America East Basketball News & Notes: Maine Adds to Coaching Staff

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On March 23, the University of Maine introduced Chris Markwood as the new Men’s head basketball coach. Since then, Markwood has been busy putting his staff together which will help him point the program in the right direction. One of those new staff members is Rob O’Driscoll who comes to Orono with a lengthy list of stops in college basketball. O’Driscoll has been in the game for the past 27 years in all phases of the sport. He has helped multiple programs become championship-quality programs along the way. His resume could be just what the Black Bears need going forward if this program is to do an about-face and strive to be a first division team in America East.

Rob is a graduate of Villanova University class of 1994, he began his career in college hoops that year at Nova. He has also been on the bench for staffs at Manhattan, Iona, Marist, James Madison, and Drexel. With the Wildcats, he was the administrative assistant for two years. He helped the program finish in the top-10 in the Associated Press Poll in both of those seasons. Villanova would win the Big East Championship in the 1994-95 season. From there, he went to Manhattan where he was an assistant coach for two seasons. Not only did he serve on the bench he also helped to recruit players to the Jaspers program. In those two years, the Jaspers had two players named to the MAAC All-Conference teams.

His success continued at his next stop which was Iona for six years. Again, not only did he serve on the bench he also was the recruiting coordinator for the team. He was a part of a regular-season championship in 2006-07 in which the Gales won 27 regular-season contests. They would be invited to play in the NIT that year and would defeat Oklahoma State. As a recruiter and coach O’Driscoll had seven MACC All-Conference players, two All-Rookie players, and a Rookie of the Year in 2007-08. An NBA draft selection happened after the 06-07 season as Jared Jordan was taken with the 45th pick in the draft after being named player of the year that season.

At James Madison, he was an associate head coach for eight seasons helping the team win 139 games, including four 21-win years. The Dukes won the 2012-13 CAA conference tournament and made the field for the NCAA tournament where they won a first-round matchup. They also won the 2014-15 regular-season title. During his time with James Madison, nine players made the All-Conference teams, four made All-Rookie teams, and one player was selected Rookie of the Year in 2008-09. In 2016, he joined the staff of Drexel and was there for six years, four as an assistant, and the last two as chief of staff. Six players were named to the CAA All-Conference teams, two made the All-Rookie team, and one was named Rookie of the Year in 2018-19. While chief of staff, the Dragons made the tournament in the 2020-21 campaign after winning the CAA championship.

Needless to say, Rob O’Driscoll’s resume is exactly what the Maine Black Bears are looking for to compete in America East. Head Coach Chris Markwood is looking to surround himself with people that can help turn this program around. It would appear the first piece to that puzzle is now in place.

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