Olson retires from Monroe post

Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 12, 2002

By John McDonald

Prep Editor

MONROE – Randy Olson’s association with Monroe football spanned more than a quarter century. But it ended recently with his decision to retire from the program after 26 years, the last 11 as the Bearcats’ head coach.

Andrew Haynie, who is presently the head coach at Sumner, has been selected to succeed Olson.

Olson began his football coaching career at Monroe in 1976. He also spent 15 years as the girls basketball coach and won a league title in 1977.

Olson was an assistant football coach for 15 years under former head coaches Ed Lucero, Rollie Wilson and Kurt Nowadnick.

He took over the reins of the football program in 1991 and saw the Bearcats capture their first league championship since the 1950s.

Olson’s record as a head coach was 45-56.

He credited his successes to the many outstanding student athletes that he had the pleasure to coach over the last 26 years. He said that Monroe has always had athletes that gave their best on the field and were gentlemen off the field.

Olson specifically recognize Bill Dow, Terry Anderson, and Dave Brekke who have coached in the program for 11 years, along with Mark Bircher and Gregg Bemis. He also thanked former players Smiley Creswell, Rod Drivstuen, Chris Bergstan, and his son Bryan Olson.

Olson was especially grateful for the support of former Monroe athletic director, Dennis Coates.

Haynie has coached at Sumner since 1996. His 1998 and 1999 teams qualified for the state playoffs.

He said wanted to move closer to his elementary school-aged daughters, who live in Woodinville.

“(Monroe) was a good fit,” Haynie said.

Haynie coached at Highline for four seasons beginning in 1992 and directed that team to its first winning season in 19 years, breaking a 48-game losing streak.

Haynie was an assistant coach at Lindbergh for five seasons from 1987-1992 and coached defensive backs for Renton in 1986, a state semifinal team under then coach Terry Ennis.

He graduated from Central Washington in 1986.

Monroe was winless last season and finished last in the North Division of the Western Conference.

“There are a lot of things there, though, from the position of looking down the road,” Haynie said. “It’s a chance to build something if the people are patient. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Haynie will teach physical education and health at Monroe.