Bicknell Fired by Boston College

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 Tuesday.

Bicknell departs after a 4-7 season in which the Eagles lost their last four games. His 10-year record was 59-55-1.

“I have no bitterness,” Bicknell said after a meeting with Boston College President J. Donald Monan. “I think they made a mistake. I think they got rid of a good coach.”

The Eagles went 5-6 in 1981, Bicknell’s first season as football coach, but a freshman named Doug Flutie emerged as the quarterback.

Boston College went 8-3-1, 9-3 and 10-2 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. In 1984, Flutie’s senior season, they beat Houston, 45-28, in the Cotton Bowl.