Navy Accepts Invitation To Play In The Meineke Car Care Bowl

<p>Coach also linked to Alabama job; Navy works on extension</p>

<p>Published in the BS:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navyfoot06dec06,0,3990003.story?coll=bal-college-football%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navyfoot06dec06,0,3990003.story?coll=bal-college-football&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Navy football coach Paul Johnson would not confirm or deny yesterday that he has been contacted about the vacant head coaching positions at North Carolina State and Alabama, although Johnson insisted he has not spoken with any officials from either school about the job.</p>

<p>Johnson dismissed a report by ESPN.com that he had talked with N.C. State athletic director Lee Fowler, who is aiming to replace recently fired Chuck Amato. Johnson, a North Carolina native, did not deny an ESPN.com report that Chuck Neinas, a consultant hired by N.C. State to aid in the school's coaching search, had called Johnson to gauge his interest in coaching the Wolfpack. Johnson also is rumored to be a candidate to coach Alabama....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Actually it appears the BC coach is taking the job at NC State.</p>

<p>My oldest is a sophmore at BC. My next oldest is a plebe at USNA. Both are huge football fans . . . I think you can imagine the rest.</p>

<p>Published in the Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_06-54/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_06-54/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Navy football fans can rest easy... for now.</p>

<p>It appears Navy head coach Paul Johnson is not leaving Annapolis just yet.</p>

<p>Multiple sources confirmed on Wednesday night that Tom O’Brien will depart Boston College to become the next head coach at North Carolina State. O’Brien, a 1971 Naval Academy graduate, is the most successful head coach in Boston College history with a 75-45 record in 10 seasons....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The Associated Press
Thursday, December 7, 2006; 4:53 AM</p>

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State's search for a new football coach appears to be focused on a fellow Atlantic Coast Conference program. The Wolfpack look ready to hire Boston College's Tom O'Brien as its new football coach, according to multiple reports Wednesday night.</p>

<p>The reports on broadcast and Web sites were based on unidentified sources, though San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers _ a four-year starter who left N.C. State as the school's career passing leader _ told a newspaper Wednesday that O'Brien was the choice to replace fired coach Chuck Amato.</p>

<p>"I got a call this morning and they said it was a done deal," Rivers told the North County Times in Escondido, Calif.</p>

<p>ESPN reported on its Web site that N.C. State's board of governors scheduled a meeting for Friday to approve O'Brien's contract.</p>

<p>O'Brien led the Eagles to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Meineke Bowl against Navy later this month. He dismissed rumors linking him to other coaching openings in a statement this week, and told the Boston Globe, when reached at home Wednesday night, that he had received no official offer.</p>

<p>"Any announcement has to come out of North Carolina," he said.</p>

<p>A message was left seeking comment from Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo.</p>

<p>N.C. State fired Amato _ a former Wolfpack linebacker _ the day after his team closed the season with seven straight losses to finish 3-9. Amato was 49-37 and led the Wolfpack to five bowl games in seven seasons, but he went just 25-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and never finished higher than fourth.</p>

<p>The program has finished with a losing record in two of the three seasons since Rivers went to the NFL.</p>

<p>N.C. State athletics director Lee Fowler could not be reached by phone Wednesday night. His phone's mailbox was full.</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval Academy football team will end another successful season when they take on the Boston College (BC) Eagles at the 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl Dec. 30 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. </p>

<p>The Midshipmen are appearing in a school-record fourth-consecutive bowl game and will be going for a school-record third-straight bowl win. A victory over the Eagles would give Navy 10 wins for just the third time in the 126 years that it has played football and for the second time in three years. Both teams finished their seasons 9-3 overall.</p>

<p>"With BC facing Navy on the field, we anticipate an extremely competitive game," said Meineke Car Care Bowl executive director Will Webb. "And that enthusiasm should carry over to the streets of Charlotte during the Uptown Street Festival and Pep Rally. Once again, the Meineke Car Care Bowl will be an excellent opportunity for fans to experience an exciting and competitive college bowl game."</p>

<p>The Midshipmen are excited about the opportunity to show off their program on a national level.</p>

<p>"This will probably be the toughest game of the season," said Midshipman 1st Class Tyler Tidwell.</p>

<p>"Boston is a great school and they've beaten some great teams. It's a great opportunity for us to take on a top 25 team on national television. We get to measure our program against the big boys. We want to prepare well and give good showing."</p>

<p>Navy's 26-14 victory over Army on Dec. 2 gave the Midshipmen their fifth consecutive win in the most storied rivalry in college football, and a four-year clean sweep over Army and Air Force.</p>

<p>Navy also wins its fourth consecutive Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the football competition between the service academies.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen had high hopes going into the legendary Army-Navy match-up.</p>

<p>"Going into this year, the number one goal for us was to be the first class to go 8 and 0 against the other service academies," said Tidwell. "We knew it would be a great challenge, but at the same time it was a great opportunity and we've been looking forward to it all year. This was a tremendous accomplishment, and it's the legacy we hoped to leave on the program." </p>

<p>Tickets for the Meineke Car Care Bowl are available on-line at <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a>, by calling 1-800-US-4-NAVY, or at the Ricketts Hall Box Officer. The game will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. </p>

<p>For more news from around the fleet, visit <a href="http://www.navy.mil%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navy.mil&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

<p>Story Number: NNS061205-09 - Release Date: 12/5/2006 4:04:00 PM</p>

<p>Defense Department Documents and Publications
December 5, 2006</p>

<p>BC's O'Brien will take N.C. State job</p>

<p>Published in today's Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/07/coach_set_to_depart/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/07/coach_set_to_depart/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
In a whirlwind courtship, which officially did not begin until yesterday morning and could be completed today, Boston College football coach Tom O'Brien is expected to accept an offer to become the next coach at North Carolina State.</p>

<p>Barring any snags, the announcement could come as soon as today, but might be delayed until tomorrow as final details are worked out....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Posted on USA Today:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2006-12-07-ncstate-obrien_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2006-12-07-ncstate-obrien_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
North Carolina State is working out the final details of a contract with Boston College coach Tom O'Brien to take over as the school's next football coach, a school official said Thursday.</p>

<p>N.C. State likely would not make a formal announcement Thursday, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been approved by the school's board of trustees. The board's personnel committee has a teleconference scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm still pouting. Wanted a Navy vs. Clemson game so I could watch tiger paws get amputated. So sad to be me. I never get my way. :(</p>

<p>GO NAVY!!</p>

<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_07-65/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_07-65/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk announced this morning that he has reached an agreement with head football coach Paul Johnson on a revised contract.</p>

<p>Specific financial terms of the contract were not released, but sources told The Capital Johnson will receive a substantial salary boost along with additional incentives. No years were added to the six-year contract, which includes an automatic one-year rollover clause and ties Johnson to Navy through 2012....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_07-61/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2006/12_07-61/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Will he stay or will he go?</p>

<p>That is the question on the minds of most Navy football fans.</p>

<p>Will Paul Johnson remain head coach at the Naval Academy or will he eventually succumb to overtures from schools in Bowl Championship Series conferences?...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Over 15,000 tickets sold to date </p>

<p>Dec. 7, 2006</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.--Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced Thursday that Navy is on a record pace for bowl tickets sold, passing the 15,000 ticket mark for the Dec. 30 Meineke Car Care Bowl against Boston College in Charlotte, N.C. </p>

<p>At this time last year, Navy had sold 6,000 tickets en route to 20,000 total tickets sold for the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. Navy brought over 25,000 fans to Houston, Texas for the 2003 Houston Bowl. </p>

<p>Tickets for the bowl game are on sale now at <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a>, by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY or at the Ricketts Hall Box Office. Lower level seats are available for $55 and upper level seats are $30. Fans not able to attend the game can purchase tickets and donate them to Midshipmen or enlisted personnel.</p>

<p>For: Immediate Release
Sent: December 7, 2006
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775</p>

<p>Gladchuk And Johnson Dispel Media Reports And Reaffirm Coach's Commitment To Navy</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk and head football coach Paul Johnson issued a joint statement this morning dispelling media reports and internet message board rumors about Johnson pursuing other coaching jobs.</p>

<p>"Contract tenure and competitive compensation for Paul and his staff are never taken for granted. It is readdressed every year to be certain we are appropriately expressing our appreciation for a job well done," said Gladchuk. "A rollover of his contract continues to be an annual event and with it comes a number of commitments and conditions that provide Paul and his family the opportunity to remain at the Academy for the rest of his career and I have no reason to believe that will not be the case. Paul's leadership continues to influence the personal and professional development of our midshipmen, both on and off the field."</p>

<p>"With all the internet and media rumors, I felt like it was important to formally address my continued commitment to the Naval Academy," said Johnson. "Despite media reports to the contrary, I never talked to officials at any school and I want to reiterate that my family and I are very happy at the Naval Academy and we are looking forward to continued success here at Navy."</p>

<p>Key's season to finish with a run for the Roses</p>

<p>Published in today's Roanoke Times:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/94733%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/94733&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
When Watts Key arrived home in Bedford County after calling last Saturday's Army-Navy football game, he couldn't have envisioned a better ending to his officiating season.</p>

<p>Then, he got a call Tuesday from ACC officiating supervisor Tommy Hunt, who had one more assignment for him....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Sources: Coach could get $500,000 salary increase</p>

<p>
[quote]
Navy football coach Paul Johnson, who was a candidate this week to take over at North Carolina State before the school reportedly settled on Boston College coach Tom O'Brien, is about to be rewarded by the academy.</p>

<p>Sources close to Johnson said he is due a raise that would increase his compensation to nearly $1.8 million per year if he meets certain incentives. Johnson's six-year contract, which includes an annual, incentive-based rollover clause that will kick in Jan. 1, currently is worth about $1.3 million per year....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Program's direction questioned by trustee</p>

<p>Published in today's Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/bc_begins_preparing_for_life_after_obrien/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/bc_begins_preparing_for_life_after_obrien/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Amid swirling rumors yesterday Tom O'Brien was asked to clear out his desk and vacate his third-floor corner office at the Yawkey Athletic Center, Boston College's stunned football team found itself in a state of limbo after learning of 0'Brien's imminent departure to North Carolina State.</p>

<p>Though there was no official word out of Raleigh, N.C., of O'Brien's hiring, BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo met with the football team at 3 p.m. yesterday to share what little information he could about the situation and to gird himself to make his first major appointment at the school....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Published in today's Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/a_lot_to_fill_at_bc_for_new_coach/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/a_lot_to_fill_at_bc_for_new_coach/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
With Boston College football coach Tom O'Brien headed to North Carolina State, BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo will open his desk drawer and take out a list of candidates that every athletic director has handy.</p>

<p>It is a short list of coaches in "what if" situations....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Published in today's Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/wolfpack_lures_obrien_away_from_bc/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/08/wolfpack_lures_obrien_away_from_bc/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
North Carolina State wrapped up a quick search for a football coach by hiring Tom O'Brien away from conference rival Boston College on Friday.</p>

<p>The 58-year-old O'Brien coached the Eagles for 10 years, compiling a 75-45 record and appearing in eight straight bowl games. This season, he led the Eagles to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Meineke Bowl against Navy later this month. His teams have won six straight, the longest active bowl winning streak in the nation....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Published in today's Washington Times:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061208-122233-5083r.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061208-122233-5083r.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Paul Johnson has been fielding questions about open coaching jobs for most of his tenure at Navy, but this season the attention has grown a bit more intense. </p>

<p>Various media outlets, from newspapers to Internet sites, have mentioned Johnson's name -- first as a candidate at North Carolina and more recently with the job openings at N.C. State and Alabama. Johnson's response often has been coy, but he hasn't completely dodged the questions....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Published in today's Boston Herald:</p>

<p><a href="http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=171061%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=171061&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Aside from the obvious, there might have been some undercurrents in coach Tom O’Brien’s decision to leave Boston College and take the head job at North Carolina State. </p>

<p>Indications are that O’Brien and athletic director Gene DeFilippo weren’t always on the same page....

[/quote]
</p>