It sounds like Penn State's hiring of Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is a virtual done deal. Per ESPN:
The Nittany Lions plan to announce O'Brien's hiring Saturday, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. The Associated Press reported Friday that terms and details of O'Brien's contract still needed to be set, that nothing was official and there was no signed contract. According to AP, a Penn State coaches staff meeting was scheduled for later Friday afternoon.
O'Brien, 42, will be a head coach for the first time and never coached or played at Penn State. He will continue to work as the Patriots' offensive coordinator through the NFL playoffs, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. O'Brien interviewed Thursday with Penn State, his agent, Joe Linta, told The Associated Press.
The Big Lead looked at the rather sad Bill Belichick coaching tree a few weeks back. If we want to strictly talk recent offensive coordinators who became head coaches (pro or college), we can talk Charlie Weis ... Josh McDaniels and now O'Brien. That's not a great track record. But hey, at least O'Brien is famous now for more than just that shouting match with Tom Brady. (Lip-readers beware):
