Jerry Oliver

{{Short description|American basketball coach (1930–2020)}}

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Jerry Oliver

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1930|11|3}}

| birth_place = Rochester, Indiana, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|9|25|1930|11|3}}

| death_place = Brownsburg, Indiana, U.S.

| alma_mater = Ball State

| coach_years1 = 1960–1968

| coach_team1 = George Washington HS

| coach_years2 = 1968–1971

| coach_team2 = Indiana (assistant)

| coach_years3 = 1969–1970, 1971

| coach_team3 = Indiana (acting)

| coach_years4 = 1971–1974

| coach_team4 = Warren Central HS

| coach_years5 = 1974–1980

| coach_team5 = Indiana Pacers (assistant)

| overall_record = 4–17

| bowl_record =

| tournament_record =

| championships = Indiana state champion (1965)

| awards =

| coaching_records =

}}

Jerry A. Oliver (November 30, 1930 – September 25, 2020) was an American basketball coach who served as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team during the 1969–70 season and for the final game of the 1970–71 season.{{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ind/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0607-mg-142-167history.pdf |title=Hoosier Timeline |work=2006–07 Indiana Hoosiers Media Guide |page=149 |year=2006 |publisher=University of Indiana |accessdate=May 11, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007225846/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ind/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0607-mg-142-167history.pdf |archive-date=October 7, 2009}}

Oliver began his coaching career at George Washington High School where he won the 1965 state championship. Billy Keller, George McGinnis, and Steve Downing were among the players Oliver coached at Indianapolis Washington.{{Cite web |url=http://hoopshall.com/hall/o/jerry-oliver/ |title=Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame » Jerry Oliver |access-date=2010-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126104204/http://hoopshall.com/hall/o/jerry-oliver/ |archive-date=2010-11-26 |url-status=dead }}

Oliver joined Indiana's coaching staff in 1968 as an assistant to Lou Watson. Oliver served as acting head coach of the Hoosiers for the final 20 games of the 1969–70 season while Watson was recovering from surgery.{{cite news |title=Cats meet Indiana tonight, UCLA crushes Miami 137-69 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VO8rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EAYGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3118,6638698&dq |work=Kentucky New Era |date=December 13, 1969 |accessdate=2010-06-19 }} Oliver served as acting head coach again the following season when Watson resigned before the final game of the season.{{cite news |title=Indiana Coach Quits Under Fire |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BuomAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2807,1573247&dq |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=March 12, 1971 |accessdate=2010-06-19 }}

After three seasons at Warren Central High School, Oliver was hired by the Indiana Pacers where he served as an assistant coach (1974–1980) and director of player personnel (1980–1981).

After his coaching career, Oliver served as the manager of the Hoosier Dome and Florida Suncoast Dome.

Oliver served in the United States Army. He died on September 25, 2020.{{cite news|last=Neddenriep|first=Kyle|title= Jerry Oliver dies at 89; led Washington to 1965 state title, coached at IU and with Pacers|url= https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/30/jerry-oliver-dies-led-washington-65-state-title/3585076001/|date=September 30, 2020|website=The Indianapolis Star|accessdate=October 3, 2020}}{{cite news|title= Jerry A. Oliver obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=jerry-a-oliver&pid=196884648&fhid=14502|website=Legacy.com|accessdate=October 3, 2020}}