Bill O'Brien fires back at Tommy Castellanos for comments about Boston College: 'Tommy can think what he wants'

Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien has fired back at Eagles transfer and Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos for his recent comments toward his former team. Castellanos pushed back on the notion that he quit on his former team after losing his starting job last season.

“Tommy can think what he wants,” O’Brien said. “We supported the hell out of Tommy. We coached Tommy, we taught Tommy. I wish him the best.

“We met with Grayson (James), we told him the team needs you, come back and compete and win your job back. It’s called life — L-I-F-E. Deal with adversity. He’s fine. He’s the starting QB at Florida State. It worked out well. I wish him the best.”

Castellanos said the notion that the got benched and quit on his team is not true. Despite this, he transferred away from Boston College in favor of playing at Florida State in 2025. He ultimately spent two seasons with the Eagles as their main starting quarterback. As a senior, he’s set out on proving his doubters wrong.

“And that’s why my confidence hasn’t shied away,” Castellanos said at ACC Media Days on Wednesday. “I know what I’m capable of and what I’ve done and what I’m going to do this year with the right team, that’s going to support me and let me be myself and be happy and play and be loose.”

Boston College and Florida State will not match up during the 2025 regular season. Instead, Boston College will take on the likes of Clemson, Louisville, Notre Dame and SMU, among others during their 2025 schedule.

Florida State, on the other hand, will host Alabama in the season opener. Castellanos’ offseason comments toward the Crimson Tide has helped make the Aug. 30 matchup one of the most highly-anticipated games on the Week 1 schedule. They’ll also feature games against Miami, Clemson and Florida down the stretch.

While the score won’t be settled between the two on the field, perhaps the pair could work out their differences behind the scenes. It appears that O’Brien wanted Castellanos to return to Boston College but he instead opted for a fresh start. It’s on Castellanos to make the most out of the short time he’ll be in Tallahassee.

Kickoff between the Seminoles and Crimson Tide is set for Saturday, Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ABC. Florida State has opened up as a heavy underdog with Alabama being favored by 13.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.