Eric Olen

Following nine seasons as an assistant coach with the UC San Diego men's basketball team, Eric Olen was named the program's 12th head coach on Oct. 1, 2013. Over his eight years as head coach, Olen has transformed the program, guiding the Tritons into their Division I transition with victories over three of the Big West Conference opponents UC San Diego faced in its debut Division I campaign. Olen led the Tritons to three California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season titles, four conseuctive CCAA tournament crowns over seven Division II seasons. In Division II, he posted a 159-56 (.740) overall record with a 110-40 (.733) mark in CCAA play

In 2019-20, Olen was named NABC West Region Coach of the Year for the first time after leading the Tritons to a 30-1 record and the top seed in the NCAA West Region. Ranked fourth nationally by the NABC in Division II, UC San Diego won 22 consecutive games to end the season. Posting a 21-1 mark in conference play, the Tritons captured their second straight CCAA regular season and fourth straight CCAA Tournament title. In addition, the Tritons were 16-0 away from home, including a perfect 14-0 mark in true road games. Along the way, Olen became the fastest UC San Diego head coach to reach 150 career wins, and his .740 winning percentage is the best in program annals. He was recognized as the CCAA Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.

The 2018-19 season saw UC San Diego go 26-8 overall and 17-5 in the CCAA. The Tritons won their second-ever conference regular season crown and third straight, fourth overall, league tournament title. They advanced to the NCAA tourney for the fourth-consecutive year, where they advanced to the regional semifinal round.

In 2017-18, Olen paced the program to at least 20 wins for the third straight year as the Tritons finished with a 21-11 mark. They tied for third in the CCAA standings at 15-7 and proceeded to win their second consecutive and third overall conference tournament championship. UC San Diego advanced to the NCAA postseason for the third year in a row, competing in the West Regional at Western Oregon University.

On Feb. 24, Olen collected his 100th career win at the school with an 84-64 victory against Cal State LA at RIMAC Arena.

Olen was named the 2016-17 CCAA Coach of the Year as the Tritons set program records for overall wins (27) as well as conference victories (17). The team won its first-ever CCAA regular season title and added a second banner by winning the league's tournament for a second time. For the second straight season, top-seeded UC San Diego advanced to the NCAA West Region championship game, serving as the regional host for the first time.

A 12-game win streak was also a team first. The Tritons were ranked as high as 11th in the country and finished their campaign at No. 19.

UC San Diego had another historic season in 2015-16, also setting school marks for overall wins (24) and CCAA victories (15). The Tritons finished second in the conference regular season standings and played in the CCAA Tournament title game. They qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament for the second time, earning the program's first tourney victory and ultimately advancing to the West Region title game.

UC San Diego was nationally-ranked for the first time since joining Division II (2000-01), climbing as high as No. 6 in early February and finishing the year at No. 21. The Tritons went 7-3 against teams ranked in the national top 25.

The Tritons ranked first nationally in three point field goal percentage defense (28.8) and were third in scoring defense (62.5) and fifth in field goal percentage defense (38.9). They led the CCAA in scoring margin (7.9), three point field goal percentage (37.6), three point field goal percentage defense (28.1) and defensive rebounds/game (28.2).

In 2014-15, Olen paced UC San Diego to a 16-11 overall record, the most wins for the program since its 2008-09 campaign. The Tritons went 14-8 in CCAA play, collecting their most conference victories since moving to Division II. They finished in a tie for fourth place and earned a berth in the CCAA Championship Tournament.

The Tritons led all league squads in fewest turnovers per game and were second in three-pointers made. On the national scene, UC San Diego ranked sixth in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 61.5 points a game to opponents.

In his first year at the helm, Olen led the Tritons to a 15-11 record. UC San Diego finished an even 11-11 in CCAA play, placing seventh and just missing out on a spot in the league tournament.

The Tritons led the CCAA in three-pointers made and were second in free throw percentage and third in scoring defense and assist/turnover ratio.

During his tenure as an assistant coach, Olen played an integral part in all aspects of running the program, including serving as the Tritons' recruiting coordinator. His primary duties also included developing UC San Diego's post players.

Olen joined the UC San Diego coaching staff as a second assistant under head coach Bill Carr for the 2004-05 season. Just one year later, he was promoted to first assistant.

UC San Diego recorded its first winning season at the Division II level in 2005-06, ending the year with a 15-14 overall record. The Tritons finished fourth in the CCAA that season with a league tally of 12-8, marking the program's first winning record in conference play as well.

In 2007-08, UC San Diego posted an 18-12 overall record, its best since becoming a Division II program. The Tritons won their first CCAA Tournament title and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II West Regional for the first time in program history.

In 2008-09, the Tritons finished with an overall record of 17-11, recording back-to-back winning seasons for the first time at the Division II level.

While at UC San Diego, Olen has helped coach players to 20 All-CCAA selections and four Tritons have garnered league Freshman of the Year accolades.

As a player at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., Olen helped the Badgers to three straight appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, including trips to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2000 and 2001.

He graduated from Spring Hill in 2004 with a degree in Finance.

Olen and his wife Lauren have two daughters named Avery and Madeline.