Penn State Reportedly Has Patriots' Bill O'Brien as Top Candidate for Head Coach

According to several sources including ESPN's Adam Schefter, New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is the leading man to replace Joe Paterno as coach of the Penn State football program.

The 42-year-old O'Brien joined the Patriots in 2007 as an offensive assistant and is not a graduate of nor has any previous experience with Penn State.

O'Brien gained recognition after emerging as a talented offensive mind in the NFL, and has worked vigorously behind the scenes with Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady.

According to a USA Today source, O'Brien is expected to end the coaching race very soon, once settling on a contract and agreeing to it.

This would be a solid hire for the Nittany Lions for several reasons. 

For one, the Brown University graduate coached 13 years in college before transitioning the NFL game, so his versatility and experience at both levels make him the ideal coaching prospect.

O'Brien is also a talented offensive mind, just look at what the Patriots' offense has done in 2011 despite lacking a formidable defense to back them up. New England ranks second in the league in passing yards this season and third in scoring offense. 

Also, O'Brien's youth and energy is just what the program needs. Paterno wasn't going to inspire another championship run from the Nittany Lions before his time was up anyway.

O'Brien will give the school and the program a future, and a sturdy one at that.

A 9-3 season will be tough to recreate in 2012, especially for a first-year head coach in college who is destined to be behind in the recruiting trail, but all O'Brien has to tell potential recruits is that he used to coach Brady and game plan with Bill Belichick.