Fred O’Connor III enters his first season as an assistant with the Mountaineer sprint football program where he will be responsible for the linebackers.
O’Connor comes to Mansfield from Division I Florida Atlantic University where he served as a graduate assistant with the Owls’ defense. At FAU, O’Connor assisted with the defensive line, compiled scouting reports, and identified opponent scheme on game day. He also worked with recruit evaluation and on-campus visits. O’Connor spent his first season with the Owls as a quality control intern assisting with linebackers, scouting reports, and film breakdown.
O’Connor played for the Villanova Wildcats from 2011-14 as a preferred walk-on fullback/running back all four years. He earned a spot on the ‘Cats travel squad in 2013-14. O’Connor beat the odds to return from a season ending injury to play his senior season and actively contributed on the field during the ‘Cats prolific 2014 campaign.
Villanova ended the 2014 season 11-3 (7-1) ranked No. 5 in the nation after narrowly losing in the FCS Quarterfinals 34-31. The ‘Cats three losses came by a total five points, including a 2OT loss 27-26 to FBS Syracuse. The 2014 team is considered one of the greatest in program history.
O’Connor finished his career at Villanova with an average of 4.8 yards per carry, eight scout team player of the week awards, a CAA Conference Championship in 2012, FCS Playoffs appearances in 2012 and 2014 finishing No. 14 and No. 5 in the national rankings, respectively.
O’Connor earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Villanova University in 2015.
His Father Fred O'Connor, Jr. played football at William & Mary and Catholic University and coached both college and arena league football for five years. Grandfather, Fred O'Connor, Sr. coached both college and pro football for 40 years and was an interim head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His sister Colleen O’Connor plays lacrosse at Division I Old Dominion and for the Irish National Lacrosse Team.
