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It would appear the rumors of assistant coach Scott Spinelli's impending departure have picked up steam, as head coach Mark Turgeon has confirmed Maryland's assistant coach is in talks with former conference rival Boston College.
Terps assistant Scott Spinelli is in "serious talks" with Boston College to become an assistant coach, Mark Turgeon said. Nothing final yet.
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 7, 2014
Turgeon declined to provide specifics on Spinelli's deal, but says something that he called reporters while negotiations are ongoing
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 7, 2014
That would certainly suggest that Spinelli is on the way out to work with new head coach Jim Christian's staff, which on the surface may seem a bit of a surprising move -- Spinelli has been a candidate for mid-major coaching jobs in the past, and on the surface this looks like a lateral (at best) move.
But, as always, there's more to it. Spinelli is from Massachusetts, and attended Boston University, so it could be a simple homecoming situation (like that of former Maryland defensive coordinator Don Brown). Spinelli may also feel his stock as a potential head coaching option has stagnated after working so long with Turgeon, and a new place (and face) may do him well.
It's safe to assume the job would also include a pay-bump, but we'll have to wait and see if any potential details come out. Spinelli has been the X's and O's guy for a team that has had some serious issues on that front over the past three years, so it wouldn't be too surprising if there wasn't much fight from Turgeon in trying to keep him.