It looks like a former Penn State coach is headed back to the world of college football and will join the defending national champions.

Alabama coach Nick Saban is “on the verge” of hiring former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien as the next offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide, according to FootballScoop.

O’Brien would be replacing the departed Steve Sarkisian, who is taking over as head coach at Texas.

He would inherit an Alabama offense coming off a dynamic season but that will be without Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith, Najee Harris and Jaylen Waddle. There’s also the possibility that star quarterback Mac Jones and some offensive line starters will elect to go pro as well.

O’Brien captured the Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant National Coach of the Year in 2012 while at Penn State. O’Brien amassed a 15-9 record in two seasons as the head coach at Penn State. O’Brien finished 52-48 with four AFC South division titles with the Texans.

He was fired by the Texans after an 0-4 start this season. O’Brien might not get an NFL head coaching job again but this is an excellent opportunity for O’Brien to build back up his stock.