Ollin Dunford has been named women’s basketball assistant coach, as announced by head coach Stephanie Glance on Monday, June 9.
"Ollin comes to Columbia with a reputation of being a great recruiter who also has an ability to develop players,” commented coach Glance. “Those are the top two skills that a great assistant coach should possess. He has high energy and a passion for our game. His character, integrity and sincerity are unmatched. He is a tremendous addition to our program!"
Dunford joins the Columbia staff after a two-year stint with the East Carolina program. The Pirates eclipsed the 20-win mark and reached the Women’s National Invitational Tournament in each of Dunford’s two seasons in Greenville. Dunford had the opportunity to coach two first team All-Conference USA and two all-defensive team selections while with the Pirates.
Prior to his time with ECU, Dunford served as an assistant coach at UNC Wilmington for the 2011-12 campaign. The Seahawks topped 20 wins for the second straight season with Dunford on the sidelines, earning an invitation to the WNIT.
Dunford’s first stop as a full-time assistant came at South Carolina Upstate, where he helped lead the Spartans to the Women’s Basketball Invitational, their first postseason appearance in program history. During his tenure in Spartansburg, Dunford served as the position coach to first team All-Atlantic Sun selection Te’era Copney, and was instrumental in the development of A-Sun Conference Player of the Year, Chelsea McMillian.
Before arriving in Spartanburg, Dunford spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech, assisting in on-campus recruiting and the day-to-day operations of the Hokies’ program.
A two-sport athlete at Mars Hill, Dunford played football and basketball for the Lions and was a four-time academic all-conference team recipient. He earned his Bachelor’s degree with a double major in sociology and psychology from Mars Hill College in 2008 and completed his Master’s degree in physical health and education at Virginia Tech in 2010.
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