Now that Bates has done the easy part, it's time for the school's new A.D. to roll up his sleeves and get to work. He let everyone know he was doing just that in a message to his Twitter followers.

I'm already fully immersed in the search for your next football coach. I appreciate all the positive input. I'll keep you posted throughout. — Brad Bates (@BCBradBates) November 26, 2012

Here are some updates on the Boston College football coaching search.

-- On Monday, the Herald's Rich Thompson named only two candidates by name -- Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. Also on Monday, Diaco was named one of five finalists for the 2012 Broyles Award, honoring the top assistant college football coach in the nation. The other finalists are Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Texas A&M OC Kliff Kingsbury, Florida DC Dan Quinn and Stanford DC Derek Mason.

-- The Globe's staff report on the search included Miami head coach Al Golden, Diaco, Kent State HC Darrell Hazell and Cleveland Browns QB coach Mark Whipple. Other possibilities listed included UNH head coach Sean McDonnell, Temple HC Steve Addazio, Mississippi State HC Dan Mullen and Harvard HC Tim Murphy. Not many surprises on this list. Nearly all have been linked to the Eagles vacant head coaching position over the past few days.

-- ESPN Boston's Jack McCluskey linked the same set of names to the search: Whipple, Murphy, Hazell, Golden and Diaco.

-- The Union Leader notes the number of candidates with New Hampshire ties. UNH coach Sean McDonnell downplayed his candidacy through a spokesperson:

"He said, 'Tell them I'm going to B.C. for summer camp like I do every year,' " said Murphy, citing McDonnell's participation in Boston College's football camp for high school players. "His name comes up a lot in these things."

In addition to Mullen and McDonnell, Temple OC Ryan Day and Jack Bicknell Jr. are floated as possible candidates to replace Spaz.

-- Three of N.C. State's prime candidates -- Cincinnati's Butch Jones, Louisiana Tech's Sonny Dykes and Florida State DC Mark Stoops -- all reportedly said no to Kentucky. Because it's Kentucky. None of these guys seem like prime candidates for the Boston College opening. Both BC and N.C. State are stuck with the bill for three years remaining on each's former HC's contract.

-- Bates also mentioned that he wants to move quickly, but not hastily.