Dr. Zo
Dr. Zac “Zo” O’Dell — The Quiet Force Who Elevates Every Gym He Walks Into
Every program hopes to find a coach who changes the way players think about the game. For us, that coach is Dr. Zac “Zo” O’Dell — the steady, humble, brilliant teacher whose presence immediately lifts the level of any gym he steps into.
He mastered chemical reactions at Temple, but his best chemistry has always been between teammates.
A Swarthmore Standout
At Swarthmore, Dr. Zo wasn’t just productive — he was transformative.
A 6’7” forward with a high defensive IQ and an efficient offensive game, he helped elevate the program into national prominence.
Career Highlights
Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year
First-Team All-Centennial Conference
1,000+ career points
700+ rebounds
150+ blocks (Top 5 in school history)
50%+ field goal shooter
Helped Swarthmore reach the NCAA Tournament
The Coach He Has Become
What separates Dr. Zo is not just his basketball mind, but his versatility and humility — the same curiosity and discipline that fueled his research.
A Coach for Every Level
3rd & 4th grade boys — building fundamentals and confidence
Middle school teams — teaching reads, spacing, and reactions
High school girls — elevating advanced concepts and defensive detail
On the court, he teaches chemistry in a different form:
players moving together, trusting each other, building something greater than themselves.
Why Players Gravitate Toward Dr. Zo
Players trust him because:
He teaches with clarity, not volume
He respects every kid
He simplifies the complex — in science and in basketball
He makes every player feel valued
He is a culture-builder in the purest form.
A Future We’re Proud Of — And A Coach We Will Miss
We’re surely going to miss him at Next Play, as he begins a two-year research assignment in Spain, studying under one of the top scholars in his field — the next step toward a life in academia.
Yesterday, Dr. Zac O’Dell defended his dissertation at Temple University, presenting years of research in front of friends and family. And he celebrated in the most “Zo” way possible: by heading to a Swarthmore men’s basketball game, reconnecting with former teammates and coaches who helped shape his journey.
Whether in a classroom, a lab, or a gym full of kids learning to pivot and pass, Dr. Zo continues to do what he does best:
teach, elevate, connect — and build chemistry everywhere he goes.
He leaves our program better than he found it.
And that’s the highest compliment any coach can earn.
