Boston College Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
- Email:
- flaherbh@bc.edu
- Phone:
- 552-3010
Flaherty joined the Boston College football program in February 2019 as a graduate assistant to assist in coaching the defensive line. In 2019, the Eagles finished No. 4 in the ACC in tackles for loss with 101. Defensive end Marcus Valdez was 2nd on the team with 7.5 and tackles, while Tanner Karafa and T.J. Rayam finished tied for 3rd on the team with 6.5 each.
Flaherty joined the University of Massachusetts football program in January 2017 as a graduate assistant prior to his promotion to offensive analyst ahead of the 2018 spring practice slate.
In his past role as an offensive analyst, Flaherty helped all facets of the offensive side of the ball improve through film study and play implementation. Statistically, the 2018 offense surpassed the 2017 group as the program's best offensive season since moving to the FBS level. The Minuteman offense averaged 32.8 points per game and 437.6 yards per game in 2018. The group featured eventual Phil Steele All-Independent Team selection Raquan Thomas-Ishman Sr, and All-ECAC Team Selection Jake Largay.Â
As a graduate assistant, Flaherty worked alongside offensive line coach Mike Foley and was also responsible for reviewing practice and game film, reporting offensive production, coordinating the scout team, and assisting in recruiting activities.
During his first year with the UMass program, Flaherty helped develop one of the nation's youngest offensive lines, which did not feature a starter in their final year of eligibility and saw the addition of four new starters to the unit. The line blocked for a Massachusetts offense that posted the third-most offensive yards per game in team history (432.8), and the then-greatest total since the team's elevation to the Football Bowl Subdivision level. The group featured eventual Phil Steele All-Independent Team selection, and Pro Football Focus’ second-highest rated "Group of 5" offensive lineman in Jack Driscoll (RT).Â
Flaherty came to Massachusetts from Harvard, where he spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons serving as the offensive quality control (assistant offensive line) and assistant operations coordinator for the Crimson.
While assisting offensive line coach Jeremy Bandy, Flaherty helped coach five different offensive linemen to All-Ivy League honors, including four selections on the first team. Two of these players would also earn All-America status, while four eventually signed NFL contracts. The offensive line paved the way for the league's top offense in 2015, which averaged 36.4 points and 474.2 yards per game. This was essential to the Crimson winning the Ivy League championship and ascending as high as No. 13 in the Football Championship Subdivision polls.
Previously, Flaherty started his coaching career at Bentley University by volunteering as the assistant tight ends and running backs coach in January 2015. After completing spring practice Flaherty accepted a position on the Harvard football staff.Â
A 2015 graduate of Bridgewater State University, Flaherty was a four-year starter and senior captain for the Bears as an offensive lineman. He earned his degree in management with a minor in coaching.
Flaherty has a strong Bay State football connection, which stems from his playing days under the late Massachusetts high school coaching legend, Rocky Nelson at Woburn Memorial High School.
The Flaherty File
Birthday: July 20, 1993Â
Hometown: Woburn, Massachusetts
High School: Woburn Memorial
Alma Mater: Bridgewater State, 2015
Degree: Management, Minor; Coaching
Master’s Degree: Boston College, 2020
Coaching Career
2019-Present: Boston College (Defensive Graduate Assistant - DL)
2017-19: UMass (Offensive Graduate Assistant - OL)
2015-17: Harvard (Offensive Quality Control - OL)
