“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 a 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 21 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 four 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, nine Division 1 assistant coaches, and ten head high school coaches work with him before advancing in their career.
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- 60 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.
- Named by Silverwave Media as one of the “The 100 Most Influential People in Men’s College Basketball 2020”
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- Has spoken at clinics throughout the country and internationally including South Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota, Delaware, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and China.
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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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- Seven of his former players have played professional basketball overseas and two are currently in the NBA.
- Chairman of the McDonald’s All-American Basketball Game Selection Committee and Games.
- Member of the Adidas Nations Coaching Staff.