Ryan Olson joined the Northwestern coaching staff in January of 2025, and he will continue to primarily work with the Wildcat offensive line in his second season in 2026.
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In Olson’s first year at Northwestern, the Wildcats averaged 160.2 rushing yards per game (8th in the Big Ten and 65th in the nation), which marked a jump of over 62 yards per game compared to the team's output the season prior to his arrival. Graduate guard and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Evan Beernsten posted a 79.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade in 2025, which ranked seventh nationally for guards and fourth among Big Ten guards. Graduate center Jackson Carsello’s 78.9 Run Blocking Grade ranked second among Big Ten centers.
In 2025, Olson was selected to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) 35 Under 35, which identifies and develops premier leaders in the coaching profession.
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 five semifinal trips, three National Championship appearances, and two FCS National Championship Rings. In addition to team accomplishments, Olson also served as position coach for six FCS All Americans and two 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 (fourth in FCS) and had a third down conversion rate of 51% (fifth in FCS). His offensive line also led the way for a rushing attack that averaged 236 yards per game, which ranked third in FCS and the most in South Dakota State's Division I era, while leading the FCS in sacks allowed per game (.05). Gus Miller and Evan Beerntsen, who later transferred to Northwestern before the 2025 season, 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 Lineman 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 FCS, 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 Third 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 (Minn.). Over three seasons (2017-19), the Beavers averaged 205 yards rushing and 34.3 points per game. Bemidji State led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in fewest sacks allowed in 2019 with 11, while attempting 335 passes.Â
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. Olson earned an undergraduate degree from Wisconsin-Whitewater in health and human performance.
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In Olson’s first year at Northwestern, the Wildcats averaged 160.2 rushing yards per game (8th in the Big Ten and 65th in the nation), which marked a jump of over 62 yards per game compared to the team's output the season prior to his arrival. Graduate guard and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Evan Beernsten posted a 79.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade in 2025, which ranked seventh nationally for guards and fourth among Big Ten guards. Graduate center Jackson Carsello’s 78.9 Run Blocking Grade ranked second among Big Ten centers.
In 2025, Olson was selected to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) 35 Under 35, which identifies and develops premier leaders in the coaching profession.
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 five semifinal trips, three National Championship appearances, and two FCS National Championship Rings. In addition to team accomplishments, Olson also served as position coach for six FCS All Americans and two 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 (fourth in FCS) and had a third down conversion rate of 51% (fifth in FCS). His offensive line also led the way for a rushing attack that averaged 236 yards per game, which ranked third in FCS and the most in South Dakota State's Division I era, while leading the FCS in sacks allowed per game (.05). Gus Miller and Evan Beerntsen, who later transferred to Northwestern before the 2025 season, 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 Lineman 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 FCS, 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 Third 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 (Minn.). Over three seasons (2017-19), the Beavers averaged 205 yards rushing and 34.3 points per game. Bemidji State led the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in fewest sacks allowed in 2019 with 11, while attempting 335 passes.Â
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. Olson earned an undergraduate degree from Wisconsin-Whitewater in health and human performance.