More than Wins-How Tim Greenan Shaped a School

By Owen Kimball

SEATTLE- Tim Greenan never needed a whistle to command attention. At O'Dea, his presence echoed louder than any scoreboard or championship banner. Students don’t just remember the wins—they remember his kind greetings, the calm voice, wise words and the way he made each person feel seen. Football was part of his story, sure, but the real legacy was how he made O’Dea a place you wanted to be. 

His connection to the school runs deep. Greenan graduated from O’Dea in 1980, left for college, and eventually found his way back home. In 1990 he was appointed to coach football, and five years later he was hired as a varsity coach and teacher. His commitment to the school became a family legacy as well. Both of his sons graduated from O’Dea, something he speaks about with pride. 

Over the years he became more than a coach or an administrator. He became the person who connected the school together. He moved from the front office to the locker room with the same sense of purpose. He believed that the work done in the classroom and the work done on the field were not separate. They were two sides of the same mission. He wanted young men to grow, to learn, and to leave O’Dea better than they arrived. 

Senior Harry Finestone described him in a way that captures how many of his peers see him. “He is an outstanding guy. He is in my brotherhood block and he always tries to give advice that is relevant to us kids and we all appreciate his wisdom and genuineness.” For a school built on community, that kind of presence matters. 

During my interview with him, Greenan explained his philosophy with a simplicity that made it clear he had lived it for years. “If all we do is hang banners and we do not help these kids grow as men, it’s the work that you don’t see,” he said. “I don’t really coach to leave a legacy, I do it because it’s what I love” That belief is what distinguishes him from other coaches. 

This past season tested him in ways he never expected. In mid October, he suffered a tibial plateau fracture. It required surgery and left him unable to walk for three months. It was the kind of injury that would sideline most people from everything. Yet he kept showing up. He attended practices, meetings, and the entire playoff run while dealing with pain that he later admitted was worse than an ACL tear. He even found a way to bring humor into it. “Our big guys on the team were banged up so why not have a coach go down too,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood during a season filled with pressure and expectations. 

When I asked him why he stayed so involved, his answer came without hesitation. “When I first got hurt the thing I wanted to do most was give back to the football team because it is something that I love and enjoy.” It was not about obligation. He added that he did not want to let down the team, especially seniors who were playing their last season for O’Dea Football. 

His players saw that. His colleagues saw it too. Even when he was in pain, even when he could not walk, he showed up with the same calm presence that has defined his time at O’Dea. He modeled resilience in a way that did not need to be announced. It was simply who he was. 

Greenan’s legacy at O’Dea is not defined by back to back state championships or a win loss record. It is defined by the culture he helped build and nurture. A culture where expectations were high, support was real, and football served as a vehicle for something larger. Ask anyone who sees him in the hallway, or waiting for students to return from lunch and they will tell you the same thing. He did not just coach a team, He helped shape a school.