I knew I wanted to coach basketball when I was 4 years
old. I grew up in the Millard South High School gym watching my dad coach the girls’ basketball team and seeing the
energy he put into every practice and game.
I developed my love for the game while watching thousands of games at
all levels and talking X’s and O’s with my brother Jarrod. My passion continued as I had the opportunity
to play one year at Hastings College for Mike Trader, four seasons with Grant
Schmidt at Concordia University, and then coach three years at Bellevue
University while assisting Todd Eisner.
Now in my ninth season at Concordia University, I have the
greatest job in the world. Not because I
get to coach the greatest game, which I do, or because I have fun, hard-working
players, also true, but because I am in a position to impact others in a positive
way and be a servant-leader for Jesus Christ.
I am blessed to be able to coach at a Concordia where sharing my faith
is welcomed and encouraged. It’s a
special place when your coaching peers have the same values that you do and are
in this profession for the same reason you are.
My faith has been strengthened by fellow coaches, by players, by
students.
I feel this same way throughout the GPAC. Often times, pre-game conversations with the opposing coaches are about family and values. I have really enjoyed getting to know other coaches in the GPAC. Though we definitely are competitive and want to win in those 2 hours of battle, the time shared before, and the moments after the game are of mutual respect and friendship.
One of the challenges of coaching at this level is recruiting. I believe this has become even more difficult the last few years with the increasing number of AAU teams and the pressure put on high school athletes to play at the highest level. I understand having the dream to play at the D-1 level (I wanted to play for Duke) but I now know the value that the GPAC can have on student-athletes. Student-athletes at this “small college” level have an awesome overall experience. They are put in a faith based environment with smaller class sizes. They have opportunities to compete (some can compete in multiple sports) and learn through athletics. And they can do this while still competing at an extremely high level. The GPAC is one of the toughest leagues for many sports, but especially for women’s basketball.
Coaching at Concordia and in the GPAC is an awesome challenge. It has so many good coaches. Every night is a battle which makes the season a grind and very stressful. My wife often asks me why I coach because she sees the insanity of the occupation. We all have the goal to win a national championship, but the majority fall short and end the season with some form of disappointment. But even for that team/coach that wins the ultimate prize, you have to return to the grind of the next season. Your satisfaction is never content, never completely fulfilled. Part of our job is to win and it’s easy to get lost in the season and where your focus should be as a coach. Don’t focus on the ultimate goal, but focus on the process. Take pride in the little steps your players and your team make throughout the season. Enjoy the small victories. Enjoy the relationships that you are building and the impact you are making. Enjoy each day you get to spend doing what you love. The main thing I have learned in this profession is to find joy in the journey.
-Drew Olson
Learn more about Drew Olson HERE
Follow him on Twitter @CoachDrewOlson
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