Patriots to hire Bill O’Brien and name him offensive coordinator

Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

The Patriots have hired their top offensive coordinator “primary target” in former Texans head coach and current Alabama OC/QB coach Bill O’Brien, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Alabama OC/QB coach Bill O’Brien has returned to New England and is being named the Patriots offensive coordinator, sources tell @ClowESPN and me. O’Brien was a Patriots’ assistant coach from 2007-2011, and now returns to coach Mac Jones, whom he briefly worked with at Alabama. https://t.co/cEHQAo1ExZ

O’Brien spent 2007-2011 in New England, rising through the ranks from a general offensive assistant to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

The O’Brien hire officially closes the door on the Matt Patricia and Joe Judge experiment from last season. This move gives quarterback Mac Jones a legitimate offensive coach that he can learn and develop under.

Jones regressed last season, O’Brien will be charged with getting the former Alabama product back on track.

During Year 2 as Patriots quarterback, Jones had a 65.2% completion percentage but failed to hit the 3,000 yard mark while throwing 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.

O’Brien will bring accountability to the Patriots offense. Jones expressed last season the desire for tougher coaching. “It’s accountability. It starts with me. I think I want to be coached harder,” Jones said.

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