Report: Bill O'Brien considering return to NFL

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•11/27/22•

ChandlerVessels

Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is considering making a return to the NFL next season, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz. O’Brien has been with the Crimson Tide for the past two seasons after spending seven years as the head coach of the Houston Texans.

Schultz also reported that O’Brien was in talks with Georgia Tech to become its next head coach, but those discussions have “cooled” as the Yellow Jackets have zeroed in on Tulane coach Willie Fritz.

This isn’t the first time that rumors have circulated of a potential return to the pros for O’Brien, as many also speculated he could leave last offseason. However, he never found what he was looking for and ultimately returned for Year 2 in Tuscaloosa.

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O’Brien amassed a 52-48 record during his time in Houston, including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2019. However, he was fired after an 0-4 start to 2020. Before taking over the Texans, he also spent five years under Bill Belichick as an assistant for the New England Patriots.

During his first season with Alabama, O’Brien helped the Crimson Tide to finish among the top 10 in both points and yards per game. He also coached quarterback Bryce Young, who became the first Alabama quarterback ever to win the Heisman Trophy that season. The Crimson Tide advanced to the College Football Playoff Championship Game, where they lost to Georgia.

This season, O’Brien has Alabama as the No. 5 scoring offense in the country with 40.8 points per contest. However, they finished the regular season with two losses and will not play in the SEC Championship. With that being the case, they are in danger of missing the College Football Playoff for the second time in the past four seasons.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Bill O’Brien head back to the NFL given his history in the league. It should also be noted he is the fourth offensive coordinator for Nick Saban since 2017, including current New York Giants coach Brian Daboll and now-Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.