"Rumors began swirling last week that Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien might be interviewed for a head coaching position in the NFL, his name at one point tied to the Chiefs, who, it was reported, could hire him as offensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting.''

But yesterday multiple reports tied O'Brien's name to an entirely different job, and in the college game: Penn State.

Last night, ESPN reported that O'Brien and Penn State officials were "expected to meet this week to work out a deal.''

The Patriots are in a bye week after wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs yesterday. The Nittany Lions will close their season today against Houston in the TicketCity Bowl.

Earlier yesterday, Jon Saraceno of USA Today tweeted that it is basically a done deal. "A person with knowledge of the Penn State hiring tells USA Today that only contract details need to be finalized before O'Brien is the man,'' Saraceno tweeted."