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Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant to the Head Coach
- Email:
- meolinger@liberty.edu
Matt Olinger is in his 11th year with the men's basketball program, including the last eight on the coaching staff. The Indianapolis, Ind., native has been an integral part of Liberty's success over the last 10 seasons, serving in various capacities that include assistant coach, director of basketball operations and graduate manager while being a part of two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2004 and 2013.
Olinger has worked his way up the ranks of the program, beginning with serving as manager and head manager during his undergraduate studies at Liberty. Understanding the time, energy, and work that goes into building a successful program, Olinger became a valuable asset to the Flames.
Olinger first joined the coaching staff in 2008 as the director of basketball operations under then head coach Ritchie McKay. During the 2008-09 season, the Flames garnered their first 20 win season since 1991 and also their first postseason appearance since the 2004 NCAA Tournament in the College Insider Tournament.
Olinger served as an interim assistant coach during the spring of 2008 and the spring and summer of 2009. In the fall of 2011, Olinger was promoted to assistant coach where he served until the 2013 season. During his time as assistant coach, Olinger's responsibilities included post player development, individual workouts, opponent scouting and recruiting.
Olinger, the only remaining member of the 2004 Big South Championship team, was a two-year varsity member and won back-to-back state titles in 2002 and 2003 at Bethesda Christian School in Brownsburg, Ind.
A 2007 graduate of Liberty with a degree in Sport Management, Olinger went on to receive his MBA in 2011. He is married to the former Kathryn Farris and they have one son, Preston.
