:Bill O'Brien (American football)

O'Brien was born on October 23, 1969, in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts to John O'Brien and Anne Murphy O'Brien. He grew up in Andover, Massachusetts with his parents and two brothers, John and Tom. Growing up, Bill played Little League.{{Cite web |last=Bedard |first=Greg A. |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Bill O'Brien on Andover, Celtics, Belichick and Brady |url=https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/08/18/bill-obrien-andover-brown-belichick-brady |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=BostonSportsJournal.com |language=en}} After graduating from St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, he attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where O'Brien played defensive end and linebacker for the Brown Bears from 1990 to 1992.{{Cite web |title=Bill O'Brien '92 |url=https://brownbears.com/sports/2018/6/26/bill-o-brien-92.aspx?id=2935 |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=Brown University Athletics |language=en}}

O'Brien's first coaching position was at Brown, where he coached tight ends in 1993 and inside linebackers in 1994. He then spent the next three seasons (1995–1997) as an offensive graduate assistant at Georgia Tech.

O'Brien then coached the Yellow Jackets' running backs from 1998 to 2000. In 1999, running back Sean Gregory ran for 837 yards with six touchdowns. The following year, running back Joe Burns ran for 908 yards with 12 touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Seth |date=September 28, 2014 |title=Bill O'Brien: From Georgia Tech To The Big Time |url=https://yellowjackedup.com/2014/09/28/bill-obrien-georgia-tech-big-time/ |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=FanSided |language=en-US}}

From 2001 to 2002, O'Brien served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and was named an assistant head coach for the 2002 season. In 2002, O'Brien was hired as Notre Dame's offensive Coordinator before George O'Leary was dismissed. As offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 2001 and 2002, his teams averaged 31 and 21.5 points per game, respectively as the teams went 9–4 and 7–6.{{Cite web |title=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2002 Football Schedule |url=http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/college_football_2002_schedules/georgiatech.htm |access-date=August 2, 2012 |publisher=Nationalchamps.net}} In 2001, running back Joe Burns ran for 1,165 yards with 14 touchdowns and quarterback George Godsey threw for 3,085 yards with 18 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2001 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/2001.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In 2002 under Chan Gailey, running back Tony Hollings ran for 633 yards with 11 touchdowns, and wide receiver Kerry Watkins recorded 1,050 receiving yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2002 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/2002.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

In 2003, O'Brien left to coach running backs at the University of Maryland, where he spent two seasons. In 2003, running back Josh Allen ran for 922 yards and eight touchdowns while Bruce Perry ran for 713 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Duber |first=Vinnie |date=November 16, 2015 |title=Could ex-Penn State coach Bill O'Brien end up at Maryland? |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/big-ten/could-ex-penn-state-coach-bill-obrien-end-maryland |access-date=November 19, 2015 |website=RSN |language=en}}

As offensive coordinator at Duke in 2005 and 2006, O'Brien's teams averaged 16.1 and 14.9 points per game.{{Cite web |last=Crow |first=Alfie |date=January 6, 2012 |title=Who is Bill O'Brien? A look at Potential Penn State Football Coach's Resume |url=https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/1/6/2686805/bill-obrien-penn-state-football-coach |access-date=January 10, 2012 |website=SB Nation}} In 2006, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis threw for 2,134 yards and 11 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2006 Duke Blue Devils Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/duke/2006.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

After two seasons with Duke, O'Brien was hired by the New England Patriots as an offensive assistant on February 27, 2007.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=February 27, 2007 |title=O'Brien hired |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/02/obrien_hired.html |access-date=July 2, 2007 |website=Boston.com}} On February 21, 2008, O'Brien was promoted to wide receivers coach.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=February 21, 2008 |title=Pats hire Capers |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/02/pats_hire_caper.html |access-date=February 21, 2007 |website=Boston.com}} He became the quarterbacks coach and offensive play-caller following the 2008 season after quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to become head coach of the Denver Broncos. O'Brien was promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2011. He spent six seasons coaching within the Patriots offense and four of those six seasons as the play-caller. During this period, the Patriots offense had some of their most productive seasons as did quarterback Tom Brady.

The Patriots gave the Jacksonville Jaguars permission to interview O'Brien for their head coaching vacancy during the Patriots' playoff bye week; O'Brien was scheduled for an interview, but never actually interviewed for the job.{{Cite web |last=Rodak |first=Mike |date=February 8, 2012 |title=Jaguars get permission to interview O'Brien |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4713982/jaguars-get-permission-to-interview-obrien |access-date=August 2, 2012 |website=ESPN.com}} Instead, he interviewed with Penn State staff on January 5, 2012,{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2012|agency=Associated Press |title=Patriots Assistant Coach O'Brien interviews at Penn State |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203471004577143671108886082 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106174106/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203471004577143671108886082.html |archive-date=January 6, 2012 |access-date=July 27, 2013 |website=Wall Street Journal}} was offered the head coach position and signed a four-year contract to become the Nittany Lions' coach.{{Cite web |last=Mortensen |first=Chris |last2=Schefter |first2=Adam |last3=Natta Jr. |first3=Don Van |date=January 6, 2012 |title=O'Brien agrees to become Penn State coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7430206/bill-obrien-agrees-penn-state-nittany-lions-coach-sources-say |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} O'Brien continued as New England's offensive coordinator through Super Bowl XLVI.{{Cite web |last=Vrentas |first=Jenny |date=February 1, 2012 |title=Patriots' Bill O'Brien juggling Super Bowl, Penn State duties |url=https://www.nj.com/giants/2012/01/patriots_bill_obrien_juggling.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=NJ.com |language=en}}

O'Brien was hired as Penn State's 15th head football coach, replacing Joe Paterno, who had coached the team from 1966 until his dismissal in 2011.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2011 |title=Penn State hires Bill O'Brien as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7434520/penn-state-nittany-lions-officially-hires-bill-obrien-new-coach |access-date=January 6, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}} O'Brien was introduced as the head coach at a press conference on January 7, 2012.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2012 |title=Penn State Selects Bill O'Brien To Lead Football Program |url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121235418/http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=January 9, 2012 |publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics}}

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-1.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-2.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-3.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-4.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-5.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

File:Bill-obrien-football-coach-by-bill-cramer-6.jpg|Bill O’Brien in 2012

Due to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, on July 24, 2012, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) sanctioned Penn State with a four-year postseason ban and loss of 40 scholarships over a four-year period.

In light of these NCAA sanctions, O'Brien issued the following statement:

"Today we receive a very harsh penalty from the NCAA and as head coach of the Nittany Lions football program, I will do everything in my power to not only comply, but help guide the University forward to become a national leader in ethics, compliance and operational excellence. I knew when I accepted the position that there would be tough times ahead. But I am committed for the long term to Penn State and our student athletes.

I was then and I remain convinced that our student athletes are the best in the country. I could not be more proud to lead this team and these courageous and humble young men into the upcoming 2012 season. Together we are committed to building a better athletic program and university".{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2012 |title=Statements from Penn State Acting Athletic Director Dave Joyner and Head Coach Bill O'Brien |url=http://www.gopsusports.com/genrel/072312aac.html |website=CBS sports}}

Because of a clause in his contract, O'Brien received an automatic four-year extension that guaranteed an extra year for every year of sanctions put on the program.{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2012 |title=NCAA sanctions trigger four-year extension for Penn State coach O'Brien |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/19656408/ncaa-sanctions-trigger-fouryear-extension-for-penn-state-coach-bill-obrien |website=CBS Sports}}

In O'Brien's first game as Penn State's head coach, the Nittany Lions lost to the Ohio University Bobcats by a score of 24–14. His first win as the Penn State head coach took place on September 15, 2012, with a 34–7 win against the United States Naval Academy at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA. Despite the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, O'Brien's first season as coach at Penn State was far more successful than anticipated and resulted in a final record of 8–4. He collected the most wins for a first-year head coach in school history and was awarded Big Ten Coach of the Year on November 27, 2012.{{Cite news |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Penn State's Bill O'Brien wins Big Ten Coach of the Year honors |work=York Daily Record |url=http://www.ydr.com/psu/ci_22077928/penn-states-bill-obrien-wins-big-ten-coach |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194440/http://www.ydr.com/psu/ci_22077928/penn-states-bill-obrien-wins-big-ten-coach |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}

O'Brien was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by both the media and the coaches.{{Cite web |last=Moyer |first=Josh |date=November 27, 2012 |title=O'Brien sweeps B1G COY awards |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/colleges/psu/post?id=3916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102050907/https://www.espn.com/blog/colleges/psu/post?id=3916 |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=November 28, 2012 |website=PSU Nittany Lions Blog – ESPN |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}} On December 8, 2012, he was named the national coach of the year by ESPN.{{Cite web |title=Mauti, O'Brien win national honors |url=http://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1446841&PT=4&PR=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233644/http://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1446841&PT=4&PR=2 |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |access-date=December 9, 2012 |website=BlueWhiteIllustrated.com |publisher=Stats, LLC.}}{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |date=December 8, 2012 |title=Penn State's Bill O'Brien named top coach, Mike Mauti a first team All-American per ESPN AT&T |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-pennstate/Penn-States-Bill-OBrien-named-top-coach-Mike-Mauti-a-first-team-All-American-per-ESPN-ATT.html |access-date=December 9, 2012}} On January 17, 2013, O'Brien was awarded the 2012 Paul "Bear" Bryant College Coach of the Year Award.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2013 |title=Bill O'Brien wins 'Bear' Bryant Award |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8855698/penn-state-nittany-lions-bill-obrien-wins-paul-bear-bryant-award |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412065406/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8855698/penn-state-nittany-lions-bill-obrien-wins-paul-bear-bryant-award |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=January 18, 2013 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

In January 2013, O'Brien interviewed for the head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Browns have already interviewed Bill O'Brien |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/03/browns-have-already-interviewed-bill-obrien/ |access-date=January 4, 2013 |website=NBCSports.com |publisher=ProFootballTalk}} and Philadelphia Eagles. However, he decided to remain at Penn State, stating: "I'm not a one-and-done guy. I made a commitment to these players at Penn State and that's what I am going to do. I'm not gonna cut and run after one year, that's for sure."{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=John |date=January 3, 2013 |title=O'Brien staying at Penn State |url=http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/03/reports-obrien-staying-at-penn-state/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105172228/http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/03/reports-obrien-staying-at-penn-state/ |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |access-date=January 4, 2013 |website=NBCSports.com |publisher=CollegeFootballTalk}}

File:Bill O'Brien 2016 (cropped).jpg in May 2016]]

After Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak was fired on December 6, 2013, multiple reports stated that O'Brien was interested in returning to the NFL. On December 29, O'Brien met with the Texans for further discussion about the head coaching job there. He was officially introduced as the Texans' head coach on January 2, 2014.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2014 |title=Penn State confirms O'Brien's new job with Texans, wishes him well |url=https://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/01/penn-state-confirms-obriens-new-job-with-texans-wishes-him-well/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142029/https://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/01/penn-state-confirms-obriens-new-job-with-texans-wishes-him-well/ |archive-date=September 25, 2018 |access-date=January 3, 2014 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle}} The Texans had finished 2–14 in 2013 and owned the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL draft, which they used on South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=December 28, 2013 |title=Report: Bill O'Brien an "overwhelming favorite" for Texans job |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/28/report-bill-obrien-an-overwhelming-favorite-for-texans-job/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}

{{See also|2014 Houston Texans season}}

O'Brien earned his first win as a head coach when the Texans beat the Washington Redskins in the season-opener by a score of 17–6.{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Houston Texans – September 7th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409070htx.htm |access-date=September 12, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In O'Brien's first season with the Texans, they finished with a 9–7 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.{{Cite web |title=2014 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2014.htm |access-date=January 2, 2015 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{See also|2015 Houston Texans season}}

In 2015, the Texans again finished with a 9–7 record and finished atop the AFC South.{{Cite web |title=2015 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2015.htm |access-date=January 10, 2016 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, the Texans were blown out 30–0 by the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans – January 9th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201601090htx.htm |access-date=January 10, 2016 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{See also|2016 Houston Texans season}}

In 2016, the Texans finished with a 9–7 record for the third consecutive year and won their second consecutive AFC South title.{{Cite web |title=2016 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2016.htm |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 27–14 in the Wild Card Round,{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans – January 7th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701070htx.htm |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} but then lost on the road in the Divisional Round by a score of 34–16 to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Houston Texans at New England Patriots – January 14th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701140nwe.htm |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{See also|2017 Houston Texans season}}

The 2017 season marked O'Brien's first as an NFL head coach in which his team did not finish with a winning record. The Texans had a 4–12 record, losing nine of their final 10 games.{{Cite web |title=2017 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2017.htm |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The 2017 season saw the debut of quarterback Deshaun Watson, whom the Texans selected in the first round with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2017 Houston Texans Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2017_draft.htm |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} However, Watson's season prematurely ended after he tore his ACL in practice prior to Week 9,{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Source: Texans QB Deshaun Watson tears ACL in practice, done for season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21266399/deshaun-watson-houston-texans-tears-acl-thursday-practice |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Knoblauch |first=Austin |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Texans QB Deshaun Watson tears ACL in practice |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-qb-deshaun-watson-tears-acl-in-practice-0ap3000000871174 |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} which along with injuries to various other players contributed to the team's collapse.{{Cite web |title=2017 Houston Texans Injuries |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2017_injuries.htm |access-date=2018-01-16 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{See also|2018 Houston Texans season}}

On January 13, 2018, O'Brien received a four-year contract extension.{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2018 |title=Texans give Bill O'Brien extension, hire GM Brian Gaine |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-give-bill-o-brien-extension-hire-gm-brian-gaine-0ap3000000905753 |access-date=January 14, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}

The Texans started the season 0–3, but then went on a nine-game winning streak and finished atop the AFC South with an 11–5 record.{{Cite web |title=2018 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2018.htm |access-date=January 6, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Their season ended when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round by a score of 21–7.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – January 5th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201901050htx.htm |access-date=January 6, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{See also|2019 Houston Texans season}}

In 2019, the Texans finished with a 10–6 record and captured another division title.{{Cite web |title=2019 Houston Texans Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/2019.htm |access-date=January 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Texans outlasted the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round with a 22–19 overtime victory, overcoming a 16–0 halftime deficit.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – January 4th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202001040htx.htm |access-date=January 5, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} However, they were eliminated in the Divisional Round with a 51–31 road loss to the eventual Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs despite a 24–0 lead in the second quarter.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – January 12th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202001120kan.htm |access-date=January 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On January 28, 2020, O'Brien was appointed as the Texans' general manager after the Texans had gone the entire 2019 season with the position vacant.{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |date=January 28, 2020 |title=Texans HC Bill O'Brien Appointed GM, Jack Easterby Named Executive VP |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2873531-texans-hc-bill-obrien-appointed-gm-jack-easterby-named-executive-vp |access-date=January 31, 2020 |website=Bleacher Report}} During the offseason, O'Brien traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick, a move that was highly criticized.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Stunner: Texans trade DeAndre Hopkins to Cardinals |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/stunner-texans-trade-deandre-hopkins-to-cardinals-0ap3000001106405 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Barnwell |first=Bill |date=March 16, 2020 |title=DeAndre Hopkins trade grade: The Texans flunked, and the Cardinals got an elite receiver |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28911663/deandre-hopkins-trade-grade-texans-flunked-cardinals-got-elite-receiver |access-date=March 19, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

{{See also|2020 Houston Texans season}}

Following a 0–4 start in 2020, O'Brien was fired by the Texans on October 5, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Texans fire Bill O'Brien as general manager, head coach |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-fire-bill-o-brien-as-general-manager-head-coach |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Barshop |first=Sarah |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Sources: Houston Texans fire coach/GM Bill O'Brien after 0–4 start |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30048287/sources-houston-texans-fire-coach-gm-bill-obrien-0-4-start |access-date=October 6, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} He finished his tenure in Houston with a {{winpct|52|48|record=y}} regular-season record and a {{winpct|2|4|record=y}} playoff record for a combined record of 54–52.

On January 21, 2021, O'Brien was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban, replacing Steve Sarkisian, who left to become the head coach at the University of Texas at Austin.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Bill O'Brien Named Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach|url=https://rolltide.com/news/2021/1/21/football-bill-o-brien-named-offensive-coordinator-and-quarterbacks-coach.aspx |access-date=January 22, 2021 |website=www.rolltide.com}}

During the 2021 season, the Crimson Tide finished 13–2 (7–1 SEC) after winning the Southeastern Conference Championship against Georgia 41–24 and beating Cincinnati 27–6 in the CFP Semi-final, setting up a rematch against Georgia in the CFP National Championship game. Alabama was ultimately defeated by Georgia in the National Championship game 33–18. O’Brien's offensive unit during the 2021 season was led by quarterback Bryce Young, who set the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and won several Player of the Year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy.

During the 2022 season, Alabama finished 11–2 (6–2 SEC) and ended the season as SEC Western Division co-champions, ranked No. 5 the AP Poll with a 45–20 victory over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

Over the course of O'Brien's two years as offensive coordinator, Alabama had a record of 24–4 and averaged over 41 points per game.{{Cite web |last=O'Gara |first=Connor |date=January 25, 2023 |title=Bill O’Brien was a good OC, but he wasn’t good enough to be Alabama’s OC … so who is? |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/who-will-be-alabamas-next-oc-dan-mullen-kliff-kingsbury-bill-obrien/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}} However, he received significant criticism from fans during his tenure at Alabama due to the teams’ inability to win a National Championship, as well as a lack of player development at the quarterback position, despite Young winning the Heisman and being drafted first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Nick |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Alabama football OC Bill O'Brien responds to criticism about Tide's offense, his play-calling |url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/28/bill-obrien-alabama-football-offensive-coordinator-criticism-nick-saban/69762819007/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=The Tuscaloosa News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bartell |first=Peter |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Alabama Football’s 2023 Problem: Bill O’Brien |url=https://southboundanddown.com/2023/09/13/alabama-footballs-2023-problem-bill-obrien/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=South Bound & Down |language=en-US}}

On January 24, 2023, O'Brien was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Patriots hire Bill O'Brien as new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bill-o-brien-returning-to-patriots-as-offensive-coordinator |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Patriots Hire Bill O'Brien as Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-hire-bill-o-brien-as-offensive-coordinator-quarterbacks-coach |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=www.patriots.com |language=en-US}} The Patriots finished the 2023 season as one of the bottom-three offenses in the league.{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Offense Rankings: Team Pass and Rush Stats |url=https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-offense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}

On January 19, 2024, O'Brien was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Ohio State.{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2024 |title=Ryan Day Hires Bill O’Brien as Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/1/19/football-ryan-day-hires-bill-o-brien-as-offensive-coordinator-qbs-coach |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=Ohio State Buckeyes Athletics |language=en}} He never coached a practice or game for the Buckeyes, as O'Brien departed for Boston College just a few weeks after the initial hiring.

On February 9, 2024, O'Brien was hired as the head coach of Boston College, replacing Jeff Hafley, who left to become the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |title=Boston College Names Bill O’Brien Head Football Coach |url=https://bceagles.com/news/2024/2/9/boston-college-names-bill-o-brien-head-football-coach.aspx |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=BCEeagles.com |language=en}} In this first season with the Eagles, O'Brien led the team to a 7–5 mark in the regular season.{{Cite web |title=2024 Boston College Eagles Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/boston-college/2024-schedule.html |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} The team qualified for the Pinstripe Bowl, which they lost 20–15 to Nebraska.{{Cite web |title=Pinstripe Bowl - Boston College vs Nebraska Box Score, December 28, 2024 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2024-12-28-boston-college.html |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

O'Brien and his wife, Colleen, have two sons, Jack and Michael. Jack, the elder son, has a rare brain disorder called lissencephaly.{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Dale |date=January 4, 2014 |title=Family life gives Texans coach O'Brien strength |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Family-life-gives-Texans-coach-O-Brien-strength-5112292.php |access-date=January 13, 2014 |website=HoustonChronicle.com |language=en-US}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Penn State Nittany Lions

| conf = Big Ten Conference

| startyear = 2012

| endyear = 2013

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2012

| name = Penn State

| overall = 8–4

| conference = 6–2

| confstanding = 2nd (Leaders)

| bowlname = ‡

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2013

| name = Penn State

| overall = 7–5

| conference = 4–4

| confstanding = 3rd (Leaders)

| bowlname = ‡

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Penn State

| overall = 15–9

| confrecord = 10–6

}} ‡ Ineligible for Big Ten title, bowl game and Coaches Poll

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Boston College Eagles

| conf = Atlantic Coast Conference

| startyear = 2024

| endyear =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2024

| name = Boston College

| overall = 7–6

| conference = 4–4

| confstanding = T–8th

| bowlname = Pinstripe

| bowloutcome = L

| bcsbowl =

| ranking =

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Boston College

| overall = 7–6

| confrecord = 4–4

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 22–15

| bowls =

| poll =

| polltype =

| legend =

}}

• Most playoff wins: 2 (tied with Gary Kubiak and DeMeco Ryans)
• Most division titles: 4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
• Longest win streak: 9 (2018)

• 2× AFC Champion: (2007, 2011)

{{Reflist}}

• [https://bceagles.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bill-o-brien/2505 Boston College Eagles bio]
• [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/OBriBi0.htm NFL coaching statistics] at Pro Football Reference
• [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bill-obrien-1.html College coaching statistics] at Sports Reference

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