Hans Olsen, who has 18 years of NCAA Division I head coaching experience at N.C. State and Charleston Southern, was named interim head coach for women’s tennis at North Carolina Central University on Jan. 5, 2015.
In his 18 seasons prior to NCCU – 13 in the ACC at N.C. State as women’s tennis head coach and five in the Big South at Charleston Southern as men’s and women’s tennis head coach – Olsen’s teams have combined for eight NCAA Tournament appearances, four conference championships and 271 match victories. He boasts the highest winning percentage as a head coach at both N.C. State and Charleston Southern.
"I'm thrilled to have Coach Olsen join our team,” said NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “To have a coach with such quality experiences and success on and off the court is a bonus for our young women and NCCU. I look forward to working with Coach as he continues to build on our recent success in the MEAC.”
Olsen graduated from Charleston Southern University in 1992, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. During his student tenure at CSU, he was a four-year performer on the tennis team. Olsen was a two-time Big South all-conference selection and was twice named the CSU men’s tennis Most Valuable Player as the number one singles player.
He returned to his alma mater as the head coach for men’s and women’s tennis in 1997, guiding the Charleston Southern men’s tennis team to four consecutive Big South Conference championships (1997-2000) and three NCAA Tournament appearances (1998-2000). Olsen was selected as the Big South Conference Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year four times (1997-2000).
For his efforts as both a student-athlete and coach, Olsen was inducted to the Charleston Southern University Hall of Fame in 2004, as well as the Big South Conference Hall of Fame in 2006.
In 13 seasons as women’s tennis head coach at N.C. State, he elevated the program to its highest team national ranking in school history when the Wolfpack closed out the 2011 season at No. 25. During his time in Raleigh, the Pack made five trips to the NCAA Tournament (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013), which included the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory with a 4-3 win over No. 24 William & Mary in 2006.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Eagle family,” Olsen said. “Thank you to Dr. Wicker-McCree for providing me the opportunity to be a part of North Carolina Central University Athletics. Coach Nass's dedication and leadership has built a strong foundation for the program to move forward. I will work very hard to continue building the tradition of excellence of our extremely talented and hard-working women's tennis team."
Olsen and his wife, Amy, currently reside in Raleigh with their sons, Anders and Aksel, and daughter, Annika. Amy is the head coach of the women's cross country and track & field teams at Meredith College in Raleigh.
QUICK FACTS:
North Carolina State University (Nov. 2001-May 2014), Women’s Tennis Head Coach
Five NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013)
Highest Team National Ranking in School History (No. 25 – end of 2011 season)
NC State’s Winningest Women’s Tennis Coach with 138 Match Wins
Overall Record: 138-159
Charleston Southern University (1997-2001), Men’s and Women’s Tennis Head Coach
Four Consecutive Big South Conference Men’s Tennis Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
Three NCAA Tournament Appearances (1998, 1999, 2000)
Four-Time Big South Conference Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
Combined Men’s and Women’s Tennis Overall Record: 133-92 (89-31 men’s tennis)
