Long Island University hires Jim O’Brien as women’s soccer head coach

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Jim O’Brien has been named Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Long Island University Director of Athletics Elliott Charles announced. O’Brien, a 24-year head coaching veteran with a career record of 236-172-52 (.570 win pct.), joins LIU after one season at Mitchell College.

O’Brien began his head coaching career at his alma mater Southern Connecticut State University (1996-2004), where he founded the program and led the Owls to a 105-56-8 overall record (.645 win pct.). In 2000, O’Brien’s team claimed the Northeast 10 (NE-10) regular season crown and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II tournament.

After nine seasons at SCSU, O’Brien moved to Fairfield University (2005-2017), where in 13 seasons he became the all-time winningest women’s soccer coach in school history (119-99-41, .539 win pct.). O’Brien led the Stags to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament titles and NCAA appearances in 2005 and 2008, finishing as conference runner-up on two other occasions (2013 & 2014). He was named northeast region coach of the year in 2008 and conference coach of the year in 2012.

After Fairfield, O’Brien worked one season at Mercy University as Head Women’s Soccer Coach and Associate Athletic Director for Student Services. In their lone season with O’Brien at the helm, the Mavericks posted a 12-3-2 record, finished second in the NE-10 standings, and earned a No. 3 seed in the Division II national tournament. O’Brien developed one All-American, two all-region selections, and eight all-conference selections on the 2018 team.

Prior to returning to the collegiate head coaching ranks at Mitchell in 2024, O’Brien served as an assistant at Stony Brook (2019-2023), helping guide the Seawolves to an America East Conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 2019 and the spring 2021 season. He’s also coached with various club programs throughout the northeast, most recently as the head coach of the LI Slammers.

O’Brien holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and a master’s degree in recreation and leisure, both from Southern Connecticut State. He was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame this past March.

“I am very excited and grateful to become a part of Shark Nation,” said O’Brien. “LIU is a great destination for top-flight student-athletes who value a great academic and Division I college experience. I thank President Kimberly Cline and Athletic Director Elliott Charles for the opportunity to be their new head coach. I will hit the ground running in preparation for an exciting 2025 season.”

The women’s soccer team opens its season on Friday, August 15, at Manhattan University at 5 p.m. The home opener is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, versus Saint Peter’s University at 12 p.m.