Kent County Times

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Cross Country and Track & Field teams welcome a new coach, with Middleboro-native Ryan O'Connell joining the coaching staff as the Head Coach of Cross Country/Distance in 2023."We are very excited to have Coach O'Connell bringing his talents to our coaching staff," announced Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Michael Salem. "He demonstrated tremendous growth during his tenure at Colby-Sawyer, and brings a great pedigree of success and knowledge to our teams."As the Head Coach of Cross Country/Distance, O'Connell will coordinate with Salem to lead the men's and women's Cross Country teams, as well as serve as the coach for distance-event student-athletes during the Track & Field seasons. The addition of this position to the coaching staff effectively doubles the number of full-time staff supporting the student-athletes on the men's and women's Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track & Field teams. O'Connell assumes the reins of the distance program from long-time coach Steve Gardiner '74 upon his retirement from college coaching."Coach O'Connell impressed me, our search committee, the staff and students here at UMass Dartmouth," shared Coach Gardiner. "Seeing the professional way he designs training and how the students responded to discussions with him through the interview process, it was clear to us all that he is the choice to continue growing the great tradition of Corsair distance running."Hired at Colby-Sawyer in May of 2020 during the pandemic, O'Connell led both the men's and women's Cross Country teams to a GNAC Championship titles during the 2021 season, while coaching seven students to all-conference honors and guiding the men's GNAC Runner and Rookie of the Year. The women's team also was regionally ranked in the top-10 for the first time in program history, placing ninth. In his first competitive season post-COVID, O'Connell was named both the men's and women's GNAC Cross Country Coach of the Year.Following up in 2022, the Chargers top women's runner earned GNAC Runner of the Year accolades and garnered O'Connell with another Coach of the Year recognition."I want to thank Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks and Coach Salem for this opportunity to join the Corsairs," said O'Connell. "I'm very excited to be returning home to the South Coast and this community. I've had great respect for UMass Dartmouth harriers and teams when I've competed against them over the years, and I hope the addition of my support for our students here will help us continue to add to the history of success of the programs here."Prior to joining the Chargers, O'Connell spent the prior four years as the Assistant Coach of men's and women's Cross Country/Track & Field at Wheaton College. O'Connell also served at Bridgewater State University and as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Springfield College.UMass Dartmouth's Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks on Ryan O'Connell; "Coach O'Connell brings terrific experience and a record of achievement in both cross country and track and field.  As a former Division III cross country and track and field student-athlete, I am invested in the leadership and success of these sports.  We plan to expand the opportunities in both programs and continue to set a high bar for regional and national recognition.  Just as we have been positioned in the past, the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth will be the destination for top distance talent in the country."As a student-athlete at Springfield, O'Connell had a very successful career as a member of the cross country and track & field teams. He was team captain of both teams, earned All-NEWMAC and All-Region honors in both sports, and was a two-time national qualifier in cross country while also qualifying in the 1500-meter. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Sport Management in 2013, and completed his Master's in Athletic Administration in 2015. 

O'Connell continues to develop himself professionally as a coach, USTFCCCA Track and Field Academy certifications in strength and conditioning, endurance specialist, and jumps event specialist. Additionally, he holds USATF Level 1 Technical Coaching certification. 

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