Kwame Oduro has joined the Oregon State coaching staff, Head Coach Caroline Kelly announced on Friday.
“Adding Kwame to our coaching staff is an exciting step forward for our program. His experience, passion, and commitment to excellence are exactly what we need as we continue to grow and push forward,” Coach Kelly said. “I’m thrilled to welcome him and his family to the Oregon State community and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
Oduro comes to Corvallis after 10 seasons as the head coach of the St. Bonaventure men’s soccer program, where the Bonnies won 49 games, had six Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selections, two United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees and four A-10 Academic selections. During the 2024 season, Oduro’s Bonnies went 2-2-1 against teams who competed in the NCAA Tournament, while his tenure also included a victory in 2017 over then-ranked No. 17 VCU to make the A-10 Playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
In total, nine players went on to sign professional contracts, with several others earning professional trials.
“Thank you to Coach Caroline, Coach Livv and Jeff Macy for welcoming my family and I to Corvallis. I’m beyond thrilled to join the Oregon State University family,” Oduro said. “After 10 incredible years as a head coach, I’m eager to bring my experience, passion, and expertise to a new challenge. I’m impressed by the program’s rich history, talented student-athletes and commitment to winning championships, and am excited to contribute to the team’s success, support the growth of our players and be part of the OSU community. Go Beavs!”
Prior to leading the SBU program, Oduro spent four years as an assistant at Canisius College, where he helped the Golden Griffins’ potent attack that ranked as high as No. 30 for scoring offense and received multiple top 25 votes. In 2014, the team set a school record for wins in a single season, which included eight shutouts, and Canisius twice received the NSCAA Academic Team Award with a team GPA of at least 3.0.
He also coached at Nyack College and with the New England Revolution Empire Youth Club team.
As a player, Oduro was a standout for the Niagara Purple Eagles from 2004 to 2006. In 2006, he captained the Purple Eagles to one of the most successful seasons in school history, placing second in the MAAC standings, the program’s highest finish, and ranked fifth in the NSCAA North Atlantic Region; for his efforts, Oduro was named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team and ranked in the top 20 in the NCAA in points.
Following his playing career at Niagara, Oduro spent time with the Cleveland Internationals in the PDL.
Born in Accra, Ghana, and raised in Toronto, Canada, his playing career began at Houghton College where he was named the AMC Freshman of the Year, leading the team with 13 goals and guiding the squad to a NAIA Region IX Final Four appearance.
Oduro is joined in Corvallis by his wife, Katie, and their three children: Gabriella, Elijah and Noah.
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