Boston College Dismisses Football Coach Bicknell

Jack Bicknell, who coached Boston College to four bowl games in his first six seasons but had losing records in his last four, was fired today after 10 years in the job.

No replacement was named for Bicknell, who departs after a 4-7 season in which the Eagles lost their last four games. His 10-year record is 59-55-1.

In another coaching change, Curley Hallman, who led Southern Mississippi to an 8-3 record this year, was hired today as Louisiana State’s new football coach.

Southern Mississippi is 23-11 under Hallman over the past three seasons. The Golden Eagles had victories over Southeastern Conference powers Auburn and Alabama this season and are headed for the All American Bowl.

Hallman, 43, was the last of a reported 40 major candidates for the job that came open when Mike Archer resigned amid reports that he was about to be fired after four years as head coach.

Boston College went 5-6 in 1981, Bicknell’s first season as coach, but a freshman named Doug Flutie emerged as the starting quarterback. Over the next three seasons, Flutie starred in Bicknell’s passing-oriented approach to offense.

Boston College compiled records of 8-3-1, 9-3 and 10-2 over the next three seasons. The Eagles lost the Tangerine Bowl to Auburn 33-26 in 1982 and the Liberty Bowl to Notre Dame 19-18 in 1983.