COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a move that underscores Ohio State’s commitment to revitalizing its offensive identity, head coach Ryan Day has officially brought Bill O’Brien aboard as the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator. O’Brien, whose resume includes head coaching stints in both college football and the NFL, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of offensive innovation to Columbus.
The hiring comes at a critical juncture for Ohio State. While the Buckeyes have remained among the elite programs in college football, questions have lingered about offensive consistency, especially in high-stakes games. Day, who has called plays since taking over the program in 2019, indicated earlier in the offseason that he was open to delegating play-calling duties to refocus on broader program oversight. The addition of O’Brien, a seasoned play-caller and quarterback developer, signals a concrete step in that direction.
O’Brien’s coaching journey is both storied and varied. After climbing the ranks in college football and the NFL, he gained national attention as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2011, overseeing one of the league’s most explosive units led by Tom Brady. He then took over as head coach at Penn State in 2012, guiding the Nittany Lions through one of the most turbulent periods in program history following NCAA sanctions. Despite the obstacles, O’Brien led Penn State to two winning seasons and earned widespread respect for stabilizing the program.
Following his successful run in Happy Valley, O’Brien returned to the NFL as head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020. There, he made four playoff appearances in six full seasons, though his tenure was marked by both on-field success and controversy over personnel decisions. In 2021, O’Brien returned to the college ranks, serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban. During his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, he helped the Crimson Tide produce prolific
