USC Salkehatchie is pleased to announce that Olivia Gaines will be the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the 2020-2021 season.

“I am extremely excited to get my dream job,” Gaines said. “My goal was to be a junior college coach, as the experience meant so much to me. I can’t thank Ms. Brewer enough for believing in me. Also I want to thank Coach Mayo who is now on the men’s side who believed in me as well. I can’t wait to impact these students’ lives. This opportunity is a blessing and I am truly thankful.”

Gaines is a native of Chester, S.C. She comes to USC Salkehatchie following a stint at Vassar College (New York). Gaines previously coached at the high school level including Andrew Jackson High School, Fort Dorchester High School and Cross High School and was very successful at all 3. Gaines also served as an assistant coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a Division II School in Alva, Oklahoma.

Along with coaching experience, Coach Gaines brings a rich playing experience. She began her college career at Louisburg College where she was awarded National Player of the Year and won a National Championship in 2013. After her tenure at Louisburg College, Gaines played for the University of South Carolina where she was able to help the Gamecocks make it to the NCAA Division I Sweet 16 in 2014 and Final Four in 2015.

“We are very impressed with Coach Gaines,” Director of Athletics Jane Brewer said. “Her enthusiasm and excitement about joining us as well as her jumping right in to work as soon as she signed her offer letter are great signs of her future success. And we absolutely love having that connection to our big sister team, the Lady Gamecocks.”