NEW YORK — It's a lot of ado about a coach not likely to land the job.

Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski, as of Monday night, was expected to interview with the Jets about their vacant head-coaching position. And because Jagodzinski is following through with those plans, Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo all but confirmed Monday that means termination from the coach's current post.

"He did a wonderful job for us while he was here at BC," DeFilippo told ESPN. "I wish Jeff would not take this interview and would remain as head coach at BC."

The Jets would not confirm or deny having interest in Jagodzinski, though a source familiar with the organization's search said there is interest and that the team reached out to him last weekend. But the source said, "Interest doesn't mean hired."

It's all enough to make owner Woody Johnson wonder if he should have taken a few extra vacation days.

Another source Monday confirmed the Jets' intention to interview Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm. That interview, the source said, will take place Thursday in Arizona.

Johnson, who returned from vacation Monday but who stayed in constant touch with general manager Mike Tannenbaum last week when the interview process started, will be present for the Grimm interview, as will Tannenbaum.

Interviews have yet to be scheduled — but will be — with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Former Ravens coach Brian Billick also is expected to interview at some point, and the Jets have not ruled out talking to Mike Shanahan when he returns from his vacation in two weeks.

But Monday belonged, and not in a good way, to Jagodzinski, who went 20-8 with two ACC Atlantic Division titles as BC's coach the last two seasons. DeFilippo told ESPN that when he hired Jagodzinski, it was understood he would stay for more than two seasons.

"We certainly expected it would be more than two years before he would look or accept an interview (with another team)," DeFilippo told ESPN. "All contracts are different, as well as the spirit and intent of the contract."

The Boston Globe reported that nothing in Jagodzinski's contract prohibits him from interviewing elsewhere, but "there was an understanding that Jagodzinski ... would refrain from seeking other jobs for at least three seasons."

The Globe reported that DeFilippo's main problem was discovering not through the coach but through a reporter who called to ask about it Saturday that the Jets had made contact with Jagodzinski.

The Jets declined to comment through a team spokesman.

The Jets' interest in Jagodzinski incorrectly has been characterized by some as reaching into the college ranks in their search. Though that technically is true, Jagodzinski has considerably more experience at the professional level.

He coached the Packers' tight ends from 1999-2002, did the same for the Falcons in 2003-04 and became Atlanta's offensive line coach in 2005. In 2006, Jagodzinski was hired as Green Bay's offensive coordinator. It is not yet clear if Brett Favre had any influence in Jagodzinski's candidacy.

From Green Bay, Jagodzinski moved on to Boston College in 2007 and mentored quarterback Matt Ryan, this season's NFL rookie of the year.

"It's not a big secret," an NCAA source said, "that Jeff wanted to return to pro football."

In some capacity — whether in New York or somewhere else — Jagodzinski's return to the NFL appears certain.