Posted: Aug 21, 2019

CCBC Essex Head Baseball Coach Sean O’Connor names Tim O’Brien Pitching Coach

CCBC Essex Sports Information contact:
Rocco Geppi
443-840-1751 (office)

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD (August 21, 2019) – Community College of Baltimore County Essex Baseball Head Coach Sean O'Connor has tapped Tim O'Brien as the Knights' next pitching coach. His work with the team will begin immediately.

O'Brien is a former Major League Baseball associate scout for the Florida Marlins (1993-2002) and Baltimore Orioles (2004-2007). He spent nine years (2001-2009) as a pitching coach, Junior National Program site supervisor (Florida), and Junior National Trials team coach for U.S.A. Baseball. Under his leadership, the Women's National Team earned a bronze medal at the 2010 International Baseball Federation World Cup, and the Champion's Program captured gold at the 2007 Pan American Games.

From 2009-2017, O'Brien was an assistant coach for University of Maryland Baltimore County. During his time at UMBC (which also included the 1992 season), the Retrievers' team earned run average decreased, and in 2011 no one on the pitching staff missed time to injury thanks in part to O'Brien's tutelage and rigorous fitness program. Under his coordination, Retriever's baseball student athletes also supported Cardboard 2 Leather, a donation drive organized by the Baltimore Oriole Advocates that aims to collect new and slightly used baseball equipment for those in less fortunate situations around the world.

"It's a privilege to represent a college whose mission is to help its students succeed," O'Brien said about his appointment. "The first few things we want to accomplish include defining what success means to our team, establishing a culture that promotes excellence, and most importantly, establish a respect for our [student athletes] and their futures."

Prior to UMBC, O'Brien was the head coach and general manager of the Columbia Reds 16u baseball team (1999-2008). His teams advanced the National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) World Series in 2005 and 2006, earning a finalist appearance during the latter season. In 2006, O'Brien was also an assistant coach for the Maryland Bombers of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Summer League.

"Tim is one the best baseball instructors in the game," said O'Connor. "It will be awesome to see how the [pitching] staff will develop under his leadership."

O'Brien spent 16 years as head baseball coach for Wilde Lake (1992-1993), Oakland Mills (1994-1996), and Long Reach (1997-2008) high schools. He earned numerous awards, including American Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year (2005) and The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post Howard County Coach of the Year (2002).

O'Brien, a former Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches president and athletic director at The Cardinal Gibbons High School, earned his bachelor's degree in education at Niagara University (New York) and his Master of Education in administration and supervision from Loyola College Maryland. He has been an educator for over 40 years, and currently teaches American Government, Advanced Placement Government and Politics, and Leadership for Long Reach High School.

O'Brien lives with his wife, Mary Beth, in Columbia, Md. They have two sons, Robbie and Kevin, both of whom played collegiate baseball.

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About the Community College of Baltimore County (www.ccbcmd.edu)
Since 1957, CCBC has opened the doors to accessible, affordable, high-quality education empowering generations of area residents to transform their lives and the lives of others. Each year, more than 63,000 students enroll at the college's main campuses, extension centers and online to make their starts, earn degrees, launch and build careers.

CCBC offers the region's most expansive selection of degree, certificate and workplace certification programs that prepare students for transfer, job entry and career advancement in such industries as business, education, health care, information technology, cybersecurity, construction and transportation. CCBC is nationally recognized as a leader in innovative learning strategies, among the nation's top associate degree producers, and designated as a Military Times Best College 2018.

CCBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, 2^nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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