SAN BERNARDINO (March 27, 2018) — Jeff Oliver, who led Cal State San Bernardino to six California Collegiate Athletic Association championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 16 seasons at the helm, has announced his resignation as Coyotes' head basketball coach, Director of Athletics
Shawn Farrell announced today.
Oliver, whose teams won 20 or more games nine times, finished his tenure with a 294-154 overall record and 232-107 CCAA record. The Ventura native was a three-time CCAA Coach of the Year (2003-04, 14) and a two-time NCAA West Region Coach of the Year (2003-04). The Coyotes won a pair of CCAA Tournament titles (2009-10) under Oliver. His 2007 squad captured CSUSB's third NCAA West Regional title and reached the NCAA Elite Eight semifinals in Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of the sport.
"It's difficult to say farewell to a career that has spanned nearly longer than my adult life,'' Oliver said. "I began my coaching career at CSUSB as a third assistant under Larry Reynolds in 1998. This institution has seen my success both on and off the court. I cannot thank Nancy Simpson enough for giving me the opportunity to step into the Men's Head Basketball Coaching position in 2002 as a young 29-year old. There is not enough room to thank all of those on-campus and off who have supported me in this journey. It is with sorrow but not with regret that I continue this adventure elsewhere.''
Under Oliver's tutelage, the Coyotes produced six All-Americans (Bobby Burries 2003; Jonathan Levy 2004; Brandon Brown 2009;
Bryan LeDuc 2010; Kwame Alexander 2013, and Lacy Haddock 2014). His players earned 48 All-CCAA individual honors and three were named CCAA Player of the Year (Burries, Levy and Haddock).
Oliver was a top assistant under former Coyotes head coach Larry Reynolds for three seasons (1998-01) and surpassed his mentor as the all-time winningest coach two victories into the 2007-08 season.
He spent the 2001-02 season as head coach at nearby San Bernardino Valley College, guiding the Wolverines to a berth in the state community college playoffs and was named Foothill Conference Coach of the Year.
"Coach Oliver has been a passionate advocate for our student-athletes, while elevating this program to a national level,'' Director of Athletics
Shawn Farrell said. "Our men's basketball team has been, and will continue to be, a great source of pride for the Coyote family. We wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavors."
