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The Ohio State Buckeyes have a new offensive coordinator, and fans are not happy.
Despite a bevy offensive talent at their disposal, including superstar wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the Buckeyes struggled mightily in 2023. Their 30.5 points per game ranked just 44th in the country, a far cry from their typical high standards.
And so in steps a familiar name in the form of former Alabama and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Sources: Ohio State is set to hire longtime NFL head coach Bill O’Brien as the school’s new offensive coordinator. O’Brien served last season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and has been the head coach at the Texans and in the Big Ten at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/19e2iXv6oe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 19, 2024
O’Brien, once considered one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football, has cut a controversial figure in recent years. He had mix results in his stint as the head coach of Houston Texans before later becoming the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban.
He spent two years in Tuscaloosa before returning to the Patriots as the offensive coordinator in 2023.
Crimson Tide fans were more than happy to see O’Brien leave. Though his 2021 offense ranked sixth in the nation in scoring and eighth in total offense. And his 2022 unit ranked fourth in scoring and 11th in total offense.
And yet, fans were quick to pile on the Buckeyes for what was largely deemed a ridiculous hire.
Thank you Ohio State! https://t.co/oCGZLrUKPU pic.twitter.com/1tVst751HE
— Swanky Wolverine (@swankywolverine) January 19, 2024
As an Alabama fan and a Texans fan: https://t.co/iLva8rHO6V pic.twitter.com/J8gzny1uQp
— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) January 19, 2024
Ryan Day has a top 2 roster coming back next season and this is their OC hire? https://t.co/jry6AwEzua pic.twitter.com/mhAnfkDwqo
— Sam Jessee (@SamOfSaturday) January 19, 2024
The Ross Bjork finger prints are already showing up in Columbus 🙃 https://t.co/lZpstQqzCc pic.twitter.com/FYA6mGhhdJ
— ThreeTechPod 🎙 (@ThreeTechPod) January 19, 2024
Needless to say, Buckeyes fans did not handle the news very well either.
Please tell me I’m just having a bad dream https://t.co/NLsYGqdxjl
— Swirl Bridge Engineer (@CalebWilliams13) January 19, 2024
Why does this man have to be associated with 2 of my favorite teams? https://t.co/Zzkju7keXY
— Shoulda Never Signed Jose Abreu (@quallsastros) January 19, 2024
PLEASE SAY THIS IS A JOKE PLEASE https://t.co/mA3imyj8Ag pic.twitter.com/x69WYtO2Y0
— Alex (@Clase80Speed) January 19, 2024
Brushing my teeth with a double barrel shotgun https://t.co/Pn7Na1IE9h
— The Freaky Tzatziki (@GashMasterG) January 19, 2024
Only time will tell whether O’Brien works out in Columbus. But it’s clear the expectations could not possibly be any lower.