Busting Brackets
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Boston College Basketball: 5 potential candidates to replace Jim Christian

By Benjamin Zacher

Jan 9, 2021; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Virginia Cavaliers forward Jay Huff (30) and Boston College Eagles forward James Karnik (33) jump for the ball during the first half at Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Virginia Cavaliers forward Jay Huff (30) and Boston College Eagles forward James Karnik (33) jump for the ball during the first half at Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Northeastern Huskies Bill Coen Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Northeastern Huskies Bill Coen Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Bill Coen

  • HC experience: Northeastern (2006-present; 250-220)
  • Assistant experience: Hamilton (1987-89), Rhode Island (1989-97), Boston College (1997-06)

Bill Coen is the ideal mixture of Howard Eisley and John Becker – he has proven himself as a head coach, a la Becker, but also has immense ties to the Boston College, like Eisley.  After spending nine seasons as an assistant under Al Skinner at BC, Coen is in the midst of his 15th campaign at the helm of the Northeastern Huskies.

Next to Skinner, there may not have been a more instrumental role in Boston College’s success from 1997-06 than Coen.  Largely responsible for BC’s recruiting classes and named the associate head coach in 2001, Coen helped lead the Eagles to a 175-108 record, as well as five NCAA Tournament berths, three Big East regular-season crowns, BC’s first-ever Big East Tournament Championship in 2001, and the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1994 in 2006 – where they fell to Villanova in overtime.

Coen’s success has transitioned to his first head coaching job, as well, leading Northeastern to a 250-220 record in 15 seasons.  Coen’s Huskies have reached the NCAA Tournament twice – in 2015 and 2019 – and have recorded the best win percentage among current CAA teams in both conference and postseason play.  Coen has churned out 11 seasons above .500 and has also led the Huskies to two NIT berths and a CBI invitation.

Coen is no stranger to competing with top teams, either.  In 2008-09, the season Northeastern reached the CBI, the Huskies picked off Providence at the road before holding Indiana to its lowest offensive output ever in Assembly Hall, usurping the Hoosiers, 55-42.  Years later, when the Huskies reached the NCAA Tournament in 2015, Coen’s crew fell just short of a historic first-round upset, falling to then-ACC champions and eventual Elite Eight squad Notre Dame.

This season, the Huskies are again among the top squads in the Colonial, sitting in second – just half-a-game back of James Madison – at 8-2, and already owning just a six-point loss at Syracuse.  Coen has not lost his edge at all since leaving BC for Northeastern – and he would be a perfect choice in leading the Eagles back to their glory days under Skinner.