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One of the big remaining college football jobs has reportedly been filled by a major name.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Thursday night that Ohio State football has hired former Penn State coach and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to be its next offensive coordinator.
As the Buckeyes figure out a plan to try and meaningfully contend for a national title with Ryan Day at the helm, hiring a veteran coach like O’Brien is the kind of major move that signals a seriousness to make those results better sooner than later.
Well, if you think O’Brien is the right guy for the job, that is.
Sources: Ohio State is set to hire longtime NFL head coach Bill O’Brien as the school’s new offensive coordinator. O’Brien served last season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and has been the head coach at the Texans and in the Big Ten at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/19e2iXv6oe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 19, 2024
While he found success in various stops, O’Brien has become one of the more polarizing figures in football and is coming off a dreadful year in New England leading the Patriots offense.
While O’Brien has found positive results at the college level, fans were very skeptical this move would do much to help the Buckeyes separate themselves from the pack (and the Michigan Wolverines).
Ryan day said ima give y’all somebody to yell at alright https://t.co/kkiSDINQBj
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) January 19, 2024
why would you do this on purpose https://t.co/XyEqjY97w2
— local bIogger (@fergoe) January 19, 2024
Ryan Day, Seth McLaughlin & O’Brien
What a combo 🤣 https://t.co/Phzln8qosk pic.twitter.com/QC6YOdk5F8
— Clint (@ClintRyan3) January 19, 2024
What is Ryan Day doing? Wow. https://t.co/W0NLvHw0jl pic.twitter.com/2kGmgjmOr5
— Jake Rongholt WCJB (@BothSidesSports) January 19, 2024
ryan day not getting fired now depends on bill o’brien’s playcalling https://t.co/7JU3LVyKQa
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) January 19, 2024
Portaling thoughts and prayers to my Ohio State friends. https://t.co/kuOzgMVvQc
— Transfer Portal (@NCAAPortal) January 19, 2024
Ryan Day has a top 2 roster coming back next season and this is their OC hire? https://t.co/jry6AwEzua pic.twitter.com/mhAnfkDwqo
— Sam Jessee (@SamOfSaturday) January 19, 2024
https://t.co/ztkZl4wXd2 pic.twitter.com/zX7LhlVgJ1
— Maize n Brew (@MaizenBrew) January 19, 2024
Reading the replies. https://t.co/yvZrd6F9Vb pic.twitter.com/FPGBDGTYzx
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 19, 2024
As an Alabama fan and a Texans fan: https://t.co/iLva8rHO6V pic.twitter.com/J8gzny1uQp
— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) January 19, 2024
Anyone else check to see if this was a fake account like 100 times? https://t.co/NWDMaORhlh
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) January 19, 2024
Ohio State is assembling an all star staff, paying $15 million to build their 2024 roster, and going all in just to go 10-2 and lose to Michigan again.
Tough scene. https://t.co/xOQSdnSTRW
— Insider Corner (@WolverineCorner) January 19, 2024