Bill Belichick On Bill O'Brien: 'Couldn't Be Happier For Him'

Patriots Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels Reportedly To Accept New England Offer, Coach During Playoffs

The New England Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. He should join the team in time to coach during the playoffs.

While McDaniels will act as a coach during this postseason, he will be taking over the role of offensive coordinator for the 2012 season as Bill O'Brien leaves to take over as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Patriots have already requested and been granted permission to speak to McDaniels from the St. Louis Rams, where he is currently under contract as an offensive coordinator. The Boston Globe reported earlier that "all signs point to" McDaniels taking over as New England's next offensive coordinator.

McDaniels previously spent eight seasons coaching for the Patriots, including three as the offensive coordinator before taking the Denver Broncos' head coaching position in 2009. After a strong start, McDaniels' Broncos entered a tailspin, and when things failed to improve in 2010, he was released, becoming the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams.

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Patriots Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels Reportedly Top Choice To Replace Bill O'Brien

All signs point to Josh McDaniels replacing Bill O'Brien as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator after this season, reports the Boston Globe.

O'Brien accepted an offer from Penn State to become the Nittany Lions' next head football coach, opening a position in New England. The Patriots quickly turned to the familiar McDaniels, requesting permission to speak to him from the St. Louis Rams.

McDaniels, who served on the Patriots' staff for eight seasons, including three as the team's offensive coordinator, still has a year remaining on his contract with the Rams but the Globe reports the Rams are expected to release him from his deal.

After leaving his first stint with the Patriots to become head coach of the Denver Broncos, McDaniels was fired twelve games into his second season for failing to live up to expectations. He became the Rams' offensive coordinator prior to this season. He is viewed as a talented offensive mind, and his work in New England -- particularly during New England's 16-0 regular season in 2007 and the following year, when McDaniels helped coax 11 wins despite a season-ending injury to Tom Brady -- was admirable.

O'Brien will continue his role as Patriots offensive coordinator for the remainder of the NFL playoffs.

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Penn State Officially Announces Bill O'Brien Is New Head Coach

It's not like this is really surprising at this point, we've been talking about this for a while, but just in case you're just checking in, Penn State University has now officially announced their hire of former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien as the new head football coach. This is the first time since 1965 that the university has hired a new head coach as Joe Paterno was their last hire.

From Penn State's official athletic website:

"The Penn State football program has a great legacy and has contributed enormously to our University community," said Rodney A. Erickson, president of Penn State University. "A program of this caliber requires a special kind of leader - a leader who will embrace that legacy and maintain the University's commitment to excellence on the field and in the classroom. We have that leader in Coach O'Brien, and I look forward to working with him in his new role."

"We have found the man to take Penn State football forward," said Dave Joyner, Penn State acting director of athletics. "Needless to say, we have been looking for someone with some very special qualities, beginning with a heart that beats to the values and vision of Penn State University and our Penn State football legacy and tradition. That was our starting point, and Coach O'Brien exemplifies those traits that Penn Staters hold so highly. In addition to his model characteristics as a man and a teacher, he's all about producing winners, and doing so the right way. He will embrace tradition, demand excellence and pursue Success with Honor in every phase of our program."

O'Brien officially introduced himself as the new head coach Friday night and said that he was thrilled to take over the storied program and that he will make sure that he, the coaches and players will represent the university and its fans well.

"I am thrilled to be the head coach of the Penn State football program," stated O'Brien. "I cannot tell you how excited I am to get started, meet the team, meet the football alumni and meet all of the people that make this University so special. As head coach of this special football program, it is my responsibility to ensure that this program represents the highest level of character, respect and integrity in everything we do. That includes my coaching staff, our players and everyone involved in the football program. There is tremendous pride in Penn State football and will never, ever take that for granted."

O'Brien has been with the Patriots since 2007 when he started as an offensive assistant and worked his way up to offensive coordinator. He helped lead Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to the No. 2 ranking and the top seed in the AFC.

Joe Paterno Congratulates Bill O'Brien On Penn State Head Coaching Job

According to numerous sources, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will be the first Penn State University head football coach not named Joe Paterno since 1965. Even though the actual university hasn't released an official statement, Paterno, in a statement sent through his family to The Associated Press, congratulated O'Brien on taking the job.

Per College Football Talk:

"I understand Bill O’Brien has been named head coach and I want to congratulate him on his appointment," Paterno said in a statement to the AP provided by his family. "I don’t know Bill, but I respect his coaching record, and I am particularly pleased we share a connection to my alma mater, Brown."

"Despite recent commentary to the contrary, Penn State football has always been about more than winning," Paterno added, citing what he said was the program’s commitment to education and community service. "I am hopeful this tradition will continue."

O'Brien coached the Patriots' offense to a No. 2 ranking at the end of the season and helped the team lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC as the offensive coordinator in 2011 and if he can do something similar as the head coach of Penn State, the Nittany Lions could become a power house team in the Big Ten. It should also be noted that Paterno was already coaching at Penn State when O'Brien was born.

Penn State is expected to make an official statement on the hire as early as Saturday.

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Speaks On Bill O'Brien's Departure

The Patriots have been a powerhouse football team and model organization for the past decade. They continued their success this season, winning 13 games and earning the number one seed in the AFC Playoffs. Over the years they have been a head coach factory, grooming coordinators and assistants who eventually leave for greener pastures and head coaching jobs. Add recent offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who recently accepted the job to be Penn State's head coach.

Patriots owner, Robert Kraft spoke out on O'Brien's pending departure:

"I'm sad to lose him. I told him that," Kraft said earlier this morning in a phone conversation with Karen Guregian. "We have a philosophy in our company, that if anyone has an opportunity and we can't match it - we did have the ability to deny him under our contract - but this is one of the great college coaching positions. they have their challenges right now.

O'Brien will continue to coach the Patriots during the Playoffs.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit. For the latest on O'Brien's status, continue to visit our StoryStream.

Patriots Reportedly Ask Rams For Permission To Talk With Josh McDaniels

The New England Patriots are reportedly one of the two teams who have reached out to the St. Louis Rams to speak with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

A well-placed league source says both the Patriots and Chiefs have reached out to the Rams to seek permission to talk to McDaniels, but no word on if the Rams gave it.

The Patriots – who are still alive in the NFL Playoffs – will be without an offensive coordinator after the season after their current OC Bill O'Brien recently accepted the job to be Penn State University's head coach.

McDaniels was employed by the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, including a two year stint as offensive coordinator from 2006-2008 – including the year the Patriots put up record-setting numbers in 2007. Since then he's coached with the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit. For the latest on O'Brien's status, continue to visit our StoryStream.

Bill O'Brien Named New Penn State Football Coach, According To Report

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will be announced as the new head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions this Saturday, according to Chris Mortenson of ESPN. O'Brien's departure comes as a surprise, with the Pats about to embark on their annual playoff run and in light of a statement released just a few days ago saying that reports tying him to Happy Valley were "off-base."

O'Brien will not be able to fully take over the at Penn State until after the Patriots are done in the playoffs, meaning he will likely pull double duty until then. He worked his way up in the Pats organization, starting in 2007 when he went from being the offensive coordinator at Duke to an offensive assistant in New England. In 2008 he took over the wide receivers and in 2009 he took on Tom Brady and the Pats' quarterbacks before assuming coordinator duties for the 2011-12 season.

Earlier this week Brady vouched for O'Brien, expressing his hopes that the coach would stick around the organization. O'Brien has spent the better part of his coaching career in the college ranks, however, and has plenty of ties to the East Coast that should benefit the Nittany Lions as they rebuild in light of the recent sex scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

For more on O'Brien's departure, head over to the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit.

Patriots' O'Brien To Interview With Penn State, After All

After a statement from his agent denying any contact with or any interest in taking the Penn State Football head coach job, Bill O'Brien appears at least willing to talk with them.

According to Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network, O'Brien will interview with Penn State on Thursday about possibly replacing Joe Paterno as the University's head football coach. The Penn State job marks the third available job that O'Brien has been connected too, as he has already interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars about replacing Jack Del Rio and been linked as a possible head coach in waiting with the Kansas City Chiefs. If O'Brien were to go the Chiefs, he would likely serve in the same role as he does now with the Patriots, but would be likely guaranteed the job once current head coach Romeo Crennel is ousted.

Last week, there were reports that Penn State was "on the verge" of hiring O'Brien as their next coach and that there was just a few minor details that needed to be handled before O'Brien would be officially offered the job. While these report may be false, it is confirmed that there is at least some interest between Penn State and the Patriots assistant and Bill Belichick pupil.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

Bill O'Brien Will Interview For Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Opening

According to the latest reports, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will not leave to take over as head coach at Penn State. But he could leave to take the reins of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that O'Brien will interview for the Jaguars opening, bringing the known list of candidates to seven: O'Brien, Jacksonville interim head coach Mel Tucker, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

According to NBC's Pro Football Talk, O'Brien can be interviewed for the position during New England's bye week as the Patriots prepare to host a second-round playoff game. He cannot be hired until after the Patriots finish their season.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit. For the latest on O'Brien's status, continue to visit our StoryStream.

Patriots Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien Will Not Be The Head Coach At Penn State

Mark down the reports that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was all set to become the next Penn State coach as false.

O'Brien's agent told the Boston Hearld yesterday

"Any imminent contract signing or agreement (with Penn State) is just off-base," Linta told me. "The most important thing for him is to win the Super Bowl. But if someone is going to be interested in him in the NFL, it's going to happen this week. He could be going somewhere else, he could be returning to the Patriots. But we'll wait and find out if someone is interested in him and seeks permission to talk with him." (via Boston Herald)

In addition, today CBS Sports' Charley Casserly tweeted that O'Brien is out of the running.

O'Brien- Won't be going to Penn State. Greg Roman SF Off Coord has been interviewed. Penn St to take another shot at Peterson(Boise)

For more information on the Patriots visit our team page or SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit. For more on the Penn State head coaching search, visit Black Shoe Diaries.

Tom Brady On Bill O'Brien: 'Hope He's Here For A Long Time'

Josh McDaniels Could Replace Bill O'Brien If Patriots' Offensive Coordinator Leaves For Penn State

Despite being in the middle of the toughest and most anticipated part of the NFL season Sunday, it seems as if the New England Patriots could soon be losing their current Offensive Coordinator, Bill O'Brien, who has reportedly become the frontrunner for the head coaching job at Penn State University.

"...With Penn State's season finishing up Monday against Houston in the TicketCity Bowl, the school is expected to pursue O'Brien as soon as this week, sources say."

Meanwhile, USA Today's Jonny Saraceno reported Sunday:

"A person with knowledge of the Penn State hiring tells USA TODAY that only contract details need to be finalized before O'Brien is the man."

If O'Brien were to take the job and when he would become the head coach not yet known, however, NFL.com's Jason La Canfora says the best option to replace O'Brien could be former OC Josh McDaniels .

For updates on this developing situation, please check back to this StoryStream. Meanwhile, if you'd like more information on the Patriots check out the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit. For more on the Penn State head coaching search, visit Black Shoe Diaries.

Patriots Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien Could Land Head Coaching Job

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien could land a head coaching job after the season, when his current contract expires.