Coaches

Ken Olson

Year Inducted: 1987

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: (Chicago) Crane Technical High School
(Chicago) Lane Technical High School

Biography: Ken Olson has one of the top records as a basketball coach in Chicago’s always strong Public League. Olson started quickly at making his mark as frosh-soph coach at Crane Tech. His first and only F-S team went 16-2 and won the league title. Olson then moved up as Crane varsity coach for five seasons. His 1986 Crane club placed third in the state tournament and won the Chicago City Title. Olson and Crane Tech won two IHSA Sectional titles and the Jacksonville Christmas Tournament. Olson moved to Lane Tech where he spent the next 15 seasons. Olson’s success has continued at Lane. His teams won six IHSA Sectional titles, added two more holiday crowns at Jacksonville, a pair of Chicago Daily News crowns and a pair of Quigley North Holiday Tournament titles. Twice Olson’s Lane teams reached the Chicago City Tournament quarterfinals. In 20 seasons as a varsity coach Olson compiled a 312-217 record and in 1986 was named IBCA District Coach of the year.