The Seattle Seahawks’ newest quarterback coach has had a long coaching career in the NFL, but Greg Olson got his start here in Washington as a talented high school quarterback and an eventual graduate assistant for WSU.

After losing their previous quarterbacks coach Dave Canales to Tampa Bay in the annual hirings and firings that come at the end of the NFL season, the Seahawks have chosen Olson to replace him.

Olson, who began his career as a graduate assistant at WSU, is originally a Washington state native who has made a living coaching up some of the NFL’s best talents at the quarterback position since entering the league in 2001. He has worked with names like Jon Kitna, Derek Carr and, probably most notably, Drew Brees while at Purdue.

Olson attended Richland High School in Richland, Washington where he played football and even won in a matchup against future Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien in the 1980 state playoffs.

Olson got his bachelors from Central Washington University and his master’s from WSU, where he served as a graduate assistant to head coaches Dennis Erickson and Mike Price.

While in Pullman from 1987–89, Olson primarily worked with defensive backs and linebackers, a surprising start for someone who has had such a long career working with NFL offenses. His most recent job was with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was the senior offensive assistant.

The Seahawks’ current offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and offensive-line coach Andy Dickerson are very familiar with Olson, with the pair having worked together in L.A. back in 2017. During that time together the Rams went 11-5 and starting QB Jared Goff accrued 3804 yards passing with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. They lost in the wild-card round at home to the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Seattle QB coach Dave Canales is leaving to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their new offensive coordinator. This comes after Seahawks veteran quarterback Geno Smith defied all expectations and had a career resurgence after the franchise-altering trade of Russell Wilson.

The hope is that Smith can continue his recent breakout into next season under Olson and that the Seahawks can see some of the same success this group of coaches saw in L.A. with the Rams just a few seasons ago.