University of Maine head men’s basketball coach Chris Markwood has announced the hiring of assistant coach Rob O’Driscoll.
“I am extremely excited to welcome Rob O’Driscoll to our staff here at UMaine,” Markwood says. “I have gotten to know Rob over the last decade through competing against one another. Rob brings a wealth of experience with him including a coaching career spanning 27 years across all levels of Division I basketball. He has played an integral role in helping to rebuild multiple championship programs along the way.”
O’Driscoll, a graduate of Villanova University (BA ’94, Master’s ’97), began his career in basketball at Villanova in 1994. During his tenure, O’Driscoll has served on staffs at Villanova, Manhattan, Iona, Marist, James Madison, and Drexel.
“I’m excited to join Coach Markwood’s staff at the University of Maine,” O’Driscoll says. “I’ve known Chris for a long time, and he’s been very instrumental in contributing to the success of many programs. I look forward to partnering with Chris, as well as the Maine athletic department and the Orono surrounding area, as we strive toward building a great basketball program that the community and state of Maine can be proud of! Go Black Bears!”
O’Driscoll began his career as the Administrative Assistant for Men’s Basketball at Villanova in 1994. During his two seasons there, the Wildcats finished both seasons ranked No. 9 in the country in the Associated Press final poll. The Wildcats won the Big East Championship in the 1994-95 season.
In 1996, O’Driscoll moved on to be an assistant coach at Manhattan College, where he served from 1996-1998. He recruited and coached two MAAC All-Conference Team selections during his time with the Jaspers.
Following the 1998 season, he joined the Iona coaching staff as an assistant coach, from which he served from ’98-’04. While at Iona, he was part of two MAAC Tournament championship teams (1999-2000 & 2000-01). He recruited and coached 14 MAAC All-Conference players and three All-Rookie Team selections with the Gaels as well as mentoring the 1999-2000 MAAC Player of the Year.
In 2004, O’Driscoll joined the Marist College staff, where he served as head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He assisted in a 2006-07 MAAC regular season championship, in which the program won a record 25 games. The team went on to register its first and only postseason win in program history at the NIT after defeating Oklahoma State. He recruited and coached seven MAAC All-Conference players and two All-Rookie selections (Rookie of the Year 2007-08), including the 2006-07 MAAC Player of the Year and NBA draft selection (45th overall), Jared Jordan.
Following his success at Marist, O’Driscoll joined the James Madison University coaching staff as the Associate Head Coach, a role he served from 2008-2016. He assisted in 139 wins for the program, including four 21-win seasons. Under his guidance, James Madison captured the 2012-13 CAA tournament championship, the 2014-15 regular season title, and won their 2012-13 NCAA Tournament First Round matchup. He recruited and coached nine CAA All-Conference players and four CAA All-Rookie Team players, including the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year.
In 2016, O’Driscoll joined the Drexel University staff, spending six seasons with the Dragons. He spent 2016-20 as an assistant coach before being promoted to Chief of Staff from 2020-2022. During his time at Drexel, he was a part of the largest comeback in NCAA history when the team was down by 34 points to Delaware before rallying back for the victory. He recruited and coached six CAA All-Conference players and two All-Rookie players, including the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year.
While serving as Chief of Staff, Drexel won the CAA championship for the 2020-21 season and earned a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
“He is an extremely well-rounded coach and will have a positive impact on our program from day one,” continues Markwood. “Most importantly, he is a person of high character who has a great work ethic and will be an excellent resource on and off the court for myself, as well as our student-athletes.”
Rob O’Driscoll Named Maine Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
