BREAKING: Bill O’Brien Confirmed As New Alabama OC
After weeks of speculation, Alabama Football has a new offensive coordinator.
Bill O'Brien, a former coach at the Houston Texans and Penn State University, was seen in Tuscaloosa shortly before the Crimson Tide's 18th national championship win. Former OC Steve Sarkisian announced right before the title game that he would be leaving the program to take a head coaching job at the University of Texas.
The University of Alabama's football Twitter account announced the news late Thursday afternoon, finally clearing up weeks of speculation as to who would lead the Crimson Tide's offensive line.
According to Tide 100.9's Joe Gaither, O'Brien has ties to Alabama head coach Nick Saban, as he had served as offensive coordinator for Saban's good friend, Bill Belichick, for the New England Patriots. O'Brien was recently fired from the Texans after losing the first four games of the season. He was also general manager of the team and was relieved of both duties in late 2020.
Surprisingly, Saban might have let the news slip earlier than Alabama Athletics had planned to make an official announcement, as he spoke of O'Brien about two weeks ago on Sports Radio 610 in Houston. Tide 100.9's James Ludeman reported that Saban had alluded to a potential confirmation that O'Brien would become the next offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide, despite no official announcement having been made yet.
"Based on the body of work up until [becoming GM], I think he's an outstanding coach and a really good person," Saban said on the show. "He's got a good family and I think he'll do a good job with our players here."
But now that the announcement is finally here, Saban had more to say on his newfound coworker. He remarked on his excitement for O'Brien's arrival in a press release.
"We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O'Brien to our coaching staff," Saban said in the release. "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 said he is "honored and excited" to join Saban and the Alabama program. He also acknowledged that he is ready to add to the prestige of what Saban has built the Alabama Football program to be.
"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," O'Brien said in a press release. "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."
To read the entire press release regarding O'Brien's hire, click here. Stay tuned for more updates on this hire as they become available.
All-SEC First Team
Preseason All-SEC 2nd Team