Alabama fans may get their wish with Bill O’Brien potentially leaving for NFL
By John Buhler
Alabama football fans may get their wish if Bill O’Brien takes an NFL head-coaching job.
Despite playing for a national title, Alabama football fans have not exactly been the biggest supporters of new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
The longtime Houston Texans head coach replaced Steve Sarkisian on Nick Saban’s staff this offseason. Though Bryce Young became the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win a Heisman Trophy running O’Brien’s offense, his play-calling at times has driven the fanbase mad. Fortunately for them, he is a candidate to be the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
O’Brien had great success in the same AFC South division as Jacksonville. Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich have strong Jaguars ties and are candidates to replace Urban Meyer as well. Chances are, one of these three candidates will end up getting the job to coach Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.
The #Jaguars plan to interview former #Texans coach Bill O’Brien for their vacant HC job next week after #Bama team plays in the National Championship on Monday, source said. @JohnReid64 had the timing first.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2022
Alabama football: Bill O’Brien a candidate to become next Jaguars head coach
From a schematic and winning standpoint, O’Brien was an excellent head coach in Houston. He won the AFC South four times in five years. However, once he became the team’s general manager, it led to his undoing and eventual termination from the Texans organization mid-season last year. O’Brien can coach, but should not be trusted to play a part in the team-building process.
I think Bill O'Brien is a good coach.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 7, 2022
I think Bill O'Brien is a very bad GM.
Hire someone with the power to check him and it could work.
"The Jaguars plan to interview Bill O'Brien for their head coaching job."
— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) January 7, 2022
Jags fans: pic.twitter.com/65duacLbJA
Bill O’Brien heading to Jacksonville to finesse a head coaching job out of the Jaguars after winning a natty at Alabama pic.twitter.com/Jcl4EuczpT
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) January 7, 2022
When there’s reports that the Jaguars are interested in Bill O’Brien pic.twitter.com/HyMprSn2YD
— Chaps (@UncleChaps) January 4, 2022
As far as how Alabama should feel about this, it should be mixed. O’Brien is not for long in Tuscaloosa because that is how the Nick Saban Coaching Rehabilitation Clinic is supposed to work. However, three offensive coordinators in as many years is tough on any program, even the reigning dynasty of college football that is Alabama. If O’Brien does leave, that is what will happen.
Bill O'Brien clearly is cashing in all his media favors getting his name out there. It's entirely possible -- probable, even -- he knows Saban is not retaining him. So he's ahead of the posse.
— John P. Lopez (@LopezOnSports) January 7, 2022
are people actually touting bill o’brien as a head coaching candidate
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) January 7, 2022
Bill O’Brien had Christian Hackenberg looking like a future #1 overall pick. https://t.co/7lpeqMixbI
— Greg Vorse (@GregVorse) January 7, 2022
Bill O'Brien actually makes plenty of sense for the Jags. Made the playoffs four times in six-plus years in Houston. Also, transitioned Deshaun Watson from the Clemson spread into the NFL—a transition that was rockier than expected for Trevor Lawrence.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 7, 2022
Jax casting a wide net. https://t.co/o81AA3sthl
Ultimately, the Crimson Tide have a national title to win. They are facing an imposing Georgia football team in the national title bout, a team that got embarrassed by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game a little over a month ago. The last thing Saban needs is for his offensive coordinator to be a distraction. Georgia dealt with this with Dan Lanning heading to Oregon.
Bill O'Brien was always going to get interviews for head coaching openings after the 2021 season. He was a horrendous general manager and he played a big role in destroying the #Texans, but his teams here generally posted winning records. That'll interest some organizations.
— battleredblog (@battleredblog) January 7, 2022
TBH not sure I’m on board w/ the excitement about Bill O’Brien potentially going to JAX.
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) January 7, 2022
Guy led Houston to 4 division titles out of his 7 years as coach w/ mostly garbage QBs.
Once he got more power and could make personnel decisions it got bad.
He’s a good football coach.
The @Jaguars are serious about hiring Bill O'Brien? Did they bother to call anyone with the @HoustonTexans? He was an AWFUL coach! Had all of that silent and totally screwed it up. Was a power hungry maniac. https://t.co/PWixXtX8ie
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 7, 2022
I don't really want to position myself as a defender of Bill O'Brien. But as a head coach, he was fine. Absolute dumpster fire of a GM, but I have no problem with the Jaguars or anyone else interviewing him for a HC job.
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) January 7, 2022
O’Brien was never expected to be a mainstay in Tuscaloosa, but Alabama fans should be careful for what they wish for.
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