Former Penn State Coach Bill O’Brien Hired as Alabama Offensive Coordinator

Former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien is back in college football after his seven-year stint in the NFL ended this past season with the Houston Texans. It was announced earlier today via Alabama Football’s Twitter that the 51-year old Massachusetts native will take over as the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator.

O’Brien will replace Steve Sarkisian, who has since headed to Austin, Texas as he takes over as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns. It will be O’Brien’s first time back in the college game since 2013 when he coached Penn State to a 7-5 record. He took over at PSU in 2012 and stabilized the program during their toughest period, leading the team to an 8-4 record in 2012 and earning multiple Coach of the Year awards (as well providing us with one of the greatest viral moments for a PSU coach ever).

Following the 2013 season, O’Brien left State College for the Houston Texans where he spent seven seasons. Despite five winning seasons however, some very questionable trade decisions made with his General Manager powers combined with an 0-4 start this past season would result in his firing from Houston. He finished his time with the Texans with a 52-48 record.

O’Brien will take over an Alabama offense that posted phenomenal numbers and could make an argument as the greatest offense ever in 2020. The Crimson Tide won their sixth National Championship under Nick Saban in a 52-24 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes a couple of Monday nights ago. Although he will not have players such as DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones, Najee Harris, and others at his disposal, that shouldn’t be an issue thanks to Alabama’s ridiculous recruiting.