What Should Ohio State Fans Expect From New Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien?
Bill O'Brien is headed to Columbus as the Ohio State Buckeyes' next offensive coordinator whether fans like it or not.
Now the question is: how will the offense differ in 2024?
Regardless of the national narrative surrounding the move, Buckeyes everywhere must embrace the change. It's needed after three consecutive losses to Michigan in what could have been undefeated seasons.
Another defeat and perhaps Ryan Day heads for the unemployment line. Even with four 10-plus win seasons and three College Football Playoff berths, how many coaches survive a four-game skid to the Maize and Blue?
O'Brien might be the butt of jokes after guiding the New England Patriots offense to a league-low 13.9 points per game in 2023. But in college, his track record speaks for itself.
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The Buckeyes needed to go bold in what feels like a must-win year. O'Brien checks off most of the boxes and comes with over three decades of experience coaching at both the collegiate and NFL levels.
During O'Brien's time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide's offense ranked top 10 in scoring and featured a Heisman Trophy winner in Bryce Young. Alabama made the playoff in 2021 and bested Cincinnati en route to playing for another national championship.
In Houston, O'Brien guided the Texans to four AFC South division titles in six seasons. Deshaun Watson became a Pro Bowl-caliber passer under his watch, and the team finished ranked top 15 in total offense and scoring three times.
If that's not enough, O'Brien was around for some of the best statistical years of the Tom Brady era as both the Patriots' quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. As the primary play-caller, O'Brien helped Brady and the offense return to the Super Bowl in 2012 before taking the job at Penn State.
Quarterbacks often rely on completion percentage and moving the sticks over deep shots downfield. It's all about "the next play" mentality for O'Brien's concept; keep the ball rolling and out of the hands of the opponents.
Young, Watson, and Brady thrived under the concept and won countless games because of it. The rushing attack was balanced, but not overpowering, and receivers were slipping through cracks to finish with 1,000-yard campaigns.
Yes, that O'Brien had a slew of 1,000-yard playmakers on his roster. Does Randy Moss, DeAndre Hopkins, or Jameson Williams ring a bell to anyone?
All had record-setting seasons under O'Brien's offense.
The Buckeyes return eight offensive starters, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreyVeon Henderson and offensive lineman Donovan Jackson. They added No. 1 recruit Jeremiah Smith as part of their top-three class and brought over Kansas State's Will Howard and Ole Miss' Quinshon Judkins from the transfer portal.
Bottom line; the excuses are over for Day and Co. Ohio State knows that with a surplus of prospects snubbing the draft to return for another year comes added pressure thrown onto the pile of sky-high expectations.
Every year feels like one where Ohio State is "all-in," but it has to be in 2024. One doesn't add a talent like Caleb Downs from Alabama to go alongside two quality safeties to finish 11-2 with an early exit in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
With O'Brien, maybe that won't be the case.
Expect the offense to be under his watch. Day, meanwhile, will likely take on the daily duties of a more CEO-type, letting his coordinators run the show on the headset while he does more work in building for the future.
With O'Brien calling the plays, expect a pro-style approach. That doesn't mean tempos, personnel or other formations won't be added, but O'Brien runs things close to the vest and has a certain brand to his offensive looks.
Keep in mind O'Brien was paddling upstream with styrofoam paddles in New England. He also had receivers with styrofoam hands and a quarterback who was already one foot out the door. While the marriage of Bills worked in the past, that doesn't mean it was going to be duplicated.
Just like O'Brien's time in New England doesn't mean it'll mirror his time with the Buckeyes.
There are weapons in Columbus. Countless to say the least. And say what you will about the Mac Jones experiment under your breath since most quarterbacks in O'Brien's system come out the other side better for working with him.
Will things work? Who's to say? But change was essential entering 2024. Day is running out of excuses and Buckeyes fans across the country are running out of patience.
O'Brien might end up being the reason for Day's dismissal, or he could be why a title returns to the Woody Hayes Center next fall.
There's almost no middle ground here. Just like there's not a middle ground in how his offense works. Add in the right pieces and watch things come together.
The right pieces are at his disposal. O'Brien needs to put them in the correct order.
