Patriots Make It Official, Bill O’Brien Named Offensive Coordinator

Robert Alvarez

2 months ago at 4:39 pm ET

Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

The road to turning around the New England Patriots offense in 2023 has begun.

On Thursday, the team made the hiring of Bill O’Brien official in a press release, noting his title will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

O’Brien previously worked for the Patriots from 2007-2011, beginning as a coaching assistant (2007), then as wide receivers coach (2008), and quarterbacks coach (2009-10), before elevating all the way up to offensive coordinator in 2011. Over that span, the Patriots finished in the top 10 in offense every year during O’Brien’s time with the Patriots, culminating with a trip to the Super Bowl in his final season.

It was that 2011 season, the Patriots compiled their most yards of total offense in a single season with 6,848 yards. Across the league, the team ranked third overall in total points, third in points per game, and second in yards per game. The signature standout came from tight end Rob Gronkowski, who put together a career and record-setting year.

“I am looking forward to working with Bill again,” said head coach Bill Belichick. “He is an outstanding coach and an asset to our staff.”

Before rejoining the Patriots, O’Brien spent the past two seasons working under Nick Saban as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022. From 2014-2020, O’Brien was head coach of the Houston Texans and at Penn State in 2012 and 2013.

He’ll look to correct a Patriots offense that ranked near the bottom in most categories last season and get quarterback Mac Jones back on track in his third year. Jones is reported as “very” excited to have O’Brien in the fold and is “looking forward” to working with him.