The 2024 season marks Matt O'Brien's 16th season as the head coach of the Southwestern College Moundbuilders. In 2018 O’Brien became the winningest coach in the history of Southwestern while being named KCAC coach of the year. O’Brien has had 14 straight winning seasons, nine 20-win seasons, and hit the career 300-win mark, which puts him amongst the most active winning coaches in the NAIA. This consistent success has led to the 2nd most wins over the past 9 years in the entire state regardless of level at 4-year institutions, only trailing reigning powerhouse Kansas University.
Coach O'Brien's Moundbuilders are coming off a 24-6 season and a birth to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament making it 3 consecutive years in the NAIA national tournament. During the O’Brien era, SC has been heavily involved in the community. The 2021 team was selected as the KCAC champion of character for all men’s teams in the NAIA. The 2015 team was awarded the Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Team Award, which the Builders won in 2012 as well. The award is issued to one college team in each sport that exemplifies character and sportsmanship during practice, competition, on campus, and in the community. The men’s basketball team participates in several community service projects throughout the year, including packaging meals, and participating in a reading program with children at local elementary schools. The Moundbuilders’ commitment to service continues through the season, with the team participating in both the Samaritans Feet movement and the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative, and Mental Health Awareness night during the regular season. “I love working at SC for an administration who truly values character and service to the community,” O'Brien said. The Builders have been excellent in the classroom as well, winning three NAIA Scholar Team awards and have had a team GPA over 3.0 11 of 15 years during the O’Brien era. O’Brien has served nationally on the All-American Committee and Bevo Francis Award Committee as well as the NAIA national tournament selection committee.
O'Brien's first stop as a head coach was at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kan., where he led the Tigers to the most wins in 24 years, as well as two postseason appearances. While at CCC, O'Brien established himself as a solid recruiter, bringing in three Kansas All-State players for the 2006-2007 season. For the 08-09 season at CCC, he also managed to snag the nation's leading scorer.
Coach O'Brien has been familiar with the KCAC for several years. Before Central Christian College, O'Brien was an Assistant Coach at Friends University for seven years, helping to guide the Falcons to their first National tournament berth in school history. Coach O'Brien coached four years under the late legendary Coach Ron Heller. Following Heller, he stayed for three years as an Assistant Coach under Coach Dale Faber. During his stint at Friends, O'Brien had the opportunity to be the Head Coach for a select group of college players, traveling to Spain and France, where his team went 3-1 in international play. In 2017 O’Brien was also selected as the Head Coach of United World Athletes 19U team where he guided the USA to a 6-1 record and the bronze medal at the United World Games held in Austria. As a player, he was a guard for the Falcons for three seasons and was named "Most Inspirational Player" in his final season.
Coach O'Brien comes from a diverse background, growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and attending high school in Conway Springs, Kan., where he received the Most Valuable Player Award in his Junior and Senior years. Following high school, Coach O'Brien received his undergraduate degree from Friends University in Physical Education and completed his master’s in management in 2003. O'Brien has also completed a Servant Leadership online course through the University of Idaho. Coaching basketball runs in the O'Brien family. Coach O'Brien's uncle, Jim O'Brien, is the former Head Men's Basketball Coach at both Ohio State University and Boston College.
In 2023, Matt O’Brien gained the roll of Athletic Director, appointed by President Liz Frombgen. “President Frombgen epitomizes a culture of hard work and student service at SC. Her passion and care for others directly impact our students and coaches, fostering a spirit of dedication and excellence. We are grateful for her unwavering leadership and commitment to our community.” This marks Matt O’Brien’s 2nd season as Athletic Director at SC. During his initial year, Matt O'Brien made significant strides by rejuvenating a thriving booster club, implementing a new sound system at Jatz Stadium, and preparing for the installation of a new scoreboard in Jantz.
O'Brien resides in Winfield with his wife Jeri and have three children Braden a business major at Orange Coast College, Madeline a nursing student at KU, and Macy who is sophomore at Veritas Christian school.
Coach O’Brien Accomplishments
All-Time winningest coach in Southwestern College history
2019 Kansas Basketball Coaches College Coach of the year
2018 KCAC Coach of the year
Coached 2019 National Player of the Year
14 straight winning seasons
9 twenty-win seasons in 10 years
2017-18 KCAC championship is the first Conference Championship since 2005-06
27 wins in 2017-18 are the 2nd most wins in school history
Ranked as high as #4 in the nation
Led Builders to 4 straight KCAC tournament championship games
6 National Tournament Appearances
First ever National Tournament win in school history
Back to Back Sweet 16 appearances
First ever Sweet 16 in school history
Has coached 12 All-Americans
Has coached 54 All-Conference Selections
Has coached 55 academic award recipients
Has coached Southwestern’s All-Time leader in scoring – Cameron Hunt
Has coached Southwestern’s All-Time leader in rebounding – Cameron Clark
Has coached Southwestern’s All-Time leader in assists – Andrew O’Brien
2 time National Champion of Character Team
10 Team Scholar awards
Selected three times to represent the USA to coach internationally with an overall 14-5 record
Led his team to a bronze medal in the 2018, 2023 & 2024 United World Games
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