Bill O’Brien leaves the Ohio State football program

Well, that was quick. The Ohio State football team was expecting Bill O’Brien to be their offensive coordinator for at least a year. Ryan Day made the hire so he could have someone else take over play-calling duties. O’Brien has a wealth of experience doing just that at both the collegiate and NFL levels. Now, he’s gone.

We told you that O’Brien was expected to take the Boston College job earlier this week, although nothing was official at that time. Now, it seems that things have moved in that direction. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, O’Brien is going to be the next head coach at BC. This comes after Jeff Hafley abruptly left to be the Packers’ defensive coordinator.

Where the Ohio State football program goes from here

O’Brien is now gone so the Buckeyes need a play-caller. Ryan Day indicated that he is in fact giving up those duties no matter what this year. So who can the Buckeyes get? There are a few guys they can get. Chip Kelly is a popular name because of his personal and professional ties with Day. That would be a good hire. But he’s a head coach at a rival Big Ten school right now.

Jeff Candle is a popular name as well. He’s the head coach at Toledo and just led the Rockets to a conference title and an 11-win season. Why would he leave the Rockets to be an OC? Because he probably can get paid more at Ohio State to be an assistant than he can while he’s the head coach at Toledo. Plus, it’s a more prestigious job.

Brian Hartline could still get a full promotion to be the sole OC and start calling plays for the first time. I think this is the least likely scenario because Day’s back is against the wall and he’s not going to trust his job to a guy who’s never called plays before. I would expect an outside hire.

We’ll let you know when that hire is made.