Cliff Olson
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Benson, Minnesota, U.S.
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1905 Benson, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | December 6, 1990 (aged 85) Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1923–1926 | Luther |
| Basketball | |
| 1926–1927 | Luther |
| Track and field | |
| 1926–1927 | Luther |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1927 | Marshall HS (MN) |
| 1928 | Spokane College |
| 1929–1941 | Pacific Lutheran |
| 1946 | Pacific Lutheran |
| Basketball | |
| 1927–1928 | Marshall HS (MN) |
| 1928–1929 | Spokane College |
| 1929–1941 | Pacific Lutheran |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football 3 WINCO (1939–1941) | |
Clifford Orin Olson (February 7, 1905 – December 6, 1990) was an American college football, college basketball, and college baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Pacific Lutheran University from 1926 to 1941 and again in 1946, compiling a record of 64–33–6. His 64 wins were the most of any coach in the history of the Pacific Lutheran Lutes football program until he was surpassed by Frosty Westering. Olson also coached track, golf, and tennis as Pacific Lutheran. He was the school's athletic director and taught Latin, history, and physical education.[1]
Olson was born on February 7, 1905, in Benson, Minnesota. He graduated in 1927 with a bachelor's degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. At Luther he played on the football team from 1923 to 1926, the basketball team in 1926–27, and the track and field team from 1926 to 1927.[2]
Olson began his coaching career in the fall of 1927 as football coach at Marshall High School in Marshall, Minnesota.[3] He also coached basketball at Marshall High School before moving in 1928 to Spokane College in Spokane, Washington, where he coached football, basketball, and baseball.[4]
Olson died on December 6, 1990.[1]
