Pat O'Hara
Encyclopedia
Patrick O'Hara is an arena football
coach and retired quarterback
. He is currently the head coach
of the New Orleans VooDoo
of the Arena Football League
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in the 10th round (260th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at USC.
In his playing career, O'Hara has also played for the Ohio Glory
, San Diego Chargers
, Washington Redskins
, Orlando Predators
, Toronto Phantoms
and Tampa Bay Storm
. Over the span of his AFL career, he played in five ArenaBowl
s, winning three. In 2005
, he was named Offensive coordinator
of the Storm, becoming a player-coach
. Then, in 2007
, after retiring as a player, he resumed the duties of Offensive coordinator. After the 2008 season
, on July 25, 2008, he agreed to a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth, with the Los Angeles Avengers to become the fourth Head coach in the franchises history. However, the Avengers folded when the AFL went on hiatus.
, where during junior
and senior
seasons he threw at least one touchdown
pass
a game. He was a two-time Los Angeles Times
All-Westside selection and the "Westside Back of the Year" in 1984.
As a junior, in 1984, O'Hara passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. During his senior season, he passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games which earned him "Bay League Player of the Year" honors and selection to the Long Beach Press-Telegram
s "Best in the West" team.
where his playing time was limited to being a backup
. As a sophomore in 1988
, he served as the backup to Rodney Peete
, who finished the season as a Heisman Trophy
finalist.
O'Hara was expected to be the Trojans' starting Quarterback in 1989
, but suffered two torn ligaments in his right knee
and a fractured right tibia
in practice 10 days before the start of the season. The injuries required multiple surgeries, including one to graft bone from his hip. He was hospitalized for three weeks, a time in which he lost 35 pounds and received a get-well letter from former President Ronald Reagan
.
As a senior in 1990
, O'Hara served as backup to Todd Marinovich
. Marinovich, then a freshman, was given the starting job and helped lead the team to a Rose Bowl win against Michigan
in Bo Schembechler
's last game as a head coach
. O'Hara's arm was impressive enough for some NFL
scouts to offer him a workout with them. He graduated with a degree in Public Administration in 1991.
by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. He spent the first 11 weeks on the teams practice squad before being activated and serving as the team third-string quarterback the remainder of the season.
Following the 1991 season
O'Hara was allocated to the World League of American Football
's Ohio Glory
and subsequently signed by the San Diego Chargers
as a Plan B free agent
serving as their third-string quarterback for the 1992 season
. He then attended training camp with the Chargers in 1993
and the Washington Redskins
in 1994
.
when he signed with the Orlando Predators
. He played there for six seasons helping to lead the Predators to wins in ArenaBowl
s XII
and XIV
. He then joined the Toronto Phantoms
in 2001
and then the Tampa Bay Storm
in 2003
. He helped lead the Storm to a win in ArenaBowl XVII
after starting
Quarterback John Kaleo
was injured late in the second quarter. In his playing career, O'Hara played in a total of five ArenaBowls and won three.
in 1996, working with the Quarterbacks as a volunteer assistant. He later spent three seasons (1998–2000) as an assistant coach at New Smyrna Beach High School
and three seasons (2001–03) as the offensive coordinator
at Olympia High School where he coached NFL running back
Chris Johnson
.
In 2005
, O'Hara was named Offensive coordinator
of the Storm, becoming a player-coach
. Then after the 2006 season
, he retired as a player, he resumed the duties of Offensive coordinator. His success on the field as a player and as a coordinator had a number of teams interested in him in the 2008 offseason. He interviewed for head coaching positions with the Grand Rapids Rampage
and the Arizona Rattlers
and was a finalist for both jobs. However, On July 25, 2008, he agreed to a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth, with the Los Angeles Avengers to become the fourth Head coach in the franchises history. However, the AFL cancelled it's 2009 season, and on April 27, 2009, he was hired as the replacement of Richard Davis as head coach of the Tri-Cities Fever
of af2
.
The Fever went 3–8 after hiring O'Hara, finishing 3–13. Although the team invited him to remain on as head coach in 2010, he decided to take an offer to become head coach of the Orlando Predators
in the Arena Football League
on December 21, 2009.
On August 8, 2011, he was named the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo
.
,” “Invincible
,” "We Are Marshall
" and "The Game Plan
". He also has coached actors such as Adam Sandler
, Mark Wahlberg
and Dwayne Johnson to better help them portray their characters. In addition, O'Hara has appeared in several movies including The Waterboy
, Any Given Sunday
, and The Game Plan.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
coach and retired quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. He is currently the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the New Orleans VooDoo
New Orleans VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena....
of the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in the 10th round (260th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
1991 NFL Draft
The 1991 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 21–22, 1991 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, New York...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at USC.
In his playing career, O'Hara has also played for the Ohio Glory
Ohio Glory
The Ohio Glory played one season in the World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe.Columbus, Ohio was awarded the WLAF franchise after the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks posted an 0-10 season. Ohio didn't do much better, posting a 1-9 record after one season of play...
, San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
, Toronto Phantoms
Toronto Phantoms
The Toronto Phantoms was the final name of a team in the Arena Football League, that also operated in New York City and Hartford, Connecticut.-New York CityHawks :The team began in 1997 as the New York CityHawks...
and Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
. Over the span of his AFL career, he played in five ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
s, winning three. In 2005
2005 Arena Football League season
The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the...
, he was named Offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of the Storm, becoming a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
. Then, in 2007
2007 Tampa Bay Storm season
The 2007 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 21st season for the team in the Arena Football League and 17th in Tampa. They tried to improve upon their 7-9 record from 2006 in the Southern Division, and looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The apparent cause of their...
, after retiring as a player, he resumed the duties of Offensive coordinator. After the 2008 season
2008 Tampa Bay Storm season
The 2008 Tampa Bay Storm season is the 22nd season for the American Arena Football League franchise, their 18th season in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Storm were able to finish the season with an 8-8 record, but missed the playoffs due to losing a tiebreaker with the New Orleans VooDoo and New York...
, on July 25, 2008, he agreed to a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth, with the Los Angeles Avengers to become the fourth Head coach in the franchises history. However, the Avengers folded when the AFL went on hiatus.
High school career
O'Hara attended Santa Monica High SchoolSanta Monica High School
Santa Monica High School, informally known as SAMOHI, is located in Santa Monica, California. Founded in 1884, it is one of the oldest high schools in the state....
, where during junior
Eleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
and senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
seasons he threw at least one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
a game. He was a two-time Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
All-Westside selection and the "Westside Back of the Year" in 1984.
As a junior, in 1984, O'Hara passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. During his senior season, he passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games which earned him "Bay League Player of the Year" honors and selection to the Long Beach Press-Telegram
Long Beach Press-Telegram
The Press-Telegram is a daily newspaper published in Long Beach, California. Tracing its history to 1897, it is currently published by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, a division of newspaper conglomerate MediaNews Group, which purchased the newspaper from Knight Ridder in 1997; Ridder and Knight...
s "Best in the West" team.
College career
O'Hara then attended USCUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
where his playing time was limited to being a backup
Depth chart
In sports, a depth chart is used to show the placements of the starting players and the secondary players. Generally a starting player will be listed first or on top while a back-up will be listed below...
. As a sophomore in 1988
1988 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Notre Dame winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title via a 34-21 defeat of previously unbeaten West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona....
, he served as the backup to Rodney Peete
Rodney Peete
Rodney Peete is a former American football quarterback from the University of Southern California who played in the National Football League for 16 years. He retired in 2004 and is now in broadcasting.-Early life:...
, who finished the season as a Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist.
O'Hara was expected to be the Trojans' starting Quarterback in 1989
1989 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami winning its third National Championship during the 80s, cementing its claim as the decade's top team, winning more titles than any other program....
, but suffered two torn ligaments in his right knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
and a fractured right tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
in practice 10 days before the start of the season. The injuries required multiple surgeries, including one to graft bone from his hip. He was hospitalized for three weeks, a time in which he lost 35 pounds and received a get-well letter from former President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
.
As a senior in 1990
1990 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split championship and the ensuing controversy led to the creation of the Bowl Coalition, a precursor to the Bowl Championship Series. The title was split between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets...
, O'Hara served as backup to Todd Marinovich
Todd Marinovich
Todd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League, and also in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League...
. Marinovich, then a freshman, was given the starting job and helped lead the team to a Rose Bowl win against Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
in Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
's last game as a head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
. O'Hara's arm was impressive enough for some NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
scouts to offer him a workout with them. He graduated with a degree in Public Administration in 1991.
National Football League
O'Hara was selected in the 10th round (260th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft1991 NFL Draft
The 1991 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 21–22, 1991 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, New York...
by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. He spent the first 11 weeks on the teams practice squad before being activated and serving as the team third-string quarterback the remainder of the season.
Following the 1991 season
1991 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 1991 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 6-10 season. Vinny Testaverde was replaced by Chris Chandler at quarterback early in the season. Reggie Cobb had a three touchdown game late in the season. Testaverde threw almost twice as many interceptions as...
O'Hara was allocated to the World League of American Football
World League of American Football
The World League of American Football was founded in 1990 with support from the National Football League to play professional American football in North America, Europe and later possibly Asia...
's Ohio Glory
Ohio Glory
The Ohio Glory played one season in the World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe.Columbus, Ohio was awarded the WLAF franchise after the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks posted an 0-10 season. Ohio didn't do much better, posting a 1-9 record after one season of play...
and subsequently signed by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as a Plan B free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
serving as their third-string quarterback for the 1992 season
1992 NFL season
The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that...
. He then attended training camp with the Chargers in 1993
1993 San Diego Chargers season
The 1993 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 1992. They missed the playoffs by one game.-Schedule:-Standings:-See also:*1993 NFL season...
and the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in 1994
1994 Washington Redskins season
The 1994 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record from 1993.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:...
.
Arena Football League
O'Hara joined the Arena Football League in 1995 season1995 Arena Football League season
The 1995 Arena Football League season was the 9th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl IX. The AFL re-aligned its divisions for the 3rd straight year. It re-aligned to two divisions per conference...
when he signed with the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
. He played there for six seasons helping to lead the Predators to wins in ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
s XII
ArenaBowl XII
Arena Bowl XII was the Arena Football League's twelfth Arena Bowl. In this match-up, it pitted the #4 Orlando Predators of the National Conference against the #1 Tampa Bay Storm , also of the National Conference. This would be the second and final ArenaBowl to have the "War On I-4" rivalry on...
and XIV
ArenaBowl XIV
ArenaBowl XIV is widely hailed as one of the most exciting games in ArenaBowl history, ranking alongside classics such as ArenaBowl XVIII and ArenaBowl XIX. Featuring two teams from the Arena Football League's Southern Division, the game went as a Southern Division game might be expected to: a...
. He then joined the Toronto Phantoms
Toronto Phantoms
The Toronto Phantoms was the final name of a team in the Arena Football League, that also operated in New York City and Hartford, Connecticut.-New York CityHawks :The team began in 1997 as the New York CityHawks...
in 2001
2001 Arena Football League season
The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
and then the Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
in 2003
2003 Arena Football League season
The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule...
. He helped lead the Storm to a win in ArenaBowl XVII
ArenaBowl XVII
ArenaBowl XVII was played on June 22, 2003 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida before a sellout crowd of 20,496. The Tampa Bay Storm earned their AFL record fifth ArenaBowl title, by defeating the Arizona Rattlers, 43-29...
after starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
Quarterback John Kaleo
John Kaleo
John Kaleo is a retired American football quarterback in the Arena Football League for the Albany Firebirds , Cleveland Thunderbolts , St...
was injured late in the second quarter. In his playing career, O'Hara played in a total of five ArenaBowls and won three.
Coaching career
O’Hara began his coaching career at Point Loma High SchoolPoint Loma High School
Point Loma High School is a public high school in the San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, California. It is located in the Loma Portal neighborhood of Point Loma. The school serves the neighborhoods of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. In addition, students who live in Mission Hills may...
in 1996, working with the Quarterbacks as a volunteer assistant. He later spent three seasons (1998–2000) as an assistant coach at New Smyrna Beach High School
New Smyrna Beach High School
New Smyrna Beach High School is a high school located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their mascot is the Barracuda, which is most commonly referred to as the "Cuda." The high school opened in 1963 on what is now called Barracuda Boulevard...
and three seasons (2001–03) as the offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at Olympia High School where he coached NFL running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson (running back)
Christopher Duan Johnson is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League...
.
In 2005
2005 Arena Football League season
The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the...
, O'Hara was named Offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of the Storm, becoming a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
. Then after the 2006 season
2006 Arena Football League season
The 2006 Arena Football League season was the 20th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Chicago Rush, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XX....
, he retired as a player, he resumed the duties of Offensive coordinator. His success on the field as a player and as a coordinator had a number of teams interested in him in the 2008 offseason. He interviewed for head coaching positions with the Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
and the Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
and was a finalist for both jobs. However, On July 25, 2008, he agreed to a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth, with the Los Angeles Avengers to become the fourth Head coach in the franchises history. However, the AFL cancelled it's 2009 season, and on April 27, 2009, he was hired as the replacement of Richard Davis as head coach of the Tri-Cities Fever
Tri-Cities Fever
The Tri-Cities Fever are a professional indoor football team in the Indoor Football League. Their first season was in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League. Though they represent the entire Tri-Cities region, they play their home games exclusively at the Toyota Center...
of af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
.
The Fever went 3–8 after hiring O'Hara, finishing 3–13. Although the team invited him to remain on as head coach in 2010, he decided to take an offer to become head coach of the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
in the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
on December 21, 2009.
On August 8, 2011, he was named the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo
New Orleans VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena....
.
Movie career
More recently, O’Hara’s offseasons have included consulting work, coordinating and choreographing football action scenes in movies. His credits include; “The Longest YardThe Longest Yard (2005 film)
The Longest Yard is a 2005 American sports comedy film remake of the 1974 film of the same name. Adam Sandler plays the protagonist, Paul Crewe, a disgraced former professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, who is coerced to form a team from the prison inmates to play...
,” “Invincible
Invincible (2006 film)
Invincible is a 2006 family film directed by Ericson Core set in 1976. It is based on the true story of Vince Papale, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976–78. Mark Wahlberg portrays Papale and Greg Kinnear plays Papale's coach, Dick Vermeil...
,” "We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall is a 2006 American drama film directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol about the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team as well as five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters and...
" and "The Game Plan
The Game Plan (film)
The Game Plan is a 2007 family comedy film directed by Andy Fickman and starring The Rock. This is the last film in which Johnson uses his ring name "The Rock." This is also the last Disney film to be distributed by Buena Vista, due to Disney semi-retiring the name in May 2007, making all other...
". He also has coached actors such as Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
and Dwayne Johnson to better help them portray their characters. In addition, O'Hara has appeared in several movies including The Waterboy
The Waterboy
The Waterboy is a 1998 American comedy film directed by Frank Coraci. It stars Adam Sandler alongside Henry Winkler, Kathy Bates, Jerry Reed, and Fairuza Balk. Lynn Swann, Lawrence Taylor, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Cowher, Paul Wight, and Rob Schneider have cameos...
, Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday is a 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, consisting of Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, John C...
, and The Game Plan.