varsity.roanoke.com

Hidden Valley girls' basketball coach Mike McGuire coached Timesland player of the year Abby Oliver for two seasons in high school.

Now he is going to coach Oliver in college.

McGuire, who led the Titans to VHSL Group AA championships in both his years at Hidden Valley, will become an assistant coach at the University of Richmond, according to an e-mail The Roanoke Times obtained Friday.

In the e-mail -- which was sent to Hidden Valley principal Rhonda Stegall, parents of several returning Hidden Valley players and his assistant coaches -- McGuire said he will join Richmond's staff when an official announcement is made by the university Monday.

McGuire could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Hidden Valley AD Dennis Layman neither confirmed nor denied McGuire's departure.

"We cannot make an official statement," Layman said.

In the e-mail, McGuire wrote: "I wanted to inform you that I am resigning as the girls basketball coach at Hidden Valley High and will be accepting an official offer on Monday afternoon to become an assistant coach at the University of Richmond. I do want to emphasize to our program that I was not looking to leave the program. I had long term goals for this program and had strong desires to continue to build upon the six-year tradition of the program.

"For those of you in the professional world, it is an honor when you are sought out for a position of advancement in your career. This was the case for me. After several discussions, my wife and I feel like this move is something we need to do and is best for us."

McGuire, 31, already has enjoyed success in Richmond.

He coached the Titans to 29-1 season and a Group AA title in 2006-07 with a 63-53 victory over Charlottesville at VCU's Siegel Center. The Titans added a second straight championship in March with a 59-45 win over Waynesboro. McGuire had a 55-5 record in two seasons.

McGuire, also a successful AAU coach with the Roanoke Stars, was the girls' head coach at William Byrd for four seasons prior to succeeding Steve Buchanan at Hidden Valley. The Titans lost to Lafayette the Group AA title game in 2005-06 under Buchanan.

McGuire was 49-48 overall record at Byrd, posting winning seasons in each of his last three years with the Terriers.

The key player on the last three Hidden Valley teams -- Oliver -- will play at Richmond. The 5-foot-8 point guard scored 32 points in the 2007 state championship game and has been a two-time first-team All-Group AA selection.