Bill O’Brien, the former head coach of the Houston Texans, has reportedly accepted a position as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. This move comes after O’Brien was fired from the Texans in 2020 following a disappointing 4-12 season. During his time in Houston, O’Brien led the team to four division titles and two playoff appearances. However, he also drew criticism for his handling of personnel and his conservative offensive approach. Despite these criticisms, O’Brien is a highly respected coach with a proven track record of success. In New England, he will reunite with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who he worked with as an offensive assistant from 2007 to 2011.
Bill O’Brien’s Coaching History
Bill O’Brien is an American football coach who has been the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) since 2023. He previously served as the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020 and the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2012 to 2013.
Houston Texans
* Hired as head coach in 2014
* Led the Texans to a 4-12 record in his first season
* Improved to 9-7 in 2015 and won the AFC South division
* Led the Texans to the playoffs in 2016 and 2018
* Fired in October 2020 after a 0-4 start
Penn State Nittany Lions
* Hired as head coach in 2012
* Led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record in his first season
* Finished 7-5 in 2013
* Resigned after the 2013 season
New England Patriots
* Hired as offensive coordinator in 2023
Current Job
Bill O’Brien is currently the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
Table of Bill O’Brien’s Coaching History
| Year | Team | Position |
|—|—|—|
| 2012-2013 | Penn State Nittany Lions | Head coach |
| 2014-2020 | Houston Texans | Head coach |
| 2023-present | New England Patriots | Offensive coordinator |
Recent Job Market for College Football Coaches
The job market for college football coaches has been relatively stable in recent years. There are typically a handful of high-profile vacancies each year, and several positions at smaller schools. The average tenure of a college football coach is about five years.
- In 2022, there were 10 FBS head coaching changes.
- In 2023, there were 12 FBS head coaching changes.
- The average salary for an FBS head coach is about $5 million per year.
There are a number of factors that can affect the job market for college football coaches. These include:
- The success of the team
- The size of the school
- The location of the school
- The availability of funding
In recent years, there has been a trend towards hiring younger coaches. This is due in part to the success of coaches like Lincoln Riley and Nick Saban, who were both in their 30s when they won their first national championships.
The job market for college football coaches is expected to remain stable in the coming years. There will continue to be a demand for qualified coaches, and the salaries for successful coaches will continue to rise.
| Year | Number of FBS Head Coaching Changes | Average Salary for FBS Head Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | $5 million |
| 2023 | 12 | $5.5 million |
Alabama’s Coordinator Vacancy
With the departure of Steve Sarkisian to Texas, Alabama has a vacancy at the offensive coordinator position. Bill O’Brien, the former head coach of the Houston Texans, has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the job.
O’Brien has a long history of success as an offensive coach. Prior to his stint with the Texans, he was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2011. He helped lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl victories during that time.
O’Brien’s offensive philosophy is based on a spread attack with a heavy emphasis on passing the ball. He is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and wide receivers.
If O’Brien were to be hired by Alabama, he would be reunited with head coach Nick Saban. The two worked together at Michigan State in the late 1990s.
O’Brien is one of several candidates who have been linked to the Alabama offensive coordinator position. Other candidates include former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and former Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen.
| Candidate | Experience |
|---|---|
| Bill O’Brien | Former head coach of the Houston Texans Former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots |
| Gus Malzahn | Former head coach of Auburn Former offensive coordinator for Auburn |
| Dan Mullen | Former head coach of Florida Former offensive coordinator for Florida |
Potential Landing Spots for Bill O’Brien
After being fired by the Houston Texans in October 2020, Bill O’Brien has remained out of the NFL head coaching ranks. However, there are several potential landing spots for the former Penn State and Texans coach in 2023:
- Tennessee Titans: The Titans are looking for a new head coach after firing Mike Vrabel. O’Brien has a connection to the Titans’ front office, as general manager Ran Carthon was his assistant general manager in Houston.
- Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are also looking for a new head coach after firing Matt Rhule. O’Brien has experience working with young quarterbacks, which could be appealing to the Panthers, who have Sam Darnold and Matt Corral on their roster.
- Denver Broncos: The Broncos are another team that is in need of a head coach after firing Nathaniel Hackett. O’Brien has experience working with veteran quarterbacks, which could be appealing to the Broncos, who have Russell Wilson on their roster.
- Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are looking for a new head coach after firing Kliff Kingsbury. O’Brien has experience working with Air Raid offenses, which is the same system that the Cardinals have been running under Kingsbury.
In addition to these teams, O’Brien could also be a candidate for a college head coaching job. He has a successful track record at the college level, having won two Big Ten championships at Penn State.
Ultimately, O’Brien’s next job will likely depend on the availability of other candidates and the fit between his skillset and the needs of the teams that are looking for a head coach.
Well, folks, there you have it! The latest scoop on Bill O’Brien’s job hunt. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but hopefully, this article has shed some light on the situation. As always, thanks for joining us on this armchair quarterbacking adventure. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any future developments. In the meantime, feel free to drop by again and share your hot takes in the comments section. Until next time, keep on second-guessing the coaches and stay hungry for the latest football news!