During his introductory press conference as the new head coach of Boston College, Bill O’Brien expressed gratitude to Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day for his understanding and patience regarding O’Brien’s decision to pursue the Boston College job. O’Brien had been hired by Day as the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes on January 19, but he left the position two weeks later when the opportunity at Boston College arose.
O’Brien acknowledged Day’s support, stating, “I really appreciate Ryan Day’s patience and understanding of why it was crucial for me to pursue this opportunity. Many people here at Boston College are familiar with Ryan Day, and I can attest to his exceptional character and coaching abilities. He was incredibly supportive throughout this entire process.”
Before joining Boston College, O’Brien served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots during the 2023 season. However, the team struggled, ranking near the bottom in total offense. Previously, O’Brien had a record of 52-48 as the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020. He also served as the head coach at Penn State from 2012 to 2013, where he achieved a 15-9 record over two seasons, including a 10-6 record in Big Ten play and earning the title of Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2012.
Following O’Brien’s departure, Day appointed Chip Kelly, the head coach of UCLA, as the new offensive coordinator for Ohio State. This decision received positive feedback, with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum suggesting it was a beneficial move for all parties involved.
Finebaum stated, “I personally believe Ohio State will benefit more from having Chip Kelly than they would have with Bill O’Brien. Chip Kelly’s decision to accept the job indicates his lack of confidence in UCLA, which has been under scrutiny. Despite UCLA’s recent successful seasons under Kelly’s leadership, his history as one of college football’s elite coaches adds weight to his appointment.”
Kelly inherits a talented offense at Ohio State, bolstered by significant acquisitions during the offseason. With the addition of notable players such as Will Howard from Kansas State, Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss, and Julian Sayin from Alabama, the Buckeyes have secured a top-10 portal haul. Additionally, there is speculation that Ohio State may pursue former UCLA players during the transfer portal window, particularly in positions such as the offensive line, where they have already added impactful transfers like Seth McLaughlin from Alabama.
