According to the Boston Herald, Boston College is close to finalizing a contract with O’Brien to become the Eagles head coach. He would replace Jeff Hafley, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator who left to take that position with the Green Bay Packers.

O’Brien is a Boston native. His son Jack has the rare brain condition lissencephaly and has received treatment in the Boston area.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day pursued O’Brien, who was the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator last year, to add an experienced coach to give a boost to a Buckeyes offense that often sputtered last year. O’Brien was hired on Jan. 18.

A source said that O’Brien was at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Monday.

O’Brien was Penn State’s head coach in 2012 and 2013, taking over in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal that cost legendary coach Joe Paterno his job. O’Brien had success with both fifth-year senior quarterback Matt McGloin in his first year and with freshman Christian Hackenberg in his second season.

O’Brien left to become head coach of the Houston Texans in 2014. After being fired by the Texans in 2020, O’Brien served as offensive coordinator at Alabama for two seasons.