POUGHKEEPSIE, New York –
John O'Connor has been promoted to the offensive line coach of the Marist University football team, head coach
Mike Willis announced.
O'Connor is entering his second season at Marist. In 2024, he served as the Red Foxes tight ends coach.
"I'm proud to announce John's promotion to offensive line coach," Willis said. "John's passion, football knowledge, and rapport with his players gives him all the tools needed to help our offensive line reach new heights. I am excited to work with John to recruit and develop elite offensive linemen!"
The 2024 Marist tight ends group included a breakout star in
Jackson Conners-McCarthy, a red-shirt freshman who converted from linebacker upon joining the program. Conners-McCarthy was named Honorable Mention All-American by The Associated Press, Freshman All-American by Stats Perform, and Second Team Freshman All-American by Phil Steele. This came after Conners-McCarthy led the Red Foxes in receptions (50) and receiving yards (441). O'Connor's position group also included two-year captain
Jackson Willette, graduate student
Luke Pecovic, freshman
Joey Bemis, and freshman
Lucas Hunter.
"I'd like to thank Coach Willis and Coach Weyl for giving me this opportunity." O'Connor said. "I'd also like to thank all the coaches who I have worked with over the course of my career who have helped me get to this point. The offensive line is the most important position in sports, and I am extremely excited to get to work with this group. Go Red Foxes!"
From 2021-23, O'Connor served as a graduate assistant with the University of Massachusetts of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). He worked with the tight ends in the 2021 season, and he shifted to the offensive line starting in the spring of 2022. As an undergraduate, O'Connor served as a student assistant coach at UMass for three seasons, beginning with the spring of 2018. He worked with the offensive staff with a primary focus on the team's tight ends.
The 2025 season will mark Willis' second as head coach of the Red Foxes.
