Clarksville, Ark.-University of the Ozarks head men's basketball coach Matt O'Connor has resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities, it was announced by Athletics Director Jimmy Clark.
O’Connor, who led the Eagles to three playoff appearances during his eight-year stint, posted 91 career wins at Ozarks, the second-most in program history. This season the Eagles went 10-15 overall and 8-12 in the American Southwest Conference East Division.
“I have enjoyed my time here at Ozarks,” said O’Connor. “It has been a good experience for my wife and me. The university gave me the chance to have my first head coaching position, and I appreciate the administration giving me that opportunity. I feel like we’ve worked hard as a staff to be competitive with the program. I am proud of how the program has represented the university.”
In his first year at the helm, O’Connor led his team to a second-place finish in the ASC East Division, as well as making the semifinals of the ASC Tournament. O’Connor’s 2005-2006 team had an impressive 10-1 record at home and a 14-8 league mark. It was the most ASC wins in school history, and the most conference wins at Ozarks since the 1988-1989 season. During his tenure, five of his teams finished in the top three in the East Division.
O’Connor coached 16 All-Conference players, including ASC East Division Player of the Year Michael Bollman and Habeeb Kareem, the program’s third all-time leading scorer. For eight straight seasons the Eagles averaged over 70 points per game, and O’Connor had at least one player rank in the ASC’s top 15 in scoring during that span.
A nationwide search will begin immediately for his successor.
Topics: Athletics