Jim O'Hora
Encyclopedia
James Joseph O’Hora was an American college football coach for over 30 years.
. His father, Michael, was an immigrant from Ballina
, County Mayo
, Ireland
who entered the United States through Ellis Island
. His mother, Mary Butler O’Hora, was also an immigrant from Ireland. O’Hora played football for Dunmore High School. He was a member of its champion team in 1930 and was named to the Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
All Academic Team in 1932. He graduated in 1932.
He attended The Pennsylvania State University
. While playing center for the Penn State Nittany Lions under Coach Bob Higgins, O’Hora lettered in 1933, 1934 and 1935. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
in Health and Physical Education from PSU in 1936. He was certified in Pennsylvania
to teach Biological Science, Social Studies
, and Physical education
.
. In 1939, he became head football coach, head basketball coach and head baseball coach at Mahanoy Township High School in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
.
On November 28, 1942, he married Elizabeth Emily Miller a social studies teacher from Mahanoy City, at Queen of All Saints RCC, Brooklyn, New York.
In 1942, O’Hora enlisted in the Gene Tumey Program which was part of the US Navy Physical Fitness Program. His rank was Chief Petty Officer
. He was promoted to Lieutenant
in 1942. O'Hora trained at the Naval War College
in Newport, Rhode Island
. He became the commanding officer of U.S.S. LSM 8 in the Pacific fleet in 1944. He served in the Luzon Philippines Campaign
.
After the war he returned to Mahanoy Township for one year before joining the Penn State coaching staff in 1946. O'Hora was a full-time assistant for three seasons under Bob Higgins. He then served one year with Joe Bedenk (1949), 16 seasons with Rip Engle
(1950–65) and 11 with Joe Paterno
from 1966 to 1976.
O'Hora initially served as line coach. He became the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach (1974–76). O'Hora was a key factor in Penn State earning 29 winning seasons during his 31 years on the staff.
O'Hora directed the Nittany Lions defenses on the unbeaten 1947, 1968, 1969 and 1973 squads. The 1968 Penn State team allowed less than 10 points in six games. The 1969 Lion squad did not allow the opposition to score more than nine points in seven games. The last 1969 game was a 10–3 win over Missouri in the Orange Bowl. The 1973 defense did not permit more than nine points in any of Penn State's initial six games. They ended PSU’s first 12–0 season with a 16–9 win over Louisiana State University
in the Orange Bowl. *
During his extraordinary tenure, he coached with such notables as: Earl Bruce, Frank Patrick, Al Michaels, Sever "Tor" Toretti, J.T. White, Dan Radakovich, Joe McMullen
, and George Welsh.
. It is annually presented to a defensive player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement" during spring practice. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
An engaging storyteller, he was happy to share colorful stories of PSU football history. He maintained an extensive collection of photos that covered his many years as a football player and coach. He valued his friendships with the other coaches and especially JoePa.
O’Hora was a member of the B.P.O.E #1600; State College; the American Legion #245; State College, Penn State Quarterback Club; and the Penn State Football Lettermen's Club.
O’Hora and his wife had four children: James, Robert, Margaret and Donald.
O’Hora died on August 5, 2005, in State College, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Betts, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=O'hora&GSfn=elizabeth+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=9071061&pt=Elizabeth%20Emily%20Miller%20O%27Hora&| who died in 2001, are buried at Centre County Memorial Park in College Township, Pennsylvania
. He was preceded in death by his sister Margaret O’Hora Coyne of New Jersey and his brother, Vincent who died in infancy.
Early years
O’Hora was born in Dunmore, PennsylvaniaDunmore, Pennsylvania
Dunmore is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, adjoining Scranton. Dunmore was settled in 1835 and incorporated in 1862. Extensive anthracite coal, brick, stone, and silk interests had led to a rapid increase in the population to 8,315 in 1890, 12,583 in 1900, 17,615 in 1910, 20,250 in...
. His father, Michael, was an immigrant from Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
who entered the United States through Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the...
. His mother, Mary Butler O’Hora, was also an immigrant from Ireland. O’Hora played football for Dunmore High School. He was a member of its champion team in 1930 and was named to the Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile...
All Academic Team in 1932. He graduated in 1932.
He attended The Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. While playing center for the Penn State Nittany Lions under Coach Bob Higgins, O’Hora lettered in 1933, 1934 and 1935. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Health and Physical Education from PSU in 1936. He was certified in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to teach Biological Science, Social Studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
, and Physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
.
Career
His coaching career began in 1936, as a graduate assistant at Penn State University while working on his Masters Degree. After earning a Masters Degree in 1937, O'Hora was a high school gym teacher and head football coach at Roaring Spring High School at Roaring Spring, PennsylvaniaRoaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Roaring Spring in Morrisons Cove, is a borough Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,418 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area-History:...
. In 1939, he became head football coach, head basketball coach and head baseball coach at Mahanoy Township High School in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Mahanoy City is a borough located north by west of Reading and 13 miles southwest of Hazleton, in northern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania or the southern Coal Region. The name "Mahanoy" is believed to be a variation of the Native American word 'Maghonioy', or "the salt deposits"...
.
On November 28, 1942, he married Elizabeth Emily Miller a social studies teacher from Mahanoy City, at Queen of All Saints RCC, Brooklyn, New York.
In 1942, O’Hora enlisted in the Gene Tumey Program which was part of the US Navy Physical Fitness Program. His rank was Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
. He was promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1942. O'Hora trained at the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. He became the commanding officer of U.S.S. LSM 8 in the Pacific fleet in 1944. He served in the Luzon Philippines Campaign
U.S. campaigns in WWII
During World War II, the United States Army divided its operations around the world into four theaters. Forces from many different Allied nations fought in these theaters...
.
After the war he returned to Mahanoy Township for one year before joining the Penn State coaching staff in 1946. O'Hora was a full-time assistant for three seasons under Bob Higgins. He then served one year with Joe Bedenk (1949), 16 seasons with Rip Engle
Rip Engle
Charles A. "Rip" Engle was an American football player and coach of football and basketball. He served as the head football coach at Brown University from 1944 to 1949 and at Pennsylvania State University from 1950 to 1965, compiling a career college football record of 132–68–8...
(1950–65) and 11 with Joe Paterno
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
from 1966 to 1976.
O'Hora initially served as line coach. He became the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach (1974–76). O'Hora was a key factor in Penn State earning 29 winning seasons during his 31 years on the staff.
O'Hora directed the Nittany Lions defenses on the unbeaten 1947, 1968, 1969 and 1973 squads. The 1968 Penn State team allowed less than 10 points in six games. The 1969 Lion squad did not allow the opposition to score more than nine points in seven games. The last 1969 game was a 10–3 win over Missouri in the Orange Bowl. The 1973 defense did not permit more than nine points in any of Penn State's initial six games. They ended PSU’s first 12–0 season with a 16–9 win over Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in the Orange Bowl. *
During his extraordinary tenure, he coached with such notables as: Earl Bruce, Frank Patrick, Al Michaels, Sever "Tor" Toretti, J.T. White, Dan Radakovich, Joe McMullen
Joe McMullen
-External links:...
, and George Welsh.
Later years
O’Hora retired from Penn State in 1977 as an Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The football program established the Jim O'Hora AwardJim O'Hora Award
The Jim O'Hora Award is presented to a defensive Penn State Nittany Lions football player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude, and improvement" during spring practice each year...
. It is annually presented to a defensive player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement" during spring practice. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
An engaging storyteller, he was happy to share colorful stories of PSU football history. He maintained an extensive collection of photos that covered his many years as a football player and coach. He valued his friendships with the other coaches and especially JoePa.
O’Hora was a member of the B.P.O.E #1600; State College; the American Legion #245; State College, Penn State Quarterback Club; and the Penn State Football Lettermen's Club.
O’Hora and his wife had four children: James, Robert, Margaret and Donald.
O’Hora died on August 5, 2005, in State College, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Betts, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=O'hora&GSfn=elizabeth+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=9071061&pt=Elizabeth%20Emily%20Miller%20O%27Hora&| who died in 2001, are buried at Centre County Memorial Park in College Township, Pennsylvania
College Township, Pennsylvania
College Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,521 at the 2010 census, which was a 12.2% increase from the 2000 census...
. He was preceded in death by his sister Margaret O’Hora Coyne of New Jersey and his brother, Vincent who died in infancy.
External links
- GOPSUSports.com "Long-Time Assistant Football Coach Jim O'Hora Dies" August 5, 2005, retrieved October 25, 2005.
- Daily Collegian “Former Penn State assistant, player O'Hora dies at 90” Tim Ford, August 8, 2005.
- Post-Gazette.com “O'Hora was the 'Best man' Paterno ever knew” Gene Colier, August 14, 2005.