Courtesy of Michigan Tech Sports Information
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Defensive Coordinator Steve Olson has been selected as the next Head Football Coach at Michigan Tech University, following Head Coach Tom Kearly's retirement on Monday. Olson will become the 16th head coach in program history, which began in 1920.
"I'd like to think Suzanne Sanregret and the administrative team for entrusting me to take over the Huskies football program," Coach Olson said. "I'd also like to thank Tom Kearly for the opportunity to come to MTU and work and I wish him the best in his retirement. I look forward to meeting all of the challenges that our players and staff will face as we head into a changing GLIAC conference. At Michigan Tech, we have always had smart hardworking players and we will continue to build on that tradition."
Olson, a native of Ada, Minnesota, just finished his sixth season as part of the Michigan Tech coaching staff. Olson has been the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons and was the linebackers coach when he first arrived in Houghton. Olson's defenses have been some of the best in the GLIAC year in and year out in multiple statistical categories.
In 2015, Olson's defense ranked second in the GLIAC in total defense (337.4 yards per game) and rushing defense (121.3 yards per game). They were fourth in the conference in passing defense (216.1 yards per game), and held teams to 26.3 points per game, which was fifth best in the GLIAC. Defensive back Brett Gervais and linebacker Paul Kuoppala were both named to the All-GLIAC First Team in 2015.
Olson helped Tech rank third in scoring defense (19.6 points per game) and fourth in total defense (345.9 yards per game) in 2014, just one year after the Huskies led the league in pass defense (176.9 yards per game) and ranked second in total defense (363.6 yards per game). Tech finished second in the GLIAC in rushing defense in 2012, allowing just 118 yards per game. He also coached All-GLIAC First Team linebacker Justin Armstrong.
"Coach Olson brings the core values that we look for in coaches at Michigan Tech...integrity, loyalty, passion, teamwork, tradition, and a commitment to academic and athletic excellence," Michigan Tech Athletics Director Suzanne Sanregret said. "Our goal is to develop our student-athletes into future leaders and Steve has the experience and ability to do that. I am confident in Steve as a coach and mentor to continue the Tech football tradition and move the program forward."
"There's no doubt Steve has big shoes to fill, but he's learned from one of the best," Michigan Tech President Dr. Glenn Mroz said. "The student athletes have respect for him as a person and his coaching ability. That will go a long way not only on the field, but in helping prospective students and their families see the future that Michigan Tech has to offer them."
Olson has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 12 years at Minnesota-Crookston before joining the Huskies. He served in various capacities on the defensive side of the ball, including defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, and defensive backs coach. He was also the Head Baseball Coach at UM-Crookston for 10 of his 12 years there.
Olson spent seven years at Jamestown College (N.D.) as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach from 1992-99. During his tenure at Jamestown, Olson was part of a No. 1 ranked football program that advanced to the 1998 NAIA National Playoffs.
Olson got his coaching start at Northern State (S.D.) as an assistant football and baseball coach in 1991. Olson was a standout baseball player at Valley City State (N.D.) from 1984-88, earning NAIA All-America Honorable Mention accolades in 1988. Olson was inducted into the VCSU Hall of Fame in 2005.
