Grady O’Connor served as a cornerstone of the Lane Titans Cross Country and Track & Field program for two decades (1997-2017). During his tenure, he contributed to 10 NWAC championships-one as an assistant coach and nine as head coach. His teams also claimed 38 Southern Region titles, including an impressive streak of 14 consecutive titles for the Titan men.

Under O’Connor’s leadership, Lane athletes earned over 400 Junior College All-American honors and set 24 event school records. He was recognized with 10 NWAC Coach of the Year awards. O’Connor’s impact extended to the national stage, with several athletes qualifying for USATF National meets.

Beyond athletic achievements, O’Connor played a pivotal role in transforming Lane’s track into an Olympic caliber facility, made possible through 2008 voter-approved bond measure. The venue serves as the primary practice facility for NCAA Championships, USATF Nationals, and Olympic Trials meets. O’Connor and his staff also hosted numerous community events at the upgraded venue, including the OSAA State Cross Country Championships, All-Comers meets, and NWAC Multi-Event Championships.

His legacy is also a family affair - his daughter Kylee (’16) and son Cade (’17) both won NWAC titles under his coaching at Lane. Though he retired from coaching in 2017, O’Connor continues to teach at Lane Community College as a tenured Health and Physical Education instructor.