BALTIMORE- Notre Dame of Maryland University and the NDMU athletic department are pleased to announce the hiring of Frank Olszewski as the department's inaugural men's soccer head coach. Starting in the 2023-24 academic year, the new program will begin competition in NCAA Division III and in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC).
Olszewski brings a wealth of experiences to the department. A head soccer coach for 35 years at the Division I level, he currently ranks 38th all-time in NCAA history with 339 career victories. For the past four seasons, he has been the head coach at Saint Francis (PA) University, where he has led the Red Flash to two Northeast Conference (NEC) playoff appearances and a NEC Championship in 2019.
Olszewski is eager to start at Notre Dame, and he embraces some the challenges that come along with this opportunity.
"It is going to be important to get the right people in the right place," said Olszewski. "That is going to be a priority for me, getting the right kind of student-athletes and assistant coaches in the program that understand and can merge with the culture at NDMU."
Before arriving at Saint Francis (PA), Olszewski served has the head coach at nearby Towson University, leading the team from 1982 until the program was disbanded at the conclusion of the 2013 season. He guided the Tigers to seven conference championships, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance during the 2006 Division I Tournament. Towson appeared in the NCAA Division I National Rankings nine times throughout his tenure.
Olszewski was excited to return to the Baltimore area to continue his coaching career.
"It's simply home to me," he explained. "I went to high school here; I completed my undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins and earned my master's degree just down the road at the University of Maryland. From my time coaching in the Baltimore area, I have so many alumni dating all the way back to 1978 that I am in contact with on a regular basis. That can be an incredible tool and resource for us moving forward."
One of Olszewski's calling cards has been his ability to cultivate talent. During his career he has coached 12 All-Americans, 45 All-Region players, 85 All-Conference selections, 15 National Team members and seven conference Players of the Year. Olszewski has had 51 players go on to play professionally in the United States, and 10 have competed internationally.
"I believe in using the talent of the players I have, not necessarily looking to operate in a specific system," said Olszewski. "I believe in creating a positive environment that allows the players to enjoy the product, the work and every element of the game. By doing that we can be one team that plays with one heart constantly moving in the same direction. That's how winners are made."
Dr. Ashley Hodges, director of athletics and wellness at NDMU, is thrilled to have a coach with Olszewski's level of experience lead the program.
"Frank has compiled an incredible wealth of coaching knowledge and experiences that will allow him to make an immediate impact leading the men's soccer program," explained Dr. Hodges. "His local soccer connections will help us bring high-character student-athletes into our program."