Ben Sirmans Position: Running Backs Coach Experience: Fourth Season

Ben Sirmans returns to the Boston College sideline for his fourth season as running backs coach.

In 2009, Sirmans coached Montel Harris, who recorded eight 100-yard games, the fifth-most in a single season at BC. Harris eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in his career and ranks 10th in that category. He set the BC sophomore rushing records in yards and attempts and finished the season with five straight 100-yard games. Harris finished second in the ACC in rushing, averaging 112.1 yards per game. Despite being picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic Division in preseason media voting, the 2009 Eagles finished with an 8-5 record, came within one win of playing in a third consecutive ACC Championship Game, and played in a bowl game for a school-record 11th consecutive season.

In 2008, Sirmans mentored the second-most prolific true freshman running back tandem in the country in Josh Haden and Harris. The duo combined for 106 yards per game, which was the second-best true freshman total in the country. Harris, who was not offered a scholarship until two weeks before signing day, exploded onto the scene and became the most productive true freshman tailback ever at BC. He had rookie records with five 100-yard rushing games and a total of 900 yards on the year. Harris finished fifth in the ACC in rushing and third in the ACC in all-purpose yards with 1,479.

In 2007, Sirmans helped running back Andre Callender set a BC single-season record for receptions (76), earning him All-ACC second-team honors. Callender led the ACC in yards from scrimmage (rushing, receiving) and set a single-season ACC record for most pass receptions by a running back.

The 2007 Eagles began the season 8-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country en route to finishing 11-3, the first BC team to win 11 games since 1940. The team played in its first ACC Championship Game and won an eighth consecutive bowl game. The Eagles finished 10th in the final AP poll, BC's best final ranking since 1984.

Sirmans brought 10 years of experience as a coach to the BC program when he joined the BC staff in 2007. He began his college coaching career in 1996 at his alma mater, the University of Maine. From 1996 through 1999, Sirmans worked as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Maine. In 1996 and 1997, Sirmans worked with Boston College Defensive Line Coach Jeff Comissiong, who was then an assistant at Maine.

In 2000, Sirmans moved on to Kent State. He coached the running backs for five years, first under current New England Patriots Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees (2000-03), and then under Doug Martin (2004). With Sirmans' assistance, the Kent State offense was notably productive. In 2001 and 2002, the Golden Eagles rolled up 215 yards per game along the ground, finishing 13th and 15th nationally in rushing production those two seasons. In 2004, Kent State scored 30.5 points per game, the second-highest mark in school history.

In 2005, Sirmans joined the staff at Michigan State as running backs coach. That season, the Spartans finished 20th in the nation, rushing for 201.8 yards per game. In 2006, Sirmans coached special teams as well as the running backs.

In his playing days, Sirmans was a running back at Maine under current Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. His senior year, Sirmans ran for 1,214 yards, earning All-Conference and All-New England honors. He graduated from Maine in 1993 with a degree in physical education, health, and recreation.

A native of East Orange, N.J., Sirmans is married to the former Tia Thompson.