Inside the Headset Presented by CoachComm
Jerry Olszewski, Head Coach – Augustana
May 15, 2025
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Jerry Olszewski, the Head Coach at Augustana University. In this conversation, Coach Olszewski shares his consistent drive to seek out learning opportunities, how he developed his leadership style, and how he uses his platform to develop his athletes into better people. Coach Olszewski was recently recognized by the AFCA as the Division 2 Regional Coach of the Year for Region 5 after leading the Vikings to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Division 2 playoffs in 2024.
Follow Coach Olszewski and Augustana Football on social media here:
Follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a like and leave a review—it really helps others discover the show. We drop new episodes every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a moment. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
Show Notes:
1:22 Introduction.
1:36 When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
2:23 Showing the coaching staff that you wanted to be a coach.
3:47 Learning how to coach.
5:51 Separating yourself as a young coach at your alma mater.
8:03 Biggest areas of growth as a young coach.
12:42 First opportunity away from your alma mater at Minnesota State.
17:50 Learning to coach a new position and learning to teach.
21:05 Value of coaching every position throughout your career.
22:55 Special experience at Minnesota State.
24:37 Experience at Cal Lutheran coaching the defensive line.
26:45 Approach to moving for a job and incorporating your family in decision making.
29:16 Returning to Midwest with the Green Bay Bombers.
31:08 Adapting to Arena Football and using those lessons to help you in the future.
33:47 Returning to Minnesota State.
35:14 Stepping away from the game to work for the YMCA.
42:25 Getting back in the profession as the DC at your alma mater.
45:01 First opportunity as a Head Coach.
47:06 Lessons learned early on as a first-time Head Coach.
51:28 Opportunity to take over the Augustana program.
55:26 Approach to rebuilding a program.
59:34 Using your platform to develop athletes into better people.
1:03:36 Conclusion.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Jerry Olszewski, Head Coach – Augustana
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Jerry Olszewski, the Head Coach at Augustana University. In this conversation, Coach Olszewski shares his consistent drive to seek out learning opportunities, how he developed his leadership style, and how he uses his platform to develop his athletes into better people. Coach Olszewski was recently recognized by the AFCA as the Division 2 Regional Coach of the Year for Region 5 after leading the Vikings to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Division 2 playoffs in 2024.
Follow Coach Olszewski and Augustana Football on social media here:
Follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a like and leave a review—it really helps others discover the show. We drop new episodes every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a moment. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
Show Notes:
1:22 Introduction.
1:36 When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
2:23 Showing the coaching staff that you wanted to be a coach.
3:47 Learning how to coach.
5:51 Separating yourself as a young coach at your alma mater.
8:03 Biggest areas of growth as a young coach.
12:42 First opportunity away from your alma mater at Minnesota State.
17:50 Learning to coach a new position and learning to teach.
21:05 Value of coaching every position throughout your career.
22:55 Special experience at Minnesota State.
24:37 Experience at Cal Lutheran coaching the defensive line.
26:45 Approach to moving for a job and incorporating your family in decision making.
29:16 Returning to Midwest with the Green Bay Bombers.
31:08 Adapting to Arena Football and using those lessons to help you in the future.
33:47 Returning to Minnesota State.
35:14 Stepping away from the game to work for the YMCA.
42:25 Getting back in the profession as the DC at your alma mater.
45:01 First opportunity as a Head Coach.
47:06 Lessons learned early on as a first-time Head Coach.
51:28 Opportunity to take over the Augustana program.
55:26 Approach to rebuilding a program.
59:34 Using your platform to develop athletes into better people.
1:03:36 Conclusion.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
