St. John’s Announces Head Coach of Boys’ Basketball

St. John’s appoints Patrick O’Connor as head coach of the boys’ basketball program.

A member of the St. John’s community since the 2016, O’Connor has taught in the Benilde Program, coached the freshman boys’ basketball team, assisted the varsity boys’ basketball team, and served as dean for the Class of 2024 for two years. Most recently, he was the interim head coach of boys’ basketball during the 2023–24 season, finishing with a 25–8 (10–4) record. Without seniors on the roster and after starting the year unranked in The Washington Post, the Cadets spent nine weeks in the top 10, finishing No. 8 in the area.  

As associate head coach during the 2022­–23 season, the team completed one of the most successful seasons in St. John’s history. Galvanized by Pat Behan’s courage after his ALS diagnosis, O’Connor and the St. John’s community rallied to achieve a 32–4 record and a WCAC championship. Throughout the season, St. John’s earned a No. 14 ESPN national ranking, No. 5 Ball is Life Fab50 national ranking, No. 5 MaxPreps national ranking, and No. 1 Washington Post ranking for multiple weeks.

During his previous seven seasons as a varsity assistant, the Cadets earned a 147–59 record and sent 19 players to compete at the collegiate level, including 2023 DC Gatorade Player of the Year and Ivy League Rookie of the Year, Malik Mack ’23, and 2019 DC Gatorade Player of the Year, NC State guard, and 2024 ACC champion, Casey Morsell ’19. 

Before his time at SJC, O’Connor taught and coached at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School and was a four-year letter-winner, three-time Academic All-Conference team member, and two-time captain on Washington and Lee University’s men’s basketball team. 

He has demonstrated his commitment to the Lasallian mission of St. John’s through his various responsibilities over the last eight years and is excited to represent the school in his new role as head coach. O’Connor is passionate about how the St. John’s experience, supplemented by basketball, can be the foundation for a life of faith, respect, and community. He understands the legacy of the boys’ basketball program and is committed to guiding all its members to represent the school at the highest level on and off the court.

“I am deeply grateful and excited to be named the next head coach of boys’ basketball at St. John’s. I have grown to love this school and am thankful for the many people who have invested in me within our program and in the community. Throughout my tenure, we will find joy and opportunities to grow through our relentless pursuit of excellence that our players, families, alumni, and school community deserve,” said O’Connor.