NESN

Bill O’Brien Won’t Confirm He’s Coaching at Penn State in 2013

The start of the 2012 season for the Penn State Nittany Lions looked like it was going to continue the nightmare that the 2011 season turned into. Penn State started the season 0-2, losing to Ohio and Virginia. But head coach Bill O’Brien has done a tremendous job turning his team around and leading Penn State to a 7-4 record.

Still, the former Patriots offensive coordinator wouldn’t confirm that he’ll still be in University Park next season. When David Jones of the Patriot-News asked the Nittany Lions’ head coach if he would be back next season, O’Brien had an interesting answer.

“You guys gave legs last week to a story that … there’s no story there. You know, I’m focused on one game at a time,” O’Brien said. “I’m focused on this football team. That’s not something that I even think about. I think about that I’m the head football coach at Penn State. And I’m looking forward to getting this team ready for Wisconsin. I mean, we give legs to a story that’s not even there.”

When pressed, O’Brien still wouldn’t give a yes or no answer to the question but offered, “I’m the head football coach at Penn State. I love coaching here. And I can’t wait to get back to work on Monday and get ready for Wisconsin.”

O’Brien has been a rumored future NFL head coaching candidate due to the impressive season he’s put up at Penn State. He’s already proven that his offense has worked in the NFL as New England’s quarterbacks coach from 2009-2011 and offensive coordinator in 2011.

While O’Brien certainly didn’t say he won’t be back at Penn State, the fact that he didn’t commit to at least one more season must leave Nittany Lions fans feeling uneasy.