With one of the worst seasons in the history of Boston College football mercifully over and coach Frank Spaziani removed from his post and spared finally from unceasing criticism that came with consecutive losing campaigns, the search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Athletic director Brad Bates, who was hired in October as successor to Gene DeFilippo, made the first significant decision of his tenure by announcing Sunday, less than 24 hours after the Eagles’ season-ending loss to North Carolina State, that Spaziani would not return after four seasons as head coach.