Martin O’Donnell, coach and teacher at Omaha South High, greatly values and seeks out students with positive attitudes and motivation to try their best.
O’Donnell came to be the head softball coach when the the previous coach left. He was already acting as assistant coach for volleyball at the time but said he had more of a history with softball. O’Donnell said he had been coaching junior high rec ball many years prior but frequently umpired softball games. When he saw the position was open, he took a chance and went for it. “For some reason, they made the mistake of hiring me,” he added with a laugh.
The thing he said he loves the most about coaching is seeing athletes give their best when competing. “I like seeing them achieve success on the field and developing the attitudes and character that give them skills to use to attain a successful life off the field as well as on.” When asked what his biggest goal is as a coach for the team, he said he wants to see everyone get better as the season goes on. He takes pride in the program, he added, as they’ve achieved building successes and improvements in each and every one of their players.
Something O’Donnell also said he likes about the current team is “their attitudes, their personalities and the way they do whatever they can to win the game.” He appreciates the determination in his players and believes in everyone’s individual potential. Something O’Donnell is well known for around the school building is recruiting any and every girl to go out for softball. He said he has a passion for helping students find hidden talents and building relationships with teammates. He said he is always working to find new girls to play softball no matter their experience or physical capabilities.
A piece of advice O’Donnell has for new players is to concentrate on getting better and learning from mistakes. He said it’s important to always focus on the next play. “Just remember, no matter what happens, you’re burning calories and helping yourself to have a healthier body.”
In his fourth year as the South softball coach, O’Donnell continues to give every girl new opportunities and also builds new goals for himself and his athletes. He added that believes everyone deserves a chance and has the potential to do great things on the team.
