The Official 2026 Public Vote

Your Vote Shapes the Hall

Explore the official candidates and cast your votes for the individuals you believe deserve a place in the United States Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ron O'Brien

  • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2026
  • Embed from Getty Images
  • Sport(s): Diving
  • Statistics & Accolades: Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
    Member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
  • It would be best if you never talked about American diving without the name on O'Brien coming up in conversation.

    A national champion at Ohio State, O’Brien almost made the 1960 Olympic Team. By his own admission, his narrow miss of Olympic glory pushed him to be the best coach he could be, and a case can be made that O’Brien became the most successful American coach regardless of the sport.

    O’Brien was the lead diving coach for the United States in each Olympics from 1968 to 1988, and the Olympians he has coached have accumulated 12 Gold, three Silver, and four Bronze medals. He had one national champion annually from 1973 to 1995, a 23-year streak that may never be replicated.

    O’Brien’s instructional video, "Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold," remains the gold standard on diving.

    We are proud to nominate Ron O’Brien for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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