KAMLOOPS – The second longest serving director of athletics and recreation in Thompson Rivers University history will be back on campus in 2021-22, as the Thompson Rivers WolfPack announce Ken Olynyk as the interim head coach of the women's basketball program.
 
"Ken is an outstanding leader and we are excited to have him back with the 'Pack," said TRU director of athletics and recreation Curtis Atkinson. "He is a legendary figure at this school and his reputation as a basketball coach speaks for itself."
 
Serving as the leader of the WolfPack from 2003-18, Olynyk guided the 'Pack during some of the most important years in department history. Overseeing the school's transition from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association to U SPORTS – the highest level of university competition in Canada – the WolfPack not only successfully made the step up to U SPORTS but also participated in four team National Championships, claiming a pair of bronze medals, during his tenure.
 
"I love this school and I'm excited to once again have the opportunity to work with the outstanding student-athletes at TRU," said Olynyk. "Increasing student-athlete support was always one of my top priorities as a director of athletics and recreation and I'm eager to once again be behind the bench of a university team."
 
As a basketball coach Olynyk has a long history of excellence, most recently he led the UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team on an interim basis in 2018-19. Originally from Revelstoke, B.C., Olynyk played four years of basketball at Simon Fraser University and one at Laurentian before launching a coaching career that would take him across the country.
 
Olynyk has spent 25 seasons as a head coach at the U SPORTS level. Alongside his recent time with the Heat, he led the Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team from 1979-88 before taking over the helm of the Toronto Varsity Blues 1989-03 and spending one season in 2005-06 as the head coach of the WolfPack women's team.
 
Throughout his time as a university head coach, Olynyk was also an influential figure on the national basketball scene. He served on the coaching staff of Canadian Junior National teams at a multitude of international tournaments.
 
Having already led the team during their inaugural U SPORTS season, Olynyk is the third head coach of the WolfPack at this level and takes over for Goran Nogic.
 
"We would like to thank Goran for all of his work over the last two years here with the WolfPack and wish him the best moving forward," said Atkinson.
 
After wrapping up their non-conference slate, Olynyk and the WolfPack will start the 16th U SPORTS season in program history when they host the UNBC Timberwolves on October 29.