The Alabama Crimson Tide officially announced the hiring of Bill O’Brien as the team’s new offensive coordinator this week.
O’Brien replaces Steve Sarkisian, who spent the previous two seasons as Alabama’s offensive coordinator before accepting the head-coaching job at Texas.
The former head coach of the Houston Texans, O’Brien was fired in October. In just over six seasons, O’Brien finished with a record of 54-52, despite leading the Texans to four AFC South titles.
Before O’Brien went to Houston in 2014, he was the head coach at Penn State for two seasons. In 2012, O’Brien was named Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, awarded to the top coach in college football.
In addition to his role as offensive coordinator, O’Brien will also coach quarterbacks.
Alabama coach Nick Saban released a statement on O’Brien’s hiring via the team’s official website.
We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff. He has a wealth of experience as both an offensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL and college. Bill is one of the brightest offensive minds in football, an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He will strengthen our coaching staff and give our players the best possible chance to be successful.
O’Brien also released a statement on his hiring.
I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban’s staff at The University of Alabama. I have an incredible amount of admiration for the rich football tradition at this University and the success Coach Saban has had during his time in Tuscaloosa. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the best football players in the country, while helping to continue the success this program has enjoyed for many years.
The last time O’Brien held the role of offensive coordinator was back in 2011 when he was with the New England Patriots.