Dave O'Callaghan began his tenure as a Polk State Basketball Assistant Coach prior to the 2024-25 season. He returned to the program prior to the 2026-27 season.
He arrived with about a decade of coaching experience, including the six at McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland – four as head coach. O'Callaghan spent the 2025-26 season at the head men's coach at Florida Polytechnic University's club team.
A native of Plant City and a 2009 graduate of Plant City High School, O'Callaghan earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of South Florida. He began coaching middle school girls and has since worked his way up through the ranks.
Although preseason coaching changes kept O'Callaghan from starting the season on staff, he briefly spent time at Southeastern University, an NAIA program in Lakeland. There, he met some of the men he considers mentors, including former head coaches R-Jay Barsh and Randy Lee and development specialist Shawn Faust. He also mentioned current Florida Southern College Head Coach Mike Donnelly.
O'Callaghan and his wife, Hannah, have a son named Nolan, twin daughters and are expecting a fourth child. In addition to coaching, O'Callaghan has also been involved in the ministry as a pastor, youth pastor, and church sports director. Each week, he invites Polk State athletes to join him at Access Church in Lakeland.
