Men's Soccer
O'Rourke, Danny
Danny O'Rourke
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- dporourk@indiana.edu
- Phone:
- (812) 855-0051
Former MLS standout and MAC Hermann Trophy winner Danny O'Rourke is in his fifth season as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
The Hoosiers were dominant in Big Ten Conference play during the unique 2020-21 season and captured a historic conference championship double. For the second time in program history, Indiana claimed the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles in three-straight seasons. IU finished the abbreviated season with an overall record of 12-2-2 and as the second-ranked team in the country. Indiana cleaned up the B1G postseason awards, winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (Victor Bezerra), Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year (Roman Celentano) and placing five players on either the first or second all-conference team. Indiana’s dream postseason run ended abruptly in the national championship match in a double overtime game against Marshall. Bezerra and Celentano were joined by Spencer Glass at United Soccer Coaches All-America selections. The 2020 season was postponed to the spring of ’21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana pulled off the Big Ten double for the second-straight season in 2019, winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles for the 10th time in program history. The 2019 campaign, coupled with the double in 2018, marked the first back-to-back double for the Hoosiers since the 1998-99 seasons. IU finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation with an overall record of 15-3-4. For the third-straight season, O'Rourke and the IU coaching staff were named Men's North Region Staff of the Year for DI Institutions by United Soccer Coaches.
The 2018 season was another historic one for Indiana, as the Hoosiers won both the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships for the first time since 2006. IU advanced to the College Cup for the second-straight season and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the nation with an overall record of 20-3-1. Also for the second-straight season, Robson and the IU coaching staff were named Men's North Region Staff of the Year for DI Institutions by United Soccer Coaches.
O’Rourke established himself as one of the best Hoosiers in program history in his four seasons in Bloomington, helping IU win NCAA Championships in 2003 and 2004, serving as team captain both years. After his senior season, O’Rourke won the 2004 MAC Hermann Trophy, given to the top-player in the nation, after earning First-Team All-America honors.
"We are very excited to bring Danny back to IU,” Yeagley remarked at the time of O'Rourke's hiring. “Danny brings a wealth of experience to our soccer program after playing professionally for 11 years in MLS. Danny's attention to detail, work ethic, competitive fire, along with strong leadership skills, enabled Danny to win titles at every level during his long and decorated career. Incorporating Danny's talents and experience will benefit our staff and players as we look to grow and develop each and every year. As one of our all-time great captains, Danny epitomizes the core values of an IU soccer player. Having Danny back at Indiana will help IU soccer continue build upon our proud tradition of excellence."
During his four-year career, IU posted an overall record of 69-15-9, winning four regular season Big Ten titles, two Big Ten Tournament championships and appeared in three College Cups. O’Rourke was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time Soccer America Collegiate MVP Team honoree. He was also named to the First-Team College Soccer News All-Freshman Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2001.
O’Rourke was also a standout in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times and Capital One/ CoSIDA Academic All-District distinction twice. In 2004, O’Rourke took home the top academic honor in the country, as he was named United Soccer Coaches Scholar Athlete of the Year.
After his tremendous career at Indiana, O’Rourke was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. O’Rourke played 11 seasons in the MLS with the Earthquakes, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers, earning 186 starts in 200 career matches. O’Rourke is a two-time MLS Cup winner, taking home the title with the Columbus Crew in 2008 and the Portland Timbers in 2015.
After retiring from the MLS, O’Rourke served as an undergraduate assistant coach with the Hoosiers during the 2016 season. With O’Rourke’s help, the Hoosiers posted a record of 12-2-7 and made the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
O’Rourke also served as the performance director at The Spot Athletics for a year, where he focused on implementing strength, movement capacity and resilience to both high school and college athletes.
O’Rourke earned his degree in Liberal Studies from Indiana in May of 2017, with an emphasis in biochemistry, neuroscience and kinesiology.
The Hoosiers were dominant in Big Ten Conference play during the unique 2020-21 season and captured a historic conference championship double. For the second time in program history, Indiana claimed the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles in three-straight seasons. IU finished the abbreviated season with an overall record of 12-2-2 and as the second-ranked team in the country. Indiana cleaned up the B1G postseason awards, winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (Victor Bezerra), Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year (Roman Celentano) and placing five players on either the first or second all-conference team. Indiana’s dream postseason run ended abruptly in the national championship match in a double overtime game against Marshall. Bezerra and Celentano were joined by Spencer Glass at United Soccer Coaches All-America selections. The 2020 season was postponed to the spring of ’21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana pulled off the Big Ten double for the second-straight season in 2019, winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles for the 10th time in program history. The 2019 campaign, coupled with the double in 2018, marked the first back-to-back double for the Hoosiers since the 1998-99 seasons. IU finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation with an overall record of 15-3-4. For the third-straight season, O'Rourke and the IU coaching staff were named Men's North Region Staff of the Year for DI Institutions by United Soccer Coaches.
The 2018 season was another historic one for Indiana, as the Hoosiers won both the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships for the first time since 2006. IU advanced to the College Cup for the second-straight season and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the nation with an overall record of 20-3-1. Also for the second-straight season, Robson and the IU coaching staff were named Men's North Region Staff of the Year for DI Institutions by United Soccer Coaches.
O’Rourke established himself as one of the best Hoosiers in program history in his four seasons in Bloomington, helping IU win NCAA Championships in 2003 and 2004, serving as team captain both years. After his senior season, O’Rourke won the 2004 MAC Hermann Trophy, given to the top-player in the nation, after earning First-Team All-America honors.
"We are very excited to bring Danny back to IU,” Yeagley remarked at the time of O'Rourke's hiring. “Danny brings a wealth of experience to our soccer program after playing professionally for 11 years in MLS. Danny's attention to detail, work ethic, competitive fire, along with strong leadership skills, enabled Danny to win titles at every level during his long and decorated career. Incorporating Danny's talents and experience will benefit our staff and players as we look to grow and develop each and every year. As one of our all-time great captains, Danny epitomizes the core values of an IU soccer player. Having Danny back at Indiana will help IU soccer continue build upon our proud tradition of excellence."
During his four-year career, IU posted an overall record of 69-15-9, winning four regular season Big Ten titles, two Big Ten Tournament championships and appeared in three College Cups. O’Rourke was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time Soccer America Collegiate MVP Team honoree. He was also named to the First-Team College Soccer News All-Freshman Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2001.
O’Rourke was also a standout in the classroom, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times and Capital One/ CoSIDA Academic All-District distinction twice. In 2004, O’Rourke took home the top academic honor in the country, as he was named United Soccer Coaches Scholar Athlete of the Year.
After his tremendous career at Indiana, O’Rourke was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. O’Rourke played 11 seasons in the MLS with the Earthquakes, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers, earning 186 starts in 200 career matches. O’Rourke is a two-time MLS Cup winner, taking home the title with the Columbus Crew in 2008 and the Portland Timbers in 2015.
After retiring from the MLS, O’Rourke served as an undergraduate assistant coach with the Hoosiers during the 2016 season. With O’Rourke’s help, the Hoosiers posted a record of 12-2-7 and made the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
O’Rourke also served as the performance director at The Spot Athletics for a year, where he focused on implementing strength, movement capacity and resilience to both high school and college athletes.
O’Rourke earned his degree in Liberal Studies from Indiana in May of 2017, with an emphasis in biochemistry, neuroscience and kinesiology.
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
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Monday, September 15
