Ryan Olson - Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach - Football Coaches

Ryan Olson

Title:
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
Email:
Ryan.Olson@sdstate.edu
Recruiting Area:
Wisconsin

Ryan Olson joined the South Dakota State football coaching staff in January 2021 and was elevated to offensive coordinator following the 2023 season.

During his first two seasons with the Jackrabbits, Olson coached the team's tight ends. During the 2020-21 spring season, Olson mentored first-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference tight end Zach Heins. The position group also played a key role in the Jackrabbits rushing for an average of 231.7 yards per game — the program's highest total in the Division I era (since 2004) — as SDSU reached the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

The Jackrabbits nearly repeated that same success in the fall of 2021, again reaching the FCS semifinals en route to an 11-4 overall record. Sophomore Tucker Kraft emerged as one of the top tight ends in the subdivision, recording 65 receptions for 780 yards with six touchdowns en route to all-MVFC honors and All-America accolades from several organizations. Heins formed the other half of a dynamic duo at the position by continuing his steady play with another 24 catches for 250 yards and six scores.

Olson made a seamless transition into his new roles in 2022 as he mentored an offensive line anchored by All-Americans Garret Greenfield at left tackle and Mason McCormick at left guard. In addition, right tackle John O'Brian was honored as a member of the MVFC All-Newcomer Team.

The Jackrabbits averaged 184.6 rushing yards per game in 2022, topping the 200-yard mark in seven contests including all four playoff games en route to winning the first national championship in program history.

As the Jackrabbits successfully defended their first national title by putting together an undefeated (15-0) season in 2023, the SDSU offensive line again played a huge factor. Greenfield and McCormick closed out standout careers by being consensus All-America selections and junior Gus Miller was honored as the FCS recipient of the Rimington Award, which recognizes the top center in college football. McCormick, who was also selected as the Phil Steele Offensive of the Year, was picked in the fourth round of the 2024 National Football League Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Greenfield signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Efficiency was the name of the game for the SDSU offense in 2023 as the Jackrabbits led the FCS ranks in both third- (.535) and fourth-down (.818) conversion percentages, as well as red-zone offense by coming away with points on 96.5 percent of its trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. SDSU also gave up an FCS-best 2.73 tackles for loss per game and surrendered only 11 sacks in 15 games.

That protection of the quarterback also allowed the Jackrabbits to lead their subdivision in team passing efficiency with a mark of 174.26, led by Walter Payton Award winner Mark Gronowski.

Olson has coached at the collegiate level for a decade, including previously serving as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Bemidji State. Over three seasons (2017-19), the Beavers averaged 205 yards rushing and 34.3 points points per game. Bemidji State led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in fewest sacks allowed in 2019 with 11, while attempting 335 passes.

During his tenure at Bemidji State, Olson mentored seven first-team all-conference selections, five all-region honorees and three All-Americans. He also filled the role of recruiting coordinator.

Olson began his collegiate coaching career in 2013 as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State. After one season he was elevated to a full-time position as tight ends and tackles coach before furthering his graduate studies as a member of the offensive coaching staff first at Iowa State (2015) and Buffalo (2016). He received his master's in educational leadership from Iowa State in 2016.

A native of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Olson was an all-conference selection at right tackle for NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was a member of national championship teams in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and played on squads that compiled a 58-2 record in his four seasons, including posting a 45-game winning streak.