Olivia Gaines, a former South Carolina player, will become the head coach of North Carolina Central's women's basketball team. She previously coached at Division II Allen University, achieving a strong record and notable success.
Key points
Olivia Gaines played for Dawn Staley at South Carolina
She coached at Allen University with a 36-19 record
Gaines is taking over at North Carolina Central
She has experience as a head coach at multiple levels
Gaines coached the SIAC Freshman of the Year at Allen
Mentioned in this story
Olivia GainesNorth Carolina CentralAllen UniversityRichard Bland CollegeGeorgia Southern
NJCAA Division II
Dawn Staleyâs coaching tree just grew another branch in Division I womenâs basketball.
Olivia Gaines, who played two seasons for Staley at South Carolina, will be named the next head coach at North Carolina Central, a person with direct knowledge of the hire told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official announcement is expected within the next few days.
Gaines takes over the program at the HBCU in Durham, North Carolina, after spending two seasons at Division II Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. She guided the Yellow Jackets to a 36-19 overall record and a 29-14 mark in conference play. In back-to-back seasons, Allen won 18 regular season games, setting a program record.
At Allen, Gaines also coached the SIAC Freshman of the Year, Eboni Clay. Gaines achieved success there despite being the only program in the conference competing without the complement of full scholarships.
Gaines has previously been an assistant coach at Georgia Southern, and was also the head coach at Richard Bland College â a junior college in Petersburg, Virginia. She led Richard Bland to a 29-3 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Division II national championship. Sheâs also been a high school head coach, the head coach at USC Salkehatchie, and had stops as an assistant in the NCAA Division II and III ranks.
A native of Chester, South Carolina, Gaines played for Staleyâs Gamecocks during key seasons when the program was building its foundation as a regular national title contender. When Gaines was a junior in the 2013-14 season, South Carolina won its first of 10 SEC regular season titles under Staley. The next season, the Gamecocks won the SEC Tournament and appeared in the Final Four for the first time.
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
Q&A
Who is Olivia Gaines and what is her coaching background?
Olivia Gaines is a former South Carolina player who has coached at Allen University and Richard Bland College, achieving significant success in both positions.
What are Olivia Gaines' accomplishments at Allen University?
At Allen University, Gaines led the team to a 36-19 overall record, including a 29-14 conference record, and won 18 regular season games in back-to-back seasons.
What is the significance of Olivia Gaines coaching at an HBCU?
Gaines' appointment as head coach at North Carolina Central represents a growing trend of former players taking leadership roles at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), promoting diversity in coaching.
When will the official announcement of Olivia Gaines' hiring be made?
The official announcement of Olivia Gaines' hiring as head coach is expected within the next few days.
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Dawn Staley, guard for the University of Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball team poses for a portrait during the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference college basketball season circa January 1991 at the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Dawn Staley takes a shot vs. the San Jose Lasers in an American Basketball League game in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 25, 1996.
USA's Dawn Staley during Olympic play against Korea in Atlanta on July 29, 1996.
USA' Dawn Staley, right, and Ruthie Bolton celebrate after winning the gold medal by defeating Brazil, 111-87, at the Atlanta Olympics on Aug. 4, 1996.
Dawn Staley celebrates in the arms of Natalie Wiliams after the women's gold medal basketball game at Super Dome on Olympic Park on Sept. 30, 2000 in Sydney, Australia.
The US Olympic Team, led by WNBA player Dawn Staley, enter the Olympic Stadium during the parade of athletes during the opening ceremonies in Athens on Aug. 13, 2004.
The USA's Dawn Staley jumps into the arms of teammate Diana Taurasi with the game ball as time runs out and dejected Kristi Harrower walks off the court in the women's basketball gold medal game on Aug. 28, 2004 in Athens, Greece. The USA beat Australia 74 - 63 to win the gold mdeal.
Temple University women's basketball coach Dawn Staley grins as her players warm up before practice at Temple University in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 2004. Dawn has won three Olympic gold medals, coaches for Temple and plays for the Charlotte WNBA team.
Houston Comets guard Dawn Staley brings the ball up court against the Washington Mystics on May 13, 2006. Staley is the starting point guard for the Comets, is head coach at Temple and coaches Team USA.
WNBA star, Temple Owls coach and USA Basketball assistant coach Dawn Staley is photographed in Durham, N.C. on Sept. 6, 2006.
(Standing, L to R) Nikki Graves-Henderson and her husband Edwin Henderson II representing the late Dr. E.B. Henderson, Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo, player Richard Guerin, contributor Russ Granik, coach Sylvia Hatchell, player Bernard King, player Gary Payton, coach Rick Pitino, player Dawn Staley, Jim Nantz representing, coach Guy V. Lewis (not pictured), Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva and (seated) coach Jerry Tarkanian hold their jerseys during the announcement of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 8, 2013.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley gives instructions to one of her players in the first half of a women's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle on Mar. 25, 2014.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 4, 2018.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies to win the Final Four championship game of the women's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 3, 2022.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with a referee during the third quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 3, 2023.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates by cutting down the net after a 86-75 win over Maryland after an Elite Eight NCAA Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 27, 2023.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley communicates with her players playing Texas A&M during the fourth quarter of the SEC Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 8, 2024.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with the team after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 10, 2024.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C., on March 22, 2024.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting down the net after the game in the finals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., on March 31, 2024.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
President Joe Biden and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on Sept. 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 87-75, for their third NCAA championship with head coach Dawn Staley.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the East Carolina Lady Pirates in the first half at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 17, 2024.
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with players in a break from playing Clemson during the second quarter at Littlejohn Coliseum on Nov. 20, 2024 in Clemson, S.C.
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley have words at the end of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 3, 2026.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley interacts with fans during practice at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out to her team as they play the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
1 / 29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
2 / 29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley, guard for the University of Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball team poses for a portrait during the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference college basketball season circa January 1991 at the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley takes a shot vs. the San Jose Lasers in an American Basketball League game in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 25, 1996.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
USA's Dawn Staley during Olympic play against Korea in Atlanta on July 29, 1996.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
USA' Dawn Staley, right, and Ruthie Bolton celebrate after winning the gold medal by defeating Brazil, 111-87, at the Atlanta Olympics on Aug. 4, 1996.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley celebrates in the arms of Natalie Wiliams after the women's gold medal basketball game at Super Dome on Olympic Park on Sept. 30, 2000 in Sydney, Australia.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
The US Olympic Team, led by WNBA player Dawn Staley, enter the Olympic Stadium during the parade of athletes during the opening ceremonies in Athens on Aug. 13, 2004.
8 / 29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
The USA's Dawn Staley jumps into the arms of teammate Diana Taurasi with the game ball as time runs out and dejected Kristi Harrower walks off the court in the women's basketball gold medal game on Aug. 28, 2004 in Athens, Greece. The USA beat Australia 74 - 63 to win the gold mdeal.
9 / 29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Temple University women's basketball coach Dawn Staley grins as her players warm up before practice at Temple University in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 2004. Dawn has won three Olympic gold medals, coaches for Temple and plays for the Charlotte WNBA team.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Houston Comets guard Dawn Staley brings the ball up court against the Washington Mystics on May 13, 2006. Staley is the starting point guard for the Comets, is head coach at Temple and coaches Team USA.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
WNBA star, Temple Owls coach and USA Basketball assistant coach Dawn Staley is photographed in Durham, N.C. on Sept. 6, 2006.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
(Standing, L to R) Nikki Graves-Henderson and her husband Edwin Henderson II representing the late Dr. E.B. Henderson, Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo, player Richard Guerin, contributor Russ Granik, coach Sylvia Hatchell, player Bernard King, player Gary Payton, coach Rick Pitino, player Dawn Staley, Jim Nantz representing, coach Guy V. Lewis (not pictured), Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva and (seated) coach Jerry Tarkanian hold their jerseys during the announcement of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 8, 2013.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley gives instructions to one of her players in the first half of a women's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle on Mar. 25, 2014.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 4, 2018.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies to win the Final Four championship game of the women's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 3, 2022.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with a referee during the third quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 3, 2023.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates by cutting down the net after a 86-75 win over Maryland after an Elite Eight NCAA Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 27, 2023.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley communicates with her players playing Texas A&M during the fourth quarter of the SEC Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 8, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with the team after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 10, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C., on March 22, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting down the net after the game in the finals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., on March 31, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
President Joe Biden and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on Sept. 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 87-75, for their third NCAA championship with head coach Dawn Staley.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the East Carolina Lady Pirates in the first half at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 17, 2024.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with players in a break from playing Clemson during the second quarter at Littlejohn Coliseum on Nov. 20, 2024 in Clemson, S.C.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley have words at the end of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 3, 2026.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley interacts with fans during practice at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out to her team as they play the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.
Gaines played about 10 minutes per game across 67 contests in two seasons for South Carolina teams powered by A'ja Wilson, Tiffany Mitchell and Alaina Coates. In an SEC Tournament semifinal win over LSU in 2015, Gaines piled up four points, four assists, two steals, two rebounds and a block in 18 minutes off the bench.
NC Central has had difficulty finding a winning formula in womenâs basketball since jumping up to Division I in 2008. Theyâve had four head coaches since then and just three seasons with a winning record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
The school announced that Terrence Baxter would not return as head coach after three seasons on March 16. It took the Eagles 52 days to land on Gaines, which was the second-longest coaching search in womenâs college basketball this year, trailing only VCU, which had an opening for 57 days.