After months of speculation, Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is making his return to the NFL.
According to a report from ESPN Adam Schefter, O’Brien is leaving to become the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
O’Brien is coming off his second season as the team’s offensive point guard. This year’s offense finished 11th nationally in total offense, totaling 477 yards per game. Alabama was also tied for fourth on offense averaging 41.1 points per game. Despite finishing in the top 15 in both categories, the attack have struggled to maintain their buoyant form from the 2020 season under Steve Sarkesian. Despite amassing 465 total rushing yards against LSU, Alabama failed to score a touchdown until the fourth quarter, losing 32-31 to the Tigers in overtime.
Asked about his future with the team during the Sugar Bowl, O’Brien said he was committed to Alabama despite rumors circulating about his connection with the Patriots. O’Brien maintained that while he has colleagues in the NFL, he said he hasn’t spoken to any Patriots staff since April.
“I mean, I come – I speak – I have a lot of coaching friends in the NFL,” O’Brien said. “So yes, there are some of my closest friends. But compared to working in the NFL, no. Compared to working here, like I said, I love it here. I love my experience here.
I’m very focused on this upcoming game, and whatever conversations happen after this game will happen when they happen. But I really focused on this game and did the best job possible with the players and the coaching staff to have a productive attack on Saturday.”
O’Brien was hired by the Patriots in 2007 after 13 years as a college assistant at his alma mater Brown University and Georgia Tech. He then served as New England’s offensive point guard from 2009 to 2011. He then became the head coach of Penn State (2012-13) and the Houston Texans (2014-20) before joining Alabama the last season.
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