Report: Patriots Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien Emerging As Head Coaching Candidate

So far, the only claim to fame for New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is the heated confrontation he had on the sidelines earlier this month with quarterback Tom Brady. But now O'Brien is making headlines again, and in a different context: He's emerging as a candidate to become a head coach.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of several teams expected to interview O'Brien after his season, according to NFL Network reporter Jason La Canfora. While O'Brien has enjoyed his time with Brady and Pats head coach Bill Belichick, his contract is expiring this year and he'll have a chance to explore other options.

La Canfora also names O'Brien as a potential successor to Joe Paterno as head coach at Penn State.

O'Brien attended Brown University in the early 1990s, playing defensive end and linebacker for the Bears' football team. He held a variety of college coaching jobs before making the leap to the NFL, joining Belichick's staff as an assistant in 2007.