Jim P. O'Brien

Jim P. O’Brien is a retired college baseball coach and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

O’Brien was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January 2014.

He played baseball at Brigham Young University where he earned his BS degree in 1960 and his MS degree in 1961, both in physical education/sports.

O’Brien began his coaching career in California at North Torrance High. During his twelve years there, he led his team to eight Bay League championships and two California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championships. The team had an overall record of 234-88-4. He was named the California High School Baseball Coach of the Year in 1973.

At Los Angeles Harbor College, O’Brien taught math and eventually became head of the math department. He was also head baseball coach from 1976 to 1990. The team had a 460-171-2 record under his leadership. The Seahawks also won three California state community college championships and was runner-up three times. He also led the team to three final four finishes, eleven conference championships, and eight league championships. In the 1990 season, the team finished with a winning record of 51 games; that record still stands. O’Brien was a three-time national community college coach of the year.

In addition to his accolades for coaching, he is revered for his emphasis on academics and life preparation skills.

O’Brien and his wife, Anna, have five children, a foster daughter, and numerous grandchildren. They live in Fallbrook, California.