Bill O’Brien has been a source of frustration for Alabama fans for much of this season, but the offensive coordinator is not aware of it.

“I don’t really pay attention to that,” O’Brien said at a Sugar Bowl press conference on Wednesday. “Sorry, I don’t know what the criticism would be.”

O’Brien has also been linked to the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator job, as O’Brien held that position earlier in his career. The Patriots’ offense has also been a source of frustration as the offense has struggled. O’Brien also deflected that question.

“The focus for me and for this coaching staff and for these players has really been on these games that we’re playing. … I haven’t spoken to anybody in New England since probably last April,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien’s two-year contract expires after this season, and his future with the Crimson Tide is unknown. But he hasn’t opened up about the Patriots, even though an NFL Network report recently suggested O’Brien is a strong option to return to Bill Belichick’s staff.

“I wish them well in their last, however many games they have left,” O’Brien said. “But we’re very focused on this game and coaching this team to the best of our ability.”

O’Brien was asked if he had contact with any other NFL teams other than the Patriots, and if he was interested in extending his contract with Alabama.

“I have a lot of friends in the NFL, so the answer would be yes to that. I have a lot of coaching friends in the NFL, so yeah, they’re some of my closest friends. But relative to working in the NFL, no,” O’Brien said. “Relative to working here, like I said, I love it here, I love my experience here. I’m very focused on this game coming up, and then whatever conversations happen after this game, those will take place when they take place.”