Patriots' coaching change as former NFL head coach returns to rectify mistake

24 January 2023 , 14:15

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Bill O'Brien is back in the NFL after his tough ending with the Texans

Former Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien will return to the New England Patriots to take control of the offense as the new head coordinator after three years away from the NFL.

Bill O'Brien previously spent five years with the Patriots under Bill Belichick, where he was a coach of a number of offensive positions before becoming offensive coordinator in 2011, whilst also being Tom Brady's quarterback coach.

The Patriots needed to make coaching changes after a disappointing season, in which they chose not to hire an offensive coordinator, instead handing that to defensive coach, Matt Patricia, in a move that was hugely criticised.

The Patriots offense took a step back in 2022, with quarterback Mac Jones struggling in the system and he did not continue his positive momentum after his rookie season.

Now though, O'Brien will take over the role as playcalling the offense, a role that he performed well in whilst with the Patriots and Alabama.

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O'Brien's success with the Patriots from 2007 to 2011 saw him move on to a head coaching job, where he replaced disgraced former coach Joe Paterno at Penn State, who spent 62 years at the school and stepped down amid a sex abuse scandal. O'Brien spent two impressive years at the school, before earning a job as a head coach in the NFL with the Houston Texans.

Bill Belichick was Tom Brady's QB coach for a number of years

The accomplished coach would then have a number of impressive seasons as Texans head coach - making the playoffs four times in his first six seasons.

But his time ended on a sour note after trading away a number of star players, including DeAndre Hopkins, which many claim to be one of the worst trades in NFL history. The Texans gave up Hopkins for just a second-round draft pick and former great running-back David Johnson, who had not played at a solid level for four years - he was cut from the team the following season.

After being fired from the Texans following an 0-4 start to the 2020 season, O'Brien took the rest of the season off before joining college powerhouse Alabama, under Nick Saban, as the offensive coordinator.

O'Brien has been impressive in the role, helping quarterback Bryce Young win a Heisman Trophy in 2021 - a player who is likely to be selected first overall in the upcoming NFL draft.

Bill O'Brien has spent the last two years as Alabama's OC

And his time in Alabama has seen him earn a path back to the NFL with his former team, where he is likely to work with Mac Jones, who also played his college football at Alabama,

Many have wondered if Pats head coach Belichick will remain much longer in the NFL, potentially seeing O'Brien having a path to head coach of the team if he is to walk away in the near future.

But another coach on the staff is reportedly already being earmarked for that role, with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo seen as a future coach, with teams reportedly interested in taking him away from the Pats as their defensive coordinator.

Charlie Wilson