Oliver Drake was introduced as the new head men’s basketball coach at Midland University on August 24, 2015 after coaching five seasons at Ashford University (Iowa).

Drake guided the Saints to 108-55 record with three appearances in the NAIA DII National Championship Tournament during his tenure at Ashford. In his first year at the helm he led the Saints to their second tournament appearance ever after going 23-11 and winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) title. That year his team led the NAIA DII in total rebound defense (28.7) and ranked 15th in scoring defense per game (65.3) and 25th in free throw percentage (.718).

In 2013-14, he was name Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Coach of the Year as Ashford advanced to their second tournament appearance under Coach Drake as they went 23-10. They returned to the tournament again the following year and advanced to the Round of 16.

During his time at Ashford, he led the basketball program to their five most successful seasons on the court and appeared in the NAIA Men’s Division II National Tournament three times. His teams produced off the court as well, with three NAIA Scholar Team awards and two NABC Team Academic Excellence awards.

Coach Drake has a strong commitment to the classroom as 100% of his seniors graduated while he was at Ashford, and the trend has continued at Midland. He has had a total of 12 players earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors, including 7 at Midland University.

At Midland, he has a 63-32 record and has reached the NAIA DII Tournament once already (2016).

During his first three seasons at Midland, he has guided the Warriors to a 53-38 record with a conference record of 31-25 in the always competitive Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). In 2016-17 his team finished second in the GPAC and earned an at-large bid to the NAIA DII National Championship Tournament appearance after a successful season.

Coach Drake’s teams are known for their defense, rebounding and valuing the basketball. In his eight years of coaching, his team has been ranked in the top 16 in total rebound defensive each season. Three times they have led the nation in the category. They are also among the leaders annually in field goal defense, scoring margin and assist/turnover ratio.

He is an active member of several coaching organizations having served on the NAIA Championship Committee from 2013-2015 and has been a member the NABC-NAIA National Committee since 2014, where he is currently serving as president.

A native of Neillsville, Wisconsin, Drake attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Adaptive Physical Education. He has also earned his Master’s degree in Education from Viterbo University in 2008.

He and his wife, Kristen, live in Fremont with their two children; Sebastian and Stella.