Why would he use PSU as a stepping stone when he could have gone a million other places as a stepping stone? He basically had his choice of offers after last season and he chose to go to PSU. Just seems to me that he wouldn't bounce after one season at PSU. Doesn't make sense.
I don't think he had his choice of major BCS programs last year. I don't think you'll find a report that he was seriously considered for any program other than PSU. He was just another Charlie Weis / Josh McDaniels / Romeo spawn of Belichek who had coached at lower levels in college. I'm guessing O'Brien stays. Lots more job security. To outbid PSU, an NFL team would likely need to make him one of the highest paid coaches, and he just does not have the record yet.
