Southern Arkansas Baseball Head Coach
Justin Pettigrew has announced the hiring of Justin Olson as an assistant coach for the upcoming campaign. Olson, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado comes to Magnolia by way of Austin Peay State University where he spent time as both a player and a coach.
"I'm very happy to welcome Coach Olson to our program," stated Head Coach
Justin Pettigrew. "He brings quality and experience not only as a high caliber player during his playing career, but also as a very capable coach and recruiter. Justin has played for and worked directly with some of the best offensive minds in college baseball. I am excited to see him on campus working with our guys to help them develop to be the best they can be on and off the field."
Olson most recently spent time at first base for the Governors and rotated in and out of the designated hitter role throughout the 2024 season as he finished with a .277 batting average, eight home runs, and 29 RBIs over the course of 29 games before serving as a graduate assistant for the coaching staff in 2025.
"I'm super fired up to join this coaching staff and contribute to a program with a strong tradition of winning," remarked Olson. "I'm looking forward to developing players on and off the field, competing at the highest level, and representing the community of Magnolia."
In three seasons of Division I baseball, Olson hit a career .294 with 25 total home runs and a 1.037 OPS. Last year while coaching at Austin Peay, the team ranked in the top third nationally in average, slugging percentage, doubles, runs scored, and OPS. In the last three years (two playing one coaching) Olson has been involved with teams that have been ranked in the top five in batting average with one team being ranked 1
st.
Justin began his career at the University of Kentucky in 2019 and 2020 which he did not compete. He then moved to the College of Southern Nevada and from there transferred to the University of New Mexico. In his first season with the Lobos, Olson played in 37 games while batting .239 with four home runs and 18 RBI. During his 2023 campaign at New Mexico, Olson played in 37 games while making 23 starts and finished the season batting .367 in 90-at bats with 13 home runs and 31 RBI. His 13 home runs were the third-most in the Mountain West Conference, posting a .822 slugging percentage.
The Colorado Springs, Colorado native was voted the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year in high school and was also voted a high school All-American. The Centennial State native also set the record for single-season home runs with a mark of 14 tying current New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird.
