UT assistant Desmond Oliver named ETSU men’s basketball coach

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - University of Tennessee assistant basketball coach Desmond Oliver was officially named the new head men’s basketball coach at East Tennessee State University, WJHL reported Monday afternoon.

A well-deserved (and overdue) opportunity for @DesmondOliver2!

Congrats Coach! And thank you for everything you've given to our program over the last six seasons. Y'all got a good one, @ETSU_MBB ✊ pic.twitter.com/e1bdySOiYk
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) April 5, 2021

This is Oliver’s first head coaching job. He goes to ETSU after spending six seasons as an assistant coach at UT. He has also served as an assistant coach at several other schools, including Charlotte, Georgia, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, and Texas A&M, WJHL reported.

News Channel 11 sports has learned Tennessee assistant Desmond Oliver will be named the new head men’s basketball coach at East Tennessee State University possibly as early as Tuesday. Oliver will replace Jason Shay who resigned after one year on the job. pic.twitter.com/Jhu21DlilA
— Kenny Hawkins (@WJHL_Kenny) April 4, 2021

Oliver replaced Jason Shay, who resigned after just a year on the job.

Shay’s resignation came a month after a picture of the team kneeling during the national anthem circulated on social media, receiving both support and backlash from the community and state leaders.