Bill O’Brien, the former head coach of the Houston Texans and offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, has been named as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Ohio State University. The announcement was made by the school on Friday, signaling a significant addition to the coaching staff.
O’Brien’s appointment comes with high expectations, as he is expected to have enough autonomy on offense to allow head coach Ryan Day to step away from play-calling duties. This move could potentially free up Day to focus on other aspects of coaching and strategy, while O’Brien takes charge of the team’s offensive game plan.
In a statement, Coach Day expressed his confidence in O’Brien’s abilities, stating, “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge – and a tremendous amount of success – at both the NFL and collegiate levels. He is an excellent and experienced offensive coach who has run NFL and Power 5 programs and developed some truly elite players throughout his career. He’ll be an excellent teacher and recruiter for us, and he absolutely strengthens our staff.”
O’Brien’s arrival means that Corey Dennis, who has been the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks coach for the past four years, will be replaced. Dennis, who is the son-in-law of former OSU coach Urban Meyer, is expected to transition into an undetermined role within the program.
Brian Hartline, the team’s wide receivers coach, will also take on the role of co-offensive coordinator alongside his current position. This move further solidifies the coaching staff and brings in additional expertise to help guide the team’s offensive strategies.
Bill O’Brien has had an impressive coaching career thus far. He previously coached Penn State in 2012 and 2013, leading the team during a challenging period following the firing of longtime coach Joe Paterno. He then went on to become the head coach of the Houston Texans for seven years, leading them to three playoff berths.
After his tenure with the Texans, O’Brien was hired by Nick Saban to be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Alabama. Under O’Brien’s tutelage, Alabama’s offense thrived, with quarterback Bryce Young winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021. The Crimson Tide ranked sixth nationally in scoring that year, averaging 39.9 points, and fourth nationally in 2022, averaging 41.1 points.
O’Brien’s most recent coaching role was with the New England Patriots, where he served as the offensive coordinator. However, the team struggled offensively, averaging only 13.9 points per game, tying with the Carolina Panthers for the worst in the league.
Despite this recent setback, O’Brien’s track record and experience make him a valuable addition to Ohio State’s coaching staff. His ability to develop players and run successful offensive programs at both the NFL and collegiate levels will undoubtedly benefit the Buckeyes.
Bill O’Brien’s journey to becoming a prominent football coach began in his home state of Massachusetts. He played football at Brown University before starting his coaching career at his alma mater. He then moved on to coaching positions at Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Duke before joining the New England Patriots as an assistant coach. During his time with the Patriots, he worked closely with quarterback Tom Brady and eventually became the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In his final year with the Patriots, O’Brien led the team to the Super Bowl, where they unfortunately lost to the New York Giants. Following this success, he was hired by Penn State to succeed Joe Paterno amidst a sexual abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Despite the challenging circumstances, O’Brien was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2012 for leading the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record.
With his extensive coaching experience and proven track record, Bill O’Brien is poised to make a significant impact on Ohio State’s football program. His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s offensive strategies and contribute to their continued success.
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