SEWARD, Neb. – As head coach of a national championship team, Drew Olson has been chosen as the State College Coach of the Year by the Lincoln Journal Star, as announced by the news outlet on Wednesday (July 3). Olson garnered the same honor in 2015 after his Concordia women’s basketball team finished as the national runner up that season. For this particular honor, the Lincoln Journal Star chooses the top candidate, men’s or women’s sports, from Nebraska NAIA and NCAA Division II and III colleges.
Just after leading the Bulldogs to a national championship game victory over Southeastern University (Fla.) on March 12, Olson also received the Phyllis Holmes National Coach of the Year award from the NAIA. It marked the second season in a row in which the Concordia alum had collected a national coaching honor. Following the 2017-18 campaign, Olson took home the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NAIA National Coach of the Year award. The Omaha native is also a three-time GPAC Coach of the Year.
Now 13 years deep into his tenure, Olson has put together an impressive résumé while leading a program that emphasizes Christian character and academic excellence, in addition to on-court success. Since being named head coach prior to the 2006-07 season, Olson has compiled an overall record of 353-96 with a national title, five national semifinal advancements (two national runners up claims), 10 combined GPAC titles, 11 national tournament appearances and 23 national tournament victories.
In an interview with the Lincoln Journal Star, Olson described a desire for his program to strive to be like the UConn of NAIA hoops. Wrote the Lincoln Journal Star, “In 13 years, Olson has created and maintained his own juggernaut here in Nebraska, turning Concordia into an NAIA women’s basketball power.”
Said Olson, “That’s the program that we’re trying to emulate (in reference to UConn). I know we’re not even close to where UConn is at with all of their championships, but that’s what we strive to be.”
All-time Concordia State College Coaches of the Year
2019 – Drew Olson, women’s basketball
2016 – Kregg Einspahr, track & field
2015 – Kregg Einspahr, track & field / Drew Olson, women’s basketball
2005 – Todd Voss, women’s basketball
1992 – Grant Schmidt, men’s basketball
1982 – Wayne Rasmussen, men’s basketball
1971 – John Seevers, football
*Award first given out in 1955