John Olenowski

John Olenowski, a veteran coach with more than three decades of experience, enters the 2025–26 season as the head women’s basketball coach at Drew University. Now in his 10th season leading the Rangers, he has become the program’s all-time winningest coach, compiling a 115–99 record at The Forest. Under his leadership, Drew has achieved sustained success, including consecutive appearances in the Landmark Conference Championship tournament and the program’s first-ever conference playoff victory during the 2024–25 campaign. He has guided multiple student-athletes to All-Landmark Conference honors and scholar-athlete recognition while consistently elevating the competitiveness of the program. Notable milestones include his 100th career victory at Drew during the 2023–24 season and multiple seasons ranking among the winningest in school history. Before arriving at Drew, Olenowski served seven seasons as head coach at Division I Manhattan College, where he led the Jaspers to consecutive Women’s Basketball Invitational national semifinal appearances and coached nine All-MAAC selections, including a Defensive Player of the Year. His extensive résumé also includes a highly successful tenure at Morris Catholic High School, where he amassed a 330–39 record and won three NJSIAA State Championships, as well as a standout three-year run at Pace University with a 70–28 mark and two Coach of the Year honors. A 1978 graduate of Saint Leo College, Olenowski has also served as an athletic director and assistant coach at several collegiate programs. His career reflects a consistent commitment to competitive excellence, player development, and academic achievement.