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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Bill O’Brien was officially introduced as the new head football coach at Boston College on Thursday in a move athletic director Blake James called a “monumental step.”

BC hasn’t won eight games in a season since 2009, and the hiring of a veteran NFL and college coach like O’Brien offers a harbinger of optimism moving forward. The overarching theme of the day was a return home for O’Brien, who grew up in the area and has a deep family history at Boston College.

“I went into coaching in 1993 when I got out of Brown,” O’Brien said. “I went into coaching [starting] at Brown, and I always dreamed about being the head coach at Boston College.”

O’Brien’s hire resonates locally and nationally with the commitment of Boston College to bring in a coach with such a significant pedigree.

Thursday’s news conference, which was packed with family members, former players and an outsize contingent of local media, stressed local ties, as O’Brien’s arrival at Boston College is a homecoming. He grew up in nearby Andover, graduated high school from St. John’s Prep in nearby Danvers and played at Brown in nearby Providence.

Amid a roll call of family members — and getting choked up when thanking his wife, Colleen — O’Brien expressed gratitude that his coaching journey brought him back to a job he had always wanted.

“My career has taken some twists and turns and taken me down roads I never could have imagined,” he said. “But as I stand here today, I couldn’t be more grateful that the road has finally taken me back home to Boston College.”

O’Brien comes to BC with two successful head-coaching stints on his résumé, as he capably guided Penn State through the grisly years in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault convictions. He also reached the NFL playoffs four times as the head coach of the Houston Texans.

He also has served as offensive coordinator at Alabama and with the New England Patriots.

O’Brien moved back to the Boston area last year for the job with the Patriots. When he took the offensive coordinator job at Ohio State last month, his family planned to stay in the Boston area, so when the Boston College job came open soon after, it marked a significant opportunity.

“I’m still kind of pinching myself,” Colleen O’Brien, who graduated from BC in 1992, told ESPN. “It doesn’t seem real. The past 10 days were kind of in a whirlwind, but we’ve talked about this place a lot, about this job a lot. And just to see it finally come to fruition, it’s pretty amazing.”

One son, Michael, is a college baseball player at nearby Tufts. Their other son, Jack, has a rare genetic brain malformation known as lissencephaly, which requires significant medical care. Part of the reason the O’Brien family wasn’t following Bill to Columbus was to stay close to nearby Boston Children’s Hospital for the quality of the care available for Jack.

Bill O’Brien thanked Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his remarks, saying he appreciated Day’s “patience and understanding” about O’Brien wanting to return home. The Buckeyes have since hired Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator.

O’Brien went 15-9 in his two seasons at Penn State, 2012 and 2013, calmly guiding the school and program through the lowest moment in school history. With the Texans, O’Brien went 52-48 during his tenure from 2014 to 2020, including four playoff bids in the five seasons between 2015 and 2019. He won playoff games in 2016 and 2019.

His tenure at Boston College comes at an interesting moment for the school and the athletic department. BC has 31 Division I sports and has seen only middling success in football and men’s basketball over the past 15 years.

The O’Brien hire looms as a harbinger of commitment from the school, which has upped the staff salary and support pool for O’Brien. One of the signs of those deeper pockets appeared after O’Brien’s news conference Thursday, when longtime friend and strength coach Craig Fitzgerald shook hands and said hello to the assembled.

BC hired Fitzgerald from Florida in the days after O’Brien’s hire.

O’Brien said that Fitzgerald was instrumental in “helping to keep that program together” at Penn State and that he has been appreciative of the financial commitment BC has given him to put together a strong staff. He said BC officials are “making things happen” so far. “We believe in toughness, hard work,” O’Brien said. “We believe in lifting weights. We believe in the science, but we know on the football field, we have to move people, especially up front. We have to tackle people. We have to sometimes run people over.”

James said the school’s investment into football has been led by the college president, Father William P. Leahy.

“It’s an investment that we’re continuing to make, to move up more and more,” James said. “At the same time, it’s consistent with who we are as an institution. So I don’t know where we would fall in the league, but I know Bill feels good about it, and if my coach feels good about it, I feel good about it. And again, we appreciate the institution helping us get to that point.”

O’Brien inherits a solid roster coming off a 7-6 season. That includes returning quarterback Thomas Castellanos — O’Brien has taken to calling him “Tommy” — and a strong offensive line let by veterans Ozzy Trapilo and Drew Kendall.

O’Brien said that the program’s identity will be on the offensive and defensive lines and that they’ll try to channel past generations of BC football, which has been known for dominant line play.

“We will not be out-toughed,” O’Brien said. “We will not be outcompeted.”

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NHL free agency tracker: Updated list of the summer signings

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NHL free agency tracker: Updated list of the summer signings

There has been no shortage of excitement already this NHL offseason. Following the Florida Panthers‘ second consecutive Stanley Cup championship — and seemingly never-ending celebration — the annual period of roster modification has begun.

The 2025 NHL draft included 224 prospects finding new homes, and the weekend included trades for Noah Dobson, Charlie Coyle and John Gibson. On Monday, a slew of re-signings, and the trade of Mitch Marner, took several big names off the free agent big board.

Below you will find our continuously updated free agency tracker for 2025, featuring a list of every player signed, including average annual value of the contract in most cases. Analysis of the biggest deals can be found here.

Note that the newest deals are on top, denoted by date.

Draft recap: All 224 picks
Grades for all 32 teams
Winners and losers

July 3

The Hurricanes have signed the most coveted free agent left on the board; former Jet Nikolaj Ehlers is heading to Carolina via a six-year, $8.5 million AAV contract.


The Sharks are building an elite young core of skilled players, but the front office is also surrounding them with veterans to show the youngsters the ropes. That latter trend continued Thursday, with San Jose agreeing to terms on a two-year, $6.5 million AAV pact with defenseman Dmitry Orlov.

Deal details

July 2

One of the most legendary old guys without a Stanley Cup, Brent Burns is joining the Avalanche on a one-year contract to try to fill that gap on his résumé.

Deal details | Signing grade


Perhaps acknowledging that they will no longer be in the Nikolaj Ehlers business, the Jets added a seasoned middle-six winger instead in Gustav Nyquist, who is agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million pact.


Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev has switched sides in the Capitals-Penguins rivalry! He’ll patrol the blue line in Pittsburgh next season, thanks to a one-year, $775,000 deal.


The Pius Suter Derby is over. The veteran forward will be plying his trade for the Blues, inking a two-year, $4 million AAV pact with the club.

Deal details


The big addition for the Golden Knights this offseason was Mitch Marner, but they’re making depth moves too, including signing defenseman Kaedan Korczak to a four-year, $3.25 million AAV contract.


Winnipeg: Cold in the winter. Detroit: Slightly less cold in the winter. Mason Appleton is about to find out after signing a two-year, $2.9 million AAV contract.


The Devils saw enough out of Cody Glass during the 2024-25 season to re-sign him. His new deal is for two years, $2.5 million AAV.


Salmon Arm, British Columbia, native Curtis Lazar is headed back to Western Canada, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Oilers.


Veteran winger Anthony Mantha has made the rounds in recent seasons, and his next NHL home is in Pittsburgh, inking a one-year, $2.5 million pact.

July 1

After a brief stint for an American-based team, Andrew Mangiapane is back in Western Canada, inking a two-year, $3.6 million AAV deal with the Oilers.

Deal details


Forward Justin Brazeau has chosen the Penguins as his next NHL destination, inking a two-year, $1.5 million AAV contract.


The Devils continued adding to their forward depth, adding veteran scoring winger Evgenii Dadonov via a one-year, $1 million deal.


The July 1 goalie rush continues. The Mammoth are the latest team to make an addition in the crease, inking Stanley Cup champion Vitek Vanecek via a one-year, $1.5 million deal.


Offensive defenseman John Klingberg is headed to San Jose, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $4 million pact with the Sharks.


One of the top remaining free agents available, veteran forward Mikael Granlund has landed with the Ducks on a three-year deal.

Deal details | Signing grade


Veteran bottom-six forward Lars Eller has chosen the Senators as his next team, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1.25 million deal.


The Penguins have extended their business relationships with Philip Tomasino (one year, $1.75 million) and Connor Dewar (one year, $1.1 million).


As part of the effort to retake the title of Florida’s best hockey team, the Lightning have inked Pontus Holmberg to a two-year, $1.55 million AAV contract.


The Wild have added Nico Sturm. The former Panther has signed a two-year, $2 million AAV contract.


The Sabres have entered the chat! The club’s first big deal of the day is inking goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year, $1.5 million AAV contract.


The Kraken add to their goaltending depth, adding former Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray on a one-year, $1 million contract.


The Islanders had themselves a great draft weekend, and they continue the momentum in free agency, adding veteran forward Jonathan Drouin on a two-year, $4 million AAV deal.

Deal details


The Stars are on the board. Hours after announcing the official hiring of Glen Gulutzan as the club’s new head coach, the Stars have brought back forward Radek Faksa on a two-year, $3 million AAV contract.


Earlier on Tuesday the Kings lost defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the Rangers. To help fill that blue-line gap, they signed Cody Ceci (four years, $4.5 million AAV) and Brian Dumoulin (three years, $4 million AAV). They also signed goaltender Anton Forsberg for two years, $2.25 million AAV.

Deal details


Defenseman Nick Perbix has thus far only known NHL life as a member of the Lightning. He’ll head to Nashville next, agreeing to a two-year, $2.75 million AAV deal with the Predators.


The Panthers have gone to the veteran defenseman well again, signing Jeff Petry to a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Deal details


Fresh off a Stanley Cup with the Panthers, defenseman Nate Schmidt is joining the Mammoth by way of a three-year, $3.5 million AAV contract.

Deal details | Signing grade


The NHL career of James van Riemsdyk will continue, as he has agreed to terms with the Red Wings on a one-year, $1 million deal. Separately, the Wings added Jacob Bernard-Docker on a one-year, $875,000 contract.

Deal details


The Bruins add to their depth, agreeing to terms with Sean Kuraly on a two-year, $1.85 million AAV pact.


Another key member of the Panthers’ championship roster is returning. Veteran forward Tomas Nosek has agreed to a one-year deal.


After completing the 2024-25 season with the Jets, veteran forward Brandon Tanev is sticking in the Central Division, but heading to Utah by way of a three-year, $2.5 million AAV deal.


Take another goalie’s name off the big board! Kaapo Kahkonen has agreed to terms with the Canadiens on a one-year deal worth $1.15 million. In a separate deal, the club also signed forward Sammy Blais.


The winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey, defenseman Scott Perunovich has signed a one-year deal with the Mammoth.


In need of some backup goaltending depth, the Islanders agreed to terms with “Big Save” Dave Rittich on a one-year deal.


Diminutive, versatile forward Kailer Yamamoto is the latest player added by the Mammoth, by way of a one-year, $775,000 pact.


Veteran center Nick Bjugstad has made his decision: He’s joining the Blues by way of a two-year contract.


Veteran defenseman Ryan Lindgren finished the 2024-25 season with the Avalanche, and he’ll head northwest for his next NHL home, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $4.5 million AAV contract.

Signing grade


The Senators haven’t been able to lure any new free agents to the club yet, but their re-signing game remains strong. After re-upping with Claude Giroux, the Sens also continued their business relationship with Nick Cousins via a one-year, $825,000 pact.


Sure to be a fan favorite in Beantown, veteran forward Tanner Jeannot has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Bruins, with a $3.4 million AAV.


A sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft, winger Michael Pezzetta is going from Montreal to Toronto via a two-year, $787,500 AAV contract.


Connor Brown impressed a lot of viewers with inspired play during the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. Now, he’ll bring that energy to the Devils, who have signed him to a four-year, $3 million AAV contract.


The defenseman market is one key player smaller, as the Rangers have agreed to terms with Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year, $7 million AAV contract.

Deal details | Signing grade


One of the top goaltending options available is off the board, with Dan Vladar joining the Flyers via a two-year, $3.35 million AAV contract.

Deal details


Veteran feisty forward Corey Perry is switching sides in the Oilers-Kings rivalry, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with salary and bonuses worth $3.5 million. Separately, the Kings also signed veteran forward Joel Armia to a two-year deal with a $2.5 million AAV.

Deal details | Signing grade


One of the top available free agents has made a decision … and he’ll be re-signing. Brock Boeser is back with the Canucks by way of a seven-year, $7.3 million AAV contract.

Deal details | Signing grade


Parker Kelly will continue his career with the Avalanche, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract with a $1.7 million AAV.


Veteran forward Colin Blackwell will be returning to the Stars, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with a $775,000 AAV.


Christian Dvorak has moved on from the Canadiens, agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Flyers.

Deal details


Noah Juulsen, welcome to Philly! The Flyers have inked the 28-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $900,000 deal.


Defenseman Ryan Johnson is sticking with the Sabres, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with a $775,000 AAV.


The top-rated goaltender slated to hit free agency this offseason will not make it to market; Jake Allen is back with the Devils via a five-year contract with a $1.8 million AAV.

Deal details | Signing grade


Veteran offensive defenseman Tony DeAngelo will be back with the Islanders for 2025-26, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

June 30

The Red Wings will be continuing their relationship with veteran forward Patrick Kane, inking a one-year, $3 million extension.

Deal details | Signing grade


The band is getting back together. After re-upping with Sam Bennett last week, the Panthers re-signed both Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand on Monday.

Deal details | Signing grade


Rumors of a Mitch Marner trade popped up during draft weekend, and they came to fruition Monday, as the Maple Leafs inked Marner to an eight-year, $12 million average annual value extension, then traded him to the Golden Knights for Nicolas Roy.

Deal details | Trade grades


The Oilers will not be allowing one of their promising young players to leave via offer sheet, as they signed restricted free agent defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $10.5 million AAV contract.

Deal details | Signing grade


Veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov would have been one of the most sought-after blueliners on the free agent market. Instead, he’ll be back with the Blue Jackets for the foreseeable future, agreeing to a seven-year, $8.5 million AAV deal.

Deal details | Signing grade

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Harris, horse breeder, philanthropist, dies at 81

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Harris, horse breeder, philanthropist, dies at 81

COALINGA, Calif. — John C. Harris, a breeder of thoroughbreds whose Harris Farms foaled and raised 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, died. He was 81.

He died Wednesday, according to Harris Farms. No cause of death or location was provided.

Harris didn’t breed either California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year, or Tiznow, but both spent their early years at his Coalinga farm in California’s San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Both horses were elected to the sport’s Hall of Fame.

California Chrome was the first California-bred to win the Derby since 1962. The colt went on to win the Preakness, but had his Triple Crown bid derailed in the Belmont.

Harris Farms stood many leading California sires, including Unusual Heat, Cee’s Tizzy, Lucky Pulpit, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation and Smiling Tiger.

Harris was born on his family’s farm on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He served for two years in the Army.

He became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms in 1981 following the death of his father, Jack, and led the ranch for decades, including Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Ranch Beef Co., Harris Feeding Co., Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division and Harris Fresh.

Harris was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting his alma mater as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. He donated horses to a program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga that gives horses and prisoners a new start through its vocational training program.

“Mr. Harris’ foresight, courage and willingness to invest his energy and assets in making our sport be better and rise higher in the eyes of the general public was a thing of pure beauty,” the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said in a statement. “We owe him a great debt for dedicating his life to the marvelous animals we all love.”

Harris served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board for three years and was a longtime board member and former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a member of the California Racing Hall of Fame.

“No one understood and appreciated the intersection of agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding and racing more than John, who was a farmer at heart,” Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said in a statement. “His presence was felt from his native California, to the farms and sales rings he frequented in central Kentucky, and all the way to Washington, D.C., where he helped shape and support the industry’s federal policies.”

Harris was involved in horse breeding and racing for more than 50 years.

He gave trainer Carla Gaines her first horse in 1989 and she went on to train numerous stakes winners for Harris Farms.

“His contributions to the thoroughbred industry in our state cannot be overstated and his support was unwavering,” Santa Anita Park said in a statement. “The green and white Harris Farms silks were omnipresent in Santa Anita’s winner’s circle and the legacy of the man they represent will be everlasting.”

Harris is survived by his wife, Cookie.

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Nats slugger Wood commits to Home Run Derby

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Nats slugger Wood commits to Home Run Derby

Washington Nationals slugger James Wood will bring his massive power to the big stage, becoming the third player to commit to the July 14 Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

Wood, 22, has delivered 22 home runs in 86 games during his first full major league season. He was acquired by the Nationals in 2022 as part of the package of top prospects Washington received in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres.

Wood announced the commitment on Instagram, with a video montage of himself, along with video clips of former Atlanta Braves star Hank Aaron hitting his record 714th home run in 1974. The video included the words, “Derby bound.”

Wood has 12 homers that have been hit harder than 110 mph. It’s the second most in the league behind Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani‘s 13. Wood also has four dingers that have been launched longer than 445 feet.

The Seattle MarinersCal Raleigh and the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. also have committed to the event, with five more participants still to be named.

Raleigh, who would become the first catcher to win the event, has a major-league-best 33 home runs. Acuna has nine home runs in 36 games after returning from a torn left ACL that also limited him to 49 games last season.

Defending champion Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers already has said he will not defend his Home Run Derby crown.

Field Level Media and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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