Sources: Boston College to hire Bill O’Brien as head coach

Boston College has hired Bill O’Brien as the school’s next head coach, giving the Massachusetts native a return home and the Eagles a hire with extensive NFL experience and strong local ties.

O’Brien, who took theOhio State offensive coordinator job last month, interviewed in person Thursday, the final step in Boston College’s process. He was one of three candidates who traveled to Massachusetts for interviews Thursday.

“When we embarked on this search, we prioritized finding a coach who believes in our mission and vision, has a plan to achieve greatness on and off the field and will work tirelessly to elevate BC Football,” said the Eagles’ athletic director. , Blake James. in a sentence.

O’Brien, 54, is the former head coach ofState of Pennsylvania and theHouston Texansand is best known in Boston for his time in theNew England Patriots. He coached there from 2007 to 2011 and again in 2023 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“Bill is a talented leader who has had tremendous success as a head coach and coordinator at both the college and NFL levels,” James said. “His passion for teaching football and developing youth makes him an ideal candidate to lead Boston College to greater heights.”

O’Brien grew up locally in Andover. One of his sons, Michael, plays college baseball at nearby Tufts. His family had planned to stay in the greater Boston area while he worked in Columbus, according to sources, and this opportunity allows her to be closer to his family.

O’Brien’s wife, Colleen, graduated from Boston College. It’s one of many ties to the school and area, as Bill O’Brien graduated from St. John’s Prep High School in Danvers and played football at nearby Brown University. O’Brien began his coaching career at Brown.

He replaces Jeff Hafley, who left last week to become the defensive coordinator of theGreen Bay Packers. Boston College went 7-6 in the 2023 season with a win over No. 24SMUat the Fenway Bowl.

O’Brien has a solid reputation as a quarterback tutor, having worked withyoung bryce(as Alabama(offensive coordinator), Tom Brady andDeshaun Watsonduring some of his best seasons.

He enters the position at a time when Boston College has not distinguished itself nationally in recent years. The Eagles haven’t won eight games in a season since 2009 and have been nationally ranked in just one season since 2008. O’Brien’s quarterback knowledge and his NFL experience should make Boston College a attractive option in the transfer market.

O’Brien left New England after his first stint as head coach at Penn State in 2012, taking over in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault case. He achieved success on the field and galvanized the program off the field. In 2012, he won the Big Ten Coach of the Year and Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year awards. He went 15-9 in two seasons at Penn State.

He worked six full seasons and part of a seventh as head coach of the Texans, where he led them to four playoff appearances and had a 52-48 record.

O’Brien’s most recent college experience, prior to Ohio State, was at Alabama. He worked as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during Young’s Heisman Trophy season.

Alabama finished in the top 10 in scoring offense in O’Brien’s two seasons as offensive coordinator, averaging 39.9 points per game in the 2021 season and 41.1 points per game in 2022.

O’Brien’s departure opens up one of the most intriguing offensive coordinator jobs in sports, as Ohio State coach Ryan Day said in a news conference this week that he will stop calling plays in 2024.