Following up on the JUCO DIRT from last night…
Brendan O’Connor, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Otero Junior College, announced that he will be resigning his position as the leader of the program. O’Connor worked nine years as the assistant coach at Otero for Houston Reed before taking over the program in 2016. He started at OJC in 2007 after completing his degree at Northern State University while working as a student-assistant for legendary Head Coach Don Meyer.
O’Connor cited personal reasons for leaving his post at Otero, but does so with a sterling level of success over the course of his career. As an assistant coach, O’Connor helped Otero to the 2012 Region IX Championship and NJCAA Elite Eight. The Rattlers also played for the Region IX Championship in 2013 and finished ranked #20 in 2016 with O’Connor as the assistant coach working for then Head Coach Houston Reed.
O’Connor took the reigns as Head Coach of Otero in May of 2016 and has continued the program’s winning tradition. He leaves OJC with a 49-14 record in his two seasons. O’Connor’s winning percentage (.77%) is the best of any head coach in Otero Men’s Basketball history.
This past season, the Rattlers had another historic run as they finished 29-5, broke the school record for regular season wins with 26, won the 2018 Region IX South Conference Championship, and clinched an At-Large bid (the first in program history) to the 2018 NJCAA Tournament. Otero’s trip to Hutch was the 2nd in school history and the Rattlers final NJCAA ranking of #15 is the best in program history.
O’Connor reflected on his time at OJC, affectionately known as “The Juice”, on social media with the following post:
It is with clear eyes and a full heart that I announce my resignation as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Otero Junior College.
Every day for the last 11 years I have emptied the tank for this program and the institution of Otero. It has been an amazing journey and one that I will never forget. First, as the assistant coach for nine years under my great friend, Houston Reed. We built our brand and culture from scratch! Day after day, season after season. And we had players buy-in when they had no reason to other than their belief in us. The young men that have been a part of our program have given more to me than I’ll ever be able to repay.
When I took over as Head Coach nearly two years ago, I promised to carry on the tradition of toughness and unselfishness Otero was built upon. We have upheld that promise and have continued to help young people become the best versions of themselves. The most rewarding aspect of this journey has been seeing our guys grow up and become successful young men! Despite all the accolades this latest group of Rattlers achieved on the court, the true test of our program will be what kind of husband’s, father’s, and men they will become 10 or 15 years from now. My hope is that they’ll continue to put others first and trust that life, like basketball, is a team sport.
The relationships created here have been an immense blessing in my life. I’m thankful for all those that supported our program and its mission through good times and bad. I wish nothing but the best for the program moving forward and will do anything I can to help the next coach. As I transition to a new and exciting chapter of my life, I will leave OJC with life-long memories and friendships.
I’m a Lewis-Palmer Ranger, Northern State Wolf, and I couldn’t be prouder to forever be an OTERO guy!
All the best,
Coach O’C
