St. Pierre talks Hall of Fame induction, current state of program, coaching future & O'Brien
I had the opportunity to talk to St. John’s Prep head coach and former BC QB Brian St. Pierre on Monday morning for a feature story for NEFJ on the induction this past weekend, as well as his Prep squad heading into the playoffs.
I asked him about the weekend, his coaching future and the current state of the program. He also had plenty of support for Bill O’Brien.
Always love talking to Coach St. Pierre, one of the most honest guys and one of the best I’ve gotten to work with over the years. Here’s what he had to say:
On being inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame
“I’m just so blessed…I’m so happy and just honored. It’s definitely not something I ever really thought about. My focus there was to try and become the starting quarterback, to achieve my dream of being a starting quarterback and play at a high level and then go on to the NFL. That was my focus the whole time.
“I was fortunate. I played with great teammates and we had a great coaching staff. We had a lot of success. That’s what I was wrapped up in. Once I got the (Hall of Fame) call and all that I think I allowed myself to reflect back. It was more about the experiences, the people. That’s what it centered around for me. That’s why I played football. The guys in the room that you’re with, that you’re getting up in the morning with to do mat drills and conditioning work while the rest of your classmates are probably still coming in from last night. You go through a lot.
“You certainly remember big games and all that, but it was the Sunday through Friday leading up to the game and all the work in the offseason and the guys you do it with that I kept going back to. A lot of gratitude. I’m really grateful for all the people I got to play with and play for at BC.”
On if he’d ever leave high school coaching for college
“I love what I do. I’m not going anywhere. I had opportunities when I was done playing to coach in the NFL and I was asked by previous coaches at BC to join the staff. Flattered? Yes, but I love what I do here at St. John’s. I love the age group I get to work with. I love not having to deal with NIL, although, there is probably a transfer portal for some schools, that doesn’t exist for us. I just love coaching high school.
“Throughout my career, I go back to every level I played in and it was the most pure in high school. My football memories of high school are as good a memories as I have playing. If I’m able to provide a good experience for these kids here at a place that I love, that’s why I do it, to try and make an impact. It’s a blessing to be able to do it and I appreciate it every day.”
On the current program and CFB landscape
“I can’t help but think with NIL and transfer portal, this has changed the playing field. It’s changed the environment of college football and that’s a big piece that needs to be figured out for every program. Some programs are doing a really good job with it and some programs are still trying to navigate it. I don’t have any answers that way.
“I feel for (O’Brien) right now. I feel for the guys that are working hard and it’s tough…I don’t know that feeling. We weren’t there – thank God – when I was there, but I’ve been around football long enough to know the toll it’s probably taking.”
On Bill O’Brien
“I know the head coach and I know what he stands for. I can make some pretty strong assumptions. I support the guy. I think he’s great. I think he’s great for BC. I know it’s hard right now. I don’t know all the ins and outs as to why. There’s probably a million reasons. But, I do believe in the guy. I believe in what he stands for. I believe in the person and I truly believe BC is lucky to have him.”
