O.J. Sheppard is a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) nationally licensed coach. He was born in Coburg, Germany, and moved to New York at age 11.

As a young adult, O.J. played professional soccer with the Indiana Daredevils of the American Soccer League. He later returned to Germany where he played semi-professional soccer while working as a special agent Criminal investigator. In 1989, O.J. relocated to Tennessee to work as an industrial security specialist with BWXT Y-12.

O.J. has served as the head boys coach for the Tennessee State Olympic Development Program (ODP), directing the training and skills development of all five age-group teams. In addition, he has been head coach for the under-16 girls ODP state team and staff coach for the Region III ODP program. He has also directed the Krossfire Soccer Club since its beginning.

Under the leadership of OJ, the Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats have recorded a 197-51-17 record while maintaining one of the toughest schedules in the state.  His teams have been ranked in the Tennessee Top Ten every week for the past ten years except for the opening weekend in 1996.  The Lady Wildcats have reached the regional final the past four years, winning three regional championships and have made it to the state tourney four consecutive years. In his first season as the boys coach, OJ guided the Soccer Cats to a 27-12-2 record and two district titles..

O.J. is married to Brigitte Sheppard, who also is from Germany and is a former soccer player, too. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.  The stable of grandchildren will include four girls and one boy, the apparent making of another team.