James Joseph O’Hora (February 16, 1915 – August 5, 2005) was an American college football coach for over 30 years.
His father, Michael, was an immigrant from Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland who entered the United States through Ellis Island.
While playing center for the Penn State Nittany Lions under Coach Bob Higgins, O’Hora lettered in 1933, 1934 and 1935.
His coaching career began in 1936, as a graduate assistant at Penn State University while working on his master's degree.
On November 28, 1942, he married Elizabeth Emily Miller a social studies teacher from Mahanoy City, at Queen of All Saints RCC, Brooklyn, New York.
[2] After the war he returned to Mahanoy Township for one year before joining the Penn State coaching staff in 1946.
* [5] During his extraordinary tenure, he coached with such notables as: Earl Bruce, Frank Patrick, Al Michaels, Sever "Tor" Toretti, J.T.
[6] O’Hora retired from Penn State in 1977 as an Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
[7] It is annually presented to a defensive player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement" during spring practice.