O’Brien committed to players at Penn State
Many NFL coaches lost their jobs last week in the “Black Monday” round of firings, but one man refuses to fill the vacancies. That man is Bill O’Brien, head coach of the Penn State football team. O’Brien was formerly the Patriots offensive coordinator, so there is no doubt that he could entertain the possibility of returning to the NFL. However, his commitment to his team and the students at Penn State seems stronger than his desire to move on.
O’Brien recently gave Pennlive an exclusive interview stating his full commitment to the Penn State football program.
“I’m a coach, it’s something that I love, and out of respect for my profession, the NFL is the highest level of my profession,” O’Brien said. “But I made the decision to stay here, and I’m very proud to be head football coach here.”
It was not long ago that the Penn State football program fell apart amidst the allegations surrounding Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno. After the haze cleared, the team had to move on and move on it did.
O’Brien was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in his first season as coach of the Penn State football team. His quick rise to success and fame earned him a great deal of recognition from the NFL. The Cleveland Browns showed an interest in O’Brien, and rumors went so far as to say that O’Brien interviewed with the Browns. Other rumors speculate that the Philadelphia Eagles showed interest in the coach as well.
O’Brien shut them down though, reiterating his commitment to his team and his players.
“I’m not a one-and-done guy,” O’Brien said. “I made a commitment to these players at Penn State and that’s what I am going to do. I’m not gonna cut and run after one year. That’s for sure.”
Indeed O’Brien’s commitment stands strong. He will be back for another year but his career from here on forward remains a mystery. He promises to return as head coach at Penn State for this year; however, it remains ambiguous how long he considers is long enough so that he does not “cut and run.”
Either way Penn State players and fans will be glad to have him back; the team went 8-4 in 2012 and hopes to continue with similar success in 2013 and beyond.
