Influencing students both on and off the court, Concordia alumnus Drew Olson serves university as head women’s basketball coach

To put it simply, Drew Olson ’03 is passionate about basketball. During his college years, he transferred to Concordia Nebraska from Hastings College due to the influence of former university men’s basketball coach Grant Schmidt. Today, Olson coaches the Concordia Nebraska women’s basketball team. He has served in this position for 18 years. 

As a student at Concordia, Olson earned a bachelor of arts in math with a minor in business administration. Aside from many fond memories on the basketball court, Olson said his time at Concordia was priceless to him. He said he treasured “the lifelong friends I made on campus and am thankful for how my faith in Christ grew during my time on campus.” 

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Olson was a three-year letter winner for the Bulldogs in both basketball and tennis. During his basketball career, he helped the Bulldogs make two NAIA National Tournament appearances, win three Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) titles and capture a GPAC tournament championship. 

Olson said he always dreamed of coaching basketball, but that his professors, coaches and others on campus had a strong and positive influence on his life, providing mentorship and guidance that helped him realize his goals and dreams. 

“Coach Grant Schmidt and Coach Marty Kohlwey were huge influences for me,” he said. “They greatly impacted how and why I do what I do.” 

Following graduation from the university, Olson served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Bellevue University for three seasons while obtaining his master’s degree at University of Nebraska - Omaha. He began serving at Concordia Nebraska in 2006. 

His players say that Olson often says “we have a lot of talent, but do we have enough team?” Known for wanting his players to not only improve on the court but also bond as a family off the court and grow in their relationship with Christ, Olson constantly reminds players to gift glory to God because real victory is through Him. 

Olson has enjoyed a successful career at the university filled with many achievements, but said winning the GPAC tournament in 2003 is one accomplishment that always stands out in his mind. 

Olson realized a career goal on March 12, 2019, when the Concordia University women's basketball team celebrated the program's first ever national title. The program's all-time winningest coach, Olson guided the Bulldogs to their first-ever national title game appearance in 2015. They reached the same stage again in 2018 and 2019. The 2019-20 team had garnered the number one overall seed at the 2020 national tournament that was canceled before the first round was finished. Olson has led the Bulldogs to national tournament appearances in 15 of the past 16 years. 

He and his wife M'Leigh ‘10 reside in Seward with their daughter Adelyn and sons Jacoby, Quinton, Ian and Nathan. 

Olson is just one example of a university alumnus who has made an impact elsewhere, but chose to return to the university to serve. Olson said there are many things he loves about his job, but being able to combine his passion for basketball, his faith and his love for people means that his position coaching basketball at Concordia is very fulfilling and rewarding. 

“I love helping people grow, helping them know their worth, helping them know who Jesus is, and His love for them,” he said. 

Are you interested in discovering how you can financially support Concordia Nebraska as we equip and transform students to serve and lead in our communities, churches and the world? Learn more here.