In the aim of winning a national championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes will completely take over the offence to Bill O’Brien in 2024.
Bill O’Brien is on his way to Columbus as the next offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, whether fans like it or not.
Now the question is, how will the offence change in 2024?
Regardless of the national narrative around the transfer, Buckeyes everywhere must accept the transition. It’s necessary following three consecutive losses to Michigan in what could have been unblemished seasons.
Another defeat, and Ryan Day may be headed for the unemployment queue. Even with four seasons of 10 or more wins and three College Football Playoff appearances, how many coaches can withstand a four-game losing streak to the Maize and Blue?
O’Brien may be the target of ridicule after leading the New England Patriots offence to a league-low 13.9 points per game in 2023. However, in college, his track record speaks for itself.
The Buckeyes have to be bold in what appears to be a must-win season. O’Brien checks most of the criteria and has almost three decades of experience coaching at both the collegiate and NFL levels.
During O’Brien’s time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide’s offence was in the top ten in scoring and included Bryce Young, who won the Heisman Trophy. Alabama advanced to the 2021 playoffs, defeating Cincinnati on the way to another national championship.
In Houston, O’Brien led the Texans to four AFC South titles in six seasons. Deshaun Watson developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber passer under his leadership, and the club finished in the top 15 in total offence and scoring three times.
If that wasn’t enough, O’Brien served as both the Patriots’ quarterback coach and offensive coordinator during some of Tom Brady’s most productive statistical seasons. Before joining Penn State, O’Brien was the primary play-caller for Brady and the offence, helping them return to the Super Bowl in 2012.
Quarterbacks frequently prioritise completion rate and moving the sticks above deep shots downfield. For O’Brien’s idea, it’s all about “the next play” mentality: keep the ball moving and out of the opponents’ hands.
The strategy worked well for Young, Watson, and Brady, who won numerous games as a result. The rushing assault was balanced but not overwhelming, and receivers slipped through the holes to finish with 1,000-yard seasons.
Yes, O’Brien had a plethora of 1,000-yard playmakers on his squad. Do you recognise Randy Moss, DeAndre Hopkins, or Jameson Williams?
All enjoyed record-breaking seasons with O’Brien’s offence.
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