Southern University head coach Dawson Odums is scheduled to formally announce the hiring of former North Carolina A&T assistant coach Trei Oliver as the Jaguars new defensive coordinator Thursday.
The official announcement will take place on the third floor of the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse on the Baton Rouge campus Thursday at 1 p.m.
Oliver will assume the defensive coordinator duties previously held by Odums, who served in the same capacity in 2012 before being named as the Jaguars interim and permanent head coach. Oliver joins the Jaguars coaching staff after helping lead the Aggies to a 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and a 41-34 win over Alcorn State in the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
Prior to arriving at Southern, Oliver spent fourth seasons at North Carolina A&T, where he served as the Aggies outside linebackers coach. Oliver has worked under Aggies head coach Rod Broadway at three different institutions, including Grambling and North Carolina Central. Oliver also served as the staff's financial aid liaison.
A&T's outside linebackers have made tremendous strides during Oliver's first three years at A&T. No one more than D'Vonte Grant, who has led the Aggies in tackles three straight seasons. Grant is also a two-time second-team All-MEAC performer and he has scored four defensive touchdowns in his career, a school record. Brandon Hover also excelled under Oliver. Over the final two years of Hover's career, he made a total of 111 tackles, 5 ½ sacks and 10 ½ tackles for loss. In his only year as an Aggie, Makari Pugh was fourth on the team in tackles (47) and second on the team in tackles for loss (10).
Before arriving to A&T, Oliver spent four seasons at Grambling as the outside linebackers coach and special teams and recruiting coordinator. Throughout his tenure at Grambling, the Tigers had a stingy defense. During his first season in 2007, the Tiger ranked 10th in turnover margin, 11th in scoring defense and 12th total defense nationally.
The next season, Oliver helped the Tigers earn the No. 1 pass defense in Division I-FCS. They ranked third in scoring defense and seventh in total defense. In 2009, Grambling led the nation in punt return yardage per game. Kiare Thompson averaged 19.1 yards per return to rank third nationally. In 2010, he was fifth in the nation in the same statistical category.
Oliver also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater N.C. Central. He was part of building the Eagles into an NCAA Division II power. During Oliver's first season in 2003, he served as the school's defensive backs coach, and helped defensive back Luis George become a Division II Daktronics, Inc., All-Region Performer.
During the 2004 season, Oliver became the wide receivers coach. In that capacity, Oliver improved the Eagles' offensive attack. Eagle receivers averaged 176.4 yards per game, while scoring 20 touchdowns. Receiver Torrey Ross led the league in receptions (53) and touchdown receptions (11), while being named CIAA Player of the Week three times.
The 2005 season saw even more improvements from Oliver's pass catchers. The unit caught 22 touchdown passes en route to helping the Eagles win the 2005 CIAA championship. Ross broke the school's single-season receptions record, was named CIAA Player of the Year and played in the Whataburger Cactus Bowl. In addition, the Eagles special teams unit had a successful season. N.C. Central led the CIAA in PAT's, ranked second in kickoff and punt return average and third in field goals made.
N.C. Central captured consecutive CIAA championships and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2006 with Oliver's units again playing a vital role. Eagle receivers caught 156 passes for 27 touchdowns. The Eagles also ranked at or near the top of many special teams statistical categories. Kicker Brandon Gilbert earned Division II All-American honors as well as first-team All-CIAA recognition.
Before coaching at N.C. Central, Oliver spent time on Ben Blackwell's staff at Delaware State. As a member of the Hornets' staff, Oliver coached defensive backs and was the assistant special teams coordinator.
As a player, Oliver was a standout defensive back and punter. He ranks among the best all-time in passes defended with 31. He was also a part of the Eagles' 1996 secondary that led the nation in pass defense. He obtained his B.A., degree in physical education in 1998. In 2000, he earned his M.S., degree in criminal justice. Oliver is married (Christi) and has one son, Reggie.
