JMU women’s assistant attends prestigious coaching event

JMU associate head coach Sean O’Regan (JMU ‘03) was one of 25 women’s basketball assistant coaches nationwide to receive an invitation to the prestigious Villa 7 Consortium earlier this month.

Hosted by Nike and the University of Minnesota at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon from May 6-7, the event provides professional development and networking opportunities between athletic directors and the top men’s and women’s assistant coaches to prepare the next generation of Division I college basketball leaders.

“I was extremely humbled and honored to be selected to Villa 7,” O’Regan said. “Lauren Westendorf from Nike and Mike Ellis from the University of Minnesota have created an incredibly unique program for coaches such as myself. Having the opportunity to network with and learn from such an elite group of coaches and administrators was truly an invaluable experience that has impacted me both personally and professionally. I gained new insight into what to expect as a head coach one day and appreciated hearing fresh perspectives on how to be a more effective leader. I am thankful to have been included in Villa 7 and hope to have the privilege of returning in the future.”

O’Regan recently completed his second season as the associate head coach and seventh overall with the JMU women’s basketball program. A former JMU men’s basketball team manager, he returned to his alma mater in 2007 as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. He currently coordinates the Dukes’ schedule and coaches the guards.

Villa 7 began in 2004 as a forum for athletic directors to meet and share ideas with the country’s elite assistant basketball coaches. In 2014, 45 men’s basketball assistant coaches and 25 women’s basketball assistant coaches were invited to attend the multi-day symposium.

Over the 10 years of the event, more than 115 assistant coaches have gone on to receive Division I head coaching positions.