Celebrating 50 years of Division III Athletics -- Former Viking and Head Men's Golf coach Jimmy O'Reilly '98

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

The Division III 50th anniversary campaign will mark significant moments in the division's past. It will also celebrate both current and former student-athletes and recognize the relationship the division shares with Special Olympics.  

Division III started Aug. 6, 1973, with 240 member schools and conferences. On Nov. 10, 1973, Ashland became the first Division III national champion by winning the inaugural men's cross country championship hosted by Wheaton (Illinois).

Salem State continues its celebration of D3 50 with a featured spotlight on current head men's golf coach Jimmy O'Reilly '98. O'Reilly, a former captain and four-year player at Salem State from 1994 to 1998 was named head coach in 2021. O'Reilly played in three NCAA Championships, helping the team achieve a top-15 ranking nationally twice during his career. As a Viking, O'Reilly earned two individual tournament titles and was named to the All-Mass Intercollegiate Team in 1996. He was selected as a Pre-Season All-American by Golf World in 1997. As an amateur he played in five Mass Amateurs, four Mass Opens and two Ouimet Memorials

Salem State won the MASCAC, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in each of O'Reilly's first two seasons as head coach.

 How did being a Division III athlete help prepare you for your post-playing career?

"It helped shape my life in many ways. It taught me leadership, self-belief, and how to be driven to succeed. Nothing is given to you at D3. You have to earn it."

When did you decide you wanted to become a college coach?

"While a student at Salem State. My coach, Jim Todd, paved the way for me to want to become a coach. He is still my biggest mentor, and I am always bouncing ideas and philosophies by him."

Why did you choose Salem State, and what about its athletics programs drew your interest? 

"I had committed to a Division II school down south before I knew about Salem State. I received a call from Jim Todd, the coach at Salem State and that call changed my life forever. He told me about the program and its history and invited me for a visit. He took me into the office of the greatest Division III coach of all time, George Jacobson. Coach "Jake" said if you want to go play in tournaments for another school that's fine, but if you want a chance to play for NCAA Championships and a chance to be an All-American you can come here. He then showed me all the trophies and the golf All-American plaques. I was sold."

What were some of the positive aspects of being a DIII athlete?

"You get to be a student before athlete. I have coached at the D2 and D1 level and its a different vibe and more of a job. Participating at the D3 level you get to play top level competition without all the stress of knowing that winning and losing means just about everything at the higher levels. "

Did you ever envision as a student that you would one day be coaching at Salem State?

"When I was a student-athlete at Salem State I had always dreamed of coming back here to coach this program. My coaching journey has taken me to different places along the way, but ultimately this was my dream job when I knew that I wanted to be a coach."

What advice would you give athletes who aspire to become head coaches?

"If you are serious about it, volunteer early on and get your feet wet at the high school level and in youth sports.  Ask your high school coach to volunteer on his/her staff. Thats what I did. Work camps in the sport you want to coach, even if it means zero pay. I did it many times. Network with coaches and send your resume along to programs and let them know you will do whatever it takes to be a part of the staff. Be determined and persistent and knock down as many doors as you can.

Once you become a head coach, be the face of the program and be relentless and work harder than anyone else to be successful.  Always remember the program is greater than the coach, and the players you recruit/coach ultimately make the program great.  Higher good reliable assistants you can trust and that have the same vision as you for a successful program. Make sure that coaching is 100% something that you want to do. It requires a big sacrifice, especially when you have a family. It's a lot of time away from your wife and kids and you need the support at home to be successful. If it's for you, its the best job in the world."