Did Bill Belichick’s Loyalty to Nick Saban Derail Patriots Reunion with Bill O’Brien?

Per reports, the Patriots head coach felt that it would be ‘unfair’ to request O’Brien’s services, when the former Texans’ HC had made a two-year commitment to Alabama.

Following the departure of longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the New England Patriots were expected to seek the services of an experienced replacement from outside the organization.

One of the most prominent names discussed as a potential fit for the position was former Houston Texans head coach, current offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide, and branch of the Bill Belichick coaching tree, Bill O’Brien.

Still, it was Belichick’s loyalty to another branch of that tree which may have derailed O'Brien's return to New England.

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Bill Belichick and Bill O’Brien

Bill O’Brien and Nick Saban

Belichick and Saban

According to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, Belichick’s close relationship with Alabama head coach Nick Saban is likely to have prevented his request to interview O’Brien for the vacant offensive coordinator position.

“Finally got to the bottom of the Bill O’Brien mystery, and why he’s not back here as offensive coordinator,” Bedard wrote. “A) O’Brien made a two-year commitment to Saban. B) Belichick just wasn’t going to put Saban, his good friend, in the position of giving his blessing on O’Brien leaving. Sure, you and I can say it shouldn’t be that hard to pick up the phone and say, “Hey Nick, you can just tell me no and I’ll go away … but do you think you could stand to lose Billy?” That seems reasonable and follows the old adage of it never hurts to ask … but Belichick knew that wouldn’t be fair to put Saban in that position, so he didn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole. Now, don’t rule out O’Brien for next season if the Matt Patricia-Joe Judge plan does not work well.”

Though he may be recently remembered for his struggles as both head coach and general manager of the Houston Texans, O’Brien is a quite accomplished offensive coach. He joined the Patriots in 2007 as an offensive assistant, before being promoted to wide receivers coach. Following McDaniels’ departure in 2008, O’Brien became the quarterbacks coach and offensive play-caller following the 2008 season. He was officially promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2011, before leaving the team after the 2012 season to accept the head coaching job at Penn State University.

O’Brien was the de-facto offensive coordinator for two years before getting the title in February 2011. Of course, the Patriots’ offense was led on the field by quarterback Tom Brady during that time period. Brady’s presence and prowess at the position helped to quell any uneasiness about the Pats’ offensive staff lacking a dedicated coordinator. With current Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones entering only his second season at the helm of the Patriots’ offense, it would be unfair to expect the same level of leadership from the 23-year-old Alabama product.

Bill O’Brien and Tom Brady

Photo Cred: Matt McCarn/AP

Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia

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Bill Belichick and Joe Judge

With McDaniels now taking his talents to the Nevada desert, O'Brien appeared to be the most logical choice to succeed him. Despite the blemishes on his head coaching resume, O’Brien helped navigate a Patriots offense, which featured ball protection, efficient running and spreading the ball to multiple pass catchers; including a fearsome two-tight-end-set of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. O’Brien was thought to be the ideal coach to find similar success with New England’s current tight-end-tandem of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

He also has familiarity with an offensive system designed to accentuate Jones’ abilities. Having spent the past season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under head coach Nick Saban, O’Brien ran a similar scheme for the Crimson Tide in 2021. This, combined with his previous experience working under Belichick, would lessen his initiation period with New England.

While heading into 2022 without a designated coordinator is an odd strategy for the Patriots, the team is no stranger to this strategy on the offensive side of the ball. After all, O’Brien operated as the Pats’ quarterbacks coach while the position technically remained vacant from 2009-2021. As Bedard previously stated, both Patricia and Judge appear to be the likely choices to navigate the Pats offense for the upcoming season.

Should their latest attempt at filling their coaching staff be less than successful, rumors of O’Brien’s return to Foxboro, Massachusetts may heat up again heading into 2023.