Updated: This story has been updated with an interview with Kelsie O’Neill.
Per release from North Platte Catholic Schools
North Platte Catholic Schools is excited to announce that 2008 graduate of North Platte St. Pat’s, Kelsie (O’Connor) O’Neill, will replace the Lady Irish’s head coach Nathan Stienike next season, who stepped down from the position after 19 years.
O’Neill played basketball under the direction of Nathan Stienike all four years of her high school career and most recently, served as his assistant coach for the Irish program during the 2021-2022 season. Kelsie is in her 10th year of teaching and currently a 6th grade teacher at McDaid Elementary in North Platte.
“Coach Stienike has left some pretty big shoes to fill. It’s been a blessing to be able to come back to my alma-mater and work with these young women. I told myself at the beginning of last season I was only going to help out for one year. The desire to return and be around these girls for another season is a true testament to their character. This St. Pat’s community of students and families is unlike any other. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach these girls.”
Prior to moving back to North Platte, Kelsie and her husband lived in Lincoln for 12 years. During that time, she earned a bachelor’s degree as a dual major in elementary education and special education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012. Kelsie taught for eight years at St. John’s Catholic School in Lincoln. In 2014 and 2015 O’Neill had received the opportunity to gain experience coaching girls basketball at Lincoln Pius X where the Thunderbolts earned runner-up and championship titles at the Nebraska State Tournament.
Kelsie is married to Sean O’Neill, a 2007 graduate of St. Pat’s and together have two children, Ryan (7) and Remi (5) .
