Ron O'Brien (coach)

Ron O'Brien is an American diving coach and author. He was the head Ohio State University coach from 1963-78. He coached Greg Louganis.

Athletic career

O’Brien began his athletic career as a diver at the YMCA of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Once in college at Ohio State University, he earned six varsity letters in gymnastics and diving. In diving he went on to become NCAA national champion on 1 meter springboard (1959) and AAU national champion on 3 meter springboard (1961).[1] After his college career, he worked as a performer in a professional water stunt show alongside fellow dive coach Dick Kimball.[2] In 1960, O'Brien placed third in the US diving Olympic trials, missing the top two qualification slots.[2]

Coaching career

After his time as an athlete ended, O'Brien began coaching. Over the years, he has coached divers of all skill levels resulting in over 350 medals in elite dive meets all over the world.[2] He also has been a USA Olympic coach at 8 Olympic Games from 1968 to 1996. In total, the Olympians coached by O’Brien have won five gold, three silver, and four bronze medals.[3] O'Brien holds the record for producing at least one national champion in the most consecutive years, with a 23-year streak from 1973 to 1995.[3] In 1982, O'Brien's California divers took all four of the available gold medals at the world championships.[2]

Honors and awards

O'Brien has been the recipient of the "Outstanding Senior US Diving Coach Award" 14 times.[4]

He is the only aquatic coach in the US Olympic Hall of Fame. He has also entered the Halls of Fame for the Ohio State Athletics and The International Swimming and Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame. Because of his history as both an athlete and coach at Ohio State, the school’s diving well was named in his honor.[5]

Publications

O'Brien has produced a video, Diving My Way. The video teaches techniques and body alignment using slow motion and other effects.[6]

O'Brien has also written a book, Diving for Gold. The book discussions mechanics for dives on the one-meter board, three-meter board, and platform, and it also gives O'Brien's philosophy for how a diver should mentally approach diving.[1]

Retirement

After retiring from coaching in 1996, O'Brien became the national technical director for USA Diving. He currently lives in Islamorada, Florida, with his wife.[1]

See also

References
  1. O'Brien, Ronald F., and Ronald F. O'Brien. "Ron O'Brien Bio." Springboard & Platform Diving. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2003. Print.
  2. "Great Moments in Olympic Swimming History". Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  3. O'Brien, Ronald F. Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold. Champaign, IL: Leisure, 1992. Print
  4. "ISHOF.org - RON O'BRIEN (USA)". ishof.org. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  5. "Ron O'Brien Diving Well Photo Gallery". recsports.osu.edu. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  6. "Diving My Way DVD - Ronald O'Brien". human-kinetics. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
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