This Coach Surprised His Students With an Early Return From Afghanistan, and Their Reaction Is Pure Emotion
A high school coach surprised his students with an appearance after an early deployment and got the best hero's welcome.
Drew Olson spent five months serving in Afghanistan as an Army National Guard captain and he was expecting to stay until October.
His homecoming came early in March, and his wife Tina their two children were happy to have daddy back home after serving overseas.
At his home away from home, Olson is a history teacher as well as a football and basketball coach at Northridge High School in Layton, Utah.
His absence while serving in the Army took an emotional toll on his students, and the feeling was mutual.
When it was time to come home, It was only fitting for him to return the love with an unannounced visit.
The students leapt out of their seats and tackled their favorite teacher who had been missed so much. The joyous reunion was shared online.
You can watch the emotional video on Inside Edition's YouTube clip, below.
Students Flip Out When Coach Surprises Them Upon Return From Afghanistanwww.youtube.com
While serving in Afghanistan, Olsen found that the heart grew fonder as he maintained correspondence with his students.
Olsen told Inside Edition:
"They kept in contact with me while I was gone, sent me birthday letters, care packages."
He added their bond "just continues to grow stronger each and every day and it's something that's always a positive in my life."
Deployed HS Football Coach Surprises Players With Early Return A high school football coach from Utah surprised his… https://t.co/UpXDlHKUcV— 98ROCK TAMPA BAY🤘🏻 (@98ROCK TAMPA BAY🤘🏻) 1552307412
Olsen described the special bond he shares with his students.
"As a coach you experience many ups and downs with all of your athletes, you celebrate victories together, you share in losses together, fight through adversity together."
His first stop, of course, was paying a visit to his wife, Tina, and their two kids, 4-year-old Chase and 2-year-old Grey.
In response to his crazy reception, he said it was a moment he won't soon forget.
"I don't even know how to describe that moment that took place in my classroom, it's something very special that I will never forget and always hold tight to me."
Have you ever seen this much love in a classroom?
Beloved deployed teacher and coach shocks his students with surprise homecoming from Afghanistan!… https://t.co/Pab2Illdzx— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1551972993
This is proof Coach Olson is an excellent role model.
@GMA Now that's how you know you're a great teacher! Students that value their teacher that much is so wonderful to… https://t.co/xNKfUQPSca— 💜 Anna Victoria 🦋 (@💜 Anna Victoria 🦋) 1551973512
@GMA I've watched this 100 times. My coaches had huge impacts on me. Lucky enough to have my Dad coach me for years… https://t.co/YvDgVRV7dS— Ryan Clary 🎧📻 (@Ryan Clary 🎧📻) 1552053494
@GMA Coaches were always my biggest role models✊🏾— Mustafa Adam (@Mustafa Adam) 1552045457
@GMA The "man hug" where you lean in and clap the other guy on the back. I hope he's home for good now.— dutch550 (@dutch550) 1551996570
One veteran could relate to the warm reception.
@GMA @LisaMarieBoothe This is awesome. I remember when I came home from Vietnam 🇻🇳 my cousin leaped into my arms .… https://t.co/T0AJZo7JJK— Czar of Guitar (@Czar of Guitar) 1551993664
It's okay, let it out.
No need to hold back.
@GMA https://t.co/fbmCuvDo2V— Jack Dempsey (@Jack Dempsey) 1552067640
@GMA I'm a sucker for this, always. Now let's bring them all home, huh?— Crazizzle👾 (@Crazizzle👾) 1551997439
Thank you for your service, Coach Olson.
Welcome home!