Kathy Olivier

Kathy Olivier. An American college basketball coach, she is best known for her tenure as the head coach of the UNLV Lady Rebels and her long-standing association with the UCLA Bruins women's basketball program. Olivier has built a reputation as a skilled recruiter and developer of talent, contributing to multiple NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament appearances. Her career spans several decades, marked by success in the Mountain West Conference and the Pac-12 Conference.

Early life and education

Born in San Jose, California, Olivier was a multi-sport standout at Leland High School. She pursued her higher education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she played guard for the UNLV Lady Rebels basketball team under coach Jim Bolla. As a player, she was part of teams that competed in the NCAA tournament and helped establish the program's early prominence. Olivier earned her bachelor's degree from UNLV before beginning her transition into coaching.

Coaching career

Olivier's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at her alma mater, UNLV. She then served as an assistant coach at California State University, Long Beach working with the Long Beach State 49ers. In 1988, she joined the staff of the UCLA Bruins as an assistant under coach Billie Moore, a legendary figure in women's basketball. She spent over a decade at UCLA, helping guide the team to several NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament berths and aiding in the development of future WNBA players. In 1998, Olivier returned to UNLV to become the head coach of the UNLV Lady Rebels. During her eight-season tenure, she led the team to a Mountain West Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2002. She returned to UCLA in 2007, initially as an assistant before being promoted to associate head coach under Cori Close, a role in which she remains a key figure in the program's recruiting and player development efforts within the competitive Pac-12 Conference.

Head coaching record

Over her head coaching career at UNLV, Olivier compiled a record that included a conference championship season. Her 2001-02 team's success in the Mountain West Conference tournament secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. Season-by-season records detail her rebuilding and competitive efforts with the UNLV Lady Rebels, culminating in her overall winning record during her tenure in Las Vegas.

Personal life

Olivier has maintained a private personal life, with her professional focus centered on her coaching career and her athletes. She is the sister of former NFL quarterback and coach Steve Sarkisian, the head football coach at the University of Texas at Austin. This familial connection to high-level athletics is often noted in profiles of her career.

Legacy and honors

Kathy Olivier's legacy is that of a dedicated program builder and a respected figure on the West Coast basketball scene. Her championship at UNLV is a significant part of the UNLV Lady Rebels' history. At UCLA, her longevity and role in recruiting top talent have been instrumental in the Bruins' consistent competitiveness in the Pac-12 Conference and appearances in the NCAA tournament. Her career exemplifies a deep commitment to the student-athlete experience and the growth of women's basketball.

Category:UNLV Lady Rebels basketball coaches Category:UCLA Bruins women's basketball coaches Category:American women's basketball coaches Category:Living people