Elkins, W.Va. – Frank Olszewski, a veteran NCAA Division I Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Towson and United States Soccer Federation national staff member, has been named Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Davis & Elkins College effective January 1.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead the Men's Soccer Program at Davis & Elkins College. I am thankful to President Buck Smith and Director of Athletics, Jamie Joss for showing faith in me to lead a program with such a rich history,” Olszewski said. “The enthusiasm and philosophy of the President and his wife Joni, for Davis and Elkins, the vision of Jamie Joss to move Athletics in a forward direction within the fabric of the College's mission, the optimism of the Coaching Staff, and the wonderful support from the alumni and friends of the program, convinced me how special D&E is.”
Olszewski replaces Greg Myers who retires after finishing his fourth coaching stint at D&E this season. Myers guided the Senators to a 7-8-1 overall mark winning four of the last five games and fell 6-5 on PKs in a 1-1 draw in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship Semifinals.
“We are grateful for Coach Myers continued service to D&E this past season, it was a great opportunity for our coaches, staff and student-athletes to spend another season with such a legendary coach and caring individual,” said Jamie Joss, D&E Director of Athletics. “For us to be fortunate to find someone with similar coaching distinction, knowledge of the game, and alignment with the mission of the college such as Frank Olszewski just shows the legacy that Coach Myers built at D&E to attract such strong coaches to lead our men’s soccer program.”
Myers, a D&E Hall of Fame member, helped vault D&E soccer to prominence winning two NAIA National Championship titles in 1968 and 1970 in his second coaching appearance in Elkins. Myers found his way back to Elkins in 2009 when he was named Athletic Director and Head Men's Soccer Coach. He led the Senators to a 13-6-1 mark in one season. In 39 years as a collegiate head coach, Myers finished 342-234-73, including a 64-22-8 record as coach of the Senators.
“I am very aware of the history of the program and the storied individuals who have profoundly represented D&E,” Olszewski added. “Not only have they made contributions at Davis & Elkins setting a standard for excellence, but also to the development of the game in the United States. People like Greg Myers, former All-American Bill Nuttall, Nils Heinke, Hank Steinbrecher, Tom Martin, and Jack MacDonald and so many more.”
Olszewski, who regards Myers as one of his coaching mentors, followed a similar path to Myers beginning his coaching career at 26 at Towson where he first met Myers. During his 32-year career at Towson, Olszewski registered the all-time record number of wins in school history with 287. Towson, which was nationally-ranked nine times during Olszewski’s tenure, captured seven Conference Championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament twice reaching the second round in 2001 and third round in 2006. Of his former student-athletes at Towson, 51 are domestic professionals, 10 international professionals and 40 are coaching at the collegiate and high school levels.
Most importantly to Olszewski is the commitment to academics of his student-athletes. During his tenure at Towson, squads earned 11 Academic Achievement Awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and 248 former student-athletes earned Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Olszewski brings tremendous recruiting connections from around the United States having served as a Coach and Development Academy Scout as a member of the U.S. Soccer National Staff for the U14-U20 National Teams.
“I am passionate about the game and I am passionate about working with students in a college setting to become the best that they can be as people, as students, and as athletes. Growing and building as a team is what it’s all about,” Olszewski said. “I can't wait to get to know the student-athletes on the team and helping them to reach their goals, as well as working with Assistant Coach Bedi Swan to move the program in a direction that will make everyone associated with the program proud.”