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Dan O'Dowd's understanding of taking a rebuilding program to the NCAA Tournament helped ASU reach the NCAAs in 2003 for the first time since 1995, as he has been with Rob Evans since their days at Mississippi. O'Dowd was a key member of the staff that helped turn around the Rebel program and produced back-to-back NCAA appearances for the first time in school history and won two SEC West titles (1997 and 1998) and has helped lead ASU to postseason appearances in three of the past four seasons.
"Dan was my first hire at Arizona State, and that is because I have a lot of confidence in him. He has done a great job for us in so many different areas, especially recruiting," says Evans, who hired O'Dowd in the spring of 1993 at Ole Miss. "I had the pleasure of working with Dan as we built a winning tradition at Ole Miss. He is the most organized guy I have ever been around. He is a self-starter. He finds things to do without having to be told. He is innovative and creative, and that is what makes him a great part of our staff."
O'Dowd arrived at Arizona State from Mississippi and was responsible for scouting, scheduling and game and practice preparation and helped with on-campus recruiting in Oxford. He organized the film exchange and coordinated and directed the Ole Miss summer basketball camps, and he does the same at Arizona State. O'Dowd works extensively with individual workouts and also is the main contact for the Rob Evans Basketball Camps.
Prior to his work at Ole Miss, O'Dowd was an assistant coach and assistant athletic director at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kan., for two years (1991-93). His main coaching duties included recruiting, scouting and practice planning, while he also handled all team travel and film exchange. He also assisted in scheduling and academic advising. In addition to his coaching duties he assisted in the daily operations of the athletic department including fund raising. During his stay at Barton County, he helped guide the teams to records of 21-10 in 1991-92 and 23-9 in 1992-93. Barton qualified for the regional tournament in both years.
"Dan deals well with young people," says Evans. "He's a very honest person and has an easy demeanor. He makes it easy for young men to come visit him, and he makes the players feel comfortable. In our system, we want the players to know the assistants are always there for the kids, and Dan does a great job with that part of the program. When former players come back to the offices, they want to see Dan right away. That is a tribute to him."
O'Dowd began his collegiate coaching career at Kansas State (1989-91) as a graduate assistant where he aided in all facets of the program. O'Dowd earned his master's degree in athletic administration in 1992. In 1989-90, under head coach Lon Kruger, the Wildcats finished 17-15 and participated in the NCAA Championships. That relationship continues to this day as O'Dowd was instrumental in Kevin Kruger starting his collegiate career at Arizona State last season.
Prior to working at Kansas State, O'Dowd was an assistant basketball coach at Topeka High School in Topeka, Kan., from 1986-1989. His three-year stint included a 20-3 record in 1986-87, an 18-4 mark in 1987-88 and a 20-3, Class 6A runner-up season in 1988-89.
His involvement in coaching organizations includes the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has worked at several summer basketball camps including Kansas State (1988-93), Arizona (1989-91), Emporia State (1990-92), Barton County Community College (1991-93) and Central Missouri State (1992).
A native of Lakewood, Colo., O'Dowd earned his B.A. in English education and physical education-health from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., in May of 1986. At Bethany, he lettered four years in both cross country and track and was a three-time all-conference and academic all-conference honoree. In cross country, O'Dowd was a two-time qualifier for the national championships. He also qualified twice for outdoor track nationals and three times for indoor nationals.
O'Dowd, 42, graduated from Lakewood High School in 1981 where he was a three-sport letterman in basketball, tennis and track. He set the school's assist Lakewood basketball program and also set school marks in the 800 meter and mile runs.
"Dan's work ethic is tremendous. He understood his role in the Ole Miss program and always worked hard as we became a top-10 team. He has had success at a number of levels and is a tireless worker."
