There are many head coaches that will be put under a microscope this fall.
The 2026 season will be very telling for many in the Power Four ranks. Coming off a two-win season, it is not surprising to hear Bill O’Brien in conversations surrounding coaches on the hot seat.
In a recent list put together by Sports Illustrated, O’Brien was featured on a top five list on which coaches are on the hottest seat entering the season.
“Aside from the defensive backfield, there is turnover across much of Boston College’s
2026 roster. The Eagles are likely to trot out Mason McKenzie at quarterback, a Division II transfer from Saginaw Valley State. A schedule that features three Power Four non-conference bouts and several upper-echelon ACC programs leaves little room for growth.” — Tucker Harlin, On SI
Bill O’Brien took over for Jeff Hafley at Boston College in 2024. This came after a long stretch in the NFL followed by two years as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
The Eagles finished 7-6 in year one under O’Brien, reaching as high as No. 24 in the AP Poll. Year two saw a major regression as Boston College went 2-10 in 2025.
The upcoming season will be important for O’Brien to prove to the program that he is the right man to lead the team moving forward.
