Olivia Gaines played under Dawn Staley. Now she’s building career as college coach
Olivia Gaines is off to a solid start as head coach of the Allen women’s basketball team.
The former Gamecock took over a program this past season that recorded just one winning season since moving to the Division II level in 2021 and immediately put it on the winning track.
Allen went 18-9 overall and recorded a 13-6 record in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this past season.
Gaines told The State last year she wanted to record 20 wins and earn the SIAC Coach of the Year award in her first season. Gaines missed on both, but she’s aiming for those marks — and more — again in year two.
“(I’m) kind of almost never satisfied, in some sense,” Gaines said. “We definitely have to be better, and I think we will be better. The goals were close to being on point, but we just fell short. ... My goals will probably be a little bit higher. I still want the 20 wins, and I still want coach of the year, but also want to win a conference too. I think it’s very doable.”
Allen’s mark for overall wins and conference victories were both historic marks. The 18 wins were the most in a single season in Allen’s NCAA era (the school was NAIA prior to 2021) as well as the most conference wins since the program rejoined the SIAC in 2021.
Allen being second in the SIAC East Division was the highest finish in program history.
The fact Gaines is seeing success shouldn’t come as a shock. She compiled a 49-5 record across her last two head coaching stops at Richard Bland College and USC Salkehatchie. She’s also a product of Hall of Fame coach Dawn Staley.
Gaines played two seasons under Staley at South Carolina. She appeared in 67 games off the bench and was a member of the 2015 Final Four team.
The two coaches still have a great relationship, and Gaines said she’ll go to Staley to pick her brain often. Gaines doesn’t run her program exactly like Staley does, but she said a key thing she’s picked up from Staley is the importance of player relationships.
“Always having a relationship with your kids on and off the court,” Gaines said. “Don’t make it always about basketball because at the end of the day, kids go do different things in life and they want to know that somebody’s in that corner, and you’re supposed to be that person.”
Gaines had lots of help at Allen on the court from two star players in year one.
She helped produce the SIAC Player of the Year in Taliah Wesley. The senior guard led the conference with 17.8 points per game, averaged 8.2 rebounds per game and shot 44% from the field. That kind of success was vital to the team and also helps on the recruiting trail, Gaines said.
“That kid is just – she’s tough as nails,” Gaines said. “I love her to death. The turnaround from when I got her versus last year was tremendous. ... It’s amazing, a great accomplishment. She’s proud of herself, and she worked hard. She watched extra film, she did all the little things to put herself in that position to get that award.”
Gaines also found a player to help build around in the future. Eboni Clay was named the SIAC Freshman of the Year after leading all freshmen in the conference with 11.3 points per game.
“The next goal now she wants for herself as player of the year,” Gaines said. “This kid, again, she works extremely hard, and also she’s just bought in on the vision. She wants to win. ... Some things I’d like to see from her — I told her it’s gonna be tough — but probably just more of her being a little bit more vocal. I think that brings her game to a whole ’nother notch.”
Wesley and Clay were the first ever to win SIAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in Allen program history, respectively.
Gaines is hoping to build off a successful year one this winter when Allen returns to the court. The Yellow Jackets are bringing back six players from last year’s team to go with six newcomers, one of which is former JUCO All-American Jasmine Norman.
There’s still plenty of time before the 2025-26 season kicks off, but Gaines is already confident the Yellow Jackets will take another step in the right direction in year two.
“It’s looking bright. Just got to put it together,” Gaines said.
