TU promotes Olson to be new defensive coordinator

TU has a new defensive coordinator, but he’s not new to the Golden Hurricane coaching staff. Head coach Philip Montgomery announced Tuesday he promoted Luke Olson to fill the shoes of Joseph Gillespie. Gillespie left Tulsa to be the defensive coordinator at TCU.

Olson is a Union High School graduate. He joined the Golden Hurricane staff in 2012 as a graduate assistant coach then spent four years as defensive quality control coach before becoming TU’s nickel safeties coach in 2018.

“I’m extremely excited to take over as the Golden Hurricane Defensive Coordinator. I can’t thank Coach Montgomery enough for the confidence he has shown in me to move me into this role. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. I was a part of the initial installation of this defense four years ago with Coach Bill Young and Coach Joe Gillespie and I take great pride in making sure we continue to head in the right direction. Coaching beside them has been invaluable on so many levels.”

—  New TU defensive coordinator Luke Olson

“Luke has been an integral part of the creation of this defense. He has a tremendous relationship with our players and understanding of their capabilities within our scheme. Obviously, he will bring his own twist and creativity to what we do defensively in keeping with the standard that we’ve set and the progress our defense has made the past four seasons.”

—  TU head football coach Philip Montgomery

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