North Carolina Central Hires Olivia Gaines To Lead Women’s Hoops

May was an eventful month at North Carolina Central University on the sports front. The school brought in Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis to deliver the commencement speech to the class of 2026, and he delivered with a passionate and personal message.

While Lewis’ message may resonate with departing North Carolina Central University students, the school is also focused on the present sports landscape. To that end, the school hired Olivia Gaines to take over as head coach of their women’s basketball team.

North Carolina Central has officially named Olivia Gaines as its new Head Women’s Basketball Coach pic.twitter.com/pXrLPj07w2

— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) May 8, 2026

The Eagles finished with a 9-20 record last season and were in need of a fresh vision and mindset. Gaines isn’t someone who thinks about negative outcomes.

“I’m big on manifesting. I’m definitely going to win,” Gaines said when she was introduced as head coach.

Gaines hasn’t been in the coaching ranks that long, but already has put together a resume that shows she can turn a program around. She spent the last two seasons coaching at Allen University, where she went a combined 36-19.

Prior to that, Gaines served as head coach at Richard Bland College, where she went 29-3 and led the team to the NJCAA Division II national championship game. She also served as head coach at USC Salkehatchie.

NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins talked about the extensive hiring search the school conducted, and why Gaines turned out to be the best fit for them.

“One of the things that coach Gaines, her resume and her references talked about, and some of her former student-athletes, was that nurturing process,” Perkins said. “Someone that was going to be there for them, good, bad, indifferent, and someone that was going to lead them in the right direction all the time.”

Glory to God! I’m so grateful to Dr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, and Chancellor Dixon for entrusting me to lead the North Carolina Central University program as the next Head Coach.

I’m honored, humbled, and beyond excited to begin this new chapter with Eagle Nation.
Go Eagles! 🦅🏀 pic.twitter.com/CZL9Nq5ee7

— Olivia Gaines (@CoachO_Gaines) May 8, 2026

During her introductory press conference, Gaines spoke about her desire to turn the program around as quickly as possible.

“I don’t want to get too big, but I just want to tell you the truth, I’m not used to losing,” Gaines said. “As a player, or as a coach. So I’m going to stand on business, I’m going to be all gas, no brakes, as I like to say.”

Gaines certainly was not used to losing as a player, as she was part of the early South Carolina teams led by Dawn Staley in the 2010s. Gaines is appreciative of the time she had to learn under and play for one of the most heralded college basketball coaches.

“The conversations that I had with her, she never made me feel less than,” Gaines said of Staley previously. “Even if my playing time was up or down, she was always in my corner, so I’m forever grateful for her. I’m forever grateful that I stuck it out.”

North Carolina Central University hasn’t had the most success since jumping to Division I in 2008. The Eagles have only had three winning seasons in that time frame, and have had four different head coaches in that span.