Ohio State hired Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator, freeing head coach Ryan Day to oversee the entire team with play-calling duties off of his plate.
O’Brien has a promising record working with quarterbacks, including Tom Brady during his first stint on the New England Patriots’ coaching staff more than a decade ago, and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at Alabama.
“He brings with him a wealth of knowledge — and a tremendous amount of success — at both the NFL and collegiate levels,” Day said in a statement. “He is an excellent and experienced offensive coach who has run NFL and Power 5 programs and developed some truly elite players throughout his career. He’ll be an excellent teacher and recruiter for us, and he absolutely strengthens our staff.”
O’Brien, 54, spent the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in New England, following two seasons in the same role on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. He was the head coach of the Houston Texans (2014-20) and Penn State (2012-13) after experience as an assistant coach at both the pro and college levels.
At Alabama, the O’Brien-led offense averaged 39.9 and 41.1 points per game in his two seasons.
In 2023, Ohio State averaged 30.5 points per game, good for 44th in the nation. In 2022, the Buckeyes were second in the nation with 44.2 points per game.
The dropoff in points followed the shift from C.J. Stroud to Kyle McCord as starting quarterback.
In 2024, Ohio State’s quarterback depth chart will include Will Howard, formerly of Kansas State, and five-star recruit Air Noland, ranked as the nation’s No. 4 quarterback by the 247Sports composite.
The offense will be boosted by the addition of two-time All-SEC tailback Quinshon Judkins, an Ole Miss transfer, as will as the returns of standout wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
–Field Level Media
