Oakland Catholic coach comes full circle
Her basketball odyssey has taken her from Oakland Catholic High School to Penn State University to international stardom to a coaching stint at the University of Pittsburgh.
Brianne O’Rourke, a native of Brookline and a resident of Morningside, has won two WPIAL and PIAA titles as an Oakland Catholic point guard; recorded 1,000 points and 500 assists at Penn State; was a fourtime All-Import Team selection in the German League; won a championship in Italy; and served as the video coordinator and director of basketball operations for three seasons under former Pitt coach Suzie McConnell-Serio.
The memories and experiences are priceless to this former Post-Gazette Fab 5 member (2005), but she might very well be in her happiest basketball place today.
That’s because she is home again, coaching at her high school alma mater. A member of the class of 2005, O’Rourke makes her debut on Dec. 7 when Oakland Catholic plays host to Obama Academy in the school’s tip-off tournament.
“It’s been amazing so far,” O’Rourke said, before adding, “And surreal.”
Employing the philosophy of, “players win games and coaches win practices,” O’Rourke has quickly instilled a championship mentality in a senior-laden team that has finished as the WPIAL Class 5A runner-up the past two seasons.
“Before we leave the gym every day, we bring the girls in and say, ‘Champions on three,’” said O’Rourke, who succeeded nineyear Eagles coach Shannon Kearney, also an Oakland Catholic alum. “The history at Oakland Catholic runs pretty deep. It is a challenge for me to make sure that they understand it. It’s also why I’ve embraced this opportunity. I preach to the kids that we want to win championships here. That’s what Oakland Catholic has been about, and it’s what I want to get it back to . ... I want these girls to be able to experience the success I did as a player here.”
Oakland Catholic has not won a WPIAL or PIAA title since O’Rourke’s senior year. It had won six WPIAL crowns and three state titles between 19992006.
“We’re focused on getting back to those championship ways,” she said.
Three starters, all seniors, are
back from the 2017-18 team that lost by two points to Gateway in the WPIAL final. Guards Jayde Boyd and Alex Sestric and forward Sierra DeAngelo comprise the trio.
“Sierra is going to be a pretty dominant post player for us; her presence inside is pretty special,” O’Rourke said. “She can also step outside and hit from deep. She’s versatile. It’s the same with Jayde. She’s a guard, but she’s crafty and she can get to the basket. She plays great defense, too. And with Alex, she’s all over the court, a crazy hard worker. She’ll lead our team, and she’ll knock down some big shots. They all bring different things to the table.”
Freshman guard Jordyn Ingelido should complement those upperclassmen, per O’Rourke.
Although O’Rourke has never served as a head coach, she believes her time working for McConnell-Serio, in addition to her many connections in the industry — including best friend and Penn State teammate Kamela Gissendanner, the uber-successful La Roche women’s coach — will benefit her in this new endeavor.
It also helps that, as a player, she served as an extension of each of her coaches as the point guard.
“I want to have a close relationship with my players,” said O’Rourke, who was at Pitt until earlier this year, when the coaching staff was let go.
“I want them to believe in me, and to know I have trust in them when they’re on the court. I want to give them leniency. I’ll be coaching them during games, but I really want to leave it up to our players.
“I’ll give our point guard the freedom to call our sets. These girls listen to me, then they go out and they perform it. That’s what I want as a coach. I want them to go out each time and give their very best.”
Just like O’Rourke, who retired at 27 from the international game to join her now-husband and embark on a coaching career, did as a top-flight player.
“I’ve had some pretty great experiences,” she said. “And this is another one. I’m really fortunate to be back coaching at my alma mater.”