Daryl Oliver Follows Smith to UAB

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April 17, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Virginia assistant women’s basketball coach Daryl Oliver has resigned his position at UVa to accept a coaching position at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, UAB officials announced on Saturday.

UAB head coach Audra Smith added Oliver and former Cavalier player Kathy Allen (2002) to her staff.

Oliver leaves the Cavaliers after two seasons. While with the Cavaliers, he entertained a wide-range of duties, including recruiting and guard play. Prior to coaching at UVa, Oliver spent the 2002 season as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, helping the Hilltopper women to berth in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. A native of Faison, N.C., Oliver was a four-year letterwinner at Richmond. He was team captain for two seasons and was awarded the team’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 1996 and 1997. As a senior, he led the Spiders to the Colonial Athletic Conference Tournament championships and was named tournament MVP.

Oliver’s older brother, Anthony Oliver, played basketball at Virginia (1989-92) and is married to former UVa women’s assistant basketball coach and new UAB head coach Audra Smith.

“Daryl brings a wealth of knowledge to the UAB program,” Smith said. “He’s an exceptional recruiter and an outstanding teacher of the game. Daryl will be instrumental in scouting and the development of the guards.”

Allen joins to the Lady Blazers after spending two years on the Tennessee women’s basketball staff. As a graduate assistant, Allen’s major focus was assisting with recruiting. She joined the Lady Vols’ staff after graduating from Virginia in May of 2002, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and a minor in economics from the McIntire School of Commerce. The Boyerstown, Pa., native played basketball at UVa, while Smith was an assistant coach. In 2002, Allen received the team’s Leadership Award as the Cavaliers finished third in the Atlantic Coast Conference and advanced to its 19th-straight NCAA Tournament. She was also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society.

“Kathy comes into this basketball program with experience from two of the top women’s programs in the country,” said Smith. “She’s a true winner and understands the definition of hardwork. Kathy brings expertise in the areas of recruiting and team administration.”