Boston College Athletics
Jagodzinski, Ryan, Dunbar meet with ACC Media
July 23, 2007 | Football
July 23, 2007
New Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski, senior quarterback Matt Ryan and senior linebacker Jolonn Dunbar were among 36 head coaches and student-athletes attending the Atlantic Coast Conference's annual "Operation Football", which began Saturday at the Pinehurst golf resort in North Carolina.
Ryan and Dunbar were photographed Sunday morning along with the two players representing each of the other 11 ACC institutions. The players then met with several hundred members of the news media to answer questions about the upcoming season.
The BC seniors were asked repeatedly about the transition to a new coaching staff. "We really have confidence in Coach Jagodzinski," Ryan said. "He has a lot of experience. He's coached Brett Favre and that's exciting for me as a quarterback. He's very energetic, very passionate. He's high energy. He likes to get in people's faces. It gets you excited. Coach Jags has really developed some good relationships. He's a great fit for Boston College."
Dunbar said the defense has made a smooth transition in part due to the unit's familiarity with Defensive Coordinator Frank Spaziani and Linebackers Coach Bill McGovern, both of whom were asked by Jagodzinski to remain at BC.
"It's the same thing with a few wrinkles," Dunbar said. "There are a lot of guys who have played a lot of plays. We keep working hard and getting better. Our confidence level is extremely high. We have our front seven back, and we have Jamie Silva and DeJuan Tribble in the back."
Both players said the entire team is focused on one goal - preparing for the season opener against the defending league champions, Wake Forest.
"We're 1-3 against Wake Forest since I've been here," Ryan said. "Last year, they just outplayed us. This year, we have to match and better their intensity, and I know we'll have a good game plan. Each of our games against Wake Forest has come down to the fourth quarter, but we've come out on the losing end three times. This year's game will be more exciting and more important. It'll be a tough game; it always is."
