O’Brien returns to SCC after serving as head men’s basketball coach at NCAA Division I member Idaho State University where he coached from 2006-12. Prior to that, O’Brien spent eight years as head men’s basketball coach at Southeastern, with one year as athletic director.

“I could not be more excited to be back at Southeastern,” said O’Brien. “Burlington and West Burlington are home for Amy and I. We raised our family here and have great memories of our time here.  My coaching career has taken my family and I all around the country, and our best memories are the exciting and rewarding years we enjoyed at Southeastern.” 

During his time at Southeastern, O’Brien won three men’s basketball national championships. While coaching in the NJCAA, O’Brien earned a record of 313-117, a .728 winning percentage. O’Brien holds 27+ years of coaching at the collegiate level. 

O'Brien’s first position at the collegiate level was in 1982-83 at Southeastern Louisiana University. He then served as an assistant coach at Central Missouri State for five years, helping CMS to three 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances before moving on to Lincoln College. O'Brien spent the 2004-05 season as an assistant at Florida International, helping the Golden Panthers to go from 13-43 over the previous two seasons to a 13-17 mark, FIU's best record in the previous six seasons.

During his time coaching, O'Brien earned six national Coach of the Year awards, two each in 2000, 2003, and 2004, plus three District XI Coach of the Year honors. 

O’Brien received his B.A. from Monmouth College and his M.Ed. from Northwestern State University (Louisiana).

“I would like to thank Dr. Ash, Chuck Chrisman, the search committee, the head coaches, and the faculty and staff I visited with for their confidence in me,” O’Brien states. “The Director of Athletics position is a new challenge for me, and I am eager to assist the coaches and athletes at SCC in any way I can.” 

O’Brien and his wife, Amy, have three children, Erik, Cory, and Kellie.