If you think Greg Olsen is entertaining as one of the NFL’s top analysts, just wait until you hear about his sideline life as a middle school football coach. The Fox NFL analyst has dropped hints about coaching or a front office role in the past — especially with the Carolina Panthers — but these days, he seems pretty content mentoring 10- to 13-year-olds in the greater Charlotte area.
And honestly, it sounds like he’s having a blast.
Well, that is, besides the fact that he and fellow former Panther Luke Kuechly aren’t exactly having an easy time keeping the bus on the right route.
During a recent appearance on Bussin’ With the Boys, the former All-Pro tight end and Emmy-winning analyst talked about his career growth happening independently of Tom Brady. But when it comes to coaching, he’s not quite flying solo. Olsen didn’t exactly say his coaching journey was independent of Kuechly, especially when it comes to bus rides to the game.
“Me and Luke are riding on the bus, taking the boys to the game,” Olsen told BTWB co-hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. “So, it’s just me, Luke, and just like 30-40 middle school boys taping their fingers. So, last year, Luke and I are on the bus with the boys and we’re going to one of our games and Luke’s taking attendance because it’s just the two of us and the bus driver, and we’re responsible for all of these kids. And he’s doing attendance, and I’m talking to the offensive and defensive rules about our combo rules, and the first play of the game is going to be whatever, and ‘Let’s get off to a good start.’
“20 minutes later: Luke’s like, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a problem.’ Because I’m looking back at the boys, talking with the kids. He’s like, ‘We’re back at school.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He’s like, ‘The bus driver went in completely in a full circle and we’re back were we started.’ We ended up being 30 minutes late to our game. Me and Luke are sweating. Parents are texting us, ‘Where are the kids?’ They’re waiting for us, and Luke and I f*cking coming in late with the boys because the bus driver got lost.”
And if you think what Olsen does in the booth is tough — breaking down complex concepts in a way that’s engaging — just imagine him trying to explain to a bunch of middle schoolers why their game’s going to start half an hour late.
“Those are some of the best memories,” Olsen said, “Like, that’s the best part of it.”
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.