University of Calgary Athletics

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Brendan O'Connell took over the Dinos men's soccer program as the fifth head coach in program history on May 6, 2015.

O'Connell joined the Dinos from the Calgary Foothills Soccer Club, where he was a volunteer coach with the U18s and the newly formed Professional Development League (PDL) team. He has since joined Calgary Blizzard as Sporting Director.

Born in London and raised in Addlestone (Surrey, UK), O'Connell began his playing career at the age of 16 when he began as an apprentice at Portsmith FC before signing on a professional two years later. He made 451 appearances and scored 79 goals in the Football League playing as a midfielder for a number of clubs including Exeter City, Burnley, and Barnsley.

After a career-ending injury, O'Connell hung up his cleats to join the coaching staff at Wigan Athletic FC and worked his way from the youth team, progressed into the role on the reserve team and landed as an assistant first team coach. O'Connell achieved the UAFA 'A' Coaching Diploma.

O'Connell has led the Dinos to playoff appearances in each of his first five seasons, culminating with the program's first-ever trip to the national championship tournament in 2019 after defeating Trinity Western and Mount Royal en route to the Canada West silver medal.

SEASONS AS HEAD COACH: 9th (2023-24)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: Every Season (2015-2019, 2021-23)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: 1 (2019)

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Brendan O'Connell's All-Time Coaching Record

SEASON	CONFERENCE RECORD	PLAYOFF RECORD	POSTSEASON
2015	8-2-2	0-1	CW Quarterfinals
2016	9-4-3	1-2	CW Final Four
2017	7-6-1	0-1	CW Quarterfinals
2018	6-7-1	0-1	CW Quarterfinals
2019	7-6-1	2-3	CW Silver Medallists, U SPORTS Consolation Semifinals
2020	--	--	Season Cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic
2021	4-2-4	0-1	CW Quarterfinals
2022	6-5-3	2-1	CW Silver Medallists
2023	4-7-3	0-1	CW Quarterfinals
TOTAL	51-39-18 (.556)	5-11 (.313)