National Football League

Pats' O'Brien head-coaching candidate?

Published Dec. 29, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has emerged as a head-coaching candidate and is expected to receive offers to interview with teams this offseason, the NFL Network reported Thursday, citing sources.

O'Brien, who made headlines recently for a sideline bust-up with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, is about to see his contract expire and seven teams or more could be interviewing for head-coaching roles for next year.

A position at the Kansas City Chiefs could reportedly be a possibility, said one source familiar with O'Brien's thinking.

The Chiefs are considering removing the "interim" tag from Romeo Crennel and adding an offensive-minded "coach-in-waiting" to the staff, sources said. St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will also be a candidate for that role.

O'Brien is reportedly also among the candidates for the opening at Penn State, following the firing of Joe Paterno in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.