Jim O'Brien (basketball, born 1952)

Last updated

Jim O'Brien
Coach Jim O'Brien Bulls vs Pacers 2009.jpg
O'Brien in 2009
Philadelphia 76ers
PositionSenior Advisor
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1952-02-11) February 11, 1952 (age 72)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Roman Catholic
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College Saint Joseph's (1971–1974)
Coaching career1974–2019
Career history
As coach:
1974–1975 Wheeling Jesuit (assistant)
1975–1976 Pembroke State (assistant)
1976–1977 Maryland (assistant)
1977–1978 Saint Joseph's (assistant)
1978–1982 Oregon (assistant)
1982–1987Wheeling Jesuit
1987–1989 New York Knicks (assistant)
1989–1994 Dayton
1994–1997 Kentucky (assistant)
1997–2001 Boston Celtics (assistant)
2001–2004 Boston Celtics
2004–2005 Philadelphia 76ers
2007–2011 Indiana Pacers
2012–2013 Dallas Mavericks (assistant)
2016–2019 Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As head coach:

As assistant coach:

James Francis Xavier O'Brien (born February 11, 1952) [1] is an American basketball coach who is currently senior advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers. O'Brien was previously an assistant and head coach at both the college and NBA levels and was head coach at Wheeling Jesuit from 1982 to 1987, Dayton from 1989 to 1994, the Boston Celtics from 2001 to 2004, Philadelphia 76ers in 2004–05, and Indiana Pacers from 2007 to 2011.

Contents

Early life and education

O'Brien is the son-in-law of Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay. Born and raised in Philadelphia, O'Brien graduated from Roman Catholic High School of Philadelphia in 1970 and St. Joseph's University in 1974. At St. Joseph's, O'Brien started on the Hawks basketball team for three seasons. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland in 1981. [2]

Coaching career

O'Brien was also head coach at Wheeling Jesuit University from 1982 to 1987 and the University of Dayton from 1989 to 1994. He led the Dayton Flyers to the second round of the NCAA tournament in his first season, after winning the Midwestern Collegiate Conference; however he led the Flyers to just 10 wins in his last two seasons at the school and was fired after the 1993–1994 season. O'Brien then served as an assistant coach to Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky from 1994 to 1997 and then with the Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001.

O'Brien was the head coach of the Boston Celtics from 2001–2004, replacing Rick Pitino. He worked to rebuild the struggling Celtics and led them twice to the playoffs. During the 2003–04 NBA season, however, O'Brien consistently fought with Celtics' general manager Danny Ainge over short-term versus long-term goals. Ainge was looking to completely redo the roster, and traded Eric Williams and Tony Battie, two of O'Brien's favorite hardworking players in December 2003. As a result of the conflict, O'Brien shocked everyone in the Celtics community by resigning in January 2004.

He was hired as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2004–05 season. The 76ers made the playoffs in his one season as coach after missing the postseason the previous year, and although O'Brien had a multiyear contract, he was fired. Billy King hired Maurice Cheeks as head coach after Cheeks was fired by the Portland Trail Blazers. [3]

The Indianapolis Star reported on May 31, 2007, that he would coach the Indiana Pacers. [4] He replaced Rick Carlisle, who was fired after four years, when the team failed in 2006–07 to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. On January 31, 2011, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird relieved O'Brien of his coaching duties. He was replaced by assistant Frank Vogel on an interim basis, who remained as the Pacers' head coach until the 2015–16 season. [5]

In the 2012–13 season, O'Brien was an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks. After the season, O'Brien retired from the team to spend more time with family. [6]

In 2016, O'Brien was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach to Brett Brown.

Broadcasting career

O'Brien was also an analyst for ESPN's NBA coverage from 2005 to 2007.

Personal life

O'Brien's son, Jack O'Brien, is a noted internet comedian and podcast host.

Head coaching record

College

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [7] )(1982–1987)
1982–83Wheeling Jesuit 17–147–10T–7th
1983–84Wheeling Jesuit 13–158–99th
1984–85Wheeling Jesuit 13–158–98th
1985–86Wheeling Jesuit 18–1010–88th
1986–87Wheeling Jesuit 13–15unknown10th
Wheeling Jesuit:74–69 (.517)33–36 (.478)
Dayton Flyers (Midwestern Collegiate Conference)(1989–1993)
1989–90 Dayton 22–1010–42nd NCAA Second Round
1990–91 Dayton 14–158–64th
1991–92 Dayton 15–155–54th
1992–93 Dayton 4–263–117th
Dayton Flyers (Great Midwest Conference)(1993–1994)
1993–94 Dayton 6–211–117th
Dayton:61–87 (.412)27–56 (.422)
Total:135–156 (.464)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

NBA

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
Boston 2000–01 482424.5005th in Atlantic————Missed Playoffs
Boston 2001–02 824933.5982nd in Atlantic1697.563Lost in Conf. Finals
Boston 2002–03 824438.5373rd in Atlantic1046.400Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Boston 2003–04 462224.478(resigned)—————
Philadelphia 2004–05 824339.5242nd in Atlantic514.200Lost in First Round
Indiana 2007–08 823646.4393rd in Central————Missed Playoffs
Indiana 2008–09 823646.4394th in Central————Missed Playoffs
Indiana 2009–10 823250.3904th in Central————Missed Playoffs
Indiana 2010–11 441727.386(fired)—————
Career630303327.481311417.452

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Celtics</span> American professional basketball team

The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946 as one of the league's original eight teams, the Celtics play their home games at TD Garden, a shared arena with the NHL's Boston Bruins. The Celtics are commonly regarded as the most successful team in NBA history and hold the records for most NBA championships won, with 18, and most recorded wins of any NBA franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia 76ers</span> National Basketball Association team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Brown (basketball)</span> American basketball coach and former player

Lawrence Harvey Brown is an American basketball coach and former player who last served as an assistant coach for the Memphis Tigers. Brown is the only coach in basketball history to win both an NCAA national championship and an NBA title. He has a 1,275–965 lifetime professional coaching record in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is the only coach in NBA history to lead eight teams to the playoffs. He also won an ABA championship as a player with the Oakland Oaks in the 1968–69 season, and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1964. He is also the only person ever to coach two NBA franchises in the same season. Before coaching, Brown played collegiately at the University of North Carolina and professionally in the ABA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Ainge</span> American basketball executive and player

Daniel Ray Ainge is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and professional baseball player who serves as an executive for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his 18-year career as general manager for the Boston Celtics, Ainge was known for making bold moves to help the team rebuild, and clearing cap space. He served as the Celtics' president of basketball operations from 2003 until his retirement in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Carlisle</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1959)

Richard Preston Carlisle is an American basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has previously served as head coach of the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a player, Carlisle played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets. He is one of only 11 people to win an NBA championship as both a player and a coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Cheeks</span> American basketball coach and player (born 1956)

Maurice Edward Cheeks is an American professional basketball coach and former player who serves as assistant coach for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has also served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. Cheeks was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Hannum</span> American basketball player and coach (1923–2002)

Alexander Murray Hannum was a professional basketball player and coach. Hannum coached two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and one American Basketball Association (ABA) team to league championships. He had a combined NBA-ABA record of 649–564 (.535) in the regular season and 61–46 (.570) in the playoffs over 16 seasons. In 1998, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Ramsay</span> American basketball coach and broadcaster (1925–2014)

John Travilla Ramsay was an American basketball coach, commonly known as "Dr. Jack". He was best known for leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship, and for his broadcasting work with the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, and for ESPN TV and ESPN Radio. Ramsay was among the most respected coaches in NBA history and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the winner of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award for the 2009–10 NBA season.

Walter Lee McCarty is an American basketball coach and former professional player who serves as the head coach of the Freseros de Irapuato in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). McCarty played for the NBA's New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Clippers. He last served as head coach of the Evansville Purple Aces from 2018 to 2019.

The 2000–01 NBA season was the 55th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their second straight championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 1 in the 2001 NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Harter</span> American basketball coach

Richard Alvin Harter was an American basketball coach who served as both a head and assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Lynam</span> American basketball coach

James Francis Lynam is an American former college and professional basketball coach. He coached at the college level for Fairfield University from 1968 to 1970, American University from 1973 to 1978, and St. Joseph's University from 1978 to 1981. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), Lynam coached the San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers from 1983 to 1985, the Philadelphia 76ers from 1987 to 1992, and the Washington Bullets from 1995 to 1997. Lynam compiled a 158–118 record at the college level, and 328–392 in the NBA. He was also Philadelphia's general manager from 1992 to 1994.

Lester Allen Conner is an American professional basketball coach and former professional basketball player, who played for numerous NBA teams. On the floor at the collegiate level the 6'4" Conner was a "swingman," playing both the shooting guard and small forward positions, earning high collegiate honors as the 1982 Pac-10 Player of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kuester</span> American basketball coach (born 1955)

John Dewitt Kuester Jr. is an American basketball coach and scout. As a player he spent three seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1977 to 1980 and then coached in the college ranks before moving on to the NBA sidelines as an assistant. Kuester was named head coach of the Detroit Pistons in July 2009 and coached the team for two seasons.

Daniel P. Burke is an American basketball coach who serves as assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Boston Celtics</span> Sports team history

The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. Founded in 1946 as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America, the Celtics then moved into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949, as said league was formed by the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League. Currently playing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have the most NBA titles with 18 championships. Eleven of those occurred between 1957 and 1969, with a dynasty led by center Bill Russell and coach/general manager Red Auerbach. The Celtics won two more titles in the 1970s under coach Tom Heinsohn, and three more in the 1980s under the leadership of forward Larry Bird. After a 22-year drought, the Celtics got a title in 2008, and then another in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Thibodeau</span> American basketball coach

Thomas Joseph Thibodeau Jr., nicknamed "Thibs", is an American basketball coach who is the head coach for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He served as an assistant coach for the United States men's national basketball team from 2013 to 2016, and helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Brown</span> American professional basketball coach

Brett William Brown is an American professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Brown is a former college basketball player who previously served as head coach for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2013 to 2020. Before that, Brown was an assistant on Gregg Popovich's staff on the Spurs. He also has extensive experience coaching in Australia, having been the head coach of the North Melbourne Giants and Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Vogel</span> American basketball coach (born 1973)

Frank Paul Vogel is an American professional basketball coach who currently serves as a coaching consultant for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as the head coach for the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns leading the Lakers to an NBA championship in 2020. Vogel began his career as an assistant coach for the Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers are an American basketball team currently playing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 76ers are third in NBA history in wins and playoff appearances.

References

  1. ↑ "76ers quickly find a coach: O'Brien Former St. Joseph's player had success with Celtics". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 21, 2004. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  2. ↑ Jim O'Brien Archived 2009-04-29 at the Wayback Machine , National Basketball Association, retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Philadelphia 76ers Fire Coach Jim O'Brien, Hire Maurice Cheeks", InsideHoops.com, May 23, 2005.
  4. ↑ IndyStar
  5. ↑ "Pacers relieve O'Brien of coaching duties". NBA.com. January 30, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  6. ↑ MacMahon, Tim (May 3, 2013). "Jim O'Brien retires from Mavs". ESPN. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  7. ↑ "History". Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.