Former Patriots OC reveals surprising details about departure from team

"I definitely had an opportunity to stay (with the Patriots)," O'Brien said, per the report. "I thought it was really important for (Patriots head coach Jerod 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 Krafts 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."

Patriots owner Robert Kraft hired former All-Pro linebacker-turned inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick at the helm in January and he began to fill out his coaching staff.

It was soon reported that both of Belichick's sons (Brian and Steve) had offers to return to the team in their respective roles as safeties coach and defensive assistant/linebackers coach. Brian Belichick was retained, but his brother accepted the defensive coordinator position at the University of Washington in early February.

Among the newcomers on Mayo's staff in 2024 will be former Patriots longtime Pro Bowl linebacker Dont'a Hightower. The 33-year-old will fill Mayo's old job as inside linebackers coach.

It was reported last week that O'Brien's deal to join Boston College was nearly official.

The 54-year-old first joined New England as an offensive assistant in 2007 and over the last 17 years, he's spent six seasons with the Patriots across two stints.

O'Brien was originally slated to become Ohio State's offensive coordinator. When the vacancy on Chestnut Hill opened up in late January after Jeff Hafley was hired as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, however, the Massachusetts native jumped at the chance.