Gene Gifford was named men's coach and Heather Bateman was promoted to head women's coach at Olivet, the school announced Friday, June 15.

For the past six years, Bateman has served as an assistant under Deanna Richard, who recently accepted the head women's basketball coaching position at Division II Mercyhurst.

Bateman will continue to serve as the associate athletic director and senior woman administrator within the athletic department and as an instructor.

"I am thrilled for Heather," said athletic director Tom Shaw. "She deserves the opportunity to run her own program and I am confident that she will do a great job with it. I am excited for the future of the Comet women's basketball program."

Gifford, a 1973 graduate of Olivet, begins his duties Aug. 1. He will also serve as an instructor. He comes to Olivet from Muskegon Community College where he has served as men's basketball coach since 1981. He has also been the athletic director at MCC for the past 14 years.

"I am excited that Gene brings 26 years of head coaching experience to Olivet," said Shaw. "Being an alumnus, he understands Olivet and what makes Olivet a special place. We are expecting great things from him."

While at MCC, Gifford recorded his 400th career win during the 2006-07 season. He was selected as the 2002-03 Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Junior College Coach of the Year, the 1996-97 and 1999-2000 Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference Coach of the Year and 1989-90 National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII Coach of the Year. During the 1990-2000 season, Gifford guided MCC to the MCCAA western conference title. In 1989-90, MCC was the runner-up at the NJCAA Division II national championships. Gifford was also named the MCCAA athletic director of the year in 1995-96 and 2006-07.

"I am very excited to return to my alma mater," said Gifford. "I am looking forward to a new challenge. I am very impressed with the people at Olivet, and I look forward to working with them."

Gifford's coaching career began in 1973-74 as a varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach at Alma. From 1974-77, he was freshman boys' coach at Oakridge Junior High School in Muskegon. In 1977, Gifford was named the athletic director and varsity basketball coach at Ravenna High School.

Gifford began his college career at MCC and finished his career at Olivet, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. He went on to earn a master's degree from Central Michigan in 1987. Gifford's family includes wife, Susan, and daughters, Amy and Dana.

Bateman earned a bachelor's degree in human resources development from Oakland in 1997. She was a member of the women's basketball team, earning second-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in 1997. Bateman earned a master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State in 2001.

"I am extremely excited for this opportunity," said Bateman. "Deanna did a great job changing the face of the Olivet women's basketball program and I am looking forward to continuing that success."