Bill O'Brien Surprising Reaction to Patriots' Losing Season
As Bill O'Brien stood in front of reporters Thursday for his introduction as Boston College's newest head coach, he emphasized a key theme: home.
But O'Brien, at least geographically, has been home for the last year, serving as the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator.
It wasn't smooth sailing, as New England's offense ranked No. 30 in yards and No. 31 in scoring while quarterback Mac Jones was benched for the final six games in favor of Bailey Zappe.
When the Patriots parted ways with head coach Bill Belichick just four days after the season, O'Brien was also out of luck, forcing the Boston native elsewhere.
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First, it was as Ohio State's offensive coordinator. Weeks later, he pivoted to Boston College - where he feels rejuvenated after a dismal 2023 campaign in New England.
"This is definitely invigorating relative to what happened last year," O'Brien said Friday, via WEEI. "Look, last year was a tough year. We didn't play well offensively. And I say we. All of us. We just didn't do a good enough job. We turned it over too much. We made too many self-inflicted errors."
O'Brien offered his best wishes to new head coach Jerod Mayo and the rest of his staff, noting the regime will get the Patriots right following a 4-13 season.
New England's missed the playoffs three of the past four years, limping to a 29-38 record since Tom Brady departed.
It's a new era with Mayo at the helm - one O'Brien won't be a part of, largely by his own accord, as he opted to let Mayo hire his own staff. Still, O'Brien remains supportive of the organization.
"It was a tough year, but those things happen," O'Brien said. "I've been doing this (for) 32 years. Not every year has been 14-2, 14-3. Some years are tougher than others and last year was tough.
"But there was a bunch of good guys on that team that I enjoyed coaching and I really wish everybody at the Patriots the best."
O'Brien's first stint in New England, which came in 2011, similarly ended after one season - but it's because he took the head coaching job at Penn State, where he stayed for two years before becoming the Houston Texans' head coach.
This time around, O'Brien's following a similar path but under different circumstances, leaving New England after struggling and returning to the college ranks at a lower profile gig.
But for O'Brien, Boston College is home - and he's ready to bring the Eagles back to national prominence.
"You can win at a place like this," O'Brien said. "This is a place where young men can come and play good football, get a great education, and give back to the community. And I think that’s what Boston College is all about."
