Submitted by Fox First at Ten on October 3rd
by Spokane Shock
The Spokane Shock have agreed to a two-year deal with Head Coach Andy Olson that will extend his contract through the 2014 AFL season. Olson has spent time with the Shock as a player (2008-2009), Offensive Coordinator (2011), and after his first season as Head Coach in 2012 has earned his place at the helm for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
"We were extremely happy with the way Coach Olson handled the adversity he faced last season. He has proven his ability to identify strong talent and produce at a high level on the field so we are looking forward to see what he is able to accomplish over the next two seasons with the Shock," said Spokane Shock Owner Brady Nelson.
Olson's first season as Head Coach for the Shock in 2012 ended with a 10-8 overall record. Spokane averaged 59.1 points per game (fifth in the league) which included a 90-point outing against San Jose on June 23rd. Within Coach Olson's offense, QB Kyle Rowley set an AFL single-game touchdown record in that game against the SaberCats (12). K Kenny Spencer set a single-season AFL record for converted PATs (146) and Adron Tennell set single-season franchise records in receptions (157), yardage (1810) and touchdowns (40).
As Offensive Coordinator in 2011 for 17 games, the Shock averaged 58.8 points/game (fifth in the league). Despite an injury plagued season in which the team used seven different quarterbacks, Spokane still posted 70 points or more in six contests, including a season-high of 76 in a victory over the Utah Blaze in the Joe Albi Summer Outdoor Classic.
In 29 regular season games as a player with the Shock, Olson recorded 220 receptions for 2,201 yards and 36 touchdowns. During his four-year collegiate career at Western Washington University, Olson set the all-time record for touchdowns (31) and receptions (183) and was second all-time in receiving yards (2,990).
Looking toward the impending player signings which will begin on October 15th, Coach Olson and General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden will continue to outline their plan going into the 2013 season. "Everything is really coming together for the Shock this off-season. We have been making some exciting changes and now that we have a great Coach locked in for the next two years, it will enable us to continue to recruit high quality talent to Spokane. We plan to show our fans the best football they have seen yet and provide our players with the best opportunities possible to achieve their goals of reaching the next level in professional football," said Shock General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden.
