MIAMI (April 28, 2020) - Up next in our Q&A series with the FIU men's basketball staff is director of basketball operations Mike Oliva. Oliva finished his eighth season with the Panthers men's basketball program in 2019-20. He's spent three years in his current position and previously served as the program's video coordinator.

Q: What made you want to join a men's basketball coaching staff?
A: "My dad played and is still coaching basketball. I got the bug, I love coaching. The ability to lead and motivate young people is the best job in the world. "
 
Q: How is it being on Coach Ballard's staff?
A: "It's amazing! The vibe we have as a staff is like no other. One of our mottos is, 'you're either a pit bull or a chihuahua,' and as a staff we come with IT every day! The players vibe off that and that's a huge part of our success."

Q: What makes FIU special? 
A: "FIU is home to many diverse cultures and with an international feel that's unrivaled to any university in the United States and that's what makes FIU so special."        
    
Q: What's been your favorite memory since joining the FIU staff?
A: "Beating Old Dominion this year at ODU. It's a tough place to play at, it's like Tyson vs. Spinks, your done in 91 seconds! Our team kept bobbing and weaving, and we knocked them out! That locker room celebration was unforgettable."

Q: What player has been the most fun to work with over your career?
A: "That's an easy one - Adrian Diaz, the Hialeah Hammer. He's like a little brother to me. "He led like a lion, brave like a tiger, ran like a cheetah, and strong like an elephant." AD was fearless!"  
                                                                   
Q: In your opinion, which coach do you look up to or want to take after for your own philosophies?
A: "I've always looked up to Pat Riley, his godfather bravado reminds me of people I hold near my heart in life. His coaching philosophy is all about the power of teamwork, his style of coaching has each team member pulling for the others to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The Heat are notorious throughout the NBA for having the most rigorous training and for upholding a level of strict discipline known infamously as the "Heat Culture." That lights my fire!"                                                         

Q: If you could play 1v1 against anyone, past or present, who would you play and do you think you'd win?
A: "I would love to play the greatest of all-time - Michael Jordan. It would be a pleasure to get skunked by him." 

Q: If you weren't coaching basketball, what would you be doing or what other sport would you be coaching?
A: "I would love to be a Navy Seal or a crime fighter, something along the lines of Bruce Wayne-Batman."
 
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