Connery O’Donnell-Smith started at MoWest in July 2025 as the pitching coach.
In his first season on staff, O'Donnell helped lead the Griffons to a 28-24 record in 2026, reaching the MIAA tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017.
The 2026 team achieved the first winning season for Griffon Baseball since 2018, its most overall wins and conference wins since 2018, the first trip to the MIAA tournament since 2019, its most wins at home since 2004 and the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history.
Seven Griffons earned all-MIAA status in 2026 as well.
O'Donnell was previously an assistant baseball coach at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee in the 2024-25 season, helping that team to a national runner-up finish at the JUCO World Series Championship, as the Senators posted a 59-8-1 record.
“Connery came highly recommended and has been on staff with some of the best minds in college baseball,” head coach Michael Keeran said. “He has been to two college world series and a national championship game. He's a winner and a relentless worker."
O’Donnell attended Southeast Missouri State, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Fitness Management in 2023 before getting his Master of Business Administration from SEMO in 2025.
O’Donnell played collegiately at Garden City Community College before transferring to SEMO in 2020.
