Ronald Shay O'Brien (March 14, 1938 – November 19, 2024)[1] was an American diving coach and author. He was the head Ohio State University coach from 1963 to 1978. He coached Olympic champion Greg Louganis and future Ohio State Diving Coach Vince Panzano.
Early life and athletic career
editO’Brien was born on March 14, 1938.[2] He 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).[3] After his college career, he worked as a performer in a professional water stunt show alongside fellow dive coach Dick Kimball.[4] In 1960, O'Brien placed third in the U.S. diving Olympic trials, missing the top two qualification slots.[4]
Coaching career
editAfter 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.[4] One of his more accomplished divers at Ohio State was Vince Panzano who would later coach the Buckeye from 1978 to 2013. O'Brien also served as 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.[5] 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.[5] In 1982, O'Brien's California divers took all four of the available gold medals at the world championships.[4]
Retirement and death
editAfter retiring from coaching in 1996, O'Brien became the national technical director for USA Diving. He lived in Islamorada, Florida, with his wife.[3]
O'Brien died in November 2024, at the age of 86.[6]
Publications
editO'Brien produced a video, Diving My Way. The video teaches techniques and body alignment using slow motion and other effects.[7]
O'Brien also authored a book, Diving for Gold. The book discusses 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.[3]
Honors and awards
editO'Brien was the recipient of the "Outstanding Senior US Diving Coach Award" 14 times.[8]
He was 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.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ronald Shay O'Brien
- ^ "Ron O'Brien". teamusa.org. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c O'Brien, Ronald F., and Ronald F. O'Brien. "Ron O'Brien Bio." Springboard & Platform Diving. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2003. Print.
- ^ a b c d "Great Moments in Olympic Swimming History". Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ a b O'Brien, Ronald F. Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold. Champaign, IL: Leisure, 1992. Print
- ^ Passages: Legendary Diving Coach Ron O’Brien Dies at 86; Leaves Unmatched Legacy
- ^ "Diving My Way DVD - Ronald O'Brien". human-kinetics. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ "ISHOF.org - RON O'BRIEN (USA)". ishof.org. Retrieved November 18, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Ron O'Brien Diving Well Photo Gallery". recsports.osu.edu. May 20, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
