Alabama hires Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, QB coach

As had been expected, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban announced on Thursday that he has hired former Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien as his new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to replace Steve Sarkisian, who recently became head coach of the Texas Longhorns. 

The Texans parted ways with O'Brien in early October after opening the 2020 season with four straight defeats. Saban said in the official statement:

"We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O'Brien to our coaching staff. He has a wealth of experience as both an offensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL and college. Bill is one of the brightest offensive minds in football, an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He will strengthen our coaching staff and give our players the best possible chance to be successful." 

O'Brien made his name as an assistant and, eventually, an offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick, who hired Saban back when he was head coach of the Cleveland Browns in the first half of the 1990s. The Penn State Nittany Lions hired O'Brien as their head coach in January 2012, and he spent two seasons with PSU before he returned to the NFL via the Texans in January 2014. O'Brien added:

"I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban's staff at The University of Alabama. I have an incredible amount of admiration for the rich football tradition at this University and the success Coach Saban has had during his time in Tuscaloosa. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the best football players in the country, while helping to continue the success this program has enjoyed for many years."