| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 31, 1884 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | August 23, 1955 (aged 71) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| c. 1907–1909 | Swarthmore |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1914–1915 | Gettysburg |
| 1916–1918 | The Citadel |
| 1920–1921 | The Citadel |
| 1922–1925 | Drexel |
| Basketball | |
| 1914–1916 | Gettysburg |
| 1916–1918 | The Citadel |
| 1922–1925 | Drexel |
| Baseball | |
| 1917–1918 | The Citadel |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 25–51–6 (football) 42–37 (basketball) 3–9 (baseball) |
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]
- ^ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- ^ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
- ^ Citadel Coaching Records Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Citadel Basketball 2010–11 Media Guide Archived July 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966
- ^ "Shorty O'Brien Dies". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. August 26, 1955. p. 18. Retrieved September 18, 2017 – via Newspapers.com
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