Report: Bill O’Brien to coach at Penn State

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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien reportedly will be Penn State’s next coach, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

The Boston Herald reports that O’Brien has already begun telling people around the NFL that he has accepted the position.

O’Brien will take over a program that was plagued with scandal after revelations that former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky allegedly sexually abused multiple boys. Legendary Coach Joe Paterno, who spent 46 seasons at Penn State, was fired in November amid the allegations.

ESPN claims that O’Brien will formally make the announcement Saturday but will remain the Patriots’ offensive coordinator for the rest of the season.

This was O’Brien’s first season as the team’s offensive coordinator but he has coached star quarterback Tom Brady since 2009.

‘He’s been a great coach and friend. We have a great relationship; probably a very unique relationship in that we communicate all the time,’ Brady told reporters of O’Brien. ‘I always enjoy working with him, and he’s done an incredible job with this team and this offense.’

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-- Melissa Rohlin