The opportunity at Ohio State presents fewer challenges for Bill O’Brien compared to the situation with the New England Patriots.

The appointment of former New England Patriots assistant coach Bill O’Brien as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator surprised some observers, especially considering the expectation that head coach Ryan Day was seeking candidates with college-level experience. O’Brien’s decision to join Ohio State is seen as an excellent opportunity, given the team’s strong presence in the transfer portal, providing him with a well-equipped roster to implement his playbook for a top national contender in 2024.

Reports from NFL journalist Albert Breer of The Monday Morning Quarterback suggest that O’Brien’s future with the Patriots was uncertain after Bill Belichick’s departure. The Patriots were set to interview Los Angeles Rams assistants Nick Caley and Zac Robinson for their vacant offensive coordinator position, emphasizing the open-minded approach of new head coach Jerod Mayo in assembling his staff. O’Brien, faced with the prospect of competition for a position he didn’t already have guaranteed, opted for the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State instead.

Ohio State’s decision to hire O’Brien was met with mixed reviews from those outside the program, but there is no questioning the experience the former college head coach and play-caller brings to Ohio State.

O’Brien is tasked with revitalizing the Buckeyes’ offense, which struggled with consistency while posting its lowest scoring average since 2011. During the recent 2023 campaign, Ohio State averaged 30.5 points per game, which ranked 45th nationally in the FBS. The Buckeyes have a new starting quarterback in place for 2024 with incoming Kansas State transfer Will Howard set to take the reins.

Ohio State also has touted 2024 freshman Air Noland already on campus and just landed five-star freshman transfer Julian Sayin from Alabama as well.

Bucknuts: Making sense of Ohio State hiring O’Brien to lead offense (VIP)

“I am delighted to announce the addition of Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff,” expressed Day in an official statement. “His extensive experience and remarkable success in both the NFL and college football make him a valuable asset. As a seasoned offensive coach, he has led programs in the NFL and Power 5 conferences, fostering the development of elite players. His expertise will make him an outstanding teacher and recruiter for our team, unquestionably enhancing the overall strength of our coaching staff.”

Following his tenure as the head coach at Penn State, O’Brien transitioned to the NFL, where he spent six seasons leading the Texans before his dismissal. Subsequently, he took on the role of calling plays for Nick Saban at Alabama during the 2021 and 2022 seasons before contributing to Bill Belichick’s coaching staff in New England this autumn.