< PreviousBOSTONCOLLEGE THE GREGORY P. BARBER ‘69 & FAMILY HEAD COACH BILL O’BRIEN B ill O’Brien was hired as the 37th head coach in Boston College football history on Feb. 9, 2024. A 32-year coaching veteran in the college and pro- fessional ranks, O’Brien was elevated to his first head coaching post at Penn State in 2012. He guided the Nittany Lions to an overall record of 15-9 and 10-6 Big Ten mark during the span of two seasons while directing the program through a postseason ban. He was named the head coach of the NFL’s Houston Texans in 2014, leading the franchise to a 52-48 record, four AFC South Division titles, and four playoff appearances - includ- ing two Wild Card round wins - be- tween 2014 and 2020. While with Penn State, O’Brien was recognized in 2012 with a pair of national coaching awards - the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year, and the George Munger Award for Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club. The Nittany Lions’ eight wins in 2012 were the most by a first-year head coach in Penn State history, 18 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAMBOSTONCOLLEGE earning O’Brien Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. In 2013, O’Brien and Penn State won seven games, including two top 25 victories, downing No. 18 Mich- igan at home and winning at No. 14 Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions boasted two first team All-Americans during his tenure - linebacker Michael Mauti (2012) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (2013) - and 10 All- Big Ten selections. O’Brien returned to the NFL in 2014 as the head coach of the Houston Texans. During his ten- ure, Houston posted five winning seasons, including back-to-back double-digit win seasons in 2018 (11-5) and 2019 (10-6). The 21 combined wins rank as the second-most in a two-year span in franchise history. Houston’s offense ranked in the top-10 in rushing in the league on four occasions. The 2019 Texans’ squad featured a 3,500-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and a 1,000-yard receiver for only the fourth time in fran- chise history. After his time in Houston, O’Brien returned to the college game as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban in 2021 Bill O’Brien THE GREGORY P. BARBER ‘69 & FAMILY HEAD COACH Coaching Career 2024-present: Boston College (Head Coach) 2024: Ohio State ( Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2023-24: New England Patriots ( Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2021-22: Alabama ( Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2014-20: Houston Texans ( Head Coach) 2012-13: Penn State (Head Coach) 2011: New England Patriots (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2009-10: New England Patriots (Quarterbacks) 2008: New England Patriots (Wide Receivers) 2007: New England Patriots (Offensive Assistant) 2005-06: Duke (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2003-04: Maryland ( Running Backs) 2001-02: Georgia Tech ( Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 1998-00: Georgia Tech ( Running Backs) 1995-97: Georgia Tech (Graduate Assistant) 1994: Brown (Inside Linebackers) 1993: Brown (Tight Ends) 19 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAM20 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAM BOSTONCOLLEGE and 2022. He mentored Heisman Trophy winning QB Bryce Young and helped the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2021. In his second season, Alabama was fourth na- tionally in scoring offense (41.1 points/game), 11th in total offense (477.1 yards/game) and 19th in passing offense (281.5 yards/game) en route to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Sugar Bowl. O’Brien, who totaled six years across two stints on Bill Belichick’s staff, helped guide the New England Patriots to two AFC titles and appearances in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI in six total years on the Patri- ots’ coaching staff. Most recently, he spent the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the New England Patriots. He served in four different roles in Foxboro, including offensive coordinator during the 2011 season. With O’Brien as the OC, the Patriots went 13-3, earned the top-seed in the AFC, led the AFC in scoring (32.1 points per game), and ranked second in the NFL in total offense (428.0 yards per game) on the way to the Super Bowl. O’Brien was also the quarterbacks coach for two sea- sons, working directly with Tom Brady. During that time, Brady earned 2010 Associated Press MVP and All-Pro First Team honors. Before entering the NFL, O’Brien gained 14 years of experience at the collegiate level, including 12 years in the ACC. His coaching career began at his alma mater Brown, serving as the tight ends coach (1993) and inside linebackers coach (1994). He then began an eight-year stretch at Georgia Tech as a graduate assistant (1995-97), running backs coach (1998-00) and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2001-02). O’Brien then spent two seasons as the running backs coach at Maryland (2003-04) before a two-year stint as the offensive coordinator and quar- terbacks coach at Duke (2005-06). Originally from Dorchester, Mass., O’Brien played linebacker and defensive end at Brown and graduated with a double concentration in political science and or- ganizational behavioral management in 1992. O’Brien and his wife, Colleen, have two sons, Jack and Michael. Bill O’Brien THE GREGORY P. BARBER ‘69 & FAMILY HEAD COACH22 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAM BOSTONCOLLEGE Assistant Coaches LEADING THE EAGLES Matt Applebaum returned to BC as offensive line coach for his second stint on the Heights in 2023 and begins his fourth season with the program in 2024. He previously served as the Eagles’ offensive line coach in Hafley’s first two seasons from 2020-21. The 2023 BC offensive line paved the way for the second-ranked rushing attack in the ACC at 198.8 yards per game, while allowing just 1.46 sacks per game. Four of five o-linemen earned All-ACC honors, including first-team selection Christian Mahogany and second-team pick Ozzy Trapilo. Mahogany led all FBS interior linemen with the most pass block snaps (394) without allowing a sack or hit on the quarterback. Applebaum spent the 2022 season in the NFL as the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line coach; helping Miami to its first playoff appearance in six years. The Dolphins allowed five fewer sacks than the previous season and improved their rushing average from 3.5 yards per carry to 4.3; an improvement of nine spots in the league rankings. During his initial stint at BC, Applebaum coached nine All-ACC selections and a pair of All-Americans in Zion Johnson, who was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and Alec Lindstrom. The entire starting offensive line earned All-ACC in 2021, led by Johnson and Lindstrom on the first team. Upon his return, Applebaum reunited with Mahogany, who was voted All-ACC Second Team in 2021 and returned to the field after missing all of 2022 following ACL surgery. In 2021, Boston College averaged 165.2 rushing yards per game and allowed 2.17 sacks per game, which ranked fourth best in the ACC. The 2020 offensive line gained four All-ACC nods with Lindstrom claiming his first of two first-team picks. The line started all 11 games together and contributed to the third-ranked passing attack in the ACC at 284.2 yards per game. Applebaum spent the 2018-19 seasons at Towson as offensive line coach. In both seasons, Aaron Grzymkowski earned All-CAA honors – second-team in 2019 and third-team in 2018. Offensive lineman Matt Kauffman earned FCS All-America honors and was named first-team All-CAA. Applebaum’s unit helped protect quarterback Tom Flacco, who was named CAA Offensive Player of the Year. The Tigers had the top scoring (34.5) and total (465.0) offense in the CAA that season. Applebaum spent the 2016-17 seasons at Davidson, where he coached the offensive line. He was promoted to offensive coordinator/offensive line in 2017. He also coached the offensive line for Bucknell (2013) and Southeastern Louisiana (2015). Applebaum has five years of NFL experience, including his season with the Dolphins. He was an offensive assistant for Jacksonville in 2014 and spent three seasons (2008-10) with Washington in a variety of roles. He joined Washington in 2008 as a pro personnel assistant before being promoted to college personnel assistant in 2009 and moving into coaching as an offensive assistant in 2010. From 2011-12, Applebaum served as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami. His first coaching job came in 2008 at Central Connecticut State, where he served as tight ends coach and video coordinator. A Yardley, Pennsylvania native, Applebaum was a two-year starter on the offensive line at Connecticut, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He and his wife, Bethany, have a son, Colton. Matt Applebaum Offensive LineBoston’s Best Steakhouse A classic American Tavern that has served greater Boston for over 50 years. Passion for excellent food and exceptional, friendly service. 35 Market Street, BrightonStockyardRestaurant.com(617) 782-4700 Join us every Thursday night! Presented By Live 6-7 PM Listen on 850 WEEI AM FOOTBALL SHOW WITH HEAD COACH BILL O’BRIEN24 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAM BOSTONCOLLEGE Assistant Coaches LEADING THE EAGLES Ray Brown Secondary Ray Brown joined Boston College as the second- ary coach on Bill O’Brien’s first staff in 2024. He ar- rived at BC after a two-year stint as the cornerbacks coach at Washington State. Overall, Brown has 14 years of experience coaching in college football. Washington State’s 2002 defense ranked this in the Pac-12 at 22.9 points per game and contributed to a seven-win regular season. In that season, Brown coached All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection Chau Smith-Wade, who earned the league’s third-best defensive grade among cornerbacks, according to PFF. Prior to WSU, Brown served as the cornerbacks coach at Utah State (2021) and Troy (2019-20). He helped the Aggies to an 11-3 record and a victory over Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl at the end of the 2021 season. The win capped an impres- sive turnaround after USU went 1-5 in an abbrevi- ated, Covid-impacted 2020 season. At Troy, Brown coached Terence Dunlap to second-team All-Sun Belt honors as he intercepted three passes and 11 PBUs. In 2019, Trojan corner Will Sunderland was first-team All-Sun Belt with four interceptions before signing with the Green Bay Packers. Brown spent three years at Abilene Christian as the defensive backs coach from 2016-18. The Wild- cats set a school record for interceptions in 2018 with 13, paced by All-Southland honorable mention Adonis Davis’ four as he led the league and was ninth in FCS in passes defended. The 2018 ACU squad also ranked sixth nationally in fourth-down defense (26.3 percent), 15th in third-down defense (30.3) and 16th in rushing defense (113.0 yards per game). Brown had two Pac-12 stops early in his career as a graduate assistant at Arizona State (2014-15), pre- ceded by one year as a graduate assistant at Washing- ton State (2013). While working with the Sun Dev- ils’ cornerbacks, he played a key role in ASU signing the No. 1 and No. 2-rated junior college corners in the country. Arizona State completed its second of back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2014 by claiming the 2015 Sun Bowl over Duke. During his time at ASU, cornerback Kareem Orr earned Freshman All-Ameri- ca honors. In his first stint at WSU, he worked with the Cougar safeties as Washington State made its first bowl appearance in 10 years; led by head coach Mike Leach. Safety Deone Bucannon earned All-America honors and was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 27th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Brown attended East Central University in Ada, Okla. and graduated in 2009 with a degree in business marketing. He was a four-year starter at cornerback. Brown stayed at ECU as an assistant coach for two seasons before moving on to Oklahoma Baptist as the special teams coordinator. Brown and his wife Amber have three children; Gavin, Rylin and Peyton. Jeff Comissiong Defensive Line Jeff Comissiong returns to the Heights for a sec- ond stint as the Boston College defensive line coach; a position he previously held from 2007-12. He has 28 years of coaching experience, including 15 in New England, and was at Cornell as the linebackers coach from 2021-23. In his first spell with the Eagles, Comissiong tu- tored three All-ACC picks, including first-round NFL selection B.J. Raji and second-rounder Ron Brace. BC played in two ACC Championships games (2007, 2008) during his tenure, reached four bowl games and three seasons of eight wins or better. Raji earned 2008 All-ACC First Team before being selected by the Green Bay Packers. Brace was an All-ACC Second Team pick that same year and was drafted by the New England Patriots. Before coaching linebackers at Cornell, Comis- siong was the defensive line coach at Hampton (2020) for one season following a seven-year appointment as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach at Old Dominion. He was on staff as the Monarchs transitioned to FBS as a member of Conference USA in 2014 and immediately produced a six-win season. Two years later, ODU went 10-3 in 2016 and quali- fied for its first bowl game; defeating Eastern Michi- gan in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.26 @BCFOOTBALL | 2024 FOOTBALL PROGRAM BOSTONCOLLEGE Assistant Coaches LEADING THE EAGLES The Old Dominion defense led CUSA in regular season sacks in 2018, led by defensive lineman Os- hane Ximines. Ximinies thrived under Comissiong’s tutelage and became the most decorated player in program history. A 2019 third-round draft pick of the New York Giants, he was twice named All-CUSA first team and was ODU’s first-ever invitee to the Senior Bowl. Prior to his arrival at BC in 2007, Comissiong spent the 2006 season at Harvard, helping the Crim- son to the No. 1 ranked defense in the Ivy League as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Before that he worked six seasons at his alma mater as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Maine (2000-05); helping the Black Bears to back-to- back conference championships and appearances in the FCS quarterfinals. Comissiong started his coaching career at Maine as a defensive line assistant and recruiting graduate assistant from 1996-97 before taking a position as the defensive line coach at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine from 1998-99. As a player, Comissiong was a four-year letterwin- ner at linebacker at Maine under Kirk Ferentz and Jack Cosgrove. He began his career as a walk-on and became a two-year starter. He graduated in 1997 with a degree in political science. Jonathan DiBiaso Quarterbacks Jonathan DiBiaso was promoted to the Eagles’ quarterback’s coach by head coach Bill O’Brien af- ter spending the 2023 season as an offensive analyst, working closely with the BC quarterbacks, including 2,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher Thomas Castellanos. With DiBiaso’s assistance, Castellanos finished with the second-most rushing yards by an FBS quar- terback (1,113), trailing only Heisman Winner Jayden Daniels. Castellanos finished tied with the most rush- ing touchdowns of any quarterback in FBS (13), and led Boston College to a Fenway Bowl championship. After starting his coaching career on the Heights as a graduate assistant from 2018-2020, DiBiaso took an offensive analyst job at Vanderbilt in 2021. The 2021 Commodores offense averaged 313 yards per game, including 124 rushing yards per game. From Vanderbilt, DiBiaso took a graduate assis- tant position at Pittsburgh for the 2022 season before returning to Boston College. At Pitt, he worked with a Panther team that went 9-4 and defeated UCLA in the Sun Bowl. DiBiaso, who played high school football at Ev- erett for his father John DiBiaso, played two seasons at Dartmouth (2013-14) and two seasons at Tufts (2015-16), earning his degree from Tufts in 2018. Savon Huggins Running Backs Savon Huggins begins his third season as running backs coach at Boston College. In 2023, Eagles run- ning backs rushed for 2,584 yards with a 4.71 yards per carry average; contributing to the second-ranked rushing attack in the ACC at 198.8 yards per game. Kye Robichaux ranked seventh in the league at 70.9 yards per game, totaling 780 yards, eight touchdowns and a 4.79 yards per carry average. He arrived on the Heights for the 2021 season as a recruiting advisor after a brief stint as the running backs coach at Massachusetts. The former Rutgers running back worked with BC backs in the fall. Huggins helped running back Pat Garwo earn a spot on the All-ACC Second Team along with All- New England honors. Garwo was the No. 4 rusher in the ACC with 1,045 yards, becoming the 19th BC player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Garwo had four 100-yard rushing performances and scored seven touchdowns on the ground in 2021. In 2022, Garwo put up career numbers as a re- ceiver out of the backfield with 29 catches; rank- ing second on the team behind All-American Zay Flowers. Huggins got his start in coaching at Somerville (N.J.) High School, gained experience as an intern with the Miami Dolphins, and broke into the college ranks at Buffalo in 2020 as a wide receivers assistant. At Somerville, Huggins worked as an assistant on offense and defense as the team posted a cumulative IronWorkersLocal7 IWLocal7.org Ironworkers Local 7 At Local 7, we provide a highly-skilled workforce specializing in bridge, structural, ornamental, reinforcing, pre-engineered metal buildings, industrial maintenance, architectural, heavy rigging, offshore wind, and certified welding across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Thanks to our commitment to safety and state-of-the-art training, we bring quality craftsmanship to every project. 195 Old Colony Avenue, Boston, MA, 02127 President Frank O. Murray Financial Secretary-Treasurer Michael P. Doucette, Jr. Business Manager Vincent Coyle, Jr. Chris Beaton Walter Belmonte, Jr. Kevin Collins Matthew Glavin Fiore Grassetti Daniel McWilliams Thomas Pecoraro Grant Provost Paul Reppucci Business Agents GO EAGLES!Next >