Aug. 30, 2011

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Shock announced today that Andy Olson has been assigned as the new head coach of the team. This will be Olson's first season as a head coach in the AFL.

"This is the opportunity that I have been waiting for," Olson explained. "As a player for the Shock, I learned what is like to be a champion. As the Head Coach, I have a responsibility to continue the championship tradition that Spokane fans have enjoyed for the last six years."

Last season Olson served as the Offensive Coordinator for the final 17 games of the season, taking over for Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. Under Olson's guidance, Spokane's offense showed immediate improvement, increasing its average points/game by 8.5 and ending the regular season averaging 58.8 points/game (fifth in the league).

Despite an injury-plagued season in which the team used seven different quarterbacks, Olson's offense still posted 70 points or more in six contests, including a season-high of 76 in a victory over the Utah Blaze.

"We know that Andy is the right man for the job," CEO/Majority Owner Brady Nelson explained. "He is truly one of the brightest offensive minds in the game and we know that he can continue our winning tradition. His intelligence on the field is matched off the field by his integrity and the kind of character our players can stand behind."

As a player for Spokane, Olson was a key member of the Shock's 2008 Conference Championship team and helped Spokane capture the 2009 ArenaCup. In 29 regular season games with the Shock, Olson recorded 220 receptions for 2,201 yards and 36 touchdowns.

For 2012 season ticket information, call the Shock office at 509 242 7462 ext. 1.