Hibernian Radio June 20, 2026

This week on Hibernian Radio, Paddy Houlihan welcomes back John O’Connor, a retired Chicago Police Department sergeant, longtime coach, and current educator at Mount Carmel High School. Drawing on 25 years with CPD and decades of coaching experience, John reflects on a life dedicated to service, mentorship, and helping young people find their path. The conversation explores John’s transition from the 9th District to the classroom, where he now teaches AP Psychology, works in admissions and student engagement, and coaches freshman football at Mount Carmel. Paddy and John discuss the surprising similarities between policing, coaching, and teaching, and why positive male role models remain so important in the lives of young men. John also highlights Mount Carmel’s First Responders Club, a growing program that supports students whose parents serve as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders. He shares the powerful impact of taking students to the St. Jude Memorial Parade and helping them better understand the sacrifices their families make every day. The discussion touches on Mount Carmel’s tradition of service, its diverse student body drawn from more than 100 ZIP codes, the value of athletics in building community, and the school’s mission of helping boys become responsible young men. John also offers insight into freshman football, admissions, shadow days, and scholarship opportunities available to prospective students. It’s an uplifting conversation about faith, family, service, and the lasting impact one person can have on the next generation.