Bill O'Brien Hires Himself
Bill O'Brien said that he will not only be the head coach at Penn State, he will also be the offensive coordinator.
ORLY?
To not give O'Brien any credit for the offensive success at New England is myopic--obviously, he played a large role. But so did guys like Rob Gronkowski and former Michigan alum Tom Brady, so it's natural to think he can/will do a good job.
But can he do as good a job as head coach with this added responsibility?
With everything that's going on right now--getting ready for the AFC Championship, the homestretch in recruiting, and hiring a staff that has one Ted Roof in it (LOLWUT?) well, I don't know about this move.
Will it work? Sure, it might. But head coach is a tough job. It's tougher if you've never been one before, regardless of how much assistant coach experience you have, and he's in a wholly unique situation at Penn State that no other coach has found hinself in before.
And now he adds offensive coordinator to his duties as well?
Color me dubious.
4 months ago
Ted Glover
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Ted Roof?!?!?!?
/weeps in corner
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
He was the Duke head coach from 2003-2007
He went 6-45, and O’Brien was his OC there for a few seasons. He parlayed that into the Minnesota Gophers DC in 2008, and they were awful. From there he went to Auburn and was the DC there for their national title run.
Overall, not a very impressive resume.
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
by Ted Glover on Jan 18, 2012 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Which he parlayed into the UCF DC job
…which he immediately parlayed into the Penn State job.
He wasn't awful at Minny
They went from allowing 36.7 point to 24.8
He’s the weak link by the looks of things, but it will be different here. And for once he’ll be given free reign over the D. I’m not a fan of his, and I’d much rather Tom Bradley, but I won’t count him out yet. Though he is close to it.
If Penn State fans and alumni truly believe that chant that echoes throughout Beaver Stadium ("We are....") then it's time to show it.
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Jan 18, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
The O'brien era could get Turner Gill level ugly.
I really believe that.
I don't see it getting that bad
simply for the fact Penn State is still a draw, and they are in the middle of fairly fertile recruiting grounds.
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
But how many
years before the 10+ wins per season expectations of the Nittany Lion faithful take hold?
If O’Brien finds a way to win he will be fine. But who knows if he will know how to recruit his way out of this mess. Just imagine what the top negative recruiters in the country are gonna be whispering in recruits’ ears. How is O’Brien gonna sell the program when he has so little major college experience?
I hope he succeeds. I think the Big Ten is a better conference when Penn State plays at an elite level.
Winning expectations
I think most of the fans recognize the guy is coming into a tough situation, so expectations have been tempered quite a bit. The Sandusky thing, the crappy QB situation, lousy ticket system, and yes, OMG URBZ being next door, continuously trying to snake our recruits…it’s going to be a rough road ahead.
Speaking for myself, as long as PSU makes a bowl in 2 of the next 3 seasons, the program is showing promise, and standards are upheld, I’m on board for another couple seasons.
Consider this my official declaration of non-support of child molestation.
I wonder how much recruiting will be affected by players making fun of those that choose PSU. I imagine that there are immature kids who will taunt them about the charges.
by biggy84 on Jan 18, 2012 11:52 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Offhand, I'd say not at all.
Bearing in mind that these are D-I football recruits, the first dumbass to call them child rapists or the like will probably get his face pounded in. Which would solve that problem pretty simply.
"Hey Jay, what time is it?"
"9:30"
"AND IU STILL SUCKS!"
by Boiler Bandsman on Jan 19, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I think it's a self awareness thing
He trusts his playcalling ability. Why go against that?
Off Tackle Empire
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.
Eh, him & Godsey will probably do a majority of the game planning
Guys who have never worked with him have called him one of the NFL’s best minds, do he’s got that. Ljsr, Bandy, Butler & Roof will probably handle most D related things. Doubt Bill has much of a say in the D gameplan.
Overall, I like the move. Although we are getting a TE coach instead of an OC, which isn’t killer, but it isn’t that preferable
If Penn State fans and alumni truly believe that chant that echoes throughout Beaver Stadium ("We are....") then it's time to show it.
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Jan 18, 2012 10:33 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Ted sure be hating a lot lately.
You’re going to force me to defend this new coaching staff, aren’t you? SIGH
The way most fans are looking at it, even if BOB assumes the mantle of HC and OC, that is bound to be a far more efficient and effective operation than the Galen Hall – Jay Paterno – Joe Paterno triumvirate of mediocre offense. Combined with the addition of an assumed upgrade in offensive line coaching, it is not unreasonable to expect the offense to be more effective than this past season. And really, how could it get much worse?
Well, I can think of one way, but I dare not speak/type it for fear that it occurs.
Consider this my official declaration of non-support of child molestation.
Not hating at all
Honest question. I think it’s fine that he wants to call the plays—heck, most offensive minded coaches, both college and pro, do that. But having a veto call over the playcalling and assisting in the gameplan development is a lot different than being the offensive coordinator and coming up with the gameplan, installing it during practice, and then calling it on gameday.
It just seems that he’ll be spending an inordinate amount of time on the offense, and he’s given himself a lot more work than he has to for a guy that’s a brand new head coach. He’s the coach of the whole team now, and these type set ups never seem to work out very well.
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
For what it's worth, this (What BOB) is doing is what Mike Gundy & Chris Petersen do
Personally, I want him to spend more time on O than on D. Let the defensive coaches handle the D, BOB is much better on O, let him spend his time there
If Penn State fans and alumni truly believe that chant that echoes throughout Beaver Stadium ("We are....") then it's time to show it.
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Jan 18, 2012 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
not to mention
the immense PR job he has to do as well (one unparalleled in the history of CFB).
Even if O’Brien wants to call plays he needs to hire a Co-Offensive Coordinator (who should just be called the ‘Offensive Coordinator’, since O’Brien is already Head Coach).
As Ted observed, he needs that guy to help install the game plan while O’Brien deals with his other duties.
PSU is on to something.
They are recreating the Duke of Roof and O’Brien. If they play badly but graduate their players, and generally act like they care about “university stuff” and not football, they will get their reputation back quicker…… After two or three years of abominable football they can hire a real coaching staff.
Paul -
Go Sparty! Go Bucks! Go Tigers!
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