O'Brien, Glenn

Salem native, Glenn F. O'Brien was a coaching legend at Salem High School for close to 40 years.

As a student at Salem High School, he played football, basketball and baseball, graduating in 1924.

He went on to Boston University and captained three freshman sports. He later earned 10 varsity letters, in football, baseball and basketball.

Appointed to the Salem High faculty in 1933, he taught physical education and driver's education.

He coached basketball for 36 seasons at Salem High and 2 seasons at Danvers. He also coached football, basketball and baseball at Salem High, then finished out his career at Danvers High School. From 1926 until 1961, O'Brien turned little Salem High into a basketball powerhouse. He racked up 412 wins and won the first Tech Tournament in 1926 as his first team finished its season unbeaten at 21-0.

He died at Salem Hospital on Dec. 26, 1990 at 86 years old of congestive heart failure.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - O'Brien, Glenn

"O'Brien leaves lifeful of facts; Salem legend knew it all" Salem Evening News, Dec. 27, 1990, p. 17

"Glenn O'Brien, Salem sports legend, dies" Salem Evening News, Dec. 27, 1990, p. 1