John O'Connor completed his second season on the Wayne State football staff as the tight ends coach in November 2006.

In both of his years, all three of his tight ends were named to the GLIAC All-Academic team.

A 2002 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran with a degree in psychology, O'Connor began his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Utah for coach Ron McBride. The following year he served as a varsity assistant coach at Walled Lake Central High School in Michigan.

He was a defensive back for the WLC Warriors serving as team captain as a senior.

O'Connor is married and resides in Redford with his wife Elizabeth, a WSU medical student. He is currently enrolled in the WSU sports management master's program.