Bill O’Brien was reportedly hired by Ohio State as offensive coordinator.
O’Brien has an extensive coaching background spanning thirty years, during which he has served as a defensive coordinator with notable accomplishments at both the collegiate and NFL levels.
Before assuming the role of offensive coordinator for the Patriots in 2023, O’Brien spent two years at Alabama as the team’s offensive coordinator as well as quarterbacks coach.
Alabama honored Bryce Young with the Heisman Trophy in 2021.
His previous tenure with the Patriots from 2007 to 2011, during which he served as offensive coordinator, and the team finished the season tied for last in the NFL with 13.9 points per game in 2023, was a failure.
However, during that time, the Patriots’ offenses were consistently among the most prolific in the league. Notably, in 2011, they won the American Football Conference championship before falling in Super Bowl XLVI.
In 2012 and 2013, O’Brien oversaw Penn State to a 15-9 record as head coach, notwithstanding NCAA sanctions towards the university that encompassed a postseason prohibition and a reduction in scholarships for both campaigns.
After assuming that role in 2014, he guided the Houston Texans to four AFC South championships throughout six seasons before his dismissal in 2020.
Due to his extensive experience, O’Brien is expected to take on the role of “head coach for the offense,” similar to Jim Knowles’ oversight of the Ohio State defense.
Anticipated is his assumption of offensive play-calling responsibilities, which would enable Ryan Day, who called offensive plays for the first five seasons as head coach, to assume the role of CEO.
Additionally, O’Brien is expected to provide input on the composition of the remaining offensive staff, potentially leading to further personnel adjustments on the offensive end of the ball.
Brian Hartline, who served as offensive coordinator the previous season, will continue in his role as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.
Corey Dennis, who served as the quarterbacks coach at Ohio State for the previous four seasons, is not expected to continue on staff.
Matt Guerrieri, who succeeded Perry Eliano to be safety coach, is the other member of Ohio State’s 2024 coaching staff to be hired under O’Brien.
Following the dismissal of special teams leader Parker Fleming, Ohio State will likely fill one more coaching staff vacancy with a defensive assistant, most likely another defensive line coach.
According to information obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday night, Ohio State has appointed former Houston Texans or Penn State coach Bill O’Brien to the position of offensive coordinator.
Despite the pending university approval for the hire, the individual requested anonymity, but an announcement was still expected by Friday at the latest. ABC was the first to report that Ohio State had hired O’Brien.
Since taking over as head coach in 2019 and transitioning from offensive coordinator, Ryan Day has served as the primary play-caller for Ohio State. By appointing a play-caller with collegiate and NFL experience, Day might be able to delegate these duties.
Brian Hartline, who served as the Ohio State Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator last season, will continue to serve as the staff-wide receivers coach. Last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) rated 25th nationally in yards per play (6.38), their lowest performance since 2016.
Ohio State suffered its third consecutive loss to Michigan before falling in its bowl game against Missouri while operating with a back-string quarterback in the wake of starter Kyle McCord’s transfer and backup Devin Brown’s injury.
At the helm of the Texans for seven seasons, O’Brien, 54, was 52-48 from 2014 to 2020 while collaborating with quarterback Deshaun Watson. From 2009 to 2011, he served as quarterbacks coordinator for Tom Brady.
Before that, he spent two seasons as the head coach at Penn State, replacing Joe Paterno and guiding the squad to a 15-9 record while it dealt with severe NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Two years after being let go by the Texans, O’Brien returned to college and assumed the position of offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama. In 2021, he coached the Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young.
As offensive coordinator, O’Brien returned to the NFL as well as the New England Patriots this season. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick employed him for the first time from 2007 to 2011.