Kevin Olsen enters the first season of his second stint at San Francisco after rejoining the Dons’ coaching staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2023. In his previous time on the Hilltop, the Dons amassed a record of 57-36 (.613) with Olsen’s final year culminating in the program’s highest win total since 1981-82. His current role on head coach Chris Gerlufsen’s staff features a heavy emphasis on opponent scouting.
Prior to returning to San Francisco, Olsen spent one season at the University of Florida as the team’s video coordinator under head coach Todd Golden. Olsen helped Florida to several marquee wins including a 67-54 victory over #2 Tennessee, which matched the highest-ranked regular season win in Florida history. The Gators would go on to earn an NIT berth, only the second time a UF coaching staff has received a postseason bid in its first season.
Olsen was with San Francisco during the 2021-22 season when the Dons experienced historic success under Golden. USF earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament - the team’s first since the tournament bracket was expanded to its modern format of 64+ teams. USF’s return to March Madness snapped a 24-year drought dating back to 1998. During the season, Olsen served as the team’s graduate manager in charge of video operations.
Originally entering the program as a student manager, Olsen was a part of USF’s 2019-20 staff that led the Dons to an upset victory over #4 Virginia. The victory was San Francisco's first win against an AP top-5 team since 1981. Olsen spent three seasons working with USF guard Jamaree Bouyea, who upon graduation became the first San Francisco Don to play in an NBA game since Bill Cartwright in 1995.
In May 2021, Olsen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of San Francisco. Prior to USF, Olsen coached on the AAU circuit with West Coast Elite Basketball.
What they are saying about Kevin Olsen:
"Kevin Olsen is a winner. I have been fortunate to work with him and see his tremendous growth in our coaching profession since he joined us as an undergraduate manager at the University of San Francisco. He has a great attitude, and understands the value of being a great teammate. He has had a lot of different responsibilities throughout the years within our program, and he always gets the job done well. Kevin will be a great addition for Coach Gerlufsen and his coaching staff. I am excited to witness the value he adds to the Dons’ program." - Todd Golden, University of Florida Head Coach
"Kevin Olsen is a gym rat who loves the game of basketball. Since his playing days as a point guard he has always made everyone around him better! It’s easy to see why his coaching career is on a very positive trajectory." - Jimmy Allen, Former Army Head Coach
CAREER EXPERIENCE:
2023-present San Francisco, Assistant Coach
2022-23 Florida, Video Coordinator
2021-22 San Francisco, Graduate Manager
2019-21 San Francisco, Undergraduate Manager
