Former Oak Park football coach Gary Olson, 54, collapsed after a workout Tuesday afternoon and died of a heart attack at the high school.
Olson had undergone heart-valve surgery two years ago, and Olson’s wife, Rose, was told by doctors that the valve apparently gave out.
“First Walter Payton, and now this,” said Downers Grove North coach Pete Ventrelli, a good friend of Olson’s. “Everybody who knew him, guys like (ex-Glenbard West coach) Jim Covert and (ex-Wheaton North coach) Jim Rexilius, we’re all devastated.”
Oak Park assistant coach Dale Kraft said that last Sunday, Olson was on the roof of his home with a chainsaw trimming tree limbs.
“I thought he was in good health, and he had just completed a workout on a Stairmaster when it happened at 2:30 p.m.,” Kraft said. “A couple physical education teachers administered CPR and paramedics were called, but they never revived him.”
Olson headed Oak Park’s program from 1983 through 1990 and then returned in 1996 and 1997. While hospitalized with the valve surgery, assistant coach Todd Black took over the Huskies’ program. Olson compiled a record of 57-42 before stepping down because of health reasons.