Harry Joseph O'Brien (October 31, 1884 – August 23, 1955),[1][2] nicknamed "Shorty", was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach. He was the fifth head football coach at The Citadel, serving for five seasons, from 1916 to 1918 and from 1920 to 1921, compiling a record of 14–15–4.[3] O'Brien also coached basketball and baseball for The Citadel for two seasons during World War I. He tallied a record of 6–2 in basketball and 3–9 in baseball.[4] O'Brien died of coronary thrombosis on August 23, 1955, at his home in Philadelphia.[5][6]

Harry J. O'Brien
Biographical details
Born(1884-10-31)October 31, 1884
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 1955(1955-08-23) (aged 71)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Playing career
Football
c. 1907–1909Swarthmore
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1914–1915Gettysburg
1916–1918The Citadel
1920–1921The Citadel
1922–1925Drexel
Basketball
1914–1916Gettysburg
1916–1918The Citadel
1922–1925Drexel
Baseball
1917–1918The Citadel
Head coaching record
Overall25–51–6 (football)
42–37 (basketball)
3–9 (baseball)

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Gettysburg Bullets (Independent) (1914–1915)
1914 Gettysburg 1–6–2
1915 Gettysburg 3–6
Gettysburg: 4–12–2
The Citadel Bulldogs (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1916–1918)
1916 The Citadel 6–1–1 4–1
1917 The Citadel 3–3 1–3
1918 The Citadel 0–2–1 0–1–1
The Citadel Bulldogs (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1920–1921)
1920 The Citadel 2–6 1–5
1921 The Citadel 3–3–2 2–3–1
The Citadel: 14–15–4 8–13–2
Drexel Dragons (Independent) (1922–1925)
1922 Drexel 2–4
1923 Drexel 2–6
1924 Drexel 2–7
1925 Drexel 1–7
Drexel: 7–24
Total: 25–51–6

See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
  2. ^ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
  3. ^ Citadel Coaching Records Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ The Citadel Basketball 2010–11 Media Guide Archived July 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966
  6. ^ "Shorty O'Brien Dies". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. August 26, 1955. p. 18. Retrieved September 18, 2017 – via Newspapers.com  .