Boston College names Jeff Hafley new HC

Boston College hired former Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as its next football coach, the school announced Saturday.

Hafley helped the 13-0 Buckeyes finish with one of the best defensive units in the nation this year, allowing just 12.5 points per game. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award (college football's top assistant coach) this season. Hafley previously spent seven seasons as a secondary coach in the NFL.

The New Jersey native will be the Eagles' fourth head coach since 2007.

The Eagles fired Steve Addazio after seven seasons amid a 6-6 campaign in 2019. Under Addazio's command, the school made six bowl games but beat just one ranked opponent (USC in 2014).

Boston College will close its 2019 campaign against Cincinnati in the Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 2.