Get used to saying “former Penn State head football coach Bill O’Brien” because that’s what he is. Former head football coach.
Now that the speculation about the “whether” has abruptly subsided, we now must speculate on the “why”.
We know that BoB wanted to be an NFL head coach, and that he was driven to get there. At the same time, he felt loyalty to the kids in the football program at Penn State. He had to be torn.
Here was an opportunity to coach in the nation’s fourth largest city, an additional benefit, where he and his family could find everything they need and then some.
This piece by the much hated David Jones of the Patriot-News might provide some clues. (Those of you who have sworn to never read anything Jones writes might want to change your policy long enough to read it and take it for what it’s worth.)
I can certainly see the Paternoists driving O’Brien up a wall, and I can also see Joyner and Company doing the same.
If O’Brien hadn’t gone this year, his stock would fall in the eyes of both competing entities, the NFL and Penn State. My feeling was that last year he tested the water, but this year it was do or die. Just my opinion, folks, but mine’s as good as anyone’s except O’Brien’s.
So, as the proverbial smoke clears, please add your thoughts on why he left and what might be the best path forward, for better or worse.
