FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
During his introductory press conference on Wednesday, new New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that “everything’s under evaluation” when asked about naming coordinators for the upcoming season. Interviews with defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator candidates seemed to signal replacements in those spots, but until Thursday evening there was no news on the offensive coordinator position, which Bill O’Brien held since being hired at this time last year.
On Thursday night, we learned O’Brien would be one-and-done in that position. As first reported by ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, O’Brien is leaving the Patriots to take the offensive coordinator job at Ohio State.
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Last week, it was reported that O’Brien was still under contract with the Patriots for next year. So this move represents him leaving the organization, rather than simply needing a new job.
O’Brien, 54, was hired by the Patriots last year to fix an offense that has stalled under de facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia the year before. However O’Brien was unable to elevate the group. The Patriots finished tied for dead-last in the NFL with 13.9 points per game, 30th in total yards, and 30th in team passer rating in 2023.
