Oliver appointed as Bulls' new coach

Queensland has continued the trend of appointing home-grown identities to its on and off field leadership positions by naming Terry Oliver as its new senior coach in Brisbane today.

Oliver, who was formerly the Bulls' assistant coach, takes over the reins of the state team with immediate effect from the newly-appointed Australian Cricket Academy head coach Bennett King.

The 39-year-old does not enjoy a particularly strong public profile, but arrives in the job with an extensive background in cricket coaching and development roles.

Before becoming King's assistant for each of the past two seasons, he was employed by the Queensland Cricket Association as a cricket manager for the central region of the state. He was a major player in promoting cricket in Queensland schools throughout his time in that role and, from his base in Mackay, he also contributed strongly in the area of talent identification.

Oliver was the coach of Queensland Country teams between 1997 and 2000, guiding those sides to national titles in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and to the runners-up position in the Australian championships of 1997-98. He also coached the Australian Country team in 2000 and 2001, and was in charge of the state under-17s during the 2001-02 season.

His overall experience as a coach dates as far back as his involvement as a 17-year-old with local junior sides.

As a player, he was a Queensland Country representative - and was selected in Australian Country teams on two separate occasions, in 1990 and 1993 - and he was also a member of the Gold Coast club's senior side in each of its first two years in Queensland first grade competition.

In signing Oliver to a one-year deal as its head coach with a further one-year option, Queensland Cricket has effectively continued the practice of using a combination of local talent and home-spun philosophies to achieve success.

After a 69-year title drought, former state batsman John Buchanan led the team to its maiden Sheffield Shield in 1994-95 and to another first-class crown in 1996-97. Former Buchanan assistant and Queensland Academy of Sport employee King was then at the helm as the Bulls secured a hat-trick of titles between 1999-2000 and 2001-02.

Oliver reportedly beat off a strong field of contenders, including current Victorian assistant coach Brian McFadyen, to become the new occupant of the position.

McFadyen, also on the shortlists for vacant coaching positions in both Victoria and Tasmania, was extensively interviewed by the Bulls' selection committee last week and was a major contender for the role.

When the position was originally made vacant at the end of February, former Zimbabwe coach Carl Rackemann and current Queensland Academy of Sport coach Richard Done were also believed to have been among the leading applicants.