O'Brien still confident in long-term plan

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Some N.C. State fans might be losing patience with Tom O'Brien, but he is sticking with his long-term plan.

After the Wolfpack lost 52-20 on Saturday at Boston College, a reporter told O'Brien that he'd received e-mail during the game critical of the coach.

"I can't be concerned with that," O'Brien said. "I've got to be concerned with coaching the football team. I knew this was going to be a process and it certainly is going to be a process.

"We're going to be a good football team. Sooner rather than later would be good. We're not going to take any shortcuts. We're going to do it the right way and build a strong foundation, so that when this thing turns, we're going to win a lot of games and win for a long time."

N.C. State (3-4, 0-3 ACC) was a long way from winning Saturday. The Wolfpack hadn't given up more than 50 points since Oct. 20, 2000, when it lost a 58-14 decision to Florida State during former coach Chuck Amato's first season.

Boston College sophomore Montel Harris' 264 rushing yards were the most by an N.C. State opponent since at least 1997; the records the school's sports information department had on hand at the game didn't go back further than that.

According to Boston College's sports information department, Harris' rushing total was the highest by any Football Bowl Subdivision player this season. Texas-El Paso's Donald Buckram rushed for 262 yards against Houston on Oct. 3.

Harris originally committed to Duke before former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski signed him late.

"The kid's a good running back," O'Brien said. "And then once again, our biggest bugaboo is, we didn't tackle."

Latest Comment View all comments