Andy Olson (American football)

Andy Olson
Spokane Shock
Position: Head Coach
Personal information
Date of birth: September 17, 1982
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Chehalis (WA) W. F. West
College: Western Washington
Undrafted: 2006
Career history
As player:
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Head coaching record
Regular season: 35-19 (.648)
Postseason: 1-2 (.333)
Career record: 36-21 (.632)
ArenaBowl wins: 0
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Andrew Olson (born September 17, 1982) is an arena football coach and former wide receiver who is the head coach for the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played his college football at the Western Washington University, and was an af2 wide receiver from 2008 to 2009. He has been a football coach since 2011. After being the offensive coordinator for the Spokane Shock in 2011, he became the Shock head coach in 2012.

Olson grew up in Washington then continued his high school career at W. F. West High School in Chehalis, Washington. Andy then enrolled at Western Washington University, and played wide receiver on the Western Washington Vikings football team from 2001 to 2005.

The Spokane Shock signed Olson after he went unselected in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played 2 years as a wide receiver in the af2 with the Shock (2008–2009), helping them win the last ever ArenaCup in 2009.

In 2011, while being one year removed from the af2, Olson was named offensive coordinator for the Shock, who had moved up to the Arena Football League. Under head coach Rob Keefe, whom Olson had played for in 2009.[1] After the Shock lost during the 2011 postseason, Keefe was fired, and Olson was offered the head coaching job of the Shock.[2] Olson helped the Shock return to the postseason in 2013, while also coaching the league MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Wide Receiver of the Year.

Early life

Olson attended W. F. West High School in Chehalis, Washington. While at W. F. West, Olson was a member of the football, wrestling and soccer teams. As a member of the football team, he finished his career with 94 receptions, 1,758 yards and 13 touchdowns.[3] Olson was drawing attention from many colleges, but lost scholarship offers when he tore his MCL in the final game of high school football.[4]

College career

Olson accepted a scholarship offer from Western Washington University where his brother, Lann, had been a linebacker.

Professional career

Georgia Force

Olson spent six weeks on the practice squad of the Arena Football League's Georgia Force, before being released.

Spokane Shock

Olson was signed by the Spokane Shock of af2 quickly after his release from the Force. Olson played the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Shock, collecting over 220 receptions.[5]

Coaching career

In 2011, Olson was named the offensive coordinator for the Shock, working under his former head coach, Rob Keefe.[5] Keefe was fired after the 2011 season, and Olson was promoted to head coach. Olson helped the Shock return to the postseason in 2013, while also coaching the league MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and the Wide Receiver of the Year.

Coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
WonLostWin %Finish Won Lost Win % Result
SPO2012 108.556 4th in NC West
SPO2013 144.778 2nd in NC West 1 1 .500 Lost to Arizona Rattlers in Conference Championship
SPO2014 117.611 2nd in NC Pacific 0 1 .000 Lost to San Jose SaberCats in Conference Semifinals
Total[6]3519.64812.333

References

  1. Jim Meehan (June 13, 2012). "Keefe returns to Spokane, healed from split". www.spokesman.com. The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  2. Jim Meehan (August 28, 2011). "Shock will hire Olson as head coach". www.spokesman.com. The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  3. "Andy Olson". www.statewidestats.com. statewidestats.com. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  4. "Farm Hands: The Story of Andy Olson". www.spokaneshock.com. Spokane Shock. May 20, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Jim Meehan (March 30, 2011). "Former Shock receiver Andy Olson serves as offensive coordinator". www.spokesman.com. The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  6. "Andy Olson Coaching Record". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved July 7, 2014.

External links