Ohio State has reportedly hired Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator

Bill O'Brien, the former Penn State and Houston Texans head coach who was the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season, is joining Ohio State as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

O'Brien brings three decades of coaching experience to Ohio State, including several successful stints as offensive coordinator at the NFL and collegiate levels. Before becoming the Patriots' offensive coordinator in 2023, O'Brien was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for two years at Alabama, where Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy under his tutelage in 2021.

While his most recent stint with the Patriots was not a success, with New England tied for last in the NFL with just 13.9 points per game in 2023, the Patriots offense has consistently ranked among the most prolific in the league in his assignment. Previous with the team from 2007.11, which included one year as offensive coordinator in 2011, a season in which the Patriots won the AFC Championship before losing in Super Bowl XLVI.

O'Brien went 15-9 as head coach at Penn State in 2012 and 2013 despite NCAA sanctions against the program that included a postseason ban and scholarship reductions in both seasons. He then became the head coach of the Houston Texans in 2014, leading them to four AFC South titles in six seasons before being fired in 2020.

Given his experience, O'Brien will likely serve as the “head coach of the offense,” much like Jim Knowles does for Ohio State's defense. He is expected to take over the offensive play-calling duties, allowing Ryan Day to take on the CEO role after calling the offensive plays himself during his first five years as head coach.

O'Brien is also expected to have input on how the rest of the offensive staff is built, opening up the possibility of additional staff changes on the offensive side of the ball. Brian Hartline, who held the offensive coordinator title last year, is expected to remain on staff as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Corey Dennis, Ohio State's quarterbacks coach for the past four seasons, is not expected to remain on the staff.

O'Brien becomes the second new hire to Ohio State's coaching staff for 2024, joining Matt Guerrieri, who replaced Perry Eliano as safeties coach. Ohio State still has another vacancy on its coaching staff that is expected to be filled by another defensive assistant — likely a second defensive line coach — after the Buckeyes fired special teams coordinator Parker Fleming.