College Football Coach Hire Grades: Boston College

Boston College Eagles: Bill O’Brien

Why the job was open: Jeff Hafley was learning as his time with the Eagles went on, but thanks to an easier schedule he found a breakthrough winning season. Still he grew tired of the demands of being a college head coach and moved on to become the DC of the Green Bay Packers. College coaches are leaving to the NFL PANIC!! Not really, Hafley was always a NFL guy who happened to get a couple jobs he couldn’t turn down in college but he received a high profile opportunity back in the NFL so he took it.

Coach Profile: Oh my this is a fun one, apologies in advance for going long here. Bill O’Brien got his start in college he had stints as the OC at both Georgia Tech and Duke before joining the Patriots staff under Bill Belichick. After several years there he was hired as Penn State’s coach to replace Joe Paterno following the scandal that took place. It’s easy to forget but despite the scandal, sanctions and opening losses to Ohio and Virginia it was a moderately successful first year with the program, they went 8-4 but then regressed to 7-5 the next year. Still he impressed enough under the difficult circumstances to be hired as the Houston Texans head coach. Whether it was thanks to other teams in the AFC South struggling or he did a good job he won the division and made the playoffs in 2 of his first 3 seasons. In fact, he made the playoffs most seasons but the talent level of the Texans was growing but the improvement was not. This is where it gets interesting. At some point Bill O’Brien allegedly didn’t want to be there any more, he eventually wanted to be fired, but instead of firing him the Texans just kept giving him more power! Soon enough he was the Head coach, GM, and did just about everything else. He started making very bad trades and had broken relationships with some key players, eventually after a disaster of a start in 2020 he was fired. This is the most interesting coach profile, I’m not even done yet! Bill O’Brien sought refuge at the Nick Saban’s coaching rehab. It was a good stint as the Tide’s OC but without a national title to the discontent of Alabama fans. Bill O’Brien then spent this past season back as the OC of the New England Patriots but they struggled and he ends with the title of being the last OC in the Bill Belichick era. Bill O’Brien spent multiple years with Belichick and Saban, yet never won a Super Bowl or national title, he has to be in a club of 1. Bill O’Brien then was hired as Ohio State’s OC for a memorable 2 week stint where he spent most of the time interviewing for the Boston College job, at least he got paid while interviewing!

Why he will succeed: First of all Bill O’Brien brings something that Boston College has lacked for several years, relevance. He’s a known name, especially in the Northeast, but nationally as well. Getting the area invested is a huge deal, the Northeast is a very pro sports heavy region while college sports are barely on the radar. Bill O’Brien’s college experienced is based entirely in this region or in the ACC which will help with recruiting. O’Brien brings a lot of experience and has seen how winning programs operate. There’s a lot of criticism out there about him but he’s won more often than he lost.

What obstacles are in the way of success: Without a doubt this is one of the toughest jobs in the ACC. Like I mentioned in the positives section, New England is a very pro sports heavy region and it’s going to take a lot to get fans to pay attention to Boston College football. Bill O’Brien always had solid teams but there always seemed to be something lacking, how will that show itself here? There’s not a ton of recent college experience to draw on, the Alabama stint wasn’t great by Alabama standards and his only other head coaching job at Penn State earns an incomplete due to the issues/sanctions going on there.

Grade: B- – Honestly I wouldn’t have expected to give this such a good grade. I don’t recommend our early videos from 2020 on YouTube for Boston College fans, we roasted Bill O’Brien A LOT. I really like this fit though. O’Brien is going to draw eyes to Boston College and can rally better NIL support and to get better talent. It’s not a young flashy hire but it may have been the one the Eagles needed to make.