Ryan Olson joined the Northwestern coach staff in January of 2025. Olson will work with the Wildcat Offensive Line.
Prior to joining the staff At Northwestern, Olson spent five seasons in various roles at South Dakota State. In his five seasons in Brookings the Jackrabbits earned 5 semi-final trips, 3 National Championship appearances, and 2 FCS National Championship Rings. In addition to team accomplishments, Olson also served as position coach for 6 FCS All Americans and 2 NFL Draft Picks at Offensive Line and Tight End
As the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at SDSU in the fall of 2024, Olson directed an offense that averaged 36.7 Points Per Game (4th in the FCS Nationally) and had a 3rd down Conversion Rate of 51% (5th in the FCS Nationally). His Offensive Line also led the way for a rushing attack that averaged 236 Yards Per Game (3rd in the FCS Nationally & a program record in the Division 1 Era), while leading the FCS in Sacks Allowed per game (.05). Gus Miller and Evan Beerntsen earned All MVFC and FCS All American Honors.
Olson served as Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for the 2022 and 2023 Seasons.
In 2022 as he mentored an offensive line anchored by All-Americans Garret Greenfield at left tackle and Mason McCormick at left guard as the program won its first FCS National Championship.
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.
The 2023 Jackrabbit rushing attack was prolific; averaging 227 Yards Per Game Rushing and 6.3 Yards Per Carry. SDSU also gave up an FCS-best 2.73 tackles for loss per game and surrendered only 11 sacks in 15 games.
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. In the Fall of 2021 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. Kraft was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd Round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Olson has coached at the collegiate level for over 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.
Olson began his collegiate coaching career in 2013 as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State before serving graduate assistant roles at Iowa State (2015) and Buffalo (2016) as well. 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.
Prior to joining the staff At Northwestern, Olson spent five seasons in various roles at South Dakota State. In his five seasons in Brookings the Jackrabbits earned 5 semi-final trips, 3 National Championship appearances, and 2 FCS National Championship Rings. In addition to team accomplishments, Olson also served as position coach for 6 FCS All Americans and 2 NFL Draft Picks at Offensive Line and Tight End
As the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at SDSU in the fall of 2024, Olson directed an offense that averaged 36.7 Points Per Game (4th in the FCS Nationally) and had a 3rd down Conversion Rate of 51% (5th in the FCS Nationally). His Offensive Line also led the way for a rushing attack that averaged 236 Yards Per Game (3rd in the FCS Nationally & a program record in the Division 1 Era), while leading the FCS in Sacks Allowed per game (.05). Gus Miller and Evan Beerntsen earned All MVFC and FCS All American Honors.
Olson served as Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for the 2022 and 2023 Seasons.
In 2022 as he mentored an offensive line anchored by All-Americans Garret Greenfield at left tackle and Mason McCormick at left guard as the program won its first FCS National Championship.
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.
The 2023 Jackrabbit rushing attack was prolific; averaging 227 Yards Per Game Rushing and 6.3 Yards Per Carry. SDSU also gave up an FCS-best 2.73 tackles for loss per game and surrendered only 11 sacks in 15 games.
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. In the Fall of 2021 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. Kraft was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd Round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Olson has coached at the collegiate level for over 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.
Olson began his collegiate coaching career in 2013 as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State before serving graduate assistant roles at Iowa State (2015) and Buffalo (2016) as well. 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.