Boston College has hired former Miami (Ohio) athletic director Brad Bates to replace Gene DeFilippo, who retired as athletic director on Sept. 30, the school announced on Tuesday.

Bates is going to have a chance to put his stamp on the program immediately, first with his decision about the future of embattled coach Frank Spaziani, and second with a new hire should he decide to go that route. It's not looking good for Spaziani. The Eagles are 1-4, have lost three straight, and have yet to beat an FBS team this season as they head to Tallahassee this weekend to face No. 12 Florida State.

Bates is coming in with an appreciation for good football.

He is a graduate of Michigan, where he began as a walk-on defensive back before earning a scholarship under legendary coach Bo Schembechler. He has a master's degree in education from Michigan and a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt. He was also a member of the faculty at Miami (Ohio), teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in sports administration.

As athletic director at Miami, Bates oversaw a program that featured the school's first back-to-back football bowl game appearances in nearly 30 years (2003-2004) and two MAC championships in 2003 and 2010. Under his direction, 14 of Miami's 18 teams won at least one conference championship, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, soccer, cross-country and field hockey. The RedHawks men's ice hockey team won a Central Collegiate Hockey Association championship and appeared in two consecutive NCAA Frozen Fours, including the national championship game in 2009.

BC is known for its hockey. We'll see if Bates can make it known for its football again.