Tag: bill obrien

Opinion: Stop attributing every coaching move to NIL and the transfer portal

What do you think about the current state of college football?

Ben Kenney urges everyone to stop blaming NIL and the transfer portal for every coaching move:

College football’s coaching carousel is still up and running.

Just in the last week we’ve seen Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley take the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator job, Bill O’Brien take the Boston College vacancy and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly leave for O’Brien’s old post as offensive coordinator at Ohio State. That all doesn’t include the UCLA vacancy, which may be filled by another Big Ten coach.

There is a hot term today whenever any coaching move happens, whether that coach got a promotion, left a bad situation, or just needed a change of scenery:

“See! NIL and the transfer portal are ruining college football.”

I will not argue, in some cases it’s true. We’d be naive to look at the retirement of Jay Wright and not attribute at least part of it to the state of college basketball.

The current state of college athletics is in flux, and it is clearly suffering from a lack of power structure to install strict regulations — part of that being directly related to NIL and the portal.

But I’d like to send a message to the college football-watching public: Stop hitting the lowest-common-denominator talking point of ‘NIL and the portal’ to explain every coaching move, and using every coaching move to support some lazy narrative that the sport is about to die.

Here’s an example of what I mean:

This from CBS Sports Radio’s Ryan Hickey perfectly leads into the message of this article.

“Some of the biggest names, some of the best coaches in college basketball and college football are feeling like they’re being driven out of their sport, Hickey said. “Nick Saban, retired. Jim Harbaugh, leave to go to the NFL. And now even Jeff Hafley leaving Boston College to be the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.”

Yes, three legendary coaches: Saban, Harbaugh…and Jeff Hafley? First of all, I posted the following on ‘X’ when this move happened, after Hafley’s agent tried to spin his move:

“Because the guy chose the Boston College job. This is like Deion stirring up all the commotion when Colorado was 2-0, & then wondering why the team had such a large spotlight. This is code for “I was bad at the job and it’s easier to progress as an NFL DC than it will be when I get fired”

It’s simple, he was a below-average college football coach who knew succeeding as a defensive coordinator would be better for his long-term prospects than getting fired at BC. That’s why he left for the NFL. If he cared so much about NIL and the portal, he wouldn’t have taken the Boston College job in the first place.

So Hafley’s one recent example. The other is Chip Kelly, who again left UCLA to take the offensive coordinator job at Ohio State.

Anybody paying an ounce of attention knew Kelly was on thin ice at UCLA, and was almost fired last year. Pair that with him losing a freshman five-star quarterback to the Portal (because Kelly benched him during the season), his star defensive coordinator leaving and UCLA having the worst recruiting class in the Big Ten, and you can see why Kelly also thought succeeding as an OC at a place like Ohio State is better for him than being fired at UCLA.

Again, NIL and the transfer portal exist as part of the job description of these coaches — of course it makes the job more challenging. I’d argue the recruiting schedule makes it harder than ever, but that’s a separate discussion.

Just because these coaches move on, move laterally or take promotions doesn’t mean NIL and the portal are driving everybody away.

There are NFL coordinators taking jobs in college (Wink Martindale with Michigan and Stephen Belichick with Washington). Does that mean the NFL model is suddenly unsustainable? Or do those moves make sense for their careers?

All I ask is that we all thing for three seconds before attributing something to NIL and the transfer portal. It’s lazy, it’s greatly reductive and doesn’t tell the full story about the state of the sport.

Former Alabama OC Bill O’Brien accepts job as Boston College head coach

Former Alabama and Ohio State OC Bill O’Brien accepts Boston College HC job

On January 19th, [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] was unveiled as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Just three weeks later, and O’Brien is on the move again as he will be taking over the Boston College head coaching job. Former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley made the shocking decision to step away last week in favor of a defensive coordinator position with the Green Bay Packers.

The former Alabama offensive coordinator spent the 2023 season with [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] and the New England Patriots, but with Bill Belichick being let go the Patriots decided to clean house. O’Brien was a big factor in the Buckeyes landing QB [autotag]Julian Sayin[/autotag] from Alabama, so you have to wonder what this might mean for Sayin’s future.

Ohio State has already replaced O’Brien as they landed UCLA head coach Chip Kelly today.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Report: Former Wisconsin head coach a candidate for the Boston College opening

Would this work out?

Former Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst is a candidate for the current opening at Boston College, according to a report from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Chryst spend 2023 as an offensive analyst at Texas under head coach Steve Sarkisian after Wisconsin fired him midway through the 2022 season. He at least somewhat aided Texas in its successful 12-2 campaign, Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff birth.

Boston College, meanwhile, has an opening after its former head coach Jeff Hafley took the defensive coordinator job with the Green Bay Packers.

Feldman writes that he’s heard Chryst “has gotten some traction for this job,” alongside top candidate Ohio State OC Bill O’Brien and other candidates including Army head coach Jeff Monken, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun, Boston College outside linebackers coach Paul Rhoads and former Boston College player Al Washington.

O’Brien appears to be the favorite after spending 2023 on the Patriots’ offensive staff, that before taking the Ohio State offensive coordinator job after the 2023 season.

Whether the job is his or not, a key takeaway here is Chryst’s clear desire to return to the coaching mix after a year at Texas. He recently was a candidate for the vacant offensive coordinator spot at Iowa, and now is reportedly in the mix for a head coaching position.

If we don’t see Chryst somewhere on the sideline in 2024, I’d bet he’s back leading a program in 2025.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe says former OC suggested he switch positions

Former Alabama OC Bill O’Brien told Jalen Milroe he couldn’t play QB for Alabama

Aside from the game itself, a lot of things go into making the College Football Playoffs a great experience. The players get a week’s vacation to a cool bowl site as well as being gifted all sorts of things ranging from memorabilia to video game consoles and so much more. For people in the media, the week leading up to the game is content heaven because of how much more access they have to the players compared to a typical game week.

One of the biggest jaw-dropping statements from media week so far was when Alabama quarterback [autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag] revealed that former offensive coordinator [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] had suggested he switch positions. O’Brien didn’t gain much popularity during his time in Tuscaloosa, but even for him, that is a pretty insane statement.

Especially in hindsight considering that Milroe will be starting in the Rose Bowl in four days and will likely enter the 2024 season as the Heisman Trophy betting favorite. As for O’Brien, he was responsible for one of the worst offenses in the NFL this season as the offensive coordinator of the Patriots. He essentially ruined whatever was left of Mac Jones career as a starter in the league.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

PFF: Bills’ Ken Dorsey is a top-five offensive coordinator in the NFL entering 2023

PFF likes #Bills OC Ken Dorsey (via @TejasVemparala):

With half the teams in the NFL changing offensive coordinators from 2022 to 2023, Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey will be one that others will be looking to emulate or outperform.

According to Pro Football Focus, at least.

Usually, elite offensive coordinators get poached for head coaching jobs at other teams. This makes these rankings difficult. PFF took a shot at it nonetheless and Dorsey finished in a favorable spot.

Currently, two new hires – the New England Patriots’ OC Bill O’Brien and Los Angeles’ Chargers OC Kellen Moore – are currently ranked above Dorsey based on their previous OC experience in the ranking from the football analytics out. Dorsey stayed in the Bills role even though the Carolina Panthers requested to interview him for their head coach role, and last season’s juggernaut offense might have been the catalyst for his high positioning at fifth overall.

Here’s how PFF breaks down OC Ken Dorsey’s previous and upcoming seasons:

5. KEN DORSEY, BUFFALO BILLS

Ken Dorsey stepped into the offensive coordinator role last season in Buffalo after the departure of Brian Daboll. Clearly, the foundation laid by Daboll and the personnel were already good, but the offense kept on trucking with little sign of change. Buffalo’s offense ranked top five in most meaningful offensive categories, and only the Chiefs were better in successful play rate. Dorsey can further cement his reputation with another strong season this year.

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1 thing for the Bills to prepare for against every team in the AFC East this season

1 thing for the #Bills to prepare for against every team in the AFC East this season:

Six of the Buffalo Bills’ 17 games during the 2023 NFL regular season will be against the other three teams in the AFC East. The New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins will be some of the most challenging games Buffalo has on their schedule as they will play against each of these teams twice.

Here is one thing to prepare for with each of the teams in the AFC East:

Alabama Morning Drive: Bill O’Brien interviews with Patriots, Tide adds UGA transfer

The latest news and notes involving the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, Jan. 20.

Good morning, Tide fans! Welcome back to another Friday edition of Alabama Morning Drive!

Thursday certainly was an exciting day for the fans of the Alabama football program.

Alabama offensive coordinator [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] interviewed for the same position with New England Patriots. He is now expected to eventually land the role with his old boss, Bill Belichick.

Tide fans have made their feelings about O’Brien known over the past couple of seasons, so it appears they will be getting their wish and a new coordinator will soon take over in Tuscaloosa.

Here are a few other top stories to follow this Friday morning!

REPORT: Alabama’s Bill O’Brien has become the primary target for Patriots OC job

What are your thoughts on this, Tide fans?

To the joy of most Alabama football fans, it is being reported by Pro Football Talk that Crimson Tide offensive coordinator [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] has emerged as the leading candidate to land the play-calling duties for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

O’Brien just wrapped up his second season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator but does have previous experience in New England.

O’Brien worked for coach Belichick and the Patriots from 2007-11 including being the offensive coordinator during the 2011 season.

To say that O’Brien’s tenure in Tuscaloosa has been turbulent would be an understatement. Despite helping guide [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag] to become the program’s first quarterback to win a Heisman Trophy, fans have not been happy with the lack of creativity and situational play calling.

It now appears that O’Brien’s tenure in Tuscaloosa could be coming to and end.

Roll Tide Wire will continue the coaching carousel as it involves the Alabama staff.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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‘I’m still under contract, so absolutely’ says Pete Golding on plans to return to Alabama

Pete Golding fully expects to be back as Alabama’s DC for the 2023 season.

Alabama defensive coordinator [autotag]Pete Golding[/autotag] has been under the fan’s microscope ever since he took over the playcalling four seasons ago.

Much like their feelings for offensive coordinator [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag], Alabama fans are ready to move on from the Golding experiment.

While I understand the frustration of the Alabama faithful, it is important to note that under Golding, and during a time when Alabama was revolutionizing its offensive philosophy, the Crimson Tide has continued to be one of the best defenses in the entire country.

In fact, since 2019 Alabama ranks sixth in the nation in points per game allowed at 19. Just three points behind the best average of 16 from the Georiga Bulldogs.

While those numbers do not tell the whole story, it is at the very least part of the story.

On Thursday, just two days before the Crimson Tide will face Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Golding would participate in a press conference where he was directly asked about his future with [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and Alabama.

Golding gave a quick and definitive response.

“I’m still under contract, so absolutely.”

Much like O’Brien, Golding can take some of the bad taste out of the fans mouths with a strong showing on Saturday against the Big 12 champs.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs calls out critics of Bill O’Brien

Jahmyr Gibbs comes to the defense of Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

One of the most criticized coordinators in the entire country resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Crimson Tide offensive coordinator [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] has drawn more than his fair share of criticisms over the last two seasons even though he helped to deliver the program’s first Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

Even still, the Alabama offense has moments that have left fans and analysts in disbelief.

Alabama is just a few days away from wrapping up the 2022 football season when they face Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Saturday.

On Wednesday, star running [autotag]Jahmyr Gibbs[/autotag] would speak to the media and be immediately asked about the criticism of coach O’Brien, and Gibbs would not mix words in his response.

“A lot of people have never played in a college game before, never coached in a college game before. He’s coached in the NFL, he’s coached in college, so I guess he knows what he’s doing.”

Obviously, Gibbs believes the criticism of O’Brien is not warranted and whether you agree with Gibbs or not is irrelevant. Gibbs believes in his OC and player belief is all that matters at this point.

If we are being honest, Gibbs makes a great point. Many folks within the media and the fan base have never called one single play at the college level, let alone in the NFL.

Nevertheless, how boring would college football be if we could not rant and rave about the playcalling from time to time?

Coach O’Brien could help end the season on the right note with a strong performance on Saturday against the Wildcats.

Below is everything else Gibbs had to say during his Wednesday press conference.