News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M equestrian associate head coach Abby O’Mara represented the Aggies at the inaugural SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum, a program focused on professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities for selected assistant coaches, in Atlanta, Ga., earlier this summer.
“I am so thankful to Texas A&M and the SEC for the opportunity to attend the SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum,” said O’Mara. “I was able to network with coaches of all sports across the SEC and meet some really incredible people. As well, I heard from speakers including Nick Saban, Greg Sankey, Dawn Staley and Dennis Gates. They all had tremendous stories to share and advice to assistant coaches with the dream to one day be a head coach. The SEC is committed to preparing coaches for their futures, and this was obvious at the forum. I am very grateful to be a part of a conference that gives back to its coaches in this way.”
The forum aimed to empower coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to ascend to head coaching positions in their respective sports. The two-day event featured a comprehensive lineup of panels and sessions aimed at providing guidance on navigating the coaching landscape. The assistant coaches were selected by their respective school to attend.
O’Mara is entering her eighth season on the Texas A&M staff and third as the associate head coach. During her time in Aggieland, she has developed 13 National Collegiate Equestrian Association All-Americans and 16 All-SEC honorees. In 2024, O’Mara garnered NCEA Jumping Seat Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Aggies to a 10-4 record in Fences and a 7-5-2 mark in Flat.
Attendees gained valuable insights from invited speakers that included:
- Nick Saban, ESPN analyst and former head football coach
- Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach
- Dennis Gates, University of Missouri men’s basketball head coach
- Josh Brooks, University of Georgia J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics
- Greg Byrne, University of Alabama director of athletics
- Elle Duncan, ESPN SportsCenter anchor
- Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
- Parker Executive Search team
The 2024 SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum attendees included:
- Amelia Hundley, University of Alabama, Gymnastics
- Pauline Love, University of Alabama, Women’s Basketball
- Sammy Scofield, University of Arkansas, Soccer
- Ira Bowman, Auburn University, Men’s Basketball
- Damitria Buchanan, Auburn University, Women’s Basketball
- Jabbar Juluke, University of Florida, Football
- Antonio Reynolds Dean, University of Georgia, Men’s Basketball
- Isoken Uzamere, University of Georgia, Women’s Basketball
- Blair Bergmann, University of Kentucky, STUNT
- Debbie Ferguson McKenzie, University of Kentucky, Track and Field
- Tamara Ards, Louisiana State University, Track and Field
- Bree Bennett, University of Mississippi, Track and Field
- Dempsey McGuigan, University of Mississippi, Track and Field
- April Thomas, Mississippi State University, Track and Field
- Anthony Tucker, Mississippi State University, Football
- Rob Summers, University of Missouri, Men’s Basketball
- Arielle Wilson, University of Missouri, Volleyball
- Austin Davis, University of Oklahoma, Track and Field
- Ryan Humphrey, University of Oklahoma, Men’s Basketball
- Winston Gandy, University of South Carolina, Women’s Basketball
- Eddie Shannon, University of South Carolina, Men’s Basketball
- Clayton White, University of South Carolina, Football
- Justin Gainey, University of Tennessee, Men’s Basketball
- Roman Tubner, University of Tennessee, Women’s Basketball
- Mitch Dalton, University of Texas, Women’s Swimming and Diving
- Abby O’Mara, Texas A&M University, Equestrian
- Alex Bailey, Vanderbilt University, Football
- Jill Kendall, Vanderbilt University, Lacrosse