BOSTON – Frank Spaziani is the new football coach at Boston College, promoted after spending 12 seasons as an assistant with the Eagles.

This Dec. 27, 2006 file photo shows Boston College interim head coach Frank Spaziani, right, directing his team during practice for the Meineke Car Care Bowl college football game in Charlotte, N.C. Spaziani is the new football coach at Boston College, promoted after spending 12 seasons as an assistant with the Eagles. Spaziani's appointment will be announced at a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, according to a person with knowledge of the decision who requested anonymity because the school had not made an announcement. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Spaziani's appointment will be announced at a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the decision who requested anonymity because the school had not made an announcement.

Spaziani takes over for Jeff Jagodzinski, who was fired after he interviewed for the coaching job with the New York Jets. Jagodzinski, who had three years left on his five-year contract, had been told by athletic director Gene DeFilippo that he would be fired if he went through with the interview.

DeFilippo has said he wants a coach who will serve out the full length of his contract.

Spaziani spent the past 10 seasons as BC's defensive coordinator after two years as running backs coach. He became interim coach in 2006 when Tom O'Brien left to become coach of North Carolina State before the Eagles played in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. BC beat Navy 25-24 in that game.

Spaziani was passed over for the coaching job when DeFilippo went outside the college to hire Jagodzinski, then offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Spaziani was one of two BC assistants who kept their jobs on the new staff.

Jagodzinski led the Eagles to a 20-8 record and one bowl win in two seasons, but they lost his last game in the Music City Bowl to Vanderbilt 16-14 on Dec. 31.

He was fired last Wednesday, the day after meeting with the Jets.

"We're really good friends and this is a very difficult thing to do," DeFilippo, appearing despondent, said then. "We will find somebody who really wants to be at Boston College and will be here for the length of their contract."

Promoting Spaziani should lessen any impact Jagodzinski's departure might have on recruiting since incoming players will not have to play for a coach new to the program. DeFilippo wanted to interview at least two candidates from outside BC.

Spaziani spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League before joining BC. He also has been defensive coordinator for two year of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and an assistant coach for nine years at Virginia.