Bill O’Brien is once again a head coach at the collegiate level.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Boston College is working on a deal that’ll make O’Brien the school’s next head coach. He’ll replace Jeff Hafley, who left the program to become the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
“A deal is expected soon, giving BC a well-regarded coach with extensive NFL experience and strong local ties,” Thamel said.
O’Brien was recently named the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Ohio State. Obviously, that stint didn’t last very long.
Although it has to be tough leaving Ohio State behind, it’s even harder to pass up a head-coaching opportunity. If O’Brien leads Boston College to new heights, he could eventually return to the NFL or get an even better job within the college ranks.
Ohio State, meanwhile, will now have to find a replacement for O’Brien. Head coach Ryan Day recently said they have contingency plans in place.
“It isn’t just one of those situations where you take out one guy and put another guy in there and move on,” Day said, via ESPN. “It doesn’t work that way. But yes, we talked to different people for that position and we have contingency plans in place. Hopefully, we don’t have to go down that road, though.”
Sources: Boston College is working toward a deal to hire Bill O’Brien as the school’s next head coach. A deal is expected soon, giving BC a well-regarded coach with extensive NFL experience and strong local ties. pic.twitter.com/WBh50h0GoP
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 9, 2024
An official statement from O’Brien should be released soon. This will be his first head-coaching gig since his time with the Houston Texans.
O’Brien was 15-9 at Penn State before winning 52 games with the Texans from 2014-2020.