Bill O'Brien Officially Named Next OC For Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former Houston Texans and Penn State coach Bill O'Brien on Thursday was officially named as the next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Nick Saban's Crimson Tide coaching staff.

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O'Brien will take the place of Steve Sarkisian, who was hired as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns earlier this month. O'Brien is the second former NFL head coach to join Saban's staff this offseason, following the announcement that former Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone had been hired as offensive line coach to replace Kyle Flood, who is joining Sarkisian in Austin.

"We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O'Brien to our coaching staff," Saban said. "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's previous stint as an NFL coach with the Texans saw him compiled a 52-48 record with four AFC South titles, four playoff appearances and two appearances in the AFC Divisional Round.

"I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban's staff at The University of Alabama," O'Brien said. "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."

Before the beginning of his NFL career, O'Brien was named head coach of an embattled Penn State program on Jan. 6, 2012, before one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history as he posted a 15-9 overall record and a 10-6 mark in the Big Ten, earning national and conference coach-of-the-year awards.

The terms of O'Brien's contract are pending approval of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

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