Jeff Olson steps down as boys basketball head coach

ISHPEMING — Hematites coach Jeff Olson does a lot for several athletic teams at the school and Wednesday, he decided to give one up for good.

Olson is stepping down as head coach of the boys basketball team. He has spent the last three years with the team, racking up 47 wins and a district title in 2015. Coach Olson talked about how he came to this decision.

“It wears on you and drains you. It’s hard to do three sports because I do track. One had to give, just so I can keep coaching football into the future. I had to give something up so this was the most logical choice,” Olson said.

Olson said when he first took the job, he thought he would just be a one–year thing. But he continued because of how much he enjoyed coaching the players and that’s what he says he will miss the most.

“Well we had good kids. That’s why we do this. That’s why we coach. When you have kids that can work their tails off for you and try to better themselves as athletes and as people all the time, you miss that,” said Olson.

Ishpeming Athletic Director Terry Roberts says the search for a new coach has already begun and a post regarding the position will be up on the school’s website for two weeks. The school hopes to have a decision made before summer basketball camps begin.