In a significant move affecting both college football and the NFL, the Ohio State Buckeyes are hiring New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to be their new OC and playcaller.
It’s no secret that 2024 will be an enormous season for Ryan Day, and he has wasted no time bringing the respected O’Brien to Columbus.
Sources: Ohio State is set to hire longtime NFL head coach Bill O’Brien as the school’s new offensive coordinator. O’Brien served last season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and has been the head coach at the Texans and in the Big Ten at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/19e2iXv6oe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 19, 2024
O’Brien’s impressive coaching portfolio includes working with notable quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Deshaun Watson, Bryce Young and Mac Jones (take it easy!).
Young, under O’Brien’s guidance, won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, while Alabama consistently ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense.
Interesting move by someone that should’ve been fired 2 months ago.
— damien23 (@damien23) January 19, 2024
Ohio State’s offensive output experienced a dip this past season, falling to 30.5 points per game from 44.2 the previous year.
Of course, their 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri was rock bottom – but in fairness, they were down to their third string quarterback following the departure of starter Kyle McCord and injury to backup Devin Brown.
The addition of O’Brien is expected to take the Buckeyes back to a truly elite level on the offensive side of the ball.
In his seven-year tenure as an NFL head coach from 2014 to 2020, O’Brien led the Houston Texans to the playoffs four times and achieved a winning record five times.
O’Brien’s familiarity with the Big Ten conference extends to his time as the head coach at Penn State, where he took over in 2012, amassing a 15-9 record over two seasons.
His tenure there is particularly recognized for his role as a strong recruiter and stabilizing force for the program during the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Saban after putting in a good word for Bill O’Brien to Ryan Day knowing it’ll cause some of those Ohio State receivers to hit the portal next year pic.twitter.com/DFnkbbbZcl
— 🅱️aDreal 🅱️ell 🅴 (@fewwillbechosen) January 19, 2024
The coaching shakeup at Ohio State follows three consecutive losses to Michigan and a two-game skid to conclude the 2023 season.
Notably, the program decided not to retain safeties coach Perry Eliano and special teams coach Parker Fleming.
In response to these changes, the Buckeyes have seen a surge of draft-eligible players opting to return for an additional season.
Notable returnees include star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailback TreVeyon Henderson, and guard Donovan Jackson.
To Ohio State fans thinking the announcement of Bill O’Brien as OC is bad:
Buckle up, things only get worse from here 😂
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) January 19, 2024
The team has also made significant additions through the transfer portal, securing former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, two-time All-SEC tailback Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss, and Alabama center Seth McLaughlin.
Ohio State Fans: We need a new OC! Ryan Day Sucks!
*Bill O'Brien rumored to get the job*
Ohio State fans: pic.twitter.com/7waUw5fzSl
— Oliver VanDervoort (@itmeolliev) January 19, 2024
What are your thoughts on the O’Brien hire?
There will clearly be critics of the move – but it’s hard to deny the fact that he is a great offensive mind who will be heading to Columbus with a monstrous chip on his shoulder.
It seems like Day and the Buckeyes are brewing something special for the 2024 season.
With O’Brien now in the mix and Howard under center, where do you rank Ohio State among the best teams in the country heading into next season???