The Packers have announced that Ryan Olson of Royall High School in Elroy, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, making Olson the first recipient of the award in 2016.
Olson, in his second year as the varsity head coach of Royall, led the Panthers to a 40-20 victory over the New Lisbon Rockets on Friday, Sept. 2, in New Lisbon. The Panthers now will host Cashton High School and look to improve their record to 4-0 for the first time since 1997.
"It was a great win for us. This was the second time that we were able to beat New Lisbon in 14 years," said Olson. "The win was a great confidence booster, not only for our players, but the players who came before them and were unable to defeat the Rockets. It really set our team up for success moving forward."
Olson grew up an hour away from Royall High School, in Viroqua, Wis., where he played offensive line and linebacker for coach Clay Heath at Viroqua High School. He then went on to play defensive tackle for the Carroll University Pioneers. Following an injury, Olson began his coaching career for the Pioneers as a student assistant under coach Mark Krzykowski. After one year as an assistant coach for Royall High School in 2014, Olson was promoted to head coach of the Panthers. Outside of coaching, Olson is a fifth grade teacher at Royall Intermediate School.
Olson and his staff oversee a football program of 35 players. His assistant staff includes Michael Salamanski, Randy Board, Jim Lunde, and Josh Potter. Royall High School has not had a winning season in 14 years, but thanks to Olson and his staff, the Panthers are well on their way to changing that trend.
About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2016 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL Foundation, as well as recognition of the award on Packers.com, Wissports.net and Wifca.org.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Youth Football Coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
