Potential Career Shift: Bill O’Brien’s Swift Move from Ohio State to Boston College Head Coach Rumored
Bill O’Brien, who assumed the role of Ohio State football’s fresh offensive coordinator on January 19th, might find his stint with the Buckeyes shorter than anticipated. Just 19 days later, there are murmurs suggesting he’s a leading contender to take over from Jeff Hafley as the head coach at Boston College, if not already in contention.
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, O’Brien emerges as a wildcard choice for the position, having previously shown interest in the Eagles during their last coaching vacancy. Kevin J. Stone of New England Football Journal echoed this sentiment, affirming the ongoing consideration less than 24 hours later.
Told “they’re still working through it,” as of this morning.
Feels like a matter of time as long as both sides can agree to a deal. https://t.co/1BqCxER3wY
— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) February 4, 2024
As of this morning, the situation remains fluid, with discussions still underway. Despite joining Ryan Day’s coaching staff just last month after a stint as offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick, followed by a brief tenure at Alabama, O’Brien, a native of Boston, seems drawn back to his roots.
Awfully quiet today. On O’Brien:
Nothing done yet, but interest & talks between both sides continue. Told “it’s definitely real.” @newftbj @AdamKurkjian @BCEagleAction
— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) February 4, 2024
With deep ties to Massachusetts and the Northeast, O’Brien’s potential move to Boston College could mark a significant shift, not only for the Eagles but also for Ohio State. Should the speculations materialize, Day would need to swiftly find a replacement for O’Brien, adding further complexity to the coaching landscape.
Hafley, who recently concluded his tenure at Boston College with a winning record, opted to step down to take up a role as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator. His departure underscores the challenges faced by college coaches in navigating the evolving landscape of NIL and the transfer portal.
O’Brien’s interest in the Boston College vacancy suggests a readiness to embrace the demands of modern collegiate coaching, despite its taxing nature. The unfolding developments will reveal whether he remains committed to this potential career transition.
