Patriots’ Bill O'Brien eying head coaching job with Penn state – NFL News
According to news circulating in various places the New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is being interviewed by the Penn state for the post of Head Coach. The news posted in newspapers and websites have cited
internal sources as confirming that the interview will take place this Thursday.
"Bill is focusing on another Super Bowl run. However, if an NFL team or Penn State seeks permission from Bill Belichick, then Bill will speak to them." Joe Linta who is O'Brien's agent made it clear a week back.
However, though O'Brien is a strong contender for the job with the Penn state, talks have so far not been initiated but his chances of joining them are pretty strong.
There are also reports that the St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels plans to return to New England where he formerly worked and began his NFL career. If O'Brien moves out then McDaniels can surely make a return.
Among the other contenders for the Penn State job is San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Roman has already expressed his interest to work for the Penn state but O'Brien continues to be the stronger candidate for
this position.
The head coach slot in Penn state became vacant after coach Joe Paterno was fired over not taking the appropriate action against an assistant coach who was involved in child s*x abuse scandal. The scandal had become public and
cost Paterno his job. Paterno had been the coach of the Penn state for a very long time. Though a lot of criticism had prevailed against the Paterno in the press, still he gained a lot of sympathy from Penn state fans when he was leaving.
The incident had occurred in November and drew in angry criticism from the community. However, Paterno did not become the target of criminal investigation but was strongly condemned for failing to report the incident appropriately.
Paterno had indeed gained a lot of sympathy which was evident when thousands of students took to the administration building of the Penn state to show their support for the former coach and shouted slogans of "We want Joe back!"
O'Brien is also expected to be interviewed by the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend for the head coach post. So it is quite unclear as to which side O'Brien intends to join at the moment.
O'Brien brings in a lot of experience at both the college and pro levels and is particularly the sort of candidate the Penn state hopes to acquire.
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