At 7:20 a.m. during his first season at Alabama, Bill O’Brien would routinely call in Tide offensive line coach and close friend Doug Marrone. Together, they’d watch as Nick Saban pulled up at precisely 7:22 a.m. every single day. Not 7:23. Not 7:21.
Saban would step out of the car, a staffer would hand him his coffee and papers, and he’d head up to the 7:30 staff meeting. The consistency and precision in the Alabama program were unwavering, preparing O’Brien for the intense demands and challenges of modern recruiting.
“He recruited every day,” O’Brien recalled. “There wasn’t a single day he didn’t—Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, every day. He was always either speaking with a recruit, Zooming with one, watching tape, or talking to high school coaches. That’s the approach we’ve adopted here.”
O’Brien’s recruiting prowess was evident during his time at Penn State. In 2013, he brought in a class featuring elite prospects like tight end Adam Breneman and quarterback Christian Hackenberg, both among the top five in their positions.
His 2014 class initially secured commitments from future NFL stars Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, and Will Fuller, though they eventually chose Notre Dame following NCAA sanctions.
O’Brien’s first challenge at Boston College was retaining the current roster, succeeding in keeping key players after Jeff Hafley’s sudden departure.
“He hit a home run,” said senior lineman Ozzy Trapilo, crediting O’Brien for his professional approach. Trapilo, entering his final season, noted that BC’s practices under O’Brien are more efficient, with more work packed into the same time.
O’Brien brought in two former NFL head coaches, Doug Marrone and Rob Chudzinski, to reinforce his staff’s professional approach. He also retained offensive line coach Matt Applebaum, who has NFL experience.
“They’ve seen it all,” Trapilo said. “Their experience is invaluable, and they know exactly what you need to improve on.”
Trapilo and defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, both NFL prospects, stayed at BC in part because of O’Brien’s clear and direct coaching style.
Ezeiruaku recalled O’Brien coaching him through a drill, emphasizing the importance of bending low like Von Miller, illustrating O’Brien’s attention to detail.
Ezeiruaku, who is also focused on earning his degree, appreciates that O’Brien values education alongside football. O’Brien acknowledged that BC’s role in revenue sharing and NIL will be significant, though not on par with programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
“I think it comes down to recruiting the right type of player for Boston College,” O’Brien said. “When BC has won in the past, it was with players who understood what BC could do for their lives.”
So, what can Boston College look like under Bill O’Brien? Can the program return to the heights it reached during the Matt Ryan and Doug Flutie eras?
Early indicators suggest a positive investment in the program. O’Brien’s key hire was strength coach Craig Fitzgerald from Florida, a financial battle BC isn’t used to winning. He also brought in Najarian from the Patriots, a steady presence during one of the greatest runs in NFL history.
There’s a belief that O’Brien’s experience and vision will translate into success.
“I believe we can be a successful program,” said athletic director Patrick Kraft. “Can we make the playoff? Yes. Will we look like Georgia or Alabama? Probably not, but success is possible. It’s about getting the right person and providing the support they need.”
O’Brien’s debut at BC comes on Labor Day night against No. 10 Florida State. It’s part of a challenging opening month that includes a trip to No. 11 Missouri and hosting Michigan State.
It will be a good test of how far BC has to go. O’Brien is confident in his team, which includes quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who tied for the national lead with 13 rushing touchdowns by a QB, a veteran offensive line, and key defensive players like tackle Cam Horsley.
As he begins to implement his 10-year plan, O’Brien feels right at home.
“I love the job, I believe in this place,” he said. “I really enjoy the people I work with. I love being a head coach. I’m Irish Catholic, and I embrace what Boston College stands for.”
