St. Cloud State University head men’s basketball coach Quincy Henderson announced the addition of Connor O’Brien to his coaching staff Wednesday morning. O’Brien will serve as an assistant coach for the Huskies after spending the past seven years at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
“I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to join [Coach Henderson’s] coaching staff at St. Cloud State,” said O’Brien in a statement. “I have been impressed with Quincy’s direction and vision for the program. I am confident in his leadership and look forward to assisting that vision.”
“I am so fortunate to have Connor joining our program,” commented Henderson. “He had a great deal of success as a player in the NSIC and has carried that into his coaching career. He has been a part of an exceptional program at Saint John’s for the past seven years. His Minnesota roots run deep, and he has a proven track record of sustained success. He will be a great ambassador for St. Cloud State and a great mentor to the student-athletes in our program.”
O’Brien brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience to St. Cloud State thanks to his coaching and playing career. A recipient of Under Armor’s 30 Under 30 award, O’Brien guided the Johnnies to multiple conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. In O’Brien’s seven years with Saint John’s, the Johnnies posted an overall record of 137-37 with a 100-24 mark in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. Saint John’s additionally won the MIAC Regular Season title three times (2018, 2020, 2022) during O’Brien’s tenure and won the conference tournament in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
In addition to his coaching experience, O’Brien played collegiate basketball at Minnesota State from 2009-10 to 2013-14. During his time with the Mavericks, O’Brien was a member of three NSIC championship teams and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was a member of Minnesota State’s 2011 Final Four team and additionally led the team to a school-record 30 wins as a senior in 2013-14. O’Brien was also named to the NSIC All-Tournament team in 2012-13.
“During my time as a student-athlete and as a coach, I’ve always respected and admired St. Cloud State men’s basketball program,” O’Brien stated. “I am eager to get to work and look forward to representing the Huskies.”
A native of New Prague, Minnesota, O’Brien graduated from Minnesota State in 2014 and completed his Master’s degree in 2015.
