What Is 2011 Boston College Eagles football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 record under head coach Frank Spaziani. They played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Key Facts

The 2011 Boston College Eagles finished the season with a 4–8 overall record
Head coach Frank Spaziani was fired after the 2011 season due to poor performance
The team played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Atlantic Division
Boston College lost all five of their ACC conference games in 2011
They failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second straight year

Overview

The 2011 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Frank Spaziani.

After a promising start in non-conference play, the Eagles faltered in ACC competition, ultimately missing postseason play for the second consecutive year. The season marked the end of Spaziani's tenure as head coach, culminating in his dismissal after a 4–8 overall record.

Record: The team finished with a 4–8 overall record, their worst since 2000, reflecting a significant decline in performance compared to previous seasons.
ACC performance: Boston College lost all five of their conference games, finishing last in the ACC Atlantic Division with a 1–5 conference record.
Head coach: Frank Spaziani led the team for four seasons, but his 2011 record of 4–8 led to his firing in November 2011 after a 15–22 overall tenure.
Home stadium: The Eagles played their home games at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, which has a capacity of approximately 44,500 spectators.
Key player: Quarterback Chase Rettig started all 12 games, throwing for 1,838 yards and 10 touchdowns, but struggled with consistency and decision-making under pressure.

Season Performance

The 2011 season was marked by missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns, particularly in conference matchups. Despite early wins against FCS opponent Maine and FBS teams like Wake Forest, the Eagles could not sustain momentum.

Non-conference wins: Boston College defeated Maine (38–20) and Wake Forest (31–3) to start the season 2–0, raising hopes for a turnaround.
Loss to Central Michigan: A 34–31 home loss to Central Michigan on September 17 was a major setback, as the Chippewas outgained BC by 170 yards through the air.
ACC struggles: The Eagles were outscored 138–77 in their five ACC losses, including a 48–34 defeat to Clemson and a 37–13 loss to Florida State.
Defensive issues: Boston College allowed an average of 30.8 points per game, the highest under Spaziani and among the worst in the ACC that season.
Final game: The season ended with a 28–21 loss to Syracuse on November 26, sealing their 4–8 record and ensuring no bowl eligibility.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 season compares to the previous two years in key statistical categories:

Statistic	2009	2010	2011
Overall Record	8–5	7–6	4–8
ACC Record	4–4	3–5	1–5
Points Scored (Avg)	27.5	24.8	21.3
Points Allowed (Avg)	21.2	23.5	30.8
Bowl Game	Yes (Mao Bowl)	Yes (New Era Bowl)	No

The decline from 2009 to 2011 is evident in both win-loss records and defensive performance. The 2011 team allowed nearly 10 more points per game than in 2009, and their offensive output dropped significantly. This downward trend contributed to growing dissatisfaction among fans and administrators, ultimately leading to coaching changes.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a turning point for Boston College football, highlighting systemic issues in coaching, player development, and program direction. The failure to compete in the ACC signaled deeper problems that required immediate attention.

Coaching change: Frank Spaziani was fired in November 2011, ending a four-year tenure that began with promise but ended in underperformance and fan discontent.
Recruiting impact: The losing record and lack of postseason play hurt recruiting efforts, making it harder to attract top-tier talent in subsequent years.
ACC relevance: Boston College’s struggles underscored their declining influence in the ACC, where they were overshadowed by programs like Clemson and Florida State.
Program stability: The 2011 season prompted a reevaluation of football operations, leading to the hiring of new leadership to restore competitiveness.
Fan engagement: Attendance at Alumni Stadium dipped, and fan morale declined due to the team’s inability to win key games or remain bowl-eligible.
Historical context: This season marked the first time since 2000 that BC failed to reach a bowl game in consecutive years, signaling a low point in the modern era.

The 2011 Boston College Eagles season serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of consistent leadership and competitive depth in college football. While the program eventually stabilized, the lessons from 2011 influenced future strategic decisions.