The Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings have reportedly contacted Penn State coach Bill O'Brien about his interest in coaching in the NFL. With the turmoil in D.C., the Washington Redskins may also reach out to O'Brien, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.
The Texans and Vikings both approached O'Brien about returning to the NFL, pro and collegiate sources told La Canfora on Sunday.
The Redskins could also make a push for O'Brien, according to La Canfora, because of the coach's experience with quarterbacks. O'Brien served as an assistant under New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick from 2007 to 2011; he spent his final two seasons in New England as the quarterback coach for Tom Brady, and in 2011 he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
O'Brien nearly took the Philadelphia Eagles job last season after Andy Reid's departure, but he ultimately chose to remain at Penn State for another year.
"O'Brien struggled with the decision last year and ultimately felt he owed it to his players to stay at Happy Valley for a second season, but relations between him and the school frayed some when the school was subjected to more post-Sandusky sanctions than expected, and he also has had three staff members depart recently," La Canfora wrote on Sunday. "His buyout is less financially restrictive than in past years, and, furthermore, there could be litigation over his buyout as well, if the situation escalates, given the penalties the program faced."
Penn State hired O'Brien in 2012 after the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He finished his inaugural year at Happy Valley with an 8-4 record and the ESPN National Coach of the Year award.
He finished this season with a 7-5 record.
