The University of Scranton Executive Director of Athletics Dave Martin announced on Tuesday that Ben O’Brien has been named the head coach of the women’s basketball program. O’Brien becomes the eighth coach in program history and will assume his new role at Scranton on Monday, August 1.
O’Brien comes to Scranton following a highly successful tenure as the head coach at nearby Dunmore High School where he recorded 347 victories in 14 seasons, 13 league championships, 10 district championships and 13 PIAA State Tournament appearances. His overall record over the last 14 seasons was an impressive 347-43 for a winning percentage of .890.
The Lady Bucks found success in the state tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 on all 13 occasions, 10 Elite Eights, six Final Fours and two state title games.
“I am honored and humbled to accept the position of head women’s basketball coach at The University of Scranton. I look forward to the opportunity to build upon the tradition of excellence that embodies Lady Royal basketball,” O’Brien said. “I would like to thank Dave Martin and the entire University of Scranton administration for welcoming me into this truly special community.”
During his time at Dunmore, O’Brien mentored eight players who earned All-State honors, 13 who garnered All-Regional honors and 19 who received All-Scholastic accolades. Additionally, he has coached over 15 players that went on to play college basketball.
O’Brien has been named Coach of the Year by multiple outlets over the last 14 seasons including LLHoops.com (6x), NEPABasketball.com (4x) and Scranton Times-Tribune (2x). He was also honored as the 2011 PIAA State Coach of the Year.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Ben O’Brien to our coaching staff. Ben has extensive head coaching experience and has been incredibly successful during his tenure at Dunmore High School. He has a proven track record of caring for and developing the whole person and his values align with the mission of our University,” Martin said.
Prior to becoming the head coach of Lady Bucks, O’Brien spent five years serving as a head coach and private instructor for Hoop City/Backcourt Hoops from 2004-2009.
He is a 2004 graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in history and has served as a Social Studies teacher at Dunmore High School since 2007. In 2016, O’Brien received a Master’s Equivalency degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
O’Brien inherits a Lady Royals program that has won seven straight Landmark Conference Championships and advanced to the Sweet 16 last season with a 27-3 record. He takes over the reins from Nick DiPillo who accepted an assistant coach position at Pitt in June.
https://athletics.scranton.edu/sports/wbkb/2021-22/releases/20220726fr047h
Tagged with: D3 Scranton
