Ohio State hires former Texans head coach Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator: AP source

Ohio State hires former NFL coach Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, potentially bringing in much-needed experience to the struggling team.

The Ohio State football program is making a big move by hiring former Houston Texans and Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien as its new offensive coordinator. The decision was confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the situation, although the official announcement was still pending university approval at the time of the report.

According to ESPN, the Buckeyes have secured O'Brien for the role, which could potentially provide a significant boost to the team's offensive strategy. Head coach Ryan Day has been handling play-calling duties since taking over as head coach in 2019, but bringing in an experienced play-caller like O'Brien could allow Day to delegate those responsibilities and focus on other aspects of coaching.

It's worth noting that Brian Hartline served as the offensive coordinator for Ohio State last season and will continue as the team's wide receivers coach. However, the Buckeyes are looking to improve their offensive performance after a somewhat lackluster showing last season, ranking 25th in the country in yards per play.

O'Brien's extensive coaching experience includes a seven-year tenure with the Texans, where he worked closely with quarterback Deshaun Watson. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as the head coach at Penn State, navigating the program through a challenging period following NCAA sanctions related to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

After his time in the NFL, O'Brien transitioned back to college football, serving as the offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban. He also coached Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young during his time with the Crimson Tide.

Returning to the NFL this season, O'Brien joined the New England Patriots as their offensive coordinator, marking his second stint with the team. His previous experience with the Patriots included coaching quarterback Tom Brady, which adds a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coaching resume.

With O'Brien now on board, Ohio State's offense will have a strong foundation to build upon. The team has recently brought in new talent through transfers and retained key players who opted to return to school instead of entering the NFL draft.

Overall, this move signals a significant shift for the Buckeyes' offensive strategy and sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in the program's journey.

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