By Kevin Albarez, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech head coach Brooke Stoehrannounced the addition of Olivia Grayson as Assistant Coach and Mikayla Baillie as Director of Basketball Operations.
Grayson is no stranger to Louisiana, having spent the last six seasons at her alma mater, Tulane. She joined the Green Wave staff in 2018 as Director of Student-Athlete Development and Video before being promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2020-21 season.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Olivia Grayson as an assistant coach for the Lady Techsters,” Stoehr said. “She has deep ties and relationships throughout the state from her playing and coaching career that will serve our program well in many ways. She is the consummate teammate and is conscientious in finding ways for those around her to be successful. Olivia has a great work ethic and is passionate about the development of her players. She has served in many different capacities throughout her coaching career, and her versatility will be a tremendous asset to our staff. Olivia is a servant leader who will represent the university and program with class and integrity. I am excited to watch our young women grow and develop on and off the court under her tutelage.”
During her time with Tulane, Grayson has helped coach All-AAC players Krystal Freeman, Dynah Jones, JerKaila Jordan, Moon Ursin, and Kyren Whittington.
Grayson also helped Tulane earn three straight postseason appearances with berths in the WNIT in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Tulane ranked second in the league in both field goal percentage (41.8) and field goal percentage defense (36.5). The program also placed in the top three in the conference in made three-pointers per game (2nd—6.7), three-point percentage (3rd—31.0), and three-point defense (3rd—26.8).
Prior to her stint at Tulane, Grayson spent two seasons at Northwestern State, where she coached Beatrice Attura to become a 1,000-point career scorer, the school’s single-season 3-point record holder, and the Lady Demons’ first CSC Academic All-American.
As a player, Grayson was a four-year letter-winner for the Green Wave. During that time, she was a First Team All-Conference USA in 2012 and Second Team All-CUSA in 2013. In her first year at Tulane, the conference recognized her on its All-Freshman Team. She was the 2011 Tulane Classic MVP and made the All-Tournament team in 2010 and 2011. She was inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.
Baillie joins the Lady Techsters’ staff after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Link Academy in Branson, Mo.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mikayla to the Lady Techsters family,” said Stoehr. “Mikayla’s unquestionable work ethic and desire to make a positive impact on those around her will be invaluable in her role within the program. She is a woman of great character and integrity and is purposeful in the way she connects with and brings others together. She brings an energy and passion to the staff that will serve the program and our people well. Mikayla’s experience at both Kanakuk and Link Academy will be a valuable asset to our daily operations as well as helping our young women have an incredible student-athlete experience during their time in Ruston.”
Baillie is an Illinois native and played collegiately at Indiana Wesleyan University.