Widener University Athletics

John O’Donnell is in his fourth season as a defensive backs coach at Widener. He also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
 
Widener’s secondary has flourished under O’Donnell’s direction with the Pride, producing two All-Americans and four all-conference selections over the past three seasons. Sean Titus and Ameer Sorrell were also among the national leaders in interceptions when the program advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2014, while Colin Masterson was recognized as a Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area selection a year earlier.
 
Prior to Widener, O’Donnell served as a student assistant coach at West Chester under former Widener mentor Bill Zwaan in 2013. He worked directly with the Golden Ram safeties and also served as a volunteer coach at West Chester Henderson High School.
 
O’Donnell was also standout student-athlete on the football team at West Chester. The four-year letterwinner was an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Second Team selection as a defensive back in 2012 and played in the All-American Bowl in Minneapolis. A team captain his senior season as well as a Dean’s List Student, O’Donnell was also a member of the 2011 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team and served as a team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
A native of West Chester, O’Donnell graduated from West Chester in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in professional studies while carrying minors in psychology and athletic coaching.