“I’ve seen some great teachers around the game — Hubie Brown, Rick Pitino — and Joe has the knack. A lot of people out there know the game, but they can’t teach it. Joe can teach the game. That’s unique ability.”
—Mike Brey, University of Notre Dame
—Mike Brey, University of Notre Dame
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- Has averaged 23.3 wins per year in his 20 years as head coach. All of this after taking over a program that had won just six games before his arrival.
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- He has led O’Connell to 5 Virginia State Independent Titles, 3 WCAC Regular Season Titles, 4 Alhambra Catholic Invitational Titles, and 2 WCAC Tournament Title in the past 14 years.
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- Selected as the Arlington County Coach of the Year three times, WCAC Coach of the Year once, and Virginia State Independent Coach of the Year three times.
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- Known for developing coaches, he has had one college head coach, five Division 1 assistant coaches, and six head high school coaches work with him before advancing in their career.
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- 45 of his former players currently play or have played college athletics.
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- Was a former assistant at Division I Furman University, where he was the youngest assistant coach in the NCAA.
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- Named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the “100 people to watch” in Washington in the 21st Century.
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- Has spoken at clinics throughout the country including South Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota, Delaware, Missouri, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
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- Played and started at DeMatha on a team that posted a record of 30–0 and finished the season ranked No. 5 in the country.
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- Five of his former players have played professional basketball overseas, and one is currently in the NBA.
- Member of the McDonald’s All-American Basketball game selection committee.
- Member of the Adidas Nations Coaching Staff.