Comments on: O’Brien has a decision to make

By: cranespy

cranespy — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:25:26 +0000

$50 says he stays.

By: oldbyrd

oldbyrd — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:02:10 +0000

I wouldn’t be thrilled if The Eagles signed him. I hope Im wrong if that happens. NFL Head Coach……..Oh Boy

By: bleedblackngold96

bleedblackngold96 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:54:27 +0000

if the PA state gov’t wins its suit against the NCAA and the sanctions are lifted then these O’Brien to NFL talks are gonna stop

By: flyeaglefly

flyeaglefly — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:33:24 +0000

True, O’Brien didn’t put anything “out” there about leaving, so why put the onus on him…
SIMPLE…we’ve had no remarks from him, “period” that he’s NOT leaving Un-Happy Valley in 3-4 days since this story broke….if he truly WAS staying, why hasn’t he gone public to offset these so-called rumours? Why you ask? Because they’re 90% true and he probably will bolt with the right offer and someone bailing him out of his penalty clause…consider him GONE!

By: ialwayswantedtobeabanker

ialwayswantedtobeabanker — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:21:39 +0000

As someone astutely pointed out, the damage may already be done.

By Coach O’Brien’s failing to adamantly and unequivocally squelch all the buzz about him considering an NFL interview, we can consider that successfully undermining his commitment. Not good for a coach who preached loyalty, sacrifice and rising above adversity.

Other wicked blows to Coach O’Brien’s cred include his merely committing to coaching through the 2013 season. Another example is his conveying sentiments to the effect that Penn State got hammered harder by the NCAA than he had been led to believe. How about all the evasive squirmy responses when questioned?

There have to be a lot of Penn State ballers watching some high profile bowl games, most in nice warm weather cities — and just contemplating where this ship is headed.

If I’m “Penn State Nation,” I want a leader who practices what he preaches. If you sell commitment, loyalty and sacrifice — live it yourself, or it comes off as hypocritical, manipulative, self-serving and insincere. C’mon Coach O’Brien — this is your chance to shine brightly or slink down a dark path.

One last thought: if (still a very big IF at this point) Coach O’Brien turns his back on what he started — any player who’s ever been coached by Bill O’Brien may feel they have good reason to question his character.

I have a lot of respect for Coach right now, but IF he reverses field on this one — that respect will be shaken to me, and probably others as well.

By: fissels

fissels — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:58:03 +0000

We Penn State fans surely appreciate the job he did last year under the circumstances. I hope stays and finishes the job he started. He would put himself in an even better situation 5 or so years from now.

However, if he decides to leave, I would be very disappointed but someone else would inherit a better situation than it was a year ago.

By: newagerocker

newagerocker — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:54:14 +0000

Howie Roseman is held in “low regard” – by everyone in Philadelphia as well. If you see the Jeff Lurie, fire Roseman so i can start enjoying games again. Or I’ll be one of the people waving goodbye as I leave in the middle of the game so you can stare any my empty seats, again.

By: coys10

coys10 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:52:22 +0000

Bill Belichick would never let someone he cared about place the future of his livelihood with Howie Roseman’s “evaluations.”

By: vegasdestroyer

vegasdestroyer — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:49:53 +0000

Penn State would have a decision to make IF there was any truth to the story. However, BOB’s agent said he was staying. PERIOD. End of Story.

If BOB’s or his agent’s word is worthless and he does interview for another job, Penn State should let him GO. NOW. If Penn State meant that it would change the culture about telling the truth, there is no place for liars there.

By: 1zxcvbnm

1zxcvbnm — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:38:34 +0000

Having teams interested in you as a coach is NOT the same the coach being interested in a new job.

O’Brien is at the top of the world right now. He has a firm commitment from a “franchise” QB [ranked #1 or #2 in the country], and with his family sitation as it is, I do not see him leaving this year. The psu alums see him as a savior. He can do no wrong. Unless he leaves and screws all the kids he lauded for their loyalty.

I think either the story of his dissatisfaction is wrong, or it is partially true, with the goal being a raise at PSU, not an NFL job.

By: cliverush

cliverush — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:15:49 +0000

The situation says stay at PSU. He can develop a solid reputation and enhance his leadership skills. The fan base will be with the team through the discipline process and support you. The work load is a lot less and multiple opportunities for an NFL position come up every year.

By: mungman69

mungman69 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:02:05 +0000

Times yours, Bill.

By: wilclarke

wilclarke — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:54:38 +0000

Bill O’Brien was a well established nice guy in the the NFL, not great nor good as an offensive coordinator, but just ok!

This years offensive resurgence and obvious communication extraordinaire between Brady and McDaniels is proof positive that O’Brien had short comings which consistently cost the Patriots big wins.

The NFL should play “hands-off” till O’Brien develops his skill set.

By: basedrum777

basedrum777 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:53:26 +0000

College football programs are designed to harm the college as a whole by showing that there was a lack of guidance at the President level which is reflective of the University.

By: justwinsomeday

justwinsomeday — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:47:56 +0000

O’Brien is in a position to transcend the (unfair) restrictions that were imposed upon PSU football, impact the lives of many (far beyond sports), and seriously make a positive difference to many in need within the PSU family. It’s not often anyone is provided this kind of opportunity.

I get the arguments about doing what’s best for him and his family. But let’s face it, at PSU he’ll make more than enough $ to take care of his family for generations to come and he can create a well deserved legacy if he continues doing the things he has to this point. This is more than the average X’s & O’sfootball coach could ever hope to do.

I personally hope he practices what he preaches. It would be refreshing in a winning is everything focused world.

By: anonymouslyanonymouscommentor

anonymouslyanonymouscommentor — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:47:19 +0000

Does anyone realize how good this must look to recruits? A lot of PSU fans are worried, but the more informed ones seem to be pretty confident he’s staying. O’Brien just doesn’t seem like the type of guy to go against everything he stands for, or at least stood for last year. Can’t ever be sure, but seems to me (and part of this is definitely me hoping) that he’s just keeping his name out there so everyone knows he could have a head coaching job at the NFL level if he wanted it.

By: ll8078

ll8078 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:46:53 +0000

NFL will always be there? Will the Big Ten always be this terrible? Will Penn State get better while losing X number of scholarships every year?

He will NEVER be this desirable to the NFL. No one is hiring him after Penn State goes 3-8 in 2015.

By: 8man

8man — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:46:03 +0000

I’m not seeing why O’Brien is so attractive to NFL teams. I know things are rough in Happy Valley now, but if he had success last year and if he hangs in and rebuilds that program he could have a great gig for life. Why toss that away to go into the meat grinder that is NFL coaching?

Not to mention, I think the NCAA is about to get bitch slapped for their onerous penalties on PSU. Things could improve at PSU in a hurry if that law suit gets traction.

By: boondocksaint7

boondocksaint7 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:44:25 +0000

Can’t blame the guy. Everyone from former coaches, to former administration, to espn, to the NCAA-holes have taken a giant dump on PSU. Why shouldn’t he? It’s what the media and a lot of the sadistic people out there want. They want PSU to suffer and keep suffering. It makes them feel better about their own lives. So O’Brian, give the people what they want! Take a huge dump on PSU! It’s what all the “good and moral” people out there want!

By: eatitfanboy

eatitfanboy — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:43:51 +0000

I think the whole “coaching tree” thing might be a little over rated.

Do you honestly think O’Brien, if he chooses to go to the NFL, would refuse to go to the Eagles because his ex-boss doesn’t like the GM?

Next to maybe the Bears, isn’t the Eagles job probably the best out there? You’ve got a possibly good QB, top ranked talent at RB and WR, and decent pieces elsewhere.

By: kepdogg23

kepdogg23 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:39:29 +0000

If job security has anything to do with his decision, he would stay at Penn State. He has 7 years where he is pretty much guaranteed his coaching spot. If he keeps Penn State relevant(has a top 25 recruiting class coming in this year), he has well over 7 years.

The NFL turns over coaches every year, and other than the Bears, I don’t see these jobs as very attractive.

By: John A.

John A. — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:31:17 +0000

O’Brien should never have taken the Penn State job to begin with. What a complete mess it has become.

And it’s only going to get worse.

By: canesgiants

canesgiants — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:17:07 +0000

enough of whats the point of punishing them they didtn do anything. welcome to college football. there really isnt a program that gets caught and the people who did the crime are the ones who pay.

By: mdpickles

mdpickles — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:56:10 +0000

I’m interested in hearing more about Belichek’s views about Roseman. Since Lurie is all about modeling the Patriot way, this is a pretty damning account.

By: damnsureis

damnsureis — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:49:43 +0000

What’s the point of punishing coaches and players who had nothing to do with the scandal?

By: metalhead65

metalhead65 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:48:43 +0000

if he leaves and I were a player on that team or a recruit I would sue whoever I had to,to get out of that place. how is it fair a coach can leave to get richer but that players are stuck? the only reason they chose to stay there or to attend was that he promised he would be there and then he can just leave with no problem while they have to sit out? sure you are supposed to commit the school but we all know it comes down to the coach and more so in this case. why else would they choose to go to a place where they know they will not be going to a bowl?

By: sipe17

sipe17 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:39:11 +0000

“unfair punishment’ u say!!!…so child rape being covered up by high-ranking administrators including ur ever-precious paterno—is unfair?….dude u need a reality check—–o’brien shoud run like hell from happy(not-so) valley!!!!!

By: tommyribs

tommyribs — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:32:55 +0000

Bill O’Brien should do what is best for Bill O’Brien, but I personally would really like to see him stay.

I know that right now things are tough at Penn State, but he has a chance to help do something very special, and that is help re-build a Program, and help a deserving community get some healing and closure.

He has a chance to do something special.

The NFL will always be there.

Bill O’Brien can become a transcendent figure in College Football.

I know he got the short end of the stick on this one, but he can really show a lot of folks some good values and let his commitment be an example to everyone.

By: ll8078

ll8078 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:32:42 +0000

everyone here is acting like you wouldn’t take a 25% pay increase (he’ll get 3yr/12m at least) and also be one of the top 32 coaches in the nation, with a decent chance at winning THE MOST coveted prize in all of football.

Nah, 3 more years of football ending in November sounds better, with worse talent than this year.

It’s like complaning about Kevin Durant not staying in college……..i mean come on. There’s the big leagues and still the “amateaur” (unpaid) league. He didn’t leave New England to be the PSU coach for the next 30 years

“When the iron is hot, strike it”

By: bobzilla1001

bobzilla1001 — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:32:09 +0000

O’Brien did a terrific job with the offense, especially with quarterback Matt McGloin, but, beyond that, he was unremarkable.
Not being able to beat OHIO UNIVERSITY on opening day, at home, in front of a packed house, with emotions running high, was an embarrassment.
He was 2-2 in non-conference games against Ohio U., Virginia, Temple and Navy; and he was 6-2 against the horrific Big 10.
Bye, Bill.