An exit by Alabama Football, OC Bill O’Brien looking more likely
By Ronald Evans
Will Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young play for his third quarterback coach and offensive coordinator in ’22? It is looking more likely each day. About a week ago, I suggested the Tide’s next OC – would be O’Brien choosing to remain in Nick Saban’s staff. In contrast to that opinion, O’Brien has been testing too many NFL waters to believe he is not strongly interested in a return to the league.
It is not currently looking like he will be chosen to return as an NFL head coach. His name is not linked to any of the NFL openings. Instead, there is a building belief that Bill O’Brien will return to the NFL by going back to work for Bill Belichick.
There will have to be a New England Patriots’ opening first. That could occur any day. NFL insider, Ian Rapoport said on Saturday,
"The Raiders are interviewing Patriots OC Josh McDaniels today, source said. It was a positive dinner last night with team president Dan Ventrelle, and owner Mark Davis joins them today. If all goes well today, the hire could come as quickly as this weekend."
On Sunday, Boston media sources have been discussing the McDaniels developments as close to a done deal. Take away a two-season stint as the Denver Bronco’s head coach, and one season with the St. Louis Rams, and McDaniels has been on Belichick’s Patriots’ staff going back to 2001. Despite not having success in Denver, McDaniels is still respected as having one of football’s best offensive minds.
Bill Belichick and Nick Saban are similar in many ways. Their staff choices tend to come inside coaching circles with previous connections. Next to McDaniels, Bill O’Brien is about as connected to Belichick as any coach could be. O’Brien spent five seasons in Foxboro from 2007 to 2011.
A change at OC for Alabama Football?
Does Nick Saban want O’Brien to leave? Many Alabama football fans would welcome a change, but that does not mean Nick Saban agrees. Even Crimson Tide fans sometimes dissatisfied with O’Brien’s play-calling, must agree O’Brien did excellent work with Bryce Young.
If O’Brien leaves, who is next up for the Crimson Tide? Only Nick Saban knows who is on his shortlist. Saban is almost always prepared when an assistant exits. Dan Enos was a rare exception. While Saban was open to considerable offensive changes when he hired Lane Kiffin, that is not the norm. Alabama has a Nick Saban offensive system and any OC must adapt to it before he tweaks it.
dark. Next. New coaches in for Saban, but who is out?
Amidst rumors about the Tide’s next OC, current assistant, Holman Wiggins is mentioned. Wiggins has done a great job with Tide wide receivers.