Pete Thamel updates the latest between Bill O'Brien, Boston College amid ongoing coaching search

Despite any outside rumors, ESPN insider Pete Thamel believes Boston College has not found its next head coach yet. During an appearance on “College Football Live” on Tuesday, Thamel provided an update on BC’s coaching search.

“Two things to remember about every Boston College search — one, it will move deliberately,” Thamel said. “It will not have the portal or any other timelines dictate the search.

“Ultimately, this decision comes down to Father William Leahy, who has been the president of BC for almost 30 years. He is not one who is going to give over to fan sentiment or board sentiment. He is going to do what he thinks is best for BC.”

On Jan. 31, former BC head coach Jeff Hafley accepted an offer to become the Green Bay Packers’ next defensive coordinator. Hafley spent four seasons as BC’s head coach, leading the program to a 22-26 record during his tenure.

Bill O’Brien has been the most popular name in the search to replace Hafley. This past season, O’Brien was the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator. However, in January, O’Brien accepted an offer to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.

Where does Bill O’Brien stand in the search?

On Monday, Rich Thompson of The Boston Herald reported O’Brien and BC were close to striking a deal, claiming the two sides were “down to the minor details.” Thamel seemingly doesn’t believe this to be the case.

“We’re sort of in that mid-phase of the search right now,” Thamel said. “A handful of candidates are expected to interview today, among them is obviously Bill O’Brien. He’s been the most prominent public candidate there and certainly, because of his local ties, being with the Patriots for a long time, his wife went to BC, he has sort of emerged as the public favorite.

“But, this will be a full and thorough search that still has one more phase left. A candidate or candidates are expected to come to campus later in the week. So there will be some drama over ‘The Heights’ until we see some smoke from a chimney there.”

If O’Brien opts to leave Ohio State before ever getting started, On3’s Jesse Simonton doesn’t’ believe it’ll take long to replace him. Nonetheless, Simonton admits it certainly isn’t ideal timing for the Buckeyes.

“They’re not gonna have a shortage of candidates,” Simonton said. “It’s Ohio State. It’s much like Kentucky, although an even better spot obviously because it’s Ohio State, but Mark Stoops is going to be able to hire somebody good.

“Ryan Day is in a more unique position because he is giving up play calling and looking for someone that he trusts to kind of bridge his vision with the overall program.”