Interview with new GM Kenyatta Watson

Chatted with Kenyatta for about 10 minutes on Tuesday afternoon and his passion for the program was evident immediately.

Good stuff in here and plenty of reasons to be encouraged if you’re an Eagles fan/donor/alumni…especially after Blake James’ statement regarding the future of the program in the morning…

On how this came about and why he wanted take the role

“I was hoping the third time was the charm. I actually interviewed…maybe like, 2019, 2020 I think. And then, in 2021, I interviewed with Hafley, was going to take the job, but Florida State kind of…I was actually in Boston when Florida State offered me the job. They kind of beat them to it. And then, just kind of looking back over everything right now, man, it’s just perfect timing.

“I got contacted about potentially coming back home and you look at the team and the record, the record is not indicative of the team first of all, I don’t think. They play really hard this year, they should have won some really close games, but they didn’t. I’m just excited about the opportunity to come in and help us get back to where we were, being one of the top teams in the ACC.”

On why he believes football can be successful at BC with high standards academically

“Because we have a lot to offer. From the city, to the conference we play in and the obvious is the education. I think when you look at schools like Vanderbilt, they were 2-10 two years ago. Georgia Tech, 9-3, they were 7-6, 7-6, 6-7 the year before that. You look at Virginia, the turnaround they made. You look at Duke, they won 10 games last year. I draw the parallel to schools that are academically on the same guidelines we are.

“Thing are a little different at BC. Kids got to go to class. You’ve got to be a student first. So, if those schools can do it, I was just like, ‘well why can’t we?’ We’ve done it. We’ve played in back-to-back ACC championship games at one point when Matt (Ryan) was there, so it’s definitely something that could be done. I just look forward to having the opportunity to get us back there.”

On if he knew about the massive financial commitment before taking the GM role

“I did not, but the fact that they were talking to me about hiring me let me know everything I needed to know. At the end of the day, some of the places I’ve been, we’ve dealt in the NIL field and you see…you just know in today’s college football, what has to be done. So, I wasn’t privy to those conversations of the amount of money that was going to be dedicated to NIL or anything like that. At the time, it wasn’t important. But, their commitment, them talking to me and reaching out to me and getting me there, that told me everything I needed to know about their commitment to getting our program back where it needs to be.”

On if he’s mapped out what the staff might look like

“Um…I’m not going to answer that. But, I’ll put it to you like this, Bill and I have a plan. There are some really amazing, young, talented people that are at BC right now and I look forward to working with them, 1000%.”

On what his relationship will be like on a day-to-day basis with O’Brien and why he thinks it will work well

“We’re both about getting BC to where it needs to be. Bill’s a great guy. He’s an unbelievable football mind. At the end of the day, he has his amazing strengths and that’s coaching football. I have my amazing strengths of recruiting and evaluation. You want to bring those two things together. What better time to do it than now? Bill’s been great. This is his program, 1000%.

“He has a vision for it and how he wants to get it done. I’m just extremely blessed that I have the opportunity to carry out his vision.”

On if and why BC can be a ‘5th team’ in New England

“Absolutely. Everybody wants to be associated with a winner. I don’t care where you are. You can be in the best sports town in America – I believe Boston is – and the fans will show up because they love a winner. They love a good product on the field. That’s what we’re trying to bring back. 1000%.”

On lessons he’s learned at places like Auburn, G-Tech and Florida State that can translate to BC

“You just find kids that fit. Boston College is not for every kid. At the end of the day, you have to go to class. You have to be present in the classroom. You can’t just…the student body is very important. You have to find guys that fit the criteria, first and foremost before we even start talking about football. The football piece is easy. I tell kids that all the time. Bill O’Brien for instance, he’s a great coach, he’s coached some of the best guys to ever play the game, he’s done it at every level as a coach, but you’ve got to make sure you’re bringing in the right kids.

“BC is a special place. I know what it takes, from being recruited there, from being a student there, from being in the student body. So, it’s a different place, but it’s a great place. It’s a place where you can thrive both on and off the field. You’ve just got to make sure the focus has to be on obtaining the right guys.”

On how BC can make Alumni Stadium a special place on Saturdays

“You’ve just got to win. It’s simple. There’s no magic formula. There’s no cliches. You just have to win football games. We have to put a product on the field that the fans want to spend their hard-earned money on to come and watch. That’s our goal.”

On his initial reaction once learning this was all going to happen and how long this has all been in motion

“The first reaction was like, ‘Wow, you get an opportunity to go back.’ There’s nothing like your alma mater. I don’t care what anybody says. I’ve worked at different places and I’ve loved each one of them for different reasons. But, you wear their gear, you leave and go somewhere else, you take it off. Now, this is different. This is home. This is where I graduated from. This is where I became a man at. I was just like, in awe.

“It’s been about three weeks since Bill and I started talking and kind of putting a plan together, hearing his vision and understanding. Then, watching him on the sidelines, he’s extremely passionate and I love that, because it means he cares. I’m looking forward to working with him. I’m looking forward to working side-by-side with him, learning from him because he’s coached some of the best.

“Hopefully, I can just carry out his vision that he wants for this program and we can get it done ASAP.”

On if he’s already been on the recruiting trail

“No, I’ll be there (in Chestnut Hill) Monday.”