Alabama players come to Bill O’Brien’s defense amid fan criticism

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NEW ORLEANS Like his head coach, Bill OBrien isn’t big on social media. However, it’s hard to believe the Alabama offensive coordinator when he says he didn’t hear some of the criticism he received in his second season with the Crimson Tide.

OBrien became the biggest scapegoat for Alabama’s offensive inconsistencies, as fans were quick to point the finger his way while blaming the Crimson Tides’ two-game regular season loss. Speaking to the media for the first time since August 7, the offensive coordinator shrugged off the criticism, saying he didn’t care too much about it.

I don’t really pay attention to that, so I don’t know what the criticisms would be, OBrien said during his Sugar Bowl press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “We all try to do better. We all try to do our best as consistently as possible. I think over the last two seasons we’ve been pretty productive. I think we’ve averaged over 40 points per match. Are there areas where we can be better? Of course, there are always areas where we can be better.

Things could certainly be worse for Alabama. The Crimson Tide is currently tied for fourth nationally with 40.8 points per game and ranks 12th in averaging 47.5 total rushing yards. He was also able to handle a mid-season shoulder injury to Bryce Young that sidelined the Heisman Trophy winner for a game and a half.

Still, if OBrien wonders what criticism he’s facing, it won’t take him long to find out.

A lack of consistency in running play was high on the list of complaints, as was the drop to wide receiver. Alabama fans were also upset with his red zone call, especially in losses to Tennessee and LSU.

That being said, putting all the blame on O’Brien seems a little harsh on his players.

I don’t think it’s fair on the coach,” Alabama offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. said when it comes to execution. Offensively, all 11 guys have to do their job to make the games successful. A lot of times he gets criticized for the things we didn’t execute right. I don’t think the criticism is fair to OBrien. I think he’s a very good coach and I have learned a lot from him.

Ekiyor wasn’t the only one defending his offensive coordinator either.

A lot of people have never played in a college game before, never coached a college game before, Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs said. He is a coach in the NFL. Hes a coach in college. I guess he knows what he’s doing.

OBrien joined Alabama after spending more than six seasons as head coach of the Houston Texans. He also spent two seasons in charge of Penn State where he was named Bear Bryant, Maxwell Football Club and ESPN National Coach of the Year in 2012 after leading the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record, winning more games. than any other prime. Head Coach of the Year in programs for the previous 125 seasons.

His resume as an offensive coordinator is also quite impressive. He called plays for the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2011, helping Tom Brady become MVP in 2010. He also served as offensive coordinator at Duke (2005-06) and Georgia Tech (200102).

He’s coached a lot of great players, Alabama wide receiver JaCorey Brooks said. He’s coached a lot of great receivers like Randy Moss. Who doesn’t want to listen to this? If I’m a good receiver, why wouldn’t I want to listen to this?

The biggest feather in OBriens hat in Alabama was his role in the development of Bryce Young. Last year, the five-star passer became the first quarterback to win Heisman in program history, completing 66.9% of his passes for a school-record 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns while throwing just seven. interceptions. In 11 games this season, Young has completed 64% of his passes for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns with five interceptions.

I’ve grown tremendously,” Young said of his two years under OBrien. And a lot of the success that I’ve had, a lot of the success that we’ve had on offense has been OB. Everything he brings. How he behaves on a daily basis. Someone who comes, and he always teaches. It is intense; it will be later. But he still teaches. There’s no time when he doesn’t push us to be better.

I learned so much from him. And he’s someone I’m super close to. I have a great relationship with. So I’m eternally grateful and super lucky to have had him as a coach.

Young certainly isn’t the only Alabama player to share that sentiment.

I love Bill OBrien. I’m pretty sure everyone on offense does that too,” Brooks said. He’s a funny guy. He will tell you the truth. He will always give it to you directly. He always loses his knowledge because he is an older coach who has experienced it for several years. I love it.

Added tight end Cameron Latu: Man, I tell everyone that. I love OBrien to death. He’s my guy. The relationship I have with him is wonderful. He did a lot for me. And I love her to death.

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