Photo: Mark Thor

In a series of moves made by the Orlando City SC coaching staff Friday, Midfielder James O’Connor’s promotion to player/coach was one of the headlines as the Lions begin preparation for the 2014 season. The Dublin, Ireland, native has been waiting for an opportunity to get a coaching job for quite some time, and sees no better place to start than with his current club, Orlando City.

“It’s something I’ve prepared for,” said O’Connor in a phone interview. “I started pursuing my coaching licenses in my early 20s. I knew that once I was finished playing, it was what I was going to do.”

O’Connor is looking forward to working with Assistant Coach Ian Fuller (who will move squarely into a coaching role) and Head Coach Adrian Heath. He spoke highly of Heath, saying that its not often you will be paired with one of the country’s best.

“To be given the opportunity to coach alongside Adrian is a big break for me,” O’Connor added. “You look at the last three seasons and he’s clearly been one of the most successful managers in the US. Continuing to learn under him is something I’m really looking forward to.”

O’Connor has spent his off time revamping the Orlando City Summer Camps over the past year, making it a premier youth program known throughout the state. When asked about if there’s any link between the youth and pro coaching styles, the Irishman stated there’s a philosophy change that occurs when switching between the two.

“I think it’s different when you’re coaching younger players,” he said. “Once you start to deal with the pro levels, you still try to develop guys on the field – but your standards are a lot higher. You have to win games. There’s a big difference.”

The midfielder has been an active part of the Lions’ successes over the past two seasons since joining the club in the 2011-12 offseason, becoming a key player in Head Coach Adrian Heath’s system. Despite the added role on the sidelines, O’Connor said that continuing to learn at every aspect will be important moving forward.

“I think I’ve always tried to come back better from the previous year,” he added. “I’m keen to learn from the coaching staff here in Orlando, as I have been the last two years. I’m going to try to build along the successes from the previous year. 2014 is a big year and we’re desperate to continue the successes we saw in 2012 and 2013.”