Patriots Coach O'Brien in the Mix for 'Cuse O-Coordinator?

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Posted by DCS

I'm hearing whispers among sources that current New England Patriots wide receivers coach Bill O'Brien is being considered by new Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone to be the school's offensive coordinator.

O'Brien served under then coach George O'Leary at Georgia Tech (along with Marrone) from 1995-2002 as an offensive assistant, and as offensive coordinator in his final two years with the Yellow Jackets. He then moved on to short stints at the University of Maryland (running backs coach) and Duke (offensive coordinator / qb's).

The ACC coaching veteran joined the New England Patriots prior to the 2007 season as an offensive assistant. He took on the role of receivers coach this year. He is a native of Andover, MA, having attended Brown University.

If the Bill O'Brien hiring comes to fruition, one can assume two things about Doug Marrone's new staff:

1. He holds the George O'Leary coaching tree in high regard


2. He values the northeast roots and exposure of his coaching staff (O'Brien - New England / Anselmo - Long Island)