Bill O’Brien sets tone for BC with fast-paced, NFL style practice

Dressed in all black, unfazed by the sweltering heat, new Boston College football coach Bill O’Brien set the tone on Day 1 of training camp Saturday morning.

At 8:30 a.m. sharp, he reminded quarterback Thomas Castellanos that his technique has to be perfect. At 9:21 a.m., he gathered his players at midfield and bellowed that the execution needs to be better. At 9:47 a.m., he made the offense run a lap following an infraction and told everyone within earshot that that’s not what they’re doing at BC anymore.

Practice was efficient, energy was high, and reps were plentiful. Offensive and defensive players clashed and multiple scuffles ensued. The execution was far from perfect, but it’s clear already that habits are forming.

“I’m really proud of the fact that they’ve bought into every facet of what we’re trying to do,” O’Brien said.

The program is still eyeing its first eight-win season since 2009, and there are several reasons to think this could be the year. After former head coach Jeff Hafley took a job as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator, O’Brien’s arrival yielded a sense of rejuvenation and optimism.

At the same time, the Eagles know they have to prove themselves before they garner national respect. When asked whether he uses BC’s low preseason conference ranking as motivation, O’Brien didn’t hesitate.

“Hell yeah. You kidding me?” he said. “What are there, 17 teams in the ACC? What are we, 17th?

The Eagles were picked 14th, but the sentiment holds true.

“Look, it is what it is,” said O’Brien, who spent last year as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. “I can’t control what people think. All we can control is what we’re doing.”

His NFL-style practice moved fluidly, with pressure-packed drills to simulate game action. O’Brien’s tough-love style has already resonated with players.

“It’s really old school,” graduate student defensive tackle Cam Horsley said of his coach’s approach. “It’s black and white. There’s no gray area. If you do something well, you do it well. If you do something bad, you’ve got something to work on. Everyone can always improve. No one’s complacent here.”

That mindset starts with Castellanos, a 5-foot-9-inch, 196-pound dual-threat quarterback. Castellanos finished last season with 3,360 yards, third all time at BC behind guys named Matt Ryan and Doug Flutie.

Even so, he still has plenty of room to grow. Castellanos completed 57.3 percent of his passes and only threw one more touchdown than interception (15-14).

O’Brien said his ability to run the offense has improved “tenfold,” crediting him for arriving early to sharpen his technique. It’s clear O’Brien wants to establish more of a deep threat this year.

“He’s taken huge strides,” graduate student offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo said of Castellanos. “It’s really exciting for the team. Last year, he got thrown in there and did well. He’s had the whole offseason to work as the guy. He’s really assumed that position.”

Receiver Jerand Bradley, running back Kye Robichaux, defensive backs Max Tucker and Bryquice Brown stood out on Day 1. O’Brien liked the overall effort but hopes to see more from an execution standpoint.

“I think it was a little sloppy today,” O’Brien said. “Always like that on the first day. The defense is a little bit ahead of the offense right now. It was a decent start.”