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Bill O’Brien is reportedly leaving Alabama to become the next offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that news on Tuesday morning. O’Brien previously served on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England and was the team’s OC in 2011.
Alabama will be replacing both of its coordinators this offseason. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding left Alabama’s staff earlier this offseason to take the same role at Ole Miss.
While O’Brien does have experience as an OC, Alabama fans had grown frustrated with his offense over the past couple of seasons. The Crimson Tide ranked just 8th and 16th nationally in yards-per-play in 2022 and 2021, respectively. They ranked in the top 3 in the country in that category from 2018-2020.
Alabama will have the chance to largely rebuild its offense from scratch in 2023. With O’Brien and quarterback Bryce Young departing for the NFL, it gives Alabama a clean slate heading into next season.
Here’s some of the reaction from fans and media to O’Brien’s departure:
Alabama message boards: https://t.co/KQ502oAIFF pic.twitter.com/vFnzEfGkiH
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 24, 2023
GOOD MORNING! pic.twitter.com/GQeMOO204u https://t.co/H28p2nfUZf
— 8batz (@SikuLaFlame) January 24, 2023
live footage of tuscaloosa waking up to the Bill O’Brien news pic.twitter.com/W9uOae1jWw
— matthias (@matthias__meyer) January 24, 2023
POV: Gump Twitter after the Bill O’Brien news pic.twitter.com/tPLEFfOWl5
— Riley (@Ri_S_OB) January 24, 2023
Alabama has parted ways with Bill O’Brien
Bama fans: pic.twitter.com/2riY9Oe1Zb
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) January 24, 2023
The Screen Pass upon hearing this news: https://t.co/vnQnh83wKu pic.twitter.com/njYVmu6s2k
— Chris Kuzyk (@_KOOZ_) January 24, 2023
Really gonna miss Bill O’Brien at Alabama… https://t.co/HilgnEbJOv pic.twitter.com/TeeX75YruI
— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) January 24, 2023
When will Patriot fans want Bill O’Brien fired next season?
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) January 24, 2023
Nick Saban and Bill O'Brien's last meeting ? pic.twitter.com/9WTCLkqQ8E
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) January 24, 2023
Am I going to miss Bill O’Brien calling 3 consecutive pass plays inside the 5 yd line? pic.twitter.com/F1iyTiVpoZ
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) January 24, 2023
Alabama fans hearing the Bill O’Brien news pic.twitter.com/2Wj1C0xqBB
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) January 24, 2023
BREAKING: Bill O'Brien is heading to New England to be the Patriots new offensive coordinator. Mac Jones will finally have a seasoned OC at his disposal. pic.twitter.com/6wNxROQRt7
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) January 24, 2023
Just so we’re clear….unlike Jalen Hurts, Alabama DOES NOT claim Bill O’Brien
— Riley (@Ri_S_OB) January 24, 2023
The offseason has barely begun, but hiring Bill O'Brien could well be the most influential move the Patriots make this offseason.
A chance for them to get their offense on track after a wayward 2022 season.
Mac Jones stands to benefit in a major way from this hire. https://t.co/lVaAEs5zDN
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 24, 2023
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
