DURHAM – North Carolina Central officially named Olivia Gaines as its new head women’s basketball coach on May 8. An official press conference will be held May 13, 10 a.m., at the William Jones building on campus.

An emerging coach in the profession, Gaines has produced successful seasons at multiple collegiate programs, most recently at the SIAC’s Allen, which recorded back-to-back winning records the past two years.

“We are thrilled to welcome coach Gaines to the Eagle family,” NCCU Director of Athletics Louis “Skip” Perkins said. “She is a proven winner at every level and has shown the ability to develop and nurture student-athletes while building successful teams. We believe coach Gaines is the right person to elevate the program.”

Allen posted a 36-19 record, including a 29-14 conference mark, in the SIAC from 2024 to 2026. Under her leadership, Tailah Wesley was named SIAC player of the year and Eboni Clay was chosen SIAC freshman of the year in the 2024-25 season. It is the first time an Allen player won either award.

Gaines returned to a head coaching role after one season (2023-24) as an assistant at Georgia Southern.

Prior to her time at Georgia Southern, Gaines gained a winning reputation in the junior college ranks. In the 2022-23 season, she guided Richard Bland to a 29-3 record and a trip to the NJCAA national championship game, finishing runner-up in its first-ever season.

Her first collegiate head coaching position was at USC Salkehatchie from 2020-22. Gaines led the Indians to a 20-2 mark and the NJCAA Region 10 Championship in her first season (2020-21). She was named Region 10 coach of the year for her efforts.

Before embarking on a coaching career, Gaines tasted success as a collegiate basketball player, most notably at South Carolina under head coach Dawn Staley. Gaines was a sought-after recruit after two stellar seasons at Louisburg College, where she was named junior college player of the year and led Louisburg to the NJCAA Division II national title in 2013.

Gaines is a native of Chester, South Carolina.

Comments