Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics

Michael O'Brien enters his second season leading the Warhawks in 2024-25.

O'Brien was announced as the men's and women's tennis head coach by Director of Athletics Erik Maas on October 19, 2023. 

In his first season as the head men's and women's tennis head coach, O'Brien guided both teams back to the GSC Championships after the regular season. 

In the 2024 season, the women's team won the program's first GSC Championship with a 4-3 victory against Mississippi College at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, Alabama. The Warhawks punched their ticket back to the NCAA Division II South Regional where they fell in the opening round againt Lynn University. The women went 19-6 overall and 8-2 in the GSC. O'Brien coached Estefania Garcia, Ana Villalvazo, and Regina Urbiola to earn All-GSC recognition and Garcia was named an ITA All-American. 

AUM's women were ranked in the ITA Rankings for the entire season and finished the year ranked No. 10. The women reached No. 5 during the regular season. 

On the men's side in 2024, they finished the season ranked No. 28 in the ITA Rankings where they finished the season 13-9 and 7-2 in the GSC. They earned the No. 3 seed in the GSC Championships and fell in the opening round against West Alabama. The Warhawks were ranked as high as No. 8 in the NCAA Division II South Regional Rankings. 

O'Brien coached Adrian Contreras to earn a spot on the All-GSC Second Team. 

O'Brien took over programs that have collectively produced 23 NAIA National Championships and made three appearances in NCAA Division II South Region Tournaments.  

"We are excited to have Michael O'Brien join AUM as the next men's and women's tennis coach", Maas said. "Michael is very passionate about helping student-athletes reach their full potential in every aspect of life. During this process, Coach O'Brien talked about the tradition and success of our tennis programs and how he would build upon our rich history." 

O'Brien comes to Montgomery after spending a season at Central Alabama Community College as the head women's tennis coach. He also served as the Student Services Associate on campus in Alexander City, Ala.

"I would like the thank Chancellor Carl Stockton, Erik Maas, and the entire committee for this opportunity to join the coaching staff here at AUM," O'Brien said. "My family and I are very excited to be a part of the AUM family and I looking forward to coaching in a program with such a winning history."  

A member of the Alabama Community College Conference, CACC placed 19th at the NJCAA national tournament last season under O'Brien's leadership and was the runner-up in the conference tournament. 

Prior to collegiate coaching, O'Brien was the head girl's tennis coach at McGill Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Ala., and also served as the head tennis coach at St. Luke's Episcopal School. O'Brien coached two singles players to state championships while at St. Luke's Episcopal School and had multiple teams finish in the top five in the Alabama High School Athletic Association State Tournament. The Alabama native has served at several country clubs and tennis centers as a coach or official.  

"I am thrilled for our current and future tennis student-athletes, as he will provide positive leadership in the pursuit of athletic, academic, and community excellence," Maas said. "I am looking forward to his leadership of our two great programs."  

As a player, O'Brien spent time at CACC broke the school record for most doubles wins in school history, and finished second in singles wins. He transferred to the University of North Alabama where he helped lead his team to the NCAA Division II Tournament.  

After his stints at CACC and UNA, he finished his playing career at the University of South Alabama where he won a Sunbelt Conference Tournament and defeated the University of Alabama in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

O'Brien holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from South Alabama.