Chad O’Brien '04 is back with the Adrian College football program for his seventh season in 2025.
O’Brien previously served as associate head coach and the team’s defensive coordinator in 2014 after a one-year stint as offensive coordinator in 2013. The offense ranked second in rushing (167.5ypg) among MIAA schools and had 12 touchdowns on the ground that season.
O’Brien served as the inside linebackers and special teams coach in 2012. The Bulldogs had a pair of standout inside linebackers in Deontae Bridgeman and Hunter Juntunen. Bridgeman was named First Team All-MIAA and Juntunen received Second Team All-MIAA honors. On the special teams side, Adrian led the MIAA in net punting and were 23rd in NCAA Division III (35.02 yards).
O’Brien is now in his third stint as an assistant coach for the Adrian College football team. He spent time as the special teams coordinator at Adrian College from 2003 to 2005 and also coached the linebackers and was the junior varsity defensive coordinator during that time. He was a letter winner for the Bulldog football team and served as defensive captain and team defensive MVP in 2002. O’Brien finished his career with 194 tackles including a team-high 94tackles during the 2001 season. He had two interceptions and six tackles for loss in 2001.
O’Brien has vast experience as a football and wrestling coach at the high school level. He was the defensive coordinator at Adrian High School during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Prior to that, he was the head coach and offensive coordinator at Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida from 2007 to August 2010. He also served as a teacher at both schools. He was selected to coach in the Lee County All-Star Game at Mariner from 2006 to 2009 and also helped guide the Maples of Adrian High to a Division III district championship in 2011.
O’Brien is a 2004 graduate of Adrian College with a bachelor of arts degree and an emphasis in history and a minor in communication arts. He resides in Adrian with his wife, Amy (Thompson), and their children - Ashlynn and Allston.
*Updated as of July 1, 2025*
