Bill O’Brien’s return run with the New England Patriots didn’t last long.
After one season with the Patriots, the veteran offensive guru is reportedly expected to return to the collegiate level for an offensive coordinator role with the Ohio State Buckeyes. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news on Thursday night.
Newly-hired Patriots coach Jerod Mayo claimed “everything is under consideration” at Wednesday’s introductory press conference, when asked if he planned to open up a search for an offensive coordinator. This O’Brien news confirms that’s the path for the Patriots, who will now look to replace their veteran offensive play-caller.
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
The Patriots struggled in 2023 with one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Granted, that wasn’t all O’Brien’s fault considering the lackluster roster he had to work with on the field.
However, with Bill Belichick gone and a major regime shift in New England, O’Brien felt like an odd man out.
