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Smith Completes Coaching Staff with Addition of Jayden Olson
7/25/2023 9:30 AM | Men's Basketball
Utah head men’s basketball coach Craig Smith completes his staff with the hiring of Jayden Olson as assistant coach/director of recruiting.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head men's basketball coach Craig Smith rounded out his staff on Tuesday with the hiring of Jayden Olson as his assistant coach/director of recruiting.
"Jayden is the complete package," Smith said. "In many ways, he's done it all. He's been an assistant coach, director of ops, athletics director and so much more. At every spot he's been, they have won. Jayden truly understands success at all levels of the profession. I've worked side-by-side with Jayden and Colorado State and Nebraska and he's a winner. He's been to NCAA Tournaments at Colorado State, Nebraska and NDSU. That's not accident. He understands winning and understands how to impact winning in any role he is put in. That's what the great ones do!"
Olson comes to Salt Lake City after serving as the Athletic Director at Williston State College (2020-23) the last three-plus years. Familiar with the Tetons family, Olson previously served as an assistant men's and women's basketball coach from 2003-05.
"I couldn't be more excited to be a Runnin' Ute," said Olson. "Working with Coach Smith and the great staff is something I feel very fortunate about. I look forward to helping the players and the program in whatever areas I can. Utah is a historic athletics department and I am eager to help write this chapter in Runnin' Utes basketball."
Prior to his time as athletics director, Olson spent six seasons at North Dakota State (2014-20) – including four years as the associate head coach (2016-20). His first year on staff, he helped lead the Bison to a regular-season and tournament championship while posting a 23-10 overall record. The 23 wins was most by any school led by a first-year head coach.
North Dakota State won at least 15 games every year Olson was on staff, including three 20-win seasons. The 2019-20 season was arguably NDSU's best year with Olson on staff, checking in at 25-8 and 13-3 in Summit League action to capture its second regular-season title.
Smith and Olson first crossed paths at Colorado State where they spent the 2010-12 seasons together under head coach Tim Miles before joining him at Nebraska (2012-14). Olson served as the director of operations in 2011-12 after joining Miles' staff as a video coordinator the year prior (2010-11). While in Ft. Collins, the Rams went 20-12 during the 2011-12 season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
He then joined Miles in Lincoln, Neb., in the same role as director of operations and saw the Huskers earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2013-14. Olson served as the primary day-to-day administrator within the Nebraska basketball office where he handled the program's budget, team travel, clinics, camps and daily office operations while also serving as the liaison with academics, life skills, HuskerVision and media relations departments.
Before joining Miles' staff at Colorado State, Olson was the lead assistant at Augustana College from 2007-10. The Vikings went 67-26 during his three seasons there and qualified for three-consecutive NCAA Division II Regional Tournaments. He was also integral in recruiting back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year recipients at Augustana.
Olson also spent two seasons at North Dakota (2005-07) as a graduate assistant coach while earning his master's degree. His first coaching job at the collegiate level also served as his first stint at Williston State (2003-05).
Olson earned his associate's degree from Williston State in 2000 before getting his bachelor's degree in education at Dickinson State in 2003. He went on to get master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports psychology in 2007 and recently obtained his doctorates of education in education practice and leadership in 2023 at NDSU.
Olson has a daughter, Kennedi, and son, Kamdyn.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"Jayden is the complete package," Smith said. "In many ways, he's done it all. He's been an assistant coach, director of ops, athletics director and so much more. At every spot he's been, they have won. Jayden truly understands success at all levels of the profession. I've worked side-by-side with Jayden and Colorado State and Nebraska and he's a winner. He's been to NCAA Tournaments at Colorado State, Nebraska and NDSU. That's not accident. He understands winning and understands how to impact winning in any role he is put in. That's what the great ones do!"
Olson comes to Salt Lake City after serving as the Athletic Director at Williston State College (2020-23) the last three-plus years. Familiar with the Tetons family, Olson previously served as an assistant men's and women's basketball coach from 2003-05.
"I couldn't be more excited to be a Runnin' Ute," said Olson. "Working with Coach Smith and the great staff is something I feel very fortunate about. I look forward to helping the players and the program in whatever areas I can. Utah is a historic athletics department and I am eager to help write this chapter in Runnin' Utes basketball."
Prior to his time as athletics director, Olson spent six seasons at North Dakota State (2014-20) – including four years as the associate head coach (2016-20). His first year on staff, he helped lead the Bison to a regular-season and tournament championship while posting a 23-10 overall record. The 23 wins was most by any school led by a first-year head coach.
North Dakota State won at least 15 games every year Olson was on staff, including three 20-win seasons. The 2019-20 season was arguably NDSU's best year with Olson on staff, checking in at 25-8 and 13-3 in Summit League action to capture its second regular-season title.
Smith and Olson first crossed paths at Colorado State where they spent the 2010-12 seasons together under head coach Tim Miles before joining him at Nebraska (2012-14). Olson served as the director of operations in 2011-12 after joining Miles' staff as a video coordinator the year prior (2010-11). While in Ft. Collins, the Rams went 20-12 during the 2011-12 season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
He then joined Miles in Lincoln, Neb., in the same role as director of operations and saw the Huskers earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2013-14. Olson served as the primary day-to-day administrator within the Nebraska basketball office where he handled the program's budget, team travel, clinics, camps and daily office operations while also serving as the liaison with academics, life skills, HuskerVision and media relations departments.
Before joining Miles' staff at Colorado State, Olson was the lead assistant at Augustana College from 2007-10. The Vikings went 67-26 during his three seasons there and qualified for three-consecutive NCAA Division II Regional Tournaments. He was also integral in recruiting back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year recipients at Augustana.
Olson also spent two seasons at North Dakota (2005-07) as a graduate assistant coach while earning his master's degree. His first coaching job at the collegiate level also served as his first stint at Williston State (2003-05).
Olson earned his associate's degree from Williston State in 2000 before getting his bachelor's degree in education at Dickinson State in 2003. He went on to get master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports psychology in 2007 and recently obtained his doctorates of education in education practice and leadership in 2023 at NDSU.
Olson has a daughter, Kennedi, and son, Kamdyn.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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