O’Connor’s David Collenback Reaches 400-Win Milestone

San Antonio O’Connor got a much-needed win last Friday evening as the Panthers defeated the San Antonio Johnson Jaguars 6-3 and evened up their Area Round series at one game apiece. The game also marked a milestone for O’Connor Head Baseball Coach David Collenback as he picked up win #400 in his 20 years as a High School Head Baseball Coach.

The Panthers lost to Johnson in game 3 of their series the next day but it marked another winning season for O’Connor and their 17th playoff appearance in 19 years. O’Connor was the 28-6A District Champion this year and finished the season with a record of 21-11.

Collenback has been the only Head Baseball Coach since O’Connor High School opened its doors back in 1998. The school did not have a senior class that first year and the baseball team started all sophomores except for 2 juniors and 1 freshman. They still ended up one win away from making the playoffs.

Collenback recalled the very first game that team played. “Our very first game was held at O’Connor High School, which is unusual because NISD schools play at the complex. We beat San Antonio Edison 8-0 and our lead-off hitter (Jared Rogers) hit a home run on the first strike pitched to him.”

A particular game that sticks out for Coach Collenback is the time he had three runners thrown out at home in one inning as O’Connor was desperately trying to pick up a run.

Over the 19 years, O’Connor has had 3 players drafted and has had a dozen All-State players. Collenback is quick to point out that these players were instrumental to him reaching the 400-win milestone.

Collenback has served as Vice President of the SAABC, San Antonio’s local baseball association and was part of the State All-Star Selection Committee for the THSBCA North/South State All-Star Games. In 2014, he was selected as the Head Coach of the 5A-6A South All-Star team.

In 2013, Collenback led the Panthers to the 5A State Semifinals and was named the San Antonio Express News Coach of the Year.

Collenback keeps an open-door policy with former players who contact him frequently. “I’m a coach that gets to know our players in their personal life, not just their baseball life,” he explained. If you follow Coach Collenback on twitter, it’s not uncommon to see a picture of one of his former players making a visit to a practice.

THSB congratulates Coach David Collenback on reaching this milestone in his career!