The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the second phase of interviews for their head coaching vacancy and one finalist was announced in Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. And while it isn’t known what other candidates will join him in the process, one of the candidates that NFL Network has declared is unlikely to advance is Alabama coach Bill O’Brien.
According to the sources of NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, there hasn’t been any indication that O’Brien is among the top candidates despite the presumption that general manager Trent Baalke likes him. That said, it appears O’Brien could be set to remain with the University of Alabama, though he was also under consideration for the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator job.
O’Brien spent the past season as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Nick Saban. While there, he played a role in getting them to the National Championship while also coaching Bryce Young, who won the Heisman this past season.
Before joining the Crimson Tide, O’Brien was the coach for the Houston Texans from 2014-20. He garnered a record of 52-48 in the process and was fired before the 2020 season ended.
O’Brien’s career with the Texans was somewhat of a roller coaster, especially when he traded their star receiver in DeAndre Hopkins and had a “heated exchange” with their defensive star JJ Watt, according to ESPN. With Jags fans witnessing the Coughlin regime facing similar controversy, O’Brien was viewed as one of the least favored candidates, though oddsmakers felt differently.