Michigan Tech photo Steve Olson was named the 16th head football coach in Michigan Tech’s history on Tuesday.

HOUGHTON — With over two decades of coaching experience, and having orchestrated one of the top defenses in the GLIAC in 2014 and 2015, Steve Olson was Michigan Tech’s natural choice to succeed Tom Kearly.

A day after Kearly’s retirement on Monday, Olson was named the 16th head coach in Michigan Tech history on Tuesday.

Olson served six years as part of Tech’s staff, and was the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons after being the linebackers coach. He filled in and was the interim head coach when Kearly was not able to coach on Oct. 22 at Northwood. Now, Olson can drop the “interim” label.

“I think Michigan Tech has always looked internally to mentor our existing staff,” Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret said. “This was a great opportunity to give a man such as Steve the opportunity to continue the tradition of the program. When Coach Kearly let me know a while ago that he was contemplating retirement, I just started assessing the existing staff, where we are, what we’re doing and who brings what to the table to continue the tradition that we have — and Steve does all those things.

“We believe firmly at Michigan Tech that when things are going well and those that have assisted in making it go well, to give them an opportunity to continue it.”

Olson’s defenses excelled in his first two seasons as Tech’s defensive coordinator. In 2014, the Huskies were third in the GLIAC scoring defense (19.6 points per game) and fourth in total defense (345.9 yards per contest). And last year, Tech was second in the league in total defense (337.4 yards per game) and rush defense (121.3 yards per game).

“Michigan Tech over the course of the years, and in the six years that I’ve been here, there’s been great players,” Olson said. “That’s what we’re seeking to do here. To continue to develop guys who will represent this school, represent this community and continue forward to become leaders when they leave Michigan Tech in wherever they may end up.”

Before coming to Tech, Olson spent 12 years at Minnesota-Crookston where his roles included defensive coordinator, defensive line coach and defensive backs coach. He also has experience as a head coach after guiding the UM-Crookston baseball program for 10 of his 12 years there.

Previously, Olson was an assistant football and head baseball coach at Jamestown College from 1992-99. His coaching career began at Northern State as an assistant football and baseball coach.

As of now, it’s uncertain if Olson will retain his defensive coordinator duties in addition to being head coach. His focus will turn to filling out the rest of his coaching staff and determining those roles.

“We will get in and interview our staff as we go through this process,” Olson said. “The biggest thing is that as we go forward with our process of working with our players and that sort of stuff, there’s a constant evaluation of myself as well as the members that are on our staff. I’m excited to work with our staff, and I’m excited to work with our players.”

It’s been 12 years since Tech has had to go through the hiring process of a football coach. The last time was after the 2005 season when the Huskies were looking to replace the 19-year veteran, Bernie Anderson.

If Kearly’s tenure could be summed up in one word, it would be consistent. During his 11-year stint, the Huskies had just two losing seasons and went 70-46 in that span.

Consistency and stability are a trademark of any progressive program, and the hiring of Olson is Tech’s best bet to maintain that course of success.

“Steve Olson exemplifies and has learned all those things from Coach Kearly,” Sanregret said. “He brings teamwork, passion, integrity, character and tradition, which are all things that have made Michigan Tech football and Michigan Tech athletics special.

“We really focus on the academic excellence, as well as the athletic excellence. I’m confident in Steve’s ability to carry on that tradition for us and move the program forward.”