Tigers Name Track & Field Assistant Coach

Aug. 24, 1999

CLEMSON, SC — Clemson head women’s track and field coach Ralph White announced today the hiring of Luiz de Oliveira as the Tigers’ new assistant coach. de Oliveira will be responsible for training the Clemson middle-distance and distance runners.

A former professional soccer player in Brazil, de Oliveira has over 20 years of experience coaching track and field athletes. Most recently he served as the middle distance coach for the Brazilian national team, which trains in San Diego. Presently he is the head coach for the Brazilian World Championship team, which is competing in Seville, Spain.

de Oliveira has served as the head coach for the Brazilian Olympic team at the last four Olympic Games. He was an assistant coach at the University of Oregon for two years and has coached Nike’s Club team, Athletic West, where he trained world-class distance runners.

de Oliveira has coached numerous Olympic medalists, including Joaquim Cruz, the collegiate record holder in the 800m at 1:41.82, Mary Decker Slaney, who holds several American records, Claudette Groenendall and Sue Addison. He has also coached Abdi Bile of Somalia, a world champion in the 1500m, who trained with White at George Mason.

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, de Oliveira earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in Brazil in 1973. He has completed credit toward a master’s degree in physical education administration with a minor in physical growth and development from Oregon. de Oliveira is married to the former Maria Anita Brunetti. They have three daughters, Claudia, Fernanda and Renata.

“We are extremely pleased and privileged to have Luiz join our staff,” said White. “He is a world-renown distance coach, and he could coach anywhere. Because of our friendship with Abdi Bile, he has decided to come here and help in our quest to make Clemson a national track power.

“Adding our two assistant coaches, Jackie Hoover and Luiz, will help our coaching staff catch the attention of many high school recruits,” added White. “There are four elements for success: coaches, athletes, facilities and support from the administration. Now all of these elements are complete.”