Bill O’Brien has officially rounded out his coaching staff, bringing in a familiar face to take over the defensive side of the ball. Ted Roof, a veteran coordinator with deep ties to O’Brien, is stepping in as the new defensive coordinator - a move that’s as much about chemistry as it is about credentials.
This isn’t the first time these two have teamed up. Their coaching paths have crisscrossed for decades, starting back when Roof was the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and O’Brien was still climbing the ladder.
That early connection laid the groundwork for a partnership that would resurface at Duke - this time with Roof as the head coach and O’Brien running the offense. The mutual trust was clear then, and it carried over to their next stop at Penn State.
When O’Brien took over the Nittany Lions program, one of his first calls was to Roof, who came in as defensive coordinator. That 2012 Penn State defense didn’t just hold its own - it excelled.
Roof’s unit finished second in the Big Ten in scoring defense, led the conference in sacks, and was tops in red zone defense. It was a short stint, but a strong one.
After just one season, Roof returned to Georgia Tech, his alma mater, to take over as DC once again.
Since then, Roof’s journey has been a winding one. Over the past seven years, he’s made stops at NC State, Appalachian State, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Oklahoma, and most recently UCF in 2024.
That’s a lot of mileage in a short span, and while the frequent moves might raise some eyebrows, his track record remains solid. Roof has consistently brought intensity and structure to his defenses, even amid the transitions.
Of course, his most high-profile success came at Auburn, where he helped guide the Tigers to a national championship in 2010 as their defensive coordinator. That kind of experience - leading a defense on the sport’s biggest stage - carries weight in any locker room.
And for those wondering whether Roof will need time to adjust to his new surroundings, it’s worth noting this won’t be his first time coaching in Massachusetts. Back in the mid-90s, he spent three seasons on the defensive staff at UMass. That familiarity with the region, combined with his long-standing rapport with O’Brien, should make for a smoother transition.
Roof steps in to replace Tim Lewis, who held the DC role for the past two seasons. With this hire, O’Brien is clearly leaning on trust and continuity - a smart move when building a cohesive staff that can hit the ground running.
Elsewhere in the program, there’s some movement on the roster front. Running back Turbo Richard officially entered the transfer portal, and now there’s buzz that wide receiver Reed Harris could follow. Harris, a Montana native, has strong family ties to Minnesota - his father played there - and with PJ Fleck’s receiver-friendly system, the Gophers could be an appealing landing spot.
That said, neither player is out the door just yet. Both Richard and Harris still have the option to return after exploring their options.
In today’s college football landscape, the portal isn’t always a goodbye - sometimes, it’s just a negotiation tool. If Boston College wants to keep two of its most dynamic offensive weapons, it may need to step up and show them they’re valued.
For now, the coaching staff is locked in, and attention turns to roster retention. With Roof back in the fold and O’Brien putting his stamp on the program, the foundation is set. Now comes the challenge of keeping the talent in-house and building momentum into the offseason.