Bill O’Brien was just appointed by Ryan Day as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, but this appointment may not last long as O’Brien is now a strong candidate to take over as Boston College’s head coach, according to Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports.
After former head coach Jeff Hafley left to become the defensive coordinator for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, a vacancy at Boston College emerged late in the coaching carousel.
As sources told Feldman, Boston College is reportedly considering individuals with head coaching experience, which includes O’Brien, Texas analyst and former Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst, and current Army head coach Jeff Monken. Furthermore, the Boston Herald revealed on Monday that O’Brien’s negotiations with the ACC school are well advanced.
In addition to his accomplishments in college football, O’Brien is well-known for having helped Penn State rebuild after the Jerry Sandusky scandal. In the NFL, he led the Houston Texans to four AFC South titles and two postseason triumphs over the course of six full seasons before being fired in 2020 after the team’s winless start to the season.
Born in Boston, O’Brien rose to prominence as an assistant coach in New England. Before leaving for Penn State, he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Patriots in 2011, helping them make it to the Super Bowl.
He also enjoyed a successful run in the same role under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2021 and 2022, helping quarterback Bryce Young win the Heisman Trophy and be selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
When O’Brien was named Ohio State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on January 19, many were taken aback by his unexpected return to college football after a difficult 2023 season as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
With the transfer, Day underwent a major shift during what looks to be a pivotal offseason for the Buckeyes. Day took over as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2019 when Urban Meyer was fired, and he has been in charge of the team’s play calling and offense ever since.
It’s unclear if Day will take up those duties in the event that O’Brien leaves for Boston College.
