For this edition of Beyond the Wall, AFL Communications sat down with new Spokane Shock Head Coach Andy Olson. Olson played in 29 regular season games for Spokane, helping the Shock capture the 2009 ArenaCup. Last season Olson served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Shock since Week 2. Spokane’s offense in 2011 was impressive under Olson, finishing the season ranked fifth in the AFL in average points per game scored with 58.8.
EDITOR: How did it feel when you found out that you were going to be the next Head Coach of the Spokane Shock?
ANDY OLSON: I was extremely excited when I found out. There really isn’t a better way of putting it. It’s an opportunity that I don’t think anyone in my shoes could pass up. It’s one of those things where it is a once in a lifetime chance for me. I jumped on it and did everything I could to make sure that I got the job; and here I am today.
ED: What was your childhood like growing up on a farm in Washington?
AO: Growing up on a farm definitely taught me a lot about hard work. I grew up on a dairy farm, so we were never in front of the TV. We were always outside working, playing around or doing other stuff outdoors. We were very happy. I had a very active childhood and once I got into my teen years, my parents started making me work on the farm. My family and I worked hard when I was growing up and had a lot of fun too. I definitely got a hard working attitude from growing up on a farm. Not many kids get an opportunity to grow up that way, and I am very thankful for it.
ED: In High School, you played and excelled in a number of sports including football, wrestling and soccer. What was that experience like? Which sport did you like playing the most?
AO: Obviously I loved football the most. I enjoyed pretty much every sport I ever played. I was one of those kids that tried to play as many sports as I could. Football was always my favorite though, because all of my brothers played and I idolized them. Football was just the most fun. I loved scoring touchdowns. It was one of those things where I continued to grow as a football player and opportunities started to come my way. I just tried to go from there.
ED: Going into your senior season you had a lot of scholarship offers. However, after a late season injury many of the offers were taken away. How tough was that experience?
AO: It was definitely disappointing. It is one of those things that you learn from. You just kind of have to take a beating sometimes, get up and keep working hard. The injury was very unfortunate and ill timed. But I ended up at a decent school and had a great time being there. I met my wife there and started a family, so I can’t complain about what happened.
ED: You then got an opportunity to play at Western Washington with your brother. What was that experience like?
AO: It was a very cool and comfortable situation for me. The school was a very good academic school as well, which is one thing that was really important to me. I really wanted to make sure that I got a decent education. The scholarship and not having to pay for school and classes was definitely nice too. Having my brother there and knowing the coaches gave me an upper hand on a lot of things. It was a real advantage for me and it ended up working out really well.
ED: You then went to the AFL and af2, playing with the Georgia Force and Spokane Shock. How did you get into the arena game?
AO: I loved playing Arena Football because I thought it was perfect for a receiver’s game. How can you not enjoy playing where you have a good chance of catching touchdowns in every single game? I had a blast playing. I found out about it and contacted my agent. He heard back, so I decided to give it a shot. I didn’t stay in Georgia very long and got an opportunity to play in Spokane for a two year tenure. I learned so much about the arena game in my time being in Spokane.
ED: How were you able to be successful as a receiver in the arena game? What are some of the things that you focused on?
AO: You have to get used to the speed of the game. That’s the biggest difference. There is not a whole lot of room to work with on the field for a wide receiver. You have to do what you would do on an outdoor field a lot faster. You have to hit areas quicker and understand the timing and how much time the quarterback has to throw the football. Once you understand that, it helps the receiver get into an area and make a move or get open in order to get up field. It’s all about timing. In Arena Football, the field is condensed, so everything has to happen very quickly and your decisions have to be fast. I understood the game very well and picked it up pretty quick. I knew how to get open.
ED: Earlier this season, you got hired as the Offensive Coordinator for the Shock. How did that come about?
AO: I got the job after a few weeks into last season. I heard that the offense was struggling and the team was unhappy with the production. I got a phone call from Rob Keefe and just talked about being a receivers coach and working my way into being an Offensive Coordinator. I got here and Rob really liked what I had to offer and agreed on pretty much everything that had to do with the offense. He gave me complete control of the offense. It was a great situation for me. I have loved being the Offensive Coordinator here and had a great time doing it. I hoped throughout the season that one day I would get the chance to be a Head Coach. It definitely happened a lot faster than I thought it would but I am very happy with where I am now.
ED: You have always had a reputation for being tough and giving 110 percent. Is that what you look for in recruiting players?
AO: I think one of the things that coaches have trouble with is recruiting players that have the heart that most other players don’t have. It is really hard to find, but I think that it is something that is few and far between now a days. Finding players who will grind every single play is what I look for. When its one minute left in the fourth quarter, they are the ones with the confidence and will to finish the game for you. I think that is definitely the type of player that I am going to try and recruit. You’re not going to get a team full of those guys, but finding these players is very important to a team’s success and the signing process.
ED: How much does it help being able to coach very close to your home and family?
AO: It’s nice. My parents are able to keep involved and come to a couple of games a year. It would obviously be a lot more difficult if they were across the state or the nation. It’s definitely convenient and Spokane has been great to me since I have been here. I hope to make this my home for a number of years and am looking forward to being around here for a while.
ED: What is it like playing in front of the Spokane crowd?
AO: It’s a blast. It’s also definitely a great recruiting tool. Having fans in the stadium is what we play for. If we didn’t have fans, it wouldn’t be very much fun. There aren’t many teams that get such a loyal fan base that will pack the stadium with 11,000 fans every game. It’s so loud in there. The fans are so good to us and we definitely feel that they are some of the best in the entire League. I have always been extremely happy with our fan production and it is so much more fun as a player when you have 10,000 people in the stands screaming their heads off for you every game. We feel that is our advantage and hopefully it continues.
ED: How would you describe yourself as a coach?
AO: I am a very controlled, yet aggressive coach. I think that being a Head Coach, I really want to get better in adapting to circumstances and the players. I don’t think there is one style that I want to have because I think it is important as a Head Coach to be able to adapt to different situations and the 24 players on the team. Being able to adapt to those individual players and change your style to fit them for their success is very important. I definitely want to be flexible and a fun coach, but still have a serious attitude and be able to get the most out of the players.
ED: What do you like to do for fun when you are not coaching?
AO: I love to go to the park with my kids. We love doing outdoor stuff. I love watching them play sports. When I do get a chance, I enjoy playing golf. Every once in a while I like to play some racquetball. I basically like doing anything that is outdoors. I might go camping with my family on the weekends. We love being outside and doing stuff outside together. I would pretty much say that all of my spare time is spent with them.
ED: Andy, thanks for joining us! Good luck this offseason and congratulations.
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