REPORT: Northwestern Close to Hiring OC Mike Bajakian
By Kevin Sweeney
It appears that Pat Fitzgerald has found his new new offensive coordinator.
Multiple media reports have connected current Boston College offensive coordinator and QB coach Mike Bajakian to the position, with Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports reporting that a deal is being finalized. Bajakian’s position on next year’s Boston College staff was in question after head coach Steve Addazio was dismissed this offseason.
Bajakian possesses a multitude of collegiate and NFL coaching experience. Before his one year at BC, Bajakian spent four seasons as the QB coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before that, he spent as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, University of Cincinnati, and Central Michigan University.
In his lone year in Chestnut Hill, Bajakian led an offensive turnaround that saw BC jump from 87th to 33rd in SP+ offense, despite losing starting quarterback Anthony Brown to a season-ending injury midway through the season. The Eagles averaged almost 31 points per game and over 450 yards of total offense per game. Under Bakajian’s tutelage, star running back AJ Dillon totaled 1,685 rush yards (over five yards per rush).
Bajakian is known for playing an up-tempo, spread offense, but noted this summer that his time in Tampa Bay taught him more creative ways to use tight ends. Among the notable players he has coached in his career are Antonio Brown, Jameis Winston, and Josh Dobbs.
Bajakian was the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Boston College, so it would seem likely that he will assume the same position with the Wildcats.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.