coaching job for basketball?

And should this decision be coming soon?

And we're going to dive in right now in the coaching search.

So Boston College basketball is in their final days of this coaching search.

According to Adam Zagoria earlier this week, the expectation is that this coach will be named probably by the end of this week.

Things can change, of course, but that is where things are standing now.

And different people are saying the same thing.

Now, this is great because you are going to be able to get in on the action sooner rather than later.

You do not need BC waiting for other schools to start jumping in because the more schools that start looking for jobs.

The smaller your options become because obviously Boston College is not a school that is going to be able to outbade or, you know, do have a better profile than some of these other schools.

We just saw Butler jump in Butler is a better program by far than Boston College.

And so, you know, I think that Blake James in the BC athletic department have done a nice job of putting together a candidate pool of some pretty attractive candidates that fit what Boston College is looking for.

You need to close it now before other schools jumping and go, I want that guy or that guy looks pretty good.

So, where are things at right now?

It interviews have happened.

It sounds like maybe there might be another interview or two.

But honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear in the next 24 hours who the next head coach is, if not over the weekend.

So, things are looking pretty good.

Now, the buzz, who is who are the finalists that you've heard?

Names like Luke Murray.

He's been someone that I've heard.

I have not heard Joe Gallows name in a while.

So, I'm not sure he's even on that list anymore.

But there's, there's three candidates right now that I've heard from my sources and from other writers.

Are the names that just keep popping up over and over and over again.

And that's Jay Laranaga.

That is Eric Olin and Eric Conkel.

So, right now, if you were to, if I was a betting man.

The biggest name right now that I hear, I'm hearing more and more and more about is Jay Laranaga.

Jay Laranaga is the son of obviously former Miami and George Mason head coach, Jim Laranaga.

And, you know, he's worked with the, he's worked with the warriors.

He's worked, I mean, sorry, the nuggets, excuse me, the clipper, the Celtics.

He's, you know, he's got a lot of NBA experience.

He was a head coach for the G league head coach of the Irish team, too, which is very interesting.

But has not had any head coaching experience.

Now, this is not a surprise if Jay Laranaga is the guy.

From day one, he has been connected to this coaching search because he, you know, I think he's looking for a hard head coaching job.

He's connected to Blake James. James worked obviously with his father.

I mean, Jim Laranaga is arguably the biggest, most successful coach that James had during his time at Miami.

You know, he had final fours and sweet 16s and he was all over the place.

So, there's a connection there.

And, you know, he, he has connections to this area, too. Obviously, he was with the Celtics.

He, you know, I think he, he worked under Tyrone Lou and he's worked under Brad Steven.

So he's 51 years old.

The experience isn't there.

But if you're looking for a coach, and I, this is how I view Laranaga.

With high upside, but a, you know, a really hot, a good upside.

But also, you might have the potential of a low downside.

So, the options that he could become a really good, you know, X's and O's head coach is really, really strong.

You know, if you look up what he did for the Celtics, what he did for, you know, the other NBA teams he's worked with.

A lot of the discussion has been he ran the offense. He did a lot of X and O's.

He did a lot of player development.

And that's the key right there. Two big keys.

I think if he's the guy that are going to be super important.

How can he develop players in all players?

Because I thought Earl Grant did well, especially with the Biggs.

I don't know, I think that was ordinary that did that.

But whoever it was did a nice job with the James Karnax, the Quentin posts, you know, even, even the TJ Bicker staffs, like they did a nice job of developing some of those Biggs for them.

But, you know, I think the big issue that they, that this new coach is going to have to deal with is developing under the radar guys.

I'm getting them up and then putting together a game plan that can help you win.

Because honestly, you look at what Earl Grant did this year.

And yeah, the team was terrible.

How many close games if they had a better head coach would they have won?

I mean, seven, eight more games, they would have been a borderline.

Borderline tournament team if all those went that way.

And I know that's not going to happen, but like a better head coach could have had them winning some of those games.

So with Laranaga, you've got a guy that obviously has the college history with his dad, though he has never recruited, which I think is a bit of a worry.

But you also have a guy that, you know, has worked under some, you know, he worked in development with the Celtics.

So you see guys like Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, and you see how, you know, they were good players coming out of college excellent players, but they become stars from that.

Can he do that at a school like BC?

If he can, this is a home run higher.

If he can put together game plans, coach up this, you know, the players that get there and develop.

That is a great sign.

And what he'll need is if that's the case, if Laranaga is the case, he's going to need good assistance that recruit.

And I think that's a piece that I think is a little oversold with like, oh, he's never recruited.

I've said it now, and I always sit back and thinking like Earl Grant connected with players.

But he wasn't like the main recruiter.

You had like Steve Smith last year and you've had other coaches that came through that were the guys that you relied on to be those recruiters.

I would honestly love to see Steve Smith stay. I think he's a good recruiter.

But you're going to need to make sure that if Laranaga is the guy you're going to go with.

That you get him good recruiters that we're going to able to bring that in.

And again, I say this over and over again.

It's the elephant in the room.

BC is going to be able to up a little bit of they got to they got to increase the resources.

And hopefully it'll be a sizable increase because BC is so far behind the rest of the ACC in terms of spending.

They just need middle of the pack and hope that they can coach that up.

So if they can do that, you know, through the rev share and then some NIL deals to go along with it.

Then this program's a good shape. If they're going to be woefully behind, you could bring in red R back and they're going to lose.

So they need to adjust that expectation as well. If they're serious about staying in the ACC.

If they're serious about becoming, you know, better than just the doormats of the of the conference.

They need to spend that money. They need to be able to put money into this program to get the right players here for whoever's coaching.

Now, two other finalists that I've heard a lot about. I'm going to tell you about who each of those are.

And my thoughts about both in just an updates actually to on both in just a moment.

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I wanted to tell all of my every day or clubs. Thank you. And we have new episodes tomorrow. We're going to have another bonus show. You get first cup with AJ where I'm talking about a topic that's going on. We talked about quarterbacks earlier this week and some local names and where things are at there.

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All right. So I'm kind of diving in and the names are starting to to clarify on really who is the where the finalists.

Now, of course, this is BC basketball and both head coaching searches as I've said before in other shows where you think you have the finalist and then you have the who.

And we've had the who's the last week. And so hopefully, you know, it was Chris girl of sin. I think his name was from San Francisco. That was already our who hopefully he is not a finalist because I don't think he's a good fit.

But there's two names that continue to pop up. One is Eric Conkel of Tulsa. Now Tulsa is in the NIT. He won 27 games just a couple years after Tulsa won five games. He's connected to Blake James.

He has, you know, they work together at Miami. He puts together a good offense. He's, you know, winning and he's developing a program. So that's why I want to bring him up because his name has popped up quite a bit too.

Now, the piece with Conkel that I think is interesting. Let's come up is that media members in the Tulsa area, just like every other coaching search.

And they asked him about his his interest in the Boston College job. And his answer was not the typical coach speak. I'm not interested in that job.

But you know, he is like, you know, I'm focused on my job and blah, blah, blah. You hear that all the time when there's coaching searches going on.

And the way he said it, it made it really sound like he's not in on this job search. So to me, even though his name has been floated from a bunch of different people, I almost want to say that Conkel is probably out.

The way that he, the way he framed that comment made it sound like to me like maybe he's been offered maybe BC already moved on past him, but it does not sound like he is really a strong finalist.

Again, maybe I'm misreading a coach speak answer, but that kind of was the impression that I got listening to him. Okay.

The other name is Eric Olin. Now he was asked about it. He was asked about the BC job. And he said the typical coach speak answer, which is, I'm focused on New Mexico. And I'm going to, you know, I don't want to talk about other jobs right now, which to me means, yes, I applied for the, I interviewed for the BC job.

Now, Olin to me, as I've said before, the more I read about him, the more I think of him as the home run of this whole group, like I would be over the moon, if they hired Eric Olin, because I just feel like he does everything, he checks all the boxes, but we've talked about that before, like, even though you may not have heard of him, you do the research, and he has a lot to like, there's a lot about his style, the way he develops programs, the way he takes something, nothing and turns it into something.

I like that. I feel like he is a finalist, but my piece with him. And I think we're getting to this point now where we can start talking about this, because I haven't really brought it up yet, because I'm still, you're still getting a feel of how this whole coaching search is going.

The piece that I'm with with him is how serious is he about actually wanting this job. Remember, people take interviews all the time, some coaches take interviews to bang up their price to make the school give them an extension to give them to make the school give them a boost, you never know with him, and also it can raise their profile, the more interviews you look like a hot commodity, all of a sudden schools with more money are going to start looking at you too.

So there could be a game to be played here, and maybe the resources that Boston College could offer him are not going to hit the mark. He's coaching at New Mexico, which I believe I read has an attendance max capacity at their arena at 14,000.

That's crazy. So would he actually want to go to BC where you've seen all the pictures of the empty arena and there's no student support right now because they stink like I'm not sure.

Additionally, I've seen him listed more, more, more with Arizona State. He's, you know, he's coached in that area, would he just rather stay out west.

Could be something to watch for. So there's a lot of moving parts there where you're going to answer these questions. If he, if he, in fact, really wants the job in BC serious about it, then maybe he is a candidate.

I would think he would be your top candidate. But if BC is going, well, we're just going to give you the right share and that's all you're going to be able to work with.

Then there's no way he's coming here. Like, why would you do that? And the same thing with like Luke Murray, Kimori, young, like these guys, they're going to want resources and commitment to the program.

They're going to try to make this jump. They're not going to go to a school that just doesn't care. So we don't know yet. BC hasn't said anything. I was kind of hoping like Blake James, like, you guys have said to me, like, why don't you play James on show.

He's not coming to my podcast. He comes on specific state control things that he can kind of control the flow of things. He's political, right.

I was kind of hoping that he was going to go and do a meter, John meet up for our pot podcast so that we could hear more about like that piece because we heard over the top over the winter.

We had that, you know, the letter that the email, excuse me, that said, like, oh, you know, we're going to put more money in the football. I hope that's the case with basketball too.

Like you have revshared. That's great. But don't use that as what you're doing. Use that as a starting point. Okay. Or you're going to lose these candidates.

You need to commit to it because.

And I have a feeling if it's laranaga, if it's all in or or even conkel.

I imagine all three of these guys are not going to take this job.

Unless they have a little bit more reassurance about the resources. Otherwise, we would be looking at second rounds and all these secret names and all these other things coming up.

So I think that's the case. Now.

This is just the buzz right now. Okay.

I wanted to say yesterday that the situation is going on at Arizona State at Providence at Syracuse are going to dictate what BC is going to be able to do.

And this again is why BC has to expedite this. Syracuse just blew their chance to hire.

USF had coach Bryce hops. Brian Hodgson, excuse me, Brian Hodgson.

And you know, maybe he's going to go to PC, but because of that, now Syracuse is looking at potentially Jerry McNamara, who is someone that you.

Potentially had interviewed the rumor that the reports about that they were he was interviewed.

Are they looking at Jay Laranago as a name that they were looking at at one point, like who they hire could dictate because you got to be realistic here folks Syracuse and PC are better jobs than BC.

Right now Syracuse is having their own issues and I don't know what is going on up there. They got a new president and a new AD.

So they're going to be able to fix hopefully they're going to be hoping that they can fix some things.

Right now, both of those programs look like they're a much more attractive hire than BC.

And they're going to be able to take jobs that you are going to try to go for.

So BC is going to be able to do this quickly before others candidates, other schools start to pick more of those candidates like again, like if I want your guy and you're able to to lock that in.

That's great, but if you wait, there's a chance another school is going to try to get him.

So this is going to be something that they got to move fast on.

Now in our final segment, let's talk about football practices are going on.

And one position that I think everyone's going to be watching for this off season is going to be the linebackers.

How much better are they going to be?

Tell you about the names to watch for and a whole lot more in just a moment.

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Locked on Boston College AJ Black here wrapping things up talking about football.

Now we're going to put the college basketball coaching search on the the back burner for a little bit.

You know, hopefully we'll have some more episodes talking about that soon.

But if you are looking for more basketball talk check out locked on ACC.

They're talking tournament time coaching changes.

Also, it's a good stuff.

Check that out on YouTube or ever get your podcast now.

One big issue Boston College ran into last year where the where the linebackers.

You had Dave Young crouch go out early with an injury missed most of the season other than a miraculous return during Notre Dame and then use out again.

And you played with Owen McGowan, Bryce steel who obviously was a bit limited last year as he continues to recover from, you know, some pretty significant health issues.

And and a whole bunch of other question marks.

It was one of the biggest issues BC had last year with the play of the linebackers.

They weren't quick enough.

They weren't explosive enough.

They just weren't they just didn't cut it like of any positional group out there.

I thought they might have been the weakest group that they had.

And I think what Bill O'Brien did during the off season.

Was really knowledge that because I think he did a nice job of going into the portal and beefing up that group.

Now you lost crouch to the portal.

You lost Bryce steel to the portal and Jalen Blackwell who wasn't played in two years.

It was a crouch stunk and no way again around that I will love to see him play at BC, but he he's gone.

The other guys it's okay because the players that you brought in are going to be some really interesting players to watch a camp now Anthony Polano is the cream of this group.

And early reports are really strong that he looks good at camp.

I've heard a lot of good things about how he has played in the run.

He's quick.

He's, you know, getting better every day.

This is the transfer from Washington state played a whole bunch last year.

But then ended up falling down the duct chart a little bit before entering the portal.

Now he's at BC.

He gets his chance now.

And I think this is going to be a real opportunity for Polano.

Because you have an aggressive defense.

Ted Rufus is really on key on aggressiveness.

So your linebacker is going to get a chance to make plays.

He's going to be the leader of their I think on defense.

But it's not just going to be Polano.

Polano is going to be a player that I think is going to take the majority of snaps I would imagine.

But you brought in two other transfers.

I think that are worth talking about.

You have Justin Medlock.

From SMU.

This is a.

Pass coverage dream.

And this is a big key for this linebacking group.

I think said athleticism is a problem.

That impacts BC on the against the run and against the past.

Your linebackers got chewed up because they just couldn't keep up in coverage.

I think Medlock is going to be a really valuable asset when it comes to past coverage.

Because that is something he did really well with SMU.

He was he was a key there to get an interception last year.

Like you can use him to do that kind of thing.

So he's another one.

You also bought in Bode Cajon from Notre Dame.

Now now I talk to a couple of writers from Notre Dame, the cover Notre Dame.

And I all here is athlete with him.

I'm not sure how much he will play this year.

Maybe he'll be a special team who is for first, but like.

There's worse players you could have backing up your other players.

Other linebackers and I think cone's going to really hit that one well.

You know, he was deeper on the depth chart at Notre Dame.

Who's a guy that didn't really get to see the field on defense.

But he's going to get his chance at BC.

Quiet so far.

Haven't heard a whole lot about him at camp.

You know, he's just getting used to this new team and he's getting himself acclimated.

Maybe we'll see more of him.

Now the players that are returning, I think.

There's some interest there too, because I don't want to discount who they have returning.

Griffin Collins, for instance, why I'm back here from Worcester Academy.

He's a sophomore.

We saw him play quite a bit at the end of last year.

You know, he had his ups, he had his downs.

Can he grow from those those bumps?

He took some learning pumps, right?

I wonder that, you know, I like some of the things that I saw from him during camp.

I he his name popped up quite a few times.

When I watched during the summer camp last year.

I like his upside.

Will he get will he continue to grow and become more than what we saw.

That I can't say well, the way to see what he does.

And that goes the same for the other two linebackers that are returning that I think we could see more of,

you know, Dixon and pull away Fahoa.

Now, both of them played, we saw Fahoa against Syracuse.

Dixon played one game.

I want to say it was Georgia Tech.

I think I remember seeing him in one game and he got hurt and then he was gone again.

Now, injuries have been a big issue with Dixon.

He missed most of last year because of injuries that he was hurt the year before.

Like he needs to be healthy because I know the staff really think really highly of him as a guy that could come up and be a solid contributor at linebacker.

Again, if you heard all the time, that's a big knock on you and it's not like there's other guys now that can jump you and take that spot.

So that's the big thing on Dixon.

Fahoa, I don't know enough about him.

I'm going to be honest with you.

I watched him at camp like he never, he never did anything that caught my eye.

And to be honest, sometimes that's because he was with the third team and, you know, when I go to practice.

The first and second team is right in front of the media and the third team and scout team is way off in the distance.

So I didn't get a chance to really get to know him as a player.

And he'll be an interesting one to watch too because I think he's on his third or fourth year with BC.

So he's up there in terms of just, you know, college age and maturation.

But will he be able to do what you need him to do?

So there's a lot of moving parts at this linebacker position.

And I think my takeaway from this is it can't be worse than last year.

It just can't.

Like you're your linebacking group last year.

Just struggled so much and was unable to really impact the game the way that you needed it to.

That this new group you brought in a bunch of guys that are ready to start.

You have a couple players that are also on your roster already ready to take that next step.

You got to be able to hit on a few of these.

It's got to happen.

It's got to.

Because if you don't move that things could get ugly.

All right, on tomorrow's show.

Coaching change will we find out a whole bunch more and we'll talk more practice and recruiting news here.

I'm locked on BC. Follow me on Twitter.

AJ by 247.

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