Kevin O'Brien - Men's Soccer Coach - Davidson College Athletics

Kevin O'Brien

Title:
Coach/Recruiting Director
Email:
keobrien@davidson.edu
Phone:
2817

Kevin O'Brien begins his third season on the Davidson coaching staff and will look to continue to push the program forward. In his first two years, the Wildcats have defeated two nationally-ranked teams in the same season, a feat not accomplished since 2004, and have returned to the national rankings and the Southern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2005.

Serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator, O’Brien assembled a strong incoming class for the 2011 season that includes three College Soccer News top-150 recruits, with one ranking in the Top 50 nationally.

“Kevin has quickly established a strong impact in our program with a focus on daily preparation, a competitive edge and winning ways,” said Davidson head coach Matt Spear.

O'Brien was a member of the Charlotte 49ers coaching staff from 2002-08 and became the program's top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2006 season. He helped lead the team to a combined 33-18-8 record and numerous appearances in the national rankings during the three seasons since taking over those positions.

He has been an assistant at the collegiate level for 13 years, including stops at three highly successful Division I programs, as well as one year of professional experience. Prior to coming to Davidson, O’Brien worked at Charlotte, Creighton and Oregon State, while also spending time on the coaching staff at Presbyterian College.

“Kevin is a tremendously experienced and successful coach,” added Spear. “He has the full package of excellent playing background, winning pedigree, recruiting prowess, communication skills, ability to adapt quickly, and leadership savvy. I have great respect for him as a person and as a family man. He has made an immediate, positive, and indelible impact on our program. Davidson is lucky to have Kevin O’Brien in to our athletic department and College’s community.”

The College of Charleston graduate was a two-time All-TAAC and All-TAAC Tournament selection during his four seasons as a member of the Cougar program. In 1994, O'Brien helped lead the Cougars to the NCAA quarterfinals and an NSCAA Top-20 National Ranking. In 1995, he was named to the NSCAA All-Region team, played in another NCAA Championship, and was voted to play in the Umbro Senior Bowl Game.

He played for several professional teams following his graduation in 1996, including the South Carolina Shamrocks, the Charleston Battery and the Charlotte Eagles. He captained the Eagles team for both the 2003 and 2004 campaigns.

O’Brien holds a USSF "A" License and the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He has spent seven years coaching in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and won a National Championship with the `88 Boy's North Carolina ODP team in 2006, and took the N.C. `91 Boy’s to the Nationals in 2007. O'Brien left the ODP program in 2008 and is now on U.S. Soccer's staff as a Developmental Academy head coach with North Mecklenburg Youth Soccer.

He married his wife, Shannon, a former University of Arizona women's soccer player and former Charlotte Lady Eagle, on April 12, 2003. They live in the Davidson area and have a daughter Keely and a son Keegan.