William O'Brien (American football)

William Edward O'Brien (March 11, 1923 – December 1, 2000) was an American football coach and official. He was the seventh head football coach at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, serving for three seasons, from 1952 to 1954, and compiling a record of 6–20.[1][2] O'Brien was an official in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, from 1967 through 1983, officiating in Super Bowl X in 1976. He wore number 83 for the major part of his NFL career.[3] He was also a professor at Southern Illinois University.[4]

Not to be confused with Bill O'Brien (American football).
William O'Brien
Biographical details
Born(1923-03-11)March 11, 1923
Schulter, Oklahoma
DiedDecember 1, 2000(2000-12-01) (aged 77)
Energy, Illinois
Playing career
Football
1941–1942Southern Illinois
Baseball
1947Southern Illinois
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1952–1954Southern Illinois
Baseball
1952Southern Illinois (assistant)
Head coaching record
Overall6–20

O'Brien was born on March 11, 1923, in Schulter, Oklahoma. He graduated in 1941 from Zeigler High School in Zeigler, Illinois. O'Brien served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War, retiring as a colonel in 1983. He died on December 1, 2000, at Cardinal Health Care in Energy, Illinois, after battling Alzheimer's disease for 13 years.[5]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Southern Illinois Salukis (Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1952–1954)
1952 Southern Illinois 2–62–4T–4th
1953 Southern Illinois 2–72–45th
1954 Southern Illinois 2–71–5T–6th
Southern Illinois: 6–205–13
Total:6–20

References
  1. "O'Brien Named Southern IU Grid Coach". The Daily Chronicle. De Kalb, Illinois. United Press. June 25, 1952. p. 16. Retrieved June 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .
  2. Southern Illinois Coaching Records
  5. "William E. O'Brien". The Southern Illinoisan. Carbondale, Illinois. December 3, 2000. p. 12. Retrieved June 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .
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