After being fired by the Houston Texans, Bill O'Brien returned to the College ranks to start rebuilding his status. O'Brien started his coaching rehabilitation with Nick Saban, serving as the offensive coordinator for two seasons as Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy. O'Brien jumped back to the NFL with the Patriots for a year before accepting a role with the Ohio State Buckeyes just a month before he'd take the Boston College job.
Getting Bill O'Brien was a big hire for Boston College as a well known and respected coach with roots in Boston. Jeff Hafley had just led the Eagles to a 7-6 season, and the hope was that Bill O'Brien could improve the team, and take a jump into ACC Contention.
Year One was encouraging as O'Brien led the team to another 7-6 season, while improving by a game in ACC play. After seemingly taking a step forward, Bill O'Brien's program has taken a massive step back in his second season.
The pressure is clearly mounting for Bill O'Brien
The Boston College Eagles started the season with a blowout win over Fordham to get this season started on the right foot. Ever since the season opener, Bill O'Brien's team has been free falling as they prepare for the final game of the season with a 1-10 record.
As the Eagles have suffered loss after loss, it's becoming clear with each week the pressure is only building, and the last two weeks, Bill O'Brien has been ready to explode. After the team fell to 1-8 with a loss to Notre Dame, a member of the media asked O'Brien for a message to the fan's to which O'Brien exploded.
Bill O’Brien explodes at media member, who asked for a message to the fan’s displeasure with the teams current 1-8 record.
— Brett (@brettrid3r) November 4, 2025
“I’m glad you’re down, I’m not down, nobody’s down. We’re fighting, we’re competing…” pic.twitter.com/gQttJbc3pH
This weekend, Bill O'Brien's team looked like they could get off the mat in a big way as they led Georgia Tech 28-17 heading into the 4th quarter. Right before the 4th quarter, Bill O'Brien exploded on an official earning himself a 15 yard penalty, kickstarting Georgia Tech's drive which resulted in a field goal which could've been the difference.
Bill O’Brien called for an unsportsmanlike conduct, costing his team 15 yards as they head into the 4th quarter leading #16 Georgia Tech 28-17@WEEI #ForBoston #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/gIdjfd9VKE
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) November 15, 2025
It's becoming clearer each week that Bill O'Brien is feeling immense pressure to win a game before the year ends. It's unclear if Boston College would be willing to fire Bill O'Brien, but finishing the year with 11 losses in a row would certainly garner a conversation. The question almost becomes if this season puts enough heat on O'Brien that he leaves on his own opting for another job as a coordinator.
The good news for Bill O'Brien and Boston College is they'll have the chance to bookend the season with wins as they take a bye week before facing an equally bad Syracuse team in the finale. If O'Brien however loses to Syracuse to finish with 11 straight losses, something is going to have to change.