A former South Carolina women’s basketball player who won a national championship gets a job as a head coach.

In the ever-growing legacy of South Carolina women’s basketball, names like A’ja Wilson, Destanni Henderson, and Aliyah Boston often command the spotlight. Yet the foundation of Dawn Staley’s championship culture was laid with the grit, determination, and leadership of early program-builders. Among them is Olivia Gaines, a key contributor to the Gamecocks’ rise who is now writing her own chapter in basketball history—not as a player, but as the newly named head women’s basketball coach at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina.

Gaines, a South Carolina native and member of the Gamecocks’ landmark 2014–15 team that won the SEC Tournament and reached the Final Four, has returned home. This time, her challenge is to lead Allen University—a historically Black college and university (HBCU)—to new heights on the hardwood. It’s a full-circle moment and one that speaks to the power of perseverance, vision, and the enduring influence of Coach Dawn Staley.

Before Olivia Gaines wore a whistle around her neck, she wore a Gamecocks jersey with pride. She joined South Carolina after transferring from Louisburg College, where she was named the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year. Her arrival in Columbia added tenacity and depth to a program rapidly rising in the national ranks under Staley’s direction.

While Gaines wasn’t a primary scorer, she was a defensive specialist and energy spark—qualities that helped define the 2014–15 squad. That team went 34–3, won the SEC regular-season and tournament championships, and reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history. The season helped solidify South Carolina’s place as a women’s basketball powerhouse and set the stage for the 2017 national championship run.

Gaines’ time with the Gamecocks instilled more than just memories; it provided the blueprint for her coaching career. In multiple interviews since her hiring at Allen, she has cited Staley’s mentorship and emphasis on relationships, discipline, and team-first mentality as pillars of her coaching philosophy.

“I learned what it takes to build a culture of winning,” Gaines told The State. “Coach Staley never allowed us to coast. She held us to the highest standard, and I plan to bring that same approach here at Allen.”

After her playing days ended, Gaines didn’t walk into a Power Five coaching office. Instead, she embraced the grind, building her résumé one level at a time. Her coaching stops spanned high school, junior college, Division III, and eventually, Division I.

She began with stints at the grassroots and high school levels, where she quickly earned a reputation for her player development skills and fierce commitment to defense. Those skills earned her a role at Vassar College, a Division III program in New York. From there, she moved on to Richard Bland College in Virginia, where she made her most significant early impact.

At Richard Bland, Gaines took over as head coach and turned the program into a national force. Over two seasons, she compiled a remarkable 49–5 record and led the Statesmen to the NJCAA Division II national championship game. Her efforts earned national attention and opened the door to a position at Georgia Southern, where she served as an assistant coach at the Division I level.

Though many would see the jump from assistant at a Division I school to head coach at an NAIA program as unconventional, Gaines saw Allen University as the perfect fit.

“I wanted to come back to my home state and give back to a community that gave me so much,” Gaines said. “Allen is rich with history, and I believe we can build something special here.”

Allen University, a small but proud HBCU located just miles from South Carolina’s campus in downtown Columbia, competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The school has made recent investments in its athletic programs, including joining the NCAA Division II ranks and bolstering its facilities. Gaines’ hiring signals a commitment to elevating the women’s basketball program to match those ambitions.

Her presence at Allen immediately resonates with recruits, alumni, and the broader Columbia community. As a former champion with ties to the Gamecocks’ golden era, Gaines brings both credibility and excitement. But she’s not relying solely on her résumé—she’s ready to work.

“We’re going to play hard, defend like our lives depend on it, and treat each other like family,” she said during her introductory press conference. “That’s the South Carolina way. That’s the standard.”

Gaines also emphasized that she wants to be more than a coach—she wants to be a mentor and a builder of women.

“It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about who you become through this game,” she said. “I want our players to walk out of this program better people, better students, and better leaders.”

There’s no mistaking the Dawn Staley imprint on Olivia Gaines. The hallmarks of Staley’s coaching style—fierce defense, disciplined execution, relationship-building, and a community-first ethos—are deeply embedded in Gaines’ coaching DNA.

“She modeled what it means to lead with love and toughness,” Gaines said. “Coach Staley showed me that you don’t have to choose between being demanding and being caring. You can be both.”

Staley, who has long advocated for more women—especially Black women—in head coaching roles, expressed her pride in Gaines via social media, calling her a “leader ready to shine.”

In recent years, South Carolina alumni have increasingly moved into coaching roles, with former players like Bianca Cuevas-Moore and Khadijah Sessions also joining the profession. Gaines’ ascension represents a larger trend of Staley protégés making their mark in the coaching world.

“She’s part of that first wave that helped us turn the corner,” Staley once said of Gaines. “I’m proud to see her now carrying the torch and leading her own program.”While the hire is inspirational, Gaines faces no shortage of challenges at Allen. The women’s program has struggled in recent years to find consistent success. Facilities, funding, and recruiting pipelines are all areas in need of strategic growth.

Still, Gaines remains undeterred. She’s already begun assembling a staff that mirrors her values and approach—coaches who understand the value of culture-building from the ground up. She also plans to hit the recruiting trail hard, using her name recognition and South Carolina roots to establish a pipeline of local talent.

“This state is full of young women who can play at a high level,” she said. “We’re going to find them, develop them, and win with them.”

Gaines also plans to lean on her connections across the women’s basketball world, including former teammates and coaches who can help her navigate the complexities of building a program from scratch.

“We’re not going to cut corners,” she emphasized. “This is a long-term investment in doing things the right way.”

Olivia Gaines’ rise from junior college standout to national champion to head coach of an HBCU program is not just a basketball story—it’s a story of resilience, vision, and giving back.

In an era where women’s sports are rapidly growing in visibility and opportunity, Gaines stands as a testament to the value of experience, mentorship, and grit. Her journey also underscores the critical importance of representation—how seeing someone who looks like you in positions of leadership can change the trajectory of a life.

As Allen University embarks on a new era with Gaines at the helm, the program isn’t just betting on a coach. It’s embracing a movement—one rooted in legacy, leadership, and the power of coming home.