It’s become a common theme with a handful of short-lived, former Hurricanes. The latest lost in the shuffle—redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Olsen, listed today as “no longer a student” at the University of Miami, obviously ending his troubled, unproductive on-the-field tenure at “The U”.
Olsen was suspended for last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl and earned another sit-down for this year’s season-opener against Louisville. Marijuana and/or conduct detrimental to the team was unofficially the culprit in both cases.
This most-recent run-in is much more troublesome as it involves driving under the influence, which earned Olsen a night in jail and when coupled with everything else off-the-field, cost him his scholarship at the University of Miami.
It’s also an unfortunate full-circle moment as Olsen was charged with leaving the scene of an accident two summers ago in New Jersey, weeks before his arrival in Coral Gables. A seemingly intoxicated Olsen crashed an SUV into a tree, surveyed the damage and quickly scurried off, according to an eyewitness.
This time around the police report states that Olsen failed a field sobriety test and made mention of bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and breath that smelled of alcohol.
Head coach Al Golden addressed the Olsen situation in his weekly press conference earlier—speaking more like a father and family friend than a football coach that just lost a highly-touted player.
“Well it’s not the end, not going to be the end for Kevin. I’ve known the Olsen family when I got into coaching around 1995. I’ve known coach (Chris) Olsen [Kevin’s father], recruited (his brothers) when Kevin was 9 or 10 years old. From that standpoint it was tough for all of us,” said Golden.
“Right now it’s about Kevin and his family. We need to respect that. I have no doubt he’ll be back. He needs this time look at himself and move forward. With the support of his (family) and those of us that know him really well there’s no question he’ll have the right ending to all of this.”
When asked if that meant there could be a return to “The U”, Golden quickly dismissed any notion—clarifying that Olsen would be fine in the long run and would eventually get his affairs in order.
While age, youth, stupidity and boys being boys could all come into play regarding Olsen’s antics, there still seems to be a healthy dose of self-sabotage taking place here, as well as what comes off like a lack of passion for the game he chose to play.
Senior transfer Jake Heaps was praised by coaches this summer in regards to maturity and how hard he’s working to make the most of his third and final chance regarding football.
Meanwhile, true freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya arrived on campus in May, shaved off almost two dozen pounds, leaned up, learned the playbook and stole the starting job from more experienced players.
Heaps and Kaaya had textbook responses as quarterbacks and leaders regarding the task at hand. Leading the Miami Hurricanes onto the field this fall—it was the dream of both and a healthy quarterback battled ensued, with Kaaya getting the eventual nod.
Meanwhile Olsen drifted, dealing with back-to-back suspensions and slipping to third on the depth chart—fourth, had senior Ryan Williams been healthy—despite the former 4-star prospect redshirting last year to learn the system and to eventually earn the keys to the kingdom.
Golden mentioned it in his presser—the Olsens are a football family. Greg Olsen is an eight-year NFL veteran tight end, putting in work with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. He was a first-round draft pick and played for “The U”, turning little brother onto the Canes a decade ago when Kevin was in grade school.
Christian Olsen, the eldest, was a quarterback at Notre Dame and eventually the Virginia Cavaliers. His football career since came to an end, but he too had his slew of accolades playing for his father at Wayne Hills.
Dad, a highly respected, long-time coach, two brothers who played in college and one who reached the NFL. The Olsens have football in their blood and the youngest was going to carry the torch, whether he wanted to, or not.
That really is the ultimate, unanswered sub-plot to this whole story—why did Olsen choose to play football in the first place?
Was he forced, did he feel the pressure, or was it a choice? At 6-foot-3, 200-plus pounds and coming from New Jersey football family royalty, maybe not playing was never an option.
If there truly was a love for the game, does it still exist, with Olsen simply making bad decision after bad decision? Or has the kid burned out and simply sticking with it because he feels he has to?
Judging by his actions over the past 15 months, any armchair psychologist would accuse Olsen of purposely taking a wrecking ball to what seemed like a promising collegiate football career, or more.
There’s simply been too much collateral damage post-high school to believe otherwise.
Whatever the case, Golden’s sentiments ring true—Olsen needs to look himself in the mirror and move forward, with the support of family.
Long road ahead for a second-year college student and certainly the time to start figuring out one’s life-path and blazing a trail.
Football, or no football, here’s hoping Olsen finds what he’s looking for.