It is looking like Bill O’Brien may remain as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Several head coaching positions in the National Football League opened up, but now the Minnesota Vikings’ job is the lone one available. O’Brien has not been offered a head coaching spot in the pros. Reports swirled on the possibility of the New England Patriots hiring him as its offensive coordinator. He would replace the departed Josh McDaniels, but now that may not happen.
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According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, the Patriots are working on hiring ex-Giants head coach Joe Judge.
Judge, 40, spent eight seasons (2012-19) in New England as a special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach.
He has three Super Bowl Championship rings, but Judge failed in two years as a head coach in New York. Bill Belichick and the Patriots look to revive his coaching career. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said via Twitter that New England ‘may not’ hire an offensive coordinator. If it hires Judge, the Patriots get an offensive assistant back in the building and can move things around.
The #Patriots are working through some things, but they may not hire an OC. The addition of Joe Judge gives them added leadership on offense and allows them to move some responsibilities around. So Judge heads back home. https://t.co/85SWqbq5lw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2022
Nick Saban stated he does not see O’Brien leaving Alabama. He said the offensive mind ‘likes it in Tuscaloosa.’
O’Brien, 52, produced a 4,000-yard passer (Bryce Young), a 1,000-yard rusher (Brian Robinson Jr.), and two 1,000-yard receivers (Jameson Williams and John Metchie) in 2021 for Alabama. He coached Young to a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore.
Jim McElwain, Lane Kiffin, and Steve Sarkisian won national championships in their second seasons as offensive play-callers with the Crimson Tide. O’Brien can become the fourth one to accomplish this feat in Tuscaloosa under Coach Saban.
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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.
