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Thunder Announce Andy Olson as Head Coach

September 11, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


Andy Olson Signs on as Head Coach of the Portland Thunder
Andy Olson Signs on as Head Coach of the Portland Thunder
(Portland Thunder)

PORTLAND - Andy Olson has been named head coach of the Portland Thunder, team management announced today. Olson becomes the third head coach in Thunder history following a successful four years as head coach of the Spokane Shock.

"We are delighted to have Andy take over the position," owner Terry Emmert stated. "He is a coach that has shown a lot of promise over his young career, and has a style that we are excited to see in action for the Portland Thunder. We feel Andy's knowledge of this division, and his intensity on the sidelines, will give our fans plenty to cheer about in the coming years."

Olson, 32, is the youngest head coach currently serving in the Arena Football League, and has been since he took over the helm of the Shock at age 28 in 2012. Olson was promoted to head coach following the 2011 season after a year as Offensive Coordinator for Spokane.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to work for this solid organization," Olson said. The ownership is clearly committed, and we will work together to run the organization the right way, instilling a focus on work ethic and stability while winning."

With a career regular season record of 42-30, Olson has made playoff appearances in each of his last three seasons, with his best showing coming in 2013. Andy led the Shock to the second best record in the AFL that season (14-4) and narrowly missed out on a spot in ArenaBowl XXVI, after a 65-57 National Conference title game loss to the eventual Champion Arizona Rattlers. Finishing 2013 with a 15-5 overall record, Olson's offense amassed 1,198 total points, the third highest season total in AFL history. An average of 66.6 points per game was also third most in League history at the time, and their 14 wins by 10 points or more set a new AFL single-season record.

A native of Chehalis, Washington, Olson played collegiately at Western Washington University, where he set school records for touchdowns (31) and receptions (183) over a four year career at wide receiver. Andy is also second all-time in receiving yards (2,990) for the WWU Vikings. Following a six week stint with the Georgia Force in 2007, Olson signed to play for the Shock in January 2008. In 29 regular season games as a player with the Shock, Olson recorded 220 receptions for 2,201 yards and 36 touchdowns.




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Andy Olson Signs on as Head Coach of the Portland Thunder
Andy Olson Signs on as Head Coach of the Portland Thunder
   



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