Older, Wiser O’Reilly Thrives in Secondary
September 21, 2004

By Andrea Adame, AU Sports Information

There are many spectators at football games including friends, parents and grandparents. But no one ever thinks of having a grandpa playing for the defense on the football team and that is exactly what Ashland University has in senior safety Aaron O’Reilly.

Senior Aaron O'Reilly gives the Eagles a veteran presence in the secondary. O'Reilly will be leading his defense when the Eagles next host Michigan Tech on Saturday, Sept. 25.

“I guess I’ve earned the title ‘Grandpa,’ or ‘Old School,’ as the guys call me since this is my sixth year at AU,” said O’Reilly. “It’s been a long, but fun time here though and the teasing is all in good fun.”

After missing his first two years of eligibility at AU due to a groin injury and rehabilitation, O’Reilly is now the lone senior in the secondary for the Eagles. With all of his years in the program, O’Reilly is being depended on heavily to guide the young team throughout the season.

The 5-11, 205-pound O’Reilly has been looked upon by the coaching staff to step up and take a major role for the team with all of his experience. Last year he was an honorable mention All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choice and for two consecutive years he has been second on the team in interceptions. A year ago O’Reilly had 71 tackles (35 solo) and in 2002 he was in on 82 stops (53 solo). Before making the move to free safety, O’Reilly lined up at strong safety.

“It was a blessing that Aaron was able to come back and play this year since he is the only senior with nine true freshmen in the secondary. He is a great mentor for the younger players,” said secondary coach Steve Clinkscale.

“I try to be a leader by setting a good example for the younger guys by doing the little things right,” said O’Reilly. “The guys are all young and their heads are turning so I make myself available to help by just being there for them.”

O’Reilly is one of three team captains for the Eagles and feels that he has been able to have a direct impact on the team so far this season.

“I am not a vocal leader, but on the field my emotion shows and I think the guys feed off of that. They are able to see how much this means to me,” said the Columbus, OH, native.

“I feel like I have a second coach on the field in Aaron,” said Clinkscale. “He brings more experience, more knowledge and a great attitude which makes our defense better every day.”

Head coach Lee Owens agrees.

“Aaron is a good football player and he brings a real sense of maturity to the program,” said Owens. “Everyone knows they can count on Aaron.”

As a safety it’s important that the defense count on O’Reilly to read plays right. There is lots of pressure to not make mistakes and one of the biggest challenges can be keeping your confidence up from play to play.

“When you play safety you have to have a short term memory and you can’t think too much if a team gets six points on you. You have to focus on the next play because the next play could help us win the game so you need to constantly move forward,” said O’Reilly.

“It’s difficult in the secondary knowing that any and every play people are watching you and see your mistakes but that is part of the game,” said Clinkscale.

“When you play safety you are the quarterback of the defense,” said O’Reilly, who played on DeSales High School teams that won Division III state championships in 1997 and 1998. “You need to make checks, be patient and come up on the run and not make mistakes. Losing can be hard on you mentally and physically, but you just have to get back out there the next week.”

With the new staff in place for the 2004 season O’Reilly has seen some positive reactions by the players to the new style of coaching.

“It’s been good and given the team new life,” said O’Reilly. “The staff helps us to believe we are good athletes and we can win games. Coach Clinkscale has challenged me to be a real leader for all the young guys and help them gain more experience.”

The Eagles enter Saturday’s game with a 2-2 record. After two consecutive 2-9 seasons, O’Reilly is focused on getting the program back on track and seeing the plus side of .500

“The seniors want to go out as winners. We would like to help this team by giving the younger guys a positive experience to build off of for next year,” said O’Reilly. “This is the start of a new legacy.”