Boston, December 02, 2025
Boston College announced on Tuesday it will retain head coach Bill O’Brien for a third season and significantly increase financial investment in the football program to address competitive disparities within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Retention of Head Coach and Increased Support
Despite a challenging 2-10 record in the 2025 season, the program’s worst since 2012, Boston College confirmed Bill O’Brien’s continuation as head coach. Athletic Director Blake James emphasized the university’s confidence in O’Brien and their commitment to resource enhancement as critical to future success.
Operational and Financial Enhancements
The university is allocating the maximum revenue share allowed, aligning Boston College’s football funding with that of its ACC peers in the Autonomy Four conferences. Additionally, there will be sizable investments to expand operational and administrative support within the football program, aiming to bolster roster management and player development capabilities.
New General Manager Appointment
Kenyatta Watson, a Boston College alumna and former assistant general manager at Auburn, was recruited to lead the football program’s roster management and recruitment operations. Watson brings experience from her time as a top recruiter at Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Auburn, signaling an organizational shift towards more professionalized oversight.
Endowment Challenge for Athletics Funding
A major financial initiative announced includes a $50 million challenge grant. The university aims to match this amount on a one-to-one basis with new endowment contributions dedicated to athlete scholarships and operational expenses over the next five to seven years.
Program Context and Future Outlook
O’Brien’s tenure has yielded a 9-16 overall record across two seasons, with a 7-6 finish in 2024 that ended with a Pinstripe Bowl loss. Throughout the 2025 campaign, O’Brien underscored the necessity for increased financial investment to elevate the Eagles’ competitiveness. This announcement reflects the university’s response, marking a strategic effort to provide the resources necessary for sustained program development within the ACC’s competitive landscape.
Boston College’s expanded financial commitment and leadership appointments are aimed at stabilizing and improving the football program’s trajectory, setting a foundation for future competitiveness in collegiate athletics.