Bill O'Brien reveals he was offered the opportunity to stay with Patriots for 2024 season
Bill O'Brien's second stint with the New England Patriots was short, only lasting one season. However, he seemed to have the opportunity to make it a little longer. When Bill Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways, it seemed O'Brien's job might be in jeopardy. And he ultimately made the decision himself to […]
Bill O'Brien's second stint with the New England Patriots was short, only lasting one season. However, he seemed to have the opportunity to make it a little longer.
When Bill Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways, it seemed O'Brien's job might be in jeopardy. And he ultimately made the decision himself to walk away and go back to his college roots.
But it wasn't because the Patriots pushed him out.
“I definitely had an opportunity to stay [with the Patriots],” O'Brien said at his introductory press conference on Thursday (via WEEI's Mike Kadlick). “I thought it was really important for Coach Mayo to hire his own staff. I came and worked for Bill Belichick, and I think it’s really important for Jerod to be able to hire his own staff. The Kraft’s were great about that, and I really appreciate that. And Ryan Day was awesome about offering me a job, so that’s why I made that decision.”
O'Brien left the Patriots staff in January, taking the job as Ohio State's new offensive coordinator. However, when Jeff Hafley who has served as the head coach at Boston College for the last four years, left to become the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, there was an opening in Chestnut Hill.
And O'Brien couldn't pass up on the opportunity to become a head coach and stay local.
"Growing up outside of Boston, with my family, as a lifelong BC fan. A lot of us went to Brown, but we were secret Boston College fans, I promise you," he said. "I went into coaching in 1993, when I got out of Brown, I went into coaching at Brown. I always dreamed about being the head coach at Boston College. My career has taken some twists and turns, and taken me down roads I never could have imagined, but as I stand here today, I couldn't be more grateful that the road has finally taken me to Boston College.”
As for his time with the Patriots, the new BC head coach made sure to thank his former team.
“I wanna thank Bill Belichick for all that he has done for my career,” the 53-year-old explained. “I’ll never be able to repay Bill for what he’s done for my career and I appreciate what he said about this opportunity for me yesterday. I really thank Bill for that. I’d like to thank Robert and Jonathan Kraft for all of their support over the years. That’s meant a lot to me.”
