Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Highlights - Coaching And Playing
Timeline
Generic

Olivia M. Gaines

Columbia

Summary

Experienced and results-driven women’s basketball coach with a proven track record of motivating and developing players to reach their full potential both academically and athletically. Skilled in fostering a positive and disciplined team culture that emphasizes hard work, personal growth, and success on and off the court. Known for building strong relationships with players, parents, coaches, and staff, and for maintaining the highest level of professionalism to create a winning program. Committed to long-term player development and team success.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Head Women's Basketball Coach

Allen University
03.2024 - Current
  • Team Leadership and Development

Oversee and manage all aspects of the team, including player development, coaching staff, and game strategy.

Develop practice schedules and drills that improve team performance, focusing on both individual and team skill development.


Provide mentorship and guidance to student-athletes, ensuring their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Foster a positive team culture focused on discipline, hard work, and collaboration.


Motivate players to achieve their personal and team goals while maintaining academic success.

  • Game Preparation and Strategy

Plan and execute game strategies and tactics based on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing teams.
Analyze game footage and scouting reports to develop effective game plans.


Make real-time decisions on player substitutions, playcalling, and in-game adjustments.


Review performance data (e.g., stats, film) to evaluate player performance and adjust strategies.

  • Recruiting

Actively recruit talented student-athletes by scouting potential recruits, attending recruiting events, and maintaining relationships with high school, junior college, and club basketball programs.


Evaluate talent, interview recruits, and ensure they meet both athletic and academic standards.


Maintain an organized recruiting process, including following up with prospects, hosting campus visits, and communicating with recruits and their families.

  • Staff Management and Coordination

Hire and manage assistant coaches, support staff, and other personnel.


Assign specific roles and responsibilities to assistant coaches, ensuring effective collaboration and communication.


Provide feedback and professional development opportunities for coaching staff to enhance team success.


Coordinate the scheduling of practices, games, and team meetings.

  • Academic Support

Monitor student-athletes' academic progress and ensure they meet eligibility requirements.


Support players in balancing their academic responsibilities with their athletic commitments.


Encourage and promote academic excellence within the team and provide resources for students in need of academic support.

  • Fundraising and Budget Management

Plan and execute fundraising initiatives to support the team’s budget, including events, donations, and community engagement.


Manage the program's budget, allocating resources for travel, equipment, scholarships, and other team needs.


  • Community and Media Relations

Represent the team at various events, including booster clubs, community organizations, and public speaking engagements.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, and media outlets.


Oversee the team’s social media presence and work with public relations departments to promote the program.
Coordinate with school administration to ensure the team’s image aligns with the institution’s values.

  • Scheduling and Travel

Coordinate the scheduling of games, including regular-season and postseason matches.


Organize and oversee team travel arrangements, including transportation, accommodations, and meals for away games.
Ensure compliance with athletic department policies regarding travel and conduct.

  • Compliance and Safety

Stay informed about league regulations, NCAA or conference rules, and ensure compliance with all relevant governing bodies.

  • Program and Player Evaluation

Evaluate player performance through metrics, practice observation, and game reviews.


Provide individual feedback and areas for improvement to players in one-on-one meetings.


Conduct team evaluations and adjust strategies to ensure overall program success.


Assistant Coach

Georgia Southern University
06.2023 - 03.2024
  • Social Media Coordinator

Manage the team's social media accounts, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, to enhance visibility and engagement with fans, alumni, and recruits.

  • Coordinator for Honorary Coaches

Organize and coordinate the involvement of honorary coaches for home games and special events.


Ensure honorary coaches have a memorable experience by handling logistics, including seating, meeting the team, and access to practices or games.


Maintain communication with honorary coaches, ensuring they are well-informed about game schedules, team performance, and special events.

  • Trainer Liaison

Serve as the primary point of contact between the coaching staff and athletic trainers to monitor player health and injury recovery.


Coordinate player rehabilitation and recovery plans with trainers, ensuring players are cleared for participation in practices and games.


  • Equipment Liaison


  • Oversee Donor List

Maintain and update a list of team donors and sponsors, ensuring regular communication and acknowledgment of their contributions.


Assist in organizing donor events, fundraisers, and community outreach programs.


Collaborate with the head coach and athletic department to ensure that donor engagement and relationship-building efforts are effective and well-coordinated.


Monitor donor contributions and ensure the team’s financial needs are met through effective fundraising initiatives.

  • Guard Development

Focus on the development of guards through individual workouts, skill development, and position-specific drills.
Work on developing skills such as ball-handling, shooting, passing, defense, and basketball IQ with guards.


Provide feedback and guidance to guards, focusing on enhancing their game performance and decision-making abilities on the court.


Assist with game preparation for guards by developing tailored training sessions to address weaknesses and build on strengths.

  • Recruit Male Practice Players

Identify and recruit male practice players to help simulate opponents’ styles of play during practices.

  • Recruit Student-Athletes

Assist in recruiting student-athletes by evaluating high school, junior college, and club players.


Attend recruiting events, such as high school games, tournaments, and showcases, to identify potential prospects.


Communicate with prospective student-athletes, their coaches, and families to evaluate their academic and athletic potential.

  • Break Down Film (Synergy) / Scouting Reports

Analyze game film using Synergy Sports Technology to break down both team and individual player performance.


Prepare detailed scouting reports on upcoming opponents, identifying key players, strategies, and tendencies.


Provide the coaching staff and players with analysis and recommendations based on film breakdowns.


Assist in preparing video clips for team meetings and practice sessions to help players understand opponent strategies and improve team performance.

Head Coach

Richard Bland College
03.2022 - 06.2023
  • Team Leadership and Development
  • Game Preparation and Strategy
  • Recruiting
  • Staff Management and Coordination
  • Academic Support
  • Fundraising and Budget Management
  • Community and Media Relations
  • Scheduling and Travel
  • Compliance and Safety
  • Program and Player Evaluation
  • Alumni and Donor Engagement

Head Coach

USC Salkehatchie
05.2020 - 03.2022
  • Team Leadership and Development
  • Game Preparation and Strategy
  • Recruiting
  • Staff Management and Coordination
  • Academic Support
  • Fundraising and Budget Management
  • Community and Media Relations
  • Scheduling and Travel
  • Compliance and Safety
  • Program and Player Evaluation
  • Alumni and Donor Engagement

Assistant Coach

Vassar College
09.2019 - 04.2020
  • Assist in Leading Practice
  • Recruitment of Student-Athletes
  • Game Strategy and Substitutions
  • Individual Player Development
  • Film Analysis & Scouting Reports
  • Practice Setup and Breakdown
  • Game Day Preparation and Support

Head Coach

Andrew Jackson High School
07.2018 - 08.2019
  • Hire and manage assistant coaches
  • Coordinate practice sessions and game scheduling
  • Make in-game substitutions
  • Lead skill development initiatives
  • Oversee inventory management
  • Analyze and coordinate scouting reports
  • Supervise study hall and academic support
  • Plan and execute fundraising initiatives

Head Coach

Fort Dorchester High School
06.2017 - 07.2018
  • Hire and manage assistant coaches
  • Coordinate practice sessions and game scheduling
  • Make in-game substitutions
  • Lead skill development initiatives
  • Oversee inventory management
  • Analyze and coordinate scouting reports
  • Supervise study hall and academic support
  • Plan and execute fundraising initiatives

Head Coach

Cross High School
05.2016 - 05.2017
  • Oversee practice sessions, game scheduling, and in-game substitutions
  • Lead skill development programs
  • Manage and maintain team inventory
  • Supervise study hall and academic support
  • Coordinate and analyze scouting reports

Assistant Coach

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
12.2015 - 05.2016
  • Team Leadership & Development: Led player development, focusing on individual and team skills, fostering a positive team culture, and guiding players’ academic success.
  • Recruiting & Scouting: Recruited and evaluated student-athletes, including organizing recruitment events, maintaining relationships with prospects, and ensuring talent meets athletic and academic standards.
  • Game Preparation & Strategy: Collaborated in developing game strategies, analyzing film, and preparing scouting reports to create winning tactics.
  • Staff & Program Coordination: Worked closely with coaching staff to schedule practices, games, and team meetings, ensuring smooth daily operations and communication within the program.
  • Fundraising & Community Engagement: Assisted in fundraising initiatives and community outreach, supporting the program financially and enhancing visibility.

Education

Bachelor Degree - Sociology

University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
12.2015

Associate of Arts - Sociology

Louisburg College
Louisburg, NC
05.2013

Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Game strategy
  • Player development
  • Recruiting talent
  • Staff management
  • Scouting reports
  • Social media management
  • Motivational coaching
  • Character development
  • Team bonding
  • Recruitment
  • Game analysis
  • Proficient in Synergy
  • Game strategy development

Highlights - Coaching And Playing

Chester Senior High School, Chester, South Carolina

  • Earned All-Region honors in 2010 and 2011
  • Selected to the 2010 and 2011 Herald All-Area Team
  • Named 2011 Region Player of the Year and All-State Player

Louisburg College

  • Led the team to back-to-back Conference Tournament Championships in 2012 and 2013
  • Secured the 2012 and 2013 Season Championship titles
  • Awarded 2013 JUCO Player of the Year

University of South Carolina

  • Played a pivotal role in winning the 2014 SEC Championship
  • Contributed to the team’s 2014 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and 2015 Final Four run

Cross High School

  • Developed 2 All-Region players (Jayla Ravenell and Sha'Tyra Moore)
  • Achieved the best record in school history (21-2)
  • Led the team to a first-place finish in the region and the 3rd round of playoffs for the first time in school history
  • Recognized as Coach of the Year

Fort Dorchester High School

  • Led the team to its best record in school history (20-6)
  • Secured the first-ever playoff appearance, advancing to the 3rd round
  • Developed 3 All-Region players

Andrew Jackson High School

  • Honored as Coach of the Year
  • Coached 4 All-Region players, the first in school history
  • Achieved a program-best 22-5 record

Vassar College (D3)

  • Led the team to a strong 21-7 season finish

USC Salkehatchie (JUCO)

  • Finished the season 22-2, ranked 5th in the nation
  • Awarded Coach of the Year (Region 10)
  • Recruited Mariah Igus, who was named Player of the Year

Richard Bland College

  • Achieved an outstanding 29-3 season record
  • Developed 2 All-Americans (Jasmine Norman and Auzhane Allard)
  • Auzhane Allard was named Player of the Year
  • Won the Region 10 Championship and ranked #2 in the NJCAA
  • Beat the #1 team in the country and became National Runner-Up
  • Named Coach of the Year (Region 10) in the program’s first year

Timeline

Head Women's Basketball Coach

Allen University
03.2024 - Current

Assistant Coach

Georgia Southern University
06.2023 - 03.2024

Head Coach

Richard Bland College
03.2022 - 06.2023

Head Coach

USC Salkehatchie
05.2020 - 03.2022

Assistant Coach

Vassar College
09.2019 - 04.2020

Head Coach

Andrew Jackson High School
07.2018 - 08.2019

Head Coach

Fort Dorchester High School
06.2017 - 07.2018

Head Coach

Cross High School
05.2016 - 05.2017

Assistant Coach

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
12.2015 - 05.2016

Bachelor Degree - Sociology

University of South Carolina

Associate of Arts - Sociology

Louisburg College
Olivia M. Gaines