Offensive coordinators the Detroit Lions need to consider hiring in 2022
By Bob Heyrman
The other coach I’d like to see the Detroit Lions take a run at is Bill O’Brien.
I know many of you don’t want another former New England Patriot anywhere near the Detroit Lions, but O’Brien is a tremendous offensive mind.
He had success with the Patriots, which landed him a head coaching job with Penn State and certainly helped land him the gig in Houston.
During his first season with the Texans, Houston finished ranked 16th in total offense averaging 344.6 yards per game. By 2018 the Texans remained in the middle of the pack averaging north of 360 yards per game, and by the time he left, the Texans were on the cusp of being a top-ten offense averaging an 11th ranked 375.3 yards per game. Overall as an NFL head coach, he produced a record of 54-52.
A lot of O’Brien’s problems seemed to come when he was asked to be the general manager, head coach, in addition to being the play-caller.
We all remember the DeAndre Hopkins trade…
O’Brien traded arguably the league’s top receiver in Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for a worn-out David Johnson and a second-round pick. He’d later trade a second-round pick for the well-traveled Brandin Cooks, signed Randell Cobb with the money he saved from moving Hopkins, and traded away two first-round picks along with a second-rounder for Laremy Tunsil.
Also, for a long stint before securing Deshaun Watson, the Texans struggled to find a franchise quarterback.
O’Brien currently serves as the offensive coordinator on Nick Saban’s staff in Alabama. I suspect the veteran assistant is awaiting another opportunity to become an NFL head coach. Still, if he fails to receive those types of offers this offseason, he’s someone the Detroit Lions need to consider.
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Perhaps he’d be a reliable mentor to Dan Campbell and everything I imagined Anthony Lynn to be.