Chestnut Hill, MA (Sports Network) - Boston College announced the firing of head football coach Jeff Jagodzinski at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

The move came a day after Jagodzinski met with the New York Jets about their head coaching vacancy.

BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo, who was the lone participant at the press conference, met Wednesday morning with Jagodzinski. DeFilippo learned over the weekend that Jagodzinski would interview with the Jets, but said he'd be fired if the coach met with personnel for an NFL team.

"This decision was mine. I asked for approval from the administration and they gave me that approval," said DeFilippo. "I made the decision because I think Jeff and I were really divided on the future of this program and what we wanted from the program. With that I think the decision had to be made."

The 45-year-old Jagodzinski compiled a 20-8 record over two seasons at Boston College. That includes a 9-5 mark this year, and a loss to Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl. Jagodzinski had three years remaining on his contract.

DeFilippo said a search for a new coach will start immediately with interviews of internal and external candidates.

"We're going to find somebody who really wants to be at Boston College and who is going to be here for the length of their contract," said DeFilippo.

In his first year at BC, Jagodzinski led the Eagles to an 11-3 record, a No. 10 finish in the polls and the first of two straight ACC Atlantic Division championships.

This likely means a return to the NFL for Jagodzinski, who was the tight ends coach for Green Bay from 1999-2003. He was the offensive line coach for Atlanta from 2004-05 and returned to Green Bay the following season as offensive coordinator.

If he doesn't get the job with the Jets, one possible spot for Jagodzinski is the offensive coordinator's position in Seattle. Seahawks new head coach Jim Mora Jr. and Jagodzinski worked together for the Falcons.

"Jags and I, we're really good friends," said DeFilippo. "This is a very, very difficult thing to do. As I've said many times before, Jeff Jagodzinski is a wonderful person and he's a heck of a football coach. A coach of his talents and his personality will have many opportunities in the future and I am absolutely certain of his continued success."

The Boston Globe reports defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani is the leading candidate to replace Jagodzinski.