One of the best players ever to play for the University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball program is returning to lead it from the sideline.
On Monday, Director of Athletics Forrest Karr announced Brooke Olson as the ninth UMD women’s basketball head coach in program history.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brooke back to UMD, this time to lead the women’s basketball program,” said Karr. “Brooke is a rising star in the profession. She brings exceptional communication skills and a compelling vision for helping student-athletes reach their potential. I am very confident that Brooke will continue the program’s proud tradition of success.”
Olson comes back to the Bulldogs after three years away as part of two hugely successful coaching staffs. A native of Rice Lake, Wis. Olson spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Olson helped lead the Blue Devils to a 2025 Division III NCAA Final Four appearance – a program first, and 23-8 overall record in 2024-25. Olson coached four All-WIAC honorees that season, an All-WIAC defensive team member, two all-region selections and an All-American, and over her two seasons, the Blue Devils went 38-20. Prior to her successful stint at UW-Stout, Olson was a graduate manager for the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team that reached the 2024 WNIT championship game and won 20 games. While with the Gophers, Olson helped coach a pair of All-Big Ten Honorable Mention guards in Mara Braun and Amaya Battle, and unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection Grace Grocholski.
“I am incredibly honored to be named the next head coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth,” said Olson. “As an alum and former player, this program holds a special place in my heart, which makes this opportunity even more meaningful. I want to thank Forrest Karr, Chancellor Nies and the entire search committee for their trust and belief in me to lead this program. This is a special group of women, and the legacy here speaks for itself. I’m excited to build on that legacy by creating a program rooted in belief, trust, and resilience.”
As a Bulldog, Olson literally rewrote the record books over her tenure in Duluth. Named the 2023 DII Honda Athlete of the Year, Olson earned the first player of the year honor in UMD program history when she was named the 2023 WBCA DII Player of the Year, and earned her fourth WBCA First Team All-America nod as a senior – the Bulldogs first four-time All-American. Named the 2023 WER Player of the Year, she also dominated conference honors, winning four straight NSIC Player of the Year awards (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020) and All-NSIC First Team honors for four seasons. Olson was not only three-times the NSIC Tournament Most Valuable Player (2023, 2022, 2021), but also a four-time NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team selection (2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020).
A captain and leading scorer on the Bulldogs 2022-23 team that reached the NCAA Division II National Championship game, Olson finished the NCAA Championship as the NCAA DII Tournament single-season record holder in points with 171 after averaging an impressive 28.5 ppg and adding 9.6 rpg through six NCAA games. For the season, she averaged a career high 23.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg and led UMD to both an NSIC Tournament title and NSIC Regular Season Championship – something she did three times with the Bulldogs.
Over her career, Olson registered 2,530 points in 143 games played over five seasons. She started 110 games and averaged 17.7 points. Olson shot 52.3 percent from the floor, 81.1 percent from the free throw line and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc as a Bulldog.
In the classroom, Olson earned 2023 Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Division II Women’s Basketball Academic All-America of the Year and was a three-time NSIC All-Academic team member.
Olson earned her Bachelor of Applied Science from UMD in May of 2022, and graduated with a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota in December of 2025. Olson is also the daughter of Michigan Tech University Athletics Hall of Fame women’s basketball head coach Darla Olson.
THE FILE ON OLSON:
– 2025 Division III National Semifinalist – Assistant Coach
– 2024 WNIT Runner-Ups – Graduate Assistant
– 2023 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball National Runner-Up – Team Captain
– DII Honda Athlete of the Year Award Winner (2023)
– WBCA DII Player of the Year (2023)
– CSC DII All-America Player of the Year (2023)
– CSC Division II Women’s Basketball Academic All-America of the Year (2023)
– WBCA First Team All-American (2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023)
– WER Player of the Year (2023)
– WER NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball First-Team (2023), Second-Team All-American (2022)
– D2CCA All-American Second Team (2021), Third Team (2020), Honorable Mention (2022)
– Academic Achievement Award WBB, DII Athletic Director Association (2020-2021)
– Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team (2020-2023)
– Central Region Player of the Year (2020 & 2023) & First Team (2020, 2022, 2023)
– NSIC Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) & First Team (2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023)
– NSIC Tournament MVP (2021, 2022, 2023)
– NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team (2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023)
What They’re Saying…
“This is an incredible hire! Brooke is going to do so well at her alma mater. She is such a great relationship builder, she is a tireless worker and she really knows the game at an elite level. Brooke is all about developing young women on the basketball court, but is equally as committed to growing them into leaders off the court as well. This is going to be really special to watch her continue to elevate the Women’s Basketball Program at UMD!”
– Dawn Plitzuweit, University of Minnesota head women’s basketball coach
“Brooke is a great hire to lead the amazing Bulldog women at her alma mater! The demand for excellence of herself will elevate those around her, and continue pushing those in the women’s basketball program towards success. I am happy the young women I spent so many years with will be lead by someone with such great work ethic; they are in great hands. Good luck Brooke and team, I’m proud of you!” – Mandy Pearson, University of St. Thomas head women’s basketball coach
“UMD is getting an outstanding leader, teacher, and person. Brooke has a rare ability to connect with people, build meaningful relationships, and inspire those around her to believe anything is possible. She is driven, authentic, and deeply committed to helping student-athletes grow on and off the court. I have no doubt she will build something special at UMD, and I couldn’t be happier for her to have this opportunity.” – Hannah Iverson, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire head women’s basketball coach
“UMD didn’t just hire an All American. Brooke demands excellence from herself and will expect the same from her players. She will bring that to our program every day on and off the floor.”
– Karen Stromme, former University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball head coach and administrator
https://umdbulldogs.com/news/2026/4/20/brooke-olson-named-umd-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
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