Kevin O’Connor Named Head Basketball Coach at Murray State College (OK)

Murray State College has announced Kevin O’Connor as the next head coach of the Aggies men’s basketball program. O’Connor joins the Aggies from Arizona Western College, where he served as assistant coach and assistant athletic director since 2015.

“We extend a warm welcome to Kevin O’Connor and are looking forward to an exciting season as he takes the reins as head men’s basketball coach at Murray State College,” MSC President Joy McDaniel said.

During his time at AWC, O’Connor assisted in back to back 20 win seasons, including a Region 1 Conference Regular Season title and Region 1 Conference Tournament title in 2016-2017. In his first season with the Matador’s the team reached the Region 1 Semifinals. O’Connor was instrumental in the recruitment of several key players, including the Freshman of the Year in 2016-2017. While at Arizona Western, O’Connor coached one Second Team All-American, four First Team ACCAC All-Conference selections, and one ACCAC Player of the Year. Along with basketball duties, O’Connor also aided the athletic department with fundraising and event planning.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to be selected as the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Murray State College. I would like to thank President McDaniel, Vice-President Gray, and Athletic Director Cellum for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to working in an environment and community committed to excellence on and off the court. I am excited to get the team on campus and hit the ground running. Go Aggies!” said Coach O’Connor.

Prior to Arizona Western College, O’Connor spent one season at Hopkins Academy in Massachusetts working with the men’s and women’s basketball teams and then spent two seasons as a Graduate Assistant at Kansas State University while working on his Master’s Degree in Academic Advising. During that stretch under Bruce Weber, Kansas State went to the NCAA tournament and lost to eventual national runner-up Kentucky. O’Connor also worked under Weber as a student manager for four years at the University of Illinois as an undergraduate.

“I am very excited to add Kevin O’Connor to the Aggie family. Coach O’Connor’s work ethic and passion for mentoring young men are second to none. This is an exciting time for our men’s basketball program and our athletic department,” MSC Athletic Director Justin Cellum said.

http://www.mscok.edu/Articles/kevin_oconnor_named_msc_mens_basketball_head_coach.aspx