A few teams in the National Football League need a head coach, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of them.
Bill O’Brien, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, was interviewed after the 2021 season. However, he’s now becoming an unlikely hire. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, he is “not getting the vibe” from his sources that O’Brien is the guy for the Jaguars. O’Brien is well-liked by Jacksonville’s general manager, Trent Baalke, but it does not seem like O’Brien is the one.
He spent five years (2007-11) with the Patriots as an offensive assistant and seven (2014-20) as a head coach for the Texans.
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The 52-year-old produced a 4,000-yard quarterback (Bryce Young), a 1,000-yard running back (Brian Robinson Jr.), and two 1,000-yard receivers (Jameson Williams, John Metchie) for the Crimson Tide. Young won several individual awards, including the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
O’Brien coached Alabama to a top-10 scoring offense (39.9 ppg, No. 6) and total offense (488.2, No. 7) in the nation.
The Tide scored 40+ points in nine games, including five against Southeastern Conference schools. He guided an offense that put 41 points on Georgia in the SEC Championship – the most points the Bulldogs allowed all season. Miami, Houston, Minnesota, and the New York Giants are other teams that need a head coach. Could O’Brien be on the move, or will he return for his second season at Alabama? We shall find out soon enough.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
