In 2005, the Patriots were working toward their third Super Bowl win in four years. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was named the new coach at Notre Dame. But Weis didn’t bail on the Pats; instead, he split time between Foxborough and South Bend, laying the foundation for his new job while properly wrapping up his old one.
With current Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien poised to become the new head coach at Penn State, Pats fans are wondering whether O’Brien will abandon the team as he launches the biggest reclamation project in college football.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, O’Brien will follow the Weis approach, remaining with the Patriots while also getting started on his next challenge.
That’s good news for the Patriots, who won that third Super Bowl while Weis was otherwise distracted -- even if the end result this time around could be another televised shouting match between O’Brien and quarterback Tom Brady.