Eric Olson is best known in the OC as Coach Oly. Oly resides in Lake Forest with his wife Sheryl, his kids Ella and Paxton, and dogs, Sonny and Casper. Oly has had an illustrious volleyball career that has spanned over 40 years. As a two-year varsity standout setter at Capistrano Valley High School, Eric led the Cougars to win back-to-back league championships. Oly was honored with the title of First-Team All-League as well as League MVP in the highly competitive South Coast League. After his senior year, Eric was selected to the South Orange County All-Star Team. At the OC All-Star game, Eric gathered a list of other players, not playing Club Volleyball and formed his own 18's Club Team. He acted as Player/Coach and called his club team "Next up on Court 2". "Next up on Court 2" finished 3rd in the Annual SCVA Boys Holiday Classic.

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Despite his distinctions and being named to Volleyball Magazine's Fab 50, (top 50 HS players in the country), Eric was not recruited by any D1 colleges. Transitioning to college, Eric chose Irvine Valley College to continue his playing career. At IVC, Eric served as the starting setter and team captain, leading his squad to a memorable 22-1 record and a California State Championship. Eric earned the First Team All-Conference Setter and First Team All-Tournament Setter distinctions. 

 

As a State Champion, Eric thought his collegiate volleyball career was complete. Little did Eric know, his mother sent letters to all the Men's programs in the country, every school that offered scholarships. Much to his surprise, he was contacted and recruited by George Mason University, a competitive D1 volleyball program on the East Coast. 

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His playing journey then continued at George Mason, where Eric excelled as the starting setter. During his two-year tenure, he not only guided his team to a remarkable ninth-place finish in the country but also etched his name in the record books as the Overall Single-Season Assist leader, a GMU Men's Volleyball program record that holds strong today. Eric was among the nation's statistic leaders in assists per game, serve aces, and digs per game. Eric is most proud of the fact his middle blockers were nationally ranked as #2 and #3 in the country for hitting percentage his senior year. The pinnacle of Oly's collegiate career was his last match, just falling short to the defending D1 National Champions, #2 NCAA DI ranked, Penn State.

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Eric's commitment to the sport extended beyond his playing days as he embarked on a coaching career. Over the past 32 years, he imparted his knowledge and passion for volleyball at institutions like Newport Harbor HS, Irvine Valley College, Concordia University, and Hope International University. Eric was also a very successful club coach. His boys club teams at Surf City and Riptides were among the top finishers in the country. In 2006, Eric started, directed, and head coached the first SCVA Boys High-Performance program, taking his team to the 2006 USA Boys High-Performance Global Challenge in Utah. Eric's SCVA High Performance 18's team defeated both the USA and China Junior National teams to win the 2006 USA Global Challenge. 

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Eric then took an opportunity to be involved at the ground level of starting a private high school and coaching girls and boys' volleyball. Eric's high school teams were very successful, advancing deep into the CIF playoffs, CIF Finals and State Regional tournament. As a founding faculty member, for the last 18 years, Eric has served as the Athletic Director at Crean Lutheran High School building an athletic department of over 25 varsity sports with multiple CIF Championships and growing that prestigious institution to over 1100 students. 

 

With a competitive playing and a coaching legacy that spans 40 years, Eric remains dedicated to the development of young talents the study of the game. He enjoys growing the game, conducting private lessons, and teaching coaches. 

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Oly gives thanks and accredits his love and passion for the game to his volleyball mentors... Ken Goldstone, Danny Glenn, Tom Pestolesi, Mike D'Alessandro, Alan Knipe, Michael Soylular, Ken Preston, Uvaldo "UV" Acosta, and Paula Weishoff.

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Coaching History

• Crean Lutheran High Head Volleyball Coach and Director Girls and Boys Volleyball 2007 – 2018 

• CLHS Girls - League Champions 2013, CIF Semi Finalist CLHS 2011, 2015, 2017, CIF Finalist 2013

• CLHS Boys – League Champions 2016 and 2017, CIF Semi Finalist 2015 and 2017, CIF Finalists 2016

• 2006 High Performance Director and Head Coach for Global Challenge Championship Team – 1st place defeating China, USA and Utah.

• Head Men’s & Women’s Volleyball Coach - Hope International University 

• Associate Head Men’s Volleyball Coach - Irvine Valley College 

• • 2006 California Community College Coach of the Year

• Head Assistant Women’s Coach, Concordia University

• • NAIA National Finalist 

• Newport Harbor Head Assistant Coach

• • Two State Championships

• • Three CIF Championships

• 18 years Youth Club Volleyball Coach

• • 18 open 3rd place SCVA Boys Classic player/coach 1991’

• • 16 open Bronze JO’s 1998’

• • 16 open First Place OC Boy’s Classic  2004’

• • 18 open Bronze JO’s 2006’

• • 18 open Silver JO’s 2007

 

Playing Career - Volleyball

•     Two time First Team All-South Coast League and MVP 1991, Capo Valley High School 

•     South Orange County All-Star Team, Sr. 

•     Volleyball Monthly Magazine - Top 50 players in America 1991 

•     Team Captain – Irvine Valley College 1992, 1993

•     Setter on 1993 Conference and State Championship team at IVC 

•     First Team All-State – IVC 1993 

•     NCAA Division I  setter and team captain - George Mason University 1994, 1995

•     Current single season Assists Leader at George Mason University

•     School record holder for assists p/game & team hitting percentage at GMU 

•     Among the nation leaders in digs per game and serve aces 1995. 

•     Senior year led GMU to EIVA Finals and a No. 9 NCAA Volleyball Magazine National ranking 

•     Selected to the EIVA All-East Team and Olympic Festival Setter

•     1998 USA Men’s Open Nationals Silver Medalist Setter 

•     Former AAA Level Beach Volleyball Player and AVP Qualifier