Former Irvine Valley two-year men's basketball player Kevin Olsen is on to NCAA Division I University of Florida as the Gators' video coordinator.
Olsen joins Florida after working for the University of San Francisco men's basketball team the past three seasons. He first served as the head student manager and later as a graduate assistant on Todd Golden's staff.
Golden was named the new head coach at Florida this past April after spending three seasons as head coach at San Francisco. He guided the Dons to 24 wins and the program's first NCAA Tournament bid since 1998 in the 2021-22 season.
Olsen contributed in a variety of roles at San Francisco, including video operations, game scouting and preparation and player development.
The Villa Park native graduated from USF with a degree in sociology in 2021.
Prior to his time at USF, Olsen attended Irvine Valley where he was a team captain on the men's basketball team.
The 6-2, 180 pound guard averaged 4.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during the 2017-18 season with the Lasers.
He helped Irvine Valley to a 16-13 record overall and a 5-7 mark in the Orange Empire Conference.
In his sophomore year in 2018-19 with the Lasers, Olsen averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Then it was on to USF.
Olsen enjoyed his time learning and growing at San Francisco and spoke about it this past year.
"In general I was there to assist our staff and players in anything they might need," he said. "Whether it's jumping in on a live drill or keeping various statistics we track during practice and games.
"Outside of practice and games I'd assist support staff with various tasks pertaining to team travel and game scouting. Along with that, I spent time with our guys getting shooting and skill workouts done outside of regular practice time."
And Olsen says that he has always benefited in his time working with coach Golden.
"Coach Golden has been awesome since day 1," he said. "Since the first day I arrived (at USF) he has treated me like family.
"I've learned so much from him in my short time and really appreciate him taking me in and allowing me the opportunity to be involved and be around the group everyday."
Olsen is epecially thankful from his time being around IVC coach Jerry Hernandez and assistant coach Jason Garey in helping him prepare for his future.
"Jerry and Jason are a huge part of my love for the game and a huge part of who I am as a person," Olsen said. "I am so lucky to have had the chance to play for them. After leaving West Point (and joining IVC), Jerry and Jason gave me an opportunity and a platform to continue my career and grow my basketball knowledge.
"On the court they taught me so much that is applicable to any level of basketball from simple fundamental tricks to more complex basketball philosophy and schemes. Jerry and Jason are tough and competitive because they value effort and a winners' attitude.
And that attitude has carried over to what Olsen is doing now.
"I respect them both so much," he said. "Not a day went by during my time at IVC where I didn't see Jerry trying to tweak something or adjust to help us win. He showed me what it takes to be successful on a daily basis. I used to always say, if I could spend all of my college years at IVC I would and that's because of Jerry and Jason."
