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Jim O'Brien

2001-02 Statistics
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Born: 02/11/52

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College: St. Joseph's '74

Jim O'Brien

College - St. Joseph's '74
When Jim O'Brien was named interim head coach on Jan. 8, 2001, the Celtics held a 12-22 record and were facing a difficult second half schedule.

But O'Brien's ascension tipped off a turnaround for the organization, as he won his first game that night against the Miami Heat and then led the Celtics to a .500 record over the last 48 games of the season. The run, which included several memorable winning streaks both at home and on the road, and saw the everyday emergence of co-captains Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, helped the Celtics experience their first playoff push in six years.

This all-around success earned O'Brien a multi-year contract as Head Coach on Apr. 24, 2001, making him just the 14th man to hold the prestigious title in team history.

O'Brien's ascension to the position is simply another step in his life-long basketball education and rise up the coaching ranks.

From his time growing up in Philadelphia, PA, through 13 years as an assistant at six different colleges, as well as a stint under former Celtics Head Coach Rick Pitino at the New York Knicks (1987-89) and the Boston Celtics (1997-2001), O'Brien knew his destiny was to someday serve as a Head Coach in the NBA.

"Coaching is all that I have ever wanted to do," said O'Brien. "The basketball environment is special and I am very lucky to have been a coach since I graduated from college. It has been gratifying to be a part of some great organizations.

"The Boston Celtics is a franchise I am proud to be a part of, the championship tradition is something that I have actually been in awe of and I understand the need to get back into the playoffs and further."

O'Brien came to the Celtics from the University of Kentucky, where he served as an Associate Coach to Pitino from 1994 through 1997. During those years the Wildcats posted a 95-12 record, winning the NCAA National Championship in 1996 and losing in overtime in the 1997 title game.

He was Head Coach at the University of Dayton from 1989-94. In his Crst season at Dayton, O'Brien led the Flyers to a 22-10 mark and the MCC Tournament Championship.

Prior to coaching at Dayton, O'Brien was an Assistant Coach for Pitino with the New York Knicks. In 1987-88, the Knicks notched a 14-win improvement over the previous season and qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the first time in four years.

Before taking the Knicks post, O'Brien held coaching positions at Wheeling Jesuit College (Head Coach 1982-87), the University of Oregon (Assistant Coach 1978-82), St. Joseph's University (Assistant Coach 1977-78), the University of Maryland (Assistant Coach 1976-77), Pembroke State College (Assistant Coach 1975-76), and Wheeling Jesuit College (Assistant Coach 1974-75).

As a player, O'Brien was a three-year starter at St. Joseph's University, where he led his teams to three post- season appearances (NIT in 1972, NCAA in 1973 and 1974). He was named team co-MVP his senior season, and was selected to both the St. Joseph's Hall of Fame in 1988 and to the Big Five Hall of Fame in 1989.

O'Brien earned a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Marketing from St. Joseph's in 1974 and received his MBA from the University of Maryland in 1981.

Jim (2/11/52) and his wife, Sharon, have three children: Jack, Shannon, and Caitlyn. Sharon O'Brien is the daughter of Hall of Fame coaching legend Dr. Jack Ramsay.

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