Former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien announced as Ohio State’s new OC. What we know

Penn State fans might want to re-circle Nov. 2 on their calendars this year.

After multiple reports Thursday, Ohio State confirmed late Friday morning that that former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien — who preceded James Franklin — has become the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions are set to face off at Beaver Stadium in early November.

“I am extremely pleased to be able to add Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said in a written statement. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge — and a tremendous amount of success — at both the NFL and collegiate levels. 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.”

Penn State fans should be plenty familiar with O’Brien. He succeeded Joe Paterno, coaching the Nittany Lions in the 2012 and 2013 seasons before taking the Houston Texans’ head NFL coaching job.

Despite facing unprecedented sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal, the Nittany Lions still finished both of O’Brien’s seasons with winning records — 8-4 and 7-5 — thanks in large part to the dimple-chinned coach and seniors keeping the team together. At the time, O’Brien’s recruitment of blue-chip prospects like QB Christian Hackenberg and TE Adam Breneman helped show the program wasn’t going anywhere.

He’s expected to take over the play-calling duties at Ohio State, allowing Day to step away from them.

O’Brien brings a solid resume to the Buckeyes. After his time in Happy Valley, he led the Texans to four AFC South titles over six seasons before he was fired in 2020 after an 0-4 start. From there, he spent two seasons as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Alabama, where he helped the Crimson Tide finish within the top 10 in scoring each year. He then took the same position this past season with the New England Patriots, who struggled offensively and finished 4-13.

The longtime coach, who began his coaching career in 1993 at Brown University, has worked with NFL legend Tom Brady and helped guide Bryce Young to the Heisman Trophy. He also coached up former Texans QB Deshaun Watson, who saw two Pro Bowls under O’Brien.

The hire marks the continuation of significant changes on the Buckeyes. Day has already decided not to bring back two assistants in safeties coach Perry Eliano and special teams coach Parker Fleming; and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis is expected to transition to a “still-to-be-determined role” within the program, the team said.

Wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who was technically listed as the offensive coordinator last season despite Day calling plays, will remain on staff. Ohio State said he will continue to coach the wide receivers while also serving as co-offensive coordinator.