ESPN report: Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to be named New England Patriots OC

Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is reportedly returning to the NFL. He’s taking over as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Low reported Tuesday morning.

O’Brien has spent the last two years with the Crimson Tide, where he worked closely with Bryce Young and helped him become the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He’ll now return to New England, where he worked from 2007-11, and work with another former Crimson Tide star in Mac Jones.

The Patriots, who went 8-9 this season, took an interesting approach with play-calling this year as assistants Joe Judge and Matt Patricia split the duties.

For Nick Saban, the search is now on for two new coordinators after defensive coordinator Pete Golding left the program for Ole Miss earlier this offseason.

Alabama fans voiced their frustration after some tough performances on offense even though the Crimson Tide averaged almost one more point per game than last year. However, Alabama saw its total offense drop from 488.2 yards per game in 2021 to 475.7 yards per contest in 2022.

The biggest drop in production came in the passing game, though, as Alabama went from 338.2 yards per game last year to 278.3 yards this year. But there are a couple factors in play with that number. Bryce Young suffered a shoulder injury that might have limited his production, and the Crimson Tide used the running game more in 2022. Led by Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama averaged 197.4 rushing yards per game — 47.4 more yards than it averaged a year ago.

O’Brien last spoke with the media ahead of the Sugar Bowl and made it clear he was focused on the matchup with Kansas State. He also said he hasn’t talked with anyone involved with the Patriots in some time.

“The focus for me and this coaching staff is on these games we’re playing,” O’Brien said. “This game coming up. … Those things are addressed after the season. … I haven’t spoken to anybody in New England since last April.”