Mitch Oliver, By The Numbers

• 309-111 (Third best winning percentage among active Division III Coaches)
• .736 winning percentage (5th all time in Division III)
• 11 consecutive GNAC Championship Appearances (3rd amongst all NCAA Divisions in Consecutive Conference Championship Appearances to Gonzaga (26) and Whitworth (19))
• 8 Conference Championships (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023)
• 3-time GNAC Coach of the Year (2010, 2012, 2018)
• Northeast Region Coach of the Year (2014)
• 2 -time National Coach of the Year Finalist (2012, 2014)
• 38 - All-GNAC Players
• 6 - GNAC Players of the Year
  • Ray Askew (2010, 2012)
  • Darius Watson (2014)
  • Victor Ljuldjuraj (2015)
  • Jaqhawn Walters (2017, 2018)
• 3 - GNAC Defensive Players of the Year
  • Ray Askew (2012)
  • Victor Ljuldjuraj (2014, 2015)
• 3 - GNAC Rookies of the Year
  • Ray Askew
  • Darius Watson
  • Shontaey Lovell
• 6 - All Americans
• 13 - All Region

 

Mitch Oliver enters his 17th season as head men’s basketball coach and the all-time wins leader in program history. Oliver also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director/Recruiting Coordinator at Albertus Magnus College.

The Falcons have won eight GNAC Tournament titles in the last 14 seasons while combining for an all-time postseason record of 33-5 during the last 14 seasons and a 26-4 record during the last 10. 

Oliver's 2022-23 team finished with a 19-10 overall record, claiming the second seed in the GNAC Tournament from a 14-4 record in league play. The Falcons claimed the GNAC championship title for the eighth time in history, defeating No. 1 USJ and advancing to the NCAA tournament. Two Falcons were named to the GNAC All-Conference teams - Terry Dawkins (Bronx, N.Y.) and Justice Washington (Hamden, Conn.). Dawkins was also named to the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Division III All-District Second Team and the D3Hoops.com All-Region Second Team.

In 2021-22, the Falcons finished with a 17-7 overall record and secured the second seed in the GNAC Tournament thanks to a 13-3 mark in league play. In his 15th year at the helm, Oliver led the Falcons to the championship for the 10th straight year in a row and had three players - Tyreek Perkins (New Haven, Conn.), Terry Dawkins (Bronx,, N.Y.), and Davon Warner (New Haven, Conn.) - named to the GNAC All-Conference team. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Falcons could not play a regular season or compete in the GNAC Tournament in 2020-21. 

In 2019-20, Albertus posted its ninth consecutive 20-plus win season, going 22-5 overall and claiming the second seed in the GNAC Tournament. The Falcons made it to their ninth consecutive GNAC Championship game. Albertus posted high-profile wins over then-No. 22 WPI (71-60), York (Pa.) (76-73), and Coast Guard (103-95), all of which appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Albertus represented themselves well nationally, as they ranked top 10 in the country in free-throw attempts (4th - 721), offensive rebounds per game (4th - 16.3), free throws made (7th - 496), steals per game (7th - 10.9), total rebounds per game (7th - 43.89), total steals (7th - 294), scoring offense (8th - 90.9), and turnovers forced (9th - 19.2). 

Albertus had two players named to the 2019-20 All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Teams, with Jahmerikah Green-Younger (Norwalk, Conn.) being slotted to the First Team and Tyreek Perkins (New Haven, Conn.) being named to the Third Team.

Oliver's 2018-19 squad finished 20-8 and claimed the top seed in the GNAC Tournament after being picked to finish second in the preseason poll behind conference rival JWU. The Falcons captured their eighth GNAC Regular Season Title thanks to a 9-2 league mark and won their eighth GNAC Title after defeating league newcomer Saint Joseph's (CT). During the month of February, Albertus went undefeated, hosted its third straight GNAC Men's Basketball Tournament, and made its seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Oliver had one player - Tyreek Perkins - earn All-Conference honors.

In 2017-18, Oliver was voted as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, as the Falcons went 21-6 overall and 15-1 in league play. Albertus Magnus led the league in both points (84.3) and rebounding (43.6) per game and got to the free-throw line 179 more times than the next closest GNAC program. Albertus Magnus earned key wins over WPI and Babson to start off the year before posting a season-best 10-game winning streak from Jan. 6th to Feb. 13.

Following the season, Jaqhawn Walters (Hartford, Conn.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year for the consecutive year and received first-team distinction. At the same time, teammates Amir Maddred (Camden, N.J.), junior Ryan Pittman (Stratford, Conn.), and sophomore Jahmerikah Green-Younger (Norwalk, Conn.) earned Third Team honors.

Walters also became the program's 15th all-time leading scorer and third all-time rebounder. He was also named an NABC First Team All-District Selection and was named to the 2018 Reese's Division III All-Star Game. 

In 2016-17, the Falcons finished with a 23-5 overall record and secured the top seed in the GNAC Tournament thanks to a 16-2 mark in league play. In his 10th year at the helm, Oliver led the Falcons to the championship for the sixth straight year in a row and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. During the winter, AMC went unbeaten at home, 15-0, and tallied five 100-point+ games, including a 101-83 win over Lasell in the GNAC Championship. From January to February, the team posted an impressive record of 17-1 and ran off a season-best nine-game winning streak. 

Following the season, junior Jaqhawn Walters was named the GNAC Player of the Year and received first-team distinction. At the same time, teammates Grant Ellis (Newark, N.J.) and Devin Coleman (Bridgeport, Conn.) earned Second and Third Team honors, respectively. Walters also earned numerous National and Regional accolades for the Falcons as well, including All-America and All-Region honors.

The team finished the 2015-16 season with a 20-6 overall record and earned the No. 3 seed in the GNAC Tournament thanks to a 14-4 mark in league contests. For the fifth consecutive winter, the Falcon played for the GNAC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Falcons' nation-best 59-game home winning streak ended on December 7, 2015, in a non-conference setback versus Fitchburg State. 

Following another banner year, freshman forward Shonteay Lovell was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year and received first-team distinction, while sophomore forward Jaqhawn Walters landed on the second team, and senior wing Marc Wilson earned third-team accolades.

Oliver and his squad are coming off yet another successful season after finishing 2014-15 with a 28-2 overall record, its fourth-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship title, and its fourth straight NCAA Tournament Appearance. The Falcons won their NCAA Tournament opener against Springfield College before falling to Dickinson College at the buzzer in the second round of tournament play. The Falcons' 28 wins in the season tied the program-best mark, which was previously set in 2011-12 as well as 2013-14.

The Falcons' highest national ranking in program history came on February 10, 2015, when it was ranked sixth in the nation.  During that season, the program also received first-place votes for the first time in program history. Victor Ljuljdjuraj (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) earned numerous National, Regional, and Conference accolades for the Falcons as well, including GNAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year as well as two All-America honors.

In the 2013-14 season, Oliver and the Falcons went on to play in the NCAA Tournament, making it to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history and finished the year with 28 wins and another GNAC Tournament title.

The Falcons were ranked as high as 12th in the nation during the 2013-14 season and recorded their third-straight year with 20 or more wins. For all of his accomplishments, Oliver was recognized as the All-Northeast Region Coach of the Year and a finalist in the running for National Coach of the Year.

Darius Watson (New Britain, Conn.) led the Falcons by being named GNAC Tournament MVP, earning All-Conference First Team honors, NABC and D3hoops.com All-America honors, and All-Northeast Region First Team recognition.  He was also named the GNAC Player of the Year. Victor Ljuljdjuraj (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and Eian Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were named to the All-Conference First Team, while Ljuljdjuraj was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year.

The Falcons finished an incredible run in 2012-13 as they combined for a 24-5 overall record.  Albertus won the GNAC Championship title and went on to play at Alvernia University in the NCAA Tournament First Round.

The Falcons were ranked as high as 19th in the nation during the 2012-13 season.

Watson led the Falcons by being named GNAC Tournament MVP while earning All-Conference First Team honors.  Arshad Jackson (Hartford, Conn.) was named to the Second Team, while Jefferson Lora (Bronx, N.Y.) was named to the Third Team. Both Watson and Jackson reached the 1,000-point milestone during the season to become the 12th and 13th all-time Albertus men's basketball players to reach that plateau.

On January 15, Oliver earned his 100^th career win as the Falcons defeated Suffolk University 95-76.

In 2011-12, the Falcons earned one of their most successful seasons in program history as the Falcons finished the year with a 28-2 overall record, a program record in single-season victories. The Falcons finished the regular season with a 24-1 overall mark, while they went a perfect 18-0 in GNAC play to become the first-ever GNAC men's basketball team to go unbeaten in regular-season league play.

Oliver was named the 2011-12 GNAC Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons as he led his team to their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years as well. For their efforts, the Falcons were both GNAC Tournament and Regular-Season Champions.

Oliver became the all-time winningest coach in Albertus Magnus men's basketball history. With the Falcons' 22-point victory over Emerson College on Thursday, January 12, Oliver earned that respective title with his 70th career win.

The Falcons broke into the National rankings for the first time in program history during the 2011-12 season as they were ranked 24th in the February 6 Top-25 poll on D3hoops.com. Albertus was ranked as high as 15th in the country on February 20 before finishing the season ranked 20th.

Oliver was also chosen as a finalist for the Glenn Robinson Award in 2012, which is presented annually to the top Division III men's basketball coach in the nation.

During the 2011-12 season, Ray Askew (Hamden, Conn.) became the first-ever Albertus Magnus men's basketball All-American, earning recognition from both the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) and as D3hoops.com. Askew became the all-time leading scorer in program history and the all-time leading rebounder in both league and school history. He also earned All-Region honors and was tagged as both the GNAC Player of the Year as well as Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.

Askew was joined by Watson on the GNAC All-Conference First Team, while Jackson was named to the All-Conference Third Team.

In 2010, Oliver led Albertus to a 23-7 overall record and a 15-3 mark in the GNAC en route to being named the GNAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. During that season, the Falcons battled their way into the NCAA Tournament as they earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the GNAC Championship title. 

The Falcons defeated No. 5 William Patterson University 57-55 on a buzzer-beater to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where DeSales University defeated them.  Albertus received Top-25 votes to conclude the 2010 season, with the Falcons being ranked 35th out of 404 teams in the final poll. 

Askew was named the 2010 GNAC Player of the Year and earned First Team All-New England honors.  Walden St. Juste and Jefferson Lora were also named to the GNAC All-Conference Team, garnering Second Team and Third Team awards, respectively.  Albertus also faced Division I opponent Yale University for the first time in program history.   

In 2008-09, Oliver led Albertus to its first winning season in seven years as the Falcons also earned an appearance in the GNAC semi-finals. In addition, the Falcons had a 78-50 upset playoff victory over No. 2 seed Emerson College. The 14 victories in 2008-09 were more than the last four seasons combined, while it was a 10-win improvement from the previous season.

Askew was named the 2008-09 GNAC Rookie of the Year, while Francisco Cordova was named to the All-Conference Third Team.

Before taking the head coaching position at Albertus Magnus, Oliver was a decade veteran as a Division I Men's Assistant Basketball Coach. He served seven seasons at Northeast Conference member Quinnipiac University as he was the program’s recruiting coordinator. Oliver helped the Bobcats to three Northeast Conference semifinal appearances and one Northeast Conference Championship game appearance, which was televised nationally on ESPN.

During Oliver's tenure, he helped the Bobcats capture the Hofstra University 2002 Tip-off Tournament Championship title and the 2003 Hawaii-Hilo Tournament Championship crown. Quinnipiac also made an appearance in the prestigious Preseason NIT in 2004.

While at Quinnipiac, Oliver recruited and coached seven All-NEC players, one NEC Rookie of the Year, and 13 players who moved on to play professionally.

Before arriving at Quinnipiac, Oliver also served three seasons as an assistant men's basketball coach at Northeast Conference Division I Sacred Heart University. Oliver started his career as an assistant basketball coach at both Foran and Bunnell High Schools.

Oliver is currently pursuing a Master of Education in School Counseling & Positive Coaching Psychology at the University of Missouri.

 

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Coach Oliver's All-Time Coaching Record at Albertus Magnus

Coach's Name	Year	Wins	Losses	Total Games Played	W/L Pct.
Mitch Oliver	2022-23	19	10	29	.655
Mitch Oliver	2021-22	17	7	24	.708
Mitch Oliver	2020-21*	--	--	--	--
Mitch Oliver	2019-20	22	5	27	.815
Mitch Oliver	2018-19	20	8	28	.714
Mitch Oliver	2017-18	21	6	27	.778
Mitch Oliver	2016-17	23	5	28	.821
Mitch Oliver	2015-16	20	6	26	.778
Mitch Oliver	2014-15	28	2	30	.933
Mitch Oliver	2013-14	28	3	31	.903
Mitch Oliver	2012-13	24	5	29	.828
Mitch Oliver	2011-12	28	2	30	.933
Mitch Oliver	2010-11	18	11	29	.621
Mitch Oliver	2009-10	23	7	30	.767
Mitch Oliver	2008-09	14	13	27	.519
Mitch Oliver	2007-08	4	21	25	.160

15 Years

309

111

420

.736

* - did not compete due to COVID-19 pandemic