Afleveringen
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This week, we sit down with Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz for a conversation fueled by our founding partner 76. We cover football, family, fatherhood, and a news-packed week at the NFL Combine.
Jordan, son of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, shares how his upbringing shaped his career, work ethic, and journey to becoming an NFL insider. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to break news in the sports media world and the pivotal moments that led him to this career path.
Beyond football, we dive into fatherhood. Jordan opens up about raising children while managing a demanding career, offering valuable insights for parents - especially those navigating youth sports. If you’re raising an athlete, this episode is a must-listen!
Of course, we also break down the latest from the NFL Combine, including:
🏈 Former Oregon Duck, Texas Tech Red Raider, and Louisville Cardinal Tyler Shough making waves in Indy
🏈 Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan vs. Penn State’s Tyler Warren—who gets drafted first?
🏈 The latest Raiders QB buzz and a deep dive into Sam Darnold’s future with the Vikings
Don’t miss this insightful and engaging episode with Jordan Schultz!
🎧 Catch up on all our offseason coverage at www.Y-Option.com for in-depth conversations on college football—through the lens of the West Coast.
Much love & Stay Steady,Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Hello from Tuscaloosa!
Well, not today - but that’s where I recently sat down with Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer inside the Crimson Tide football facility.
I’ve known Coach DeBoer since his days at Fresno State. I first met him in the Fall of 2021, when his Bulldogs visited the Rose Bowl to take on UCLA. That night, I was in the booth alongside Ted Robinson, calling what many would later dub the Game of the Year - a thrilling win led by Jake Haener and an unforgettable moment for Fresno State football. Even then, it was clear that DeBoer had a rare combination of confidence and humility, the kind of coach players rally behind.
From there, he headed north to Washington, where he restored the Huskies to national prominence, culminating in a 2023 National Championship appearance. I remember interviewing him postgame after their loss to Michigan—their only defeat of the season. As expected, he was heartbroken.
Leaving the stadium in Houston that night, I couldn’t help but wonder what 2024 had in store for his Huskies. As fate would have it, Nick Saban retired just 2 days later, setting off a domino effect across college football. When the dust settled, Coach DeBoer found himself getting off a plane in front of 3,000 Alabama fans, officially becoming the next leader of the Crimson Tide.
Over the past year, we spoke a few times, but it wasn’t until last week that we saw each other in person again. I had the opportunity to visit his program and speak with his team - a privilege I don’t take lightly. Walking into Alabama’s team room was a surreal moment. I’ve always respected the gravity of a team meeting space, but Alabama’s was on another level.
For the next hour, we dove into media training, storytelling, and brand building. The players were engaged, thoughtful, and hungry to learn, and I walked away incredibly impressed with the culture Coach DeBoer has cultivated. Flying home, I couldn’t help but smile - his team reflects his values, and that says everything you need to know about Kalen DeBoer as a leader.
With spring ball just a week away, we covered a range of topics, including being reunited with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Year Two of the DeBoer Era will be fascinating, and I expect Alabama to continue evolving under his leadership.
Bottom Line:
My time in Alabama was a blast. The people were welcoming, the food was Southern to its core, and the players and staff were first-class.
In today’s episode, Jim Thornby and I break down my experience in Tuscaloosa, including one major change inside the facility (fast-forward to the end of our conversation if you’re curious).
Spring Games: Do They Matter?
We also dive into an ongoing debate—Spring Games. Who should have them? Do they matter? Do they really matter? Curious where you stand—let us know!
Bernard Muir Steps Down at Stanford
In other news, Stanford AD Bernard Muir announced he will step down at the end of this academic year after 13 years on The Farm. I’ve known Bernard for his entire Stanford tenure, and while the football program has struggled in recent years, his accomplishments should not go unnoticed.
He led Stanford football to unprecedented success, navigated COVID-19’s impact on college sports, and played a key role in the ever-shifting world of conference realignment - not an easy task.
On a personal note, I can recall a night in New York City after Bryce Love’s Heisman appearance as a finalist. Bernard invited me and our entire TV crew to dinner with the Stanford staff and Bryce’s family. In a profession that is becoming more professional by the day, Bernard Muir always saw the humanity within it and that invitation was just one example of it. He is a friend and one of the most respected people in sports. His integrity is second to none, and while I hope he and his wife take some well-earned time off, I have no doubt that whatever he does next will be met with success.
As for Stanford football? A quick walk around that campus is enough to remind you how special the program can be. A quick watch of David Shaw’s TedX Talk will paint the picture of what Stanford was. But the new administration must invest in it if they want to return to prominence.
I hope they do. And as always, I’ll be rooting for Nerd Nation.
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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The NFL Combine is underway with players arriving and the on-field workouts beginning Thursday, and as always, the spotlight is on the quarterbacks. While Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders won’t be throwing, he’s still expected to be the talk of the week in Indianapolis.
This week on Y-Option fueled by our founding partner 76, ESPN and SiriusXM broadcaster Roddy Jones joined me to break down the quarterbacks at the NFL Combine. We discussed his unique experience calling 4 Colorado games this season and his thoughts on how Shedeur Sanders will fit into an NFL locker room. Roddy also shared his insights on other top signal-callers, including Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, and Dillon Gabriel.
As a former dual-sport athlete growing up in Atlanta who was even drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Roddy brings a unique perspective on Deion Sanders and his impact. His approach as an analyst is equally distinctive, and what has always stood out to me is his humility, which was on full display in our conversation.
If you’re craving more NFL Combine content, be sure to check out last week's episode with Mark Sanchez or my conversation with Dillon Gabriel. As always, I appreciate your constant support for Y-Option!
Much love and stay steady,Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
I met Mark Sanchez in the fall of 2005. It was my first season at USC and our team was regarded as the best in the history of the game. Mark was a rising star in Southern California as a freshman quarterback with a rocket arm and an infectious personality. I was a 22-year-old transplant from Pennsylvania who fell in love with the Pacific, the USC football vibe and everything LA had to offer.
As a young coach you are often seeking to find your way, and that way is usually through the lens of those mentoring you. At USC in 2005 those mentors included Pete Carroll, Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin and others. And in the QB room, it was a Who's Who of college football. Matt Leinart was coming off a Heisman campaign, John David Booty was his heir apparent with Mark Sanchez waiting in the wings.
He and I became close friends as we both found our footing at USC. From two different coasts it was clear from Day 1 that we had the same goals – compete to do things better than they had ever been done before, master this unique offense and begin the path to mastery around quarterback play.
We both learned quickly that one is never a master at this position, but both of us became obsessed with that craft.
As the NFL Combine approaches, Mark Sanchez is our guest on this week's Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding partner 76. We dove into the nuances of the position, what matters most for a QB to find success in the NFL and took a deep dive into the Las Vegas Raiders as Mark is the ONLY quarterback to start for both a Pete Carroll (USC) AND Chip Kelly (Eagles) led team.
And yes, we also went down memory lane while talking in depth about one of his favorite plays, Y-Option.
Have a great weekend and thank you for the support - none of this is possible without our community and love pouring into it while getting to know the new subscribers along the way.
Much love and stay steady,
Yogi
P.S. I just spent a few days in Tuscaloosa and those stories plus an in-depth interview with Kalen DeBoer will be coming next week. Stay turned to @YOptionFB & @YOptionCFB on social media for all things college football through the lens of the West Coast.
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Years ago, I was on the Elite 11 quarterback camp tour and kept hearing coaches talking about QBs having the “It Factor.” It was as though everywhere I turned that phrase was being thrown around. As time would pass, it felt as though that became the most overused and undefinable phrase in football. So in the summer of 2016, a few of us set out to truly understand what it meant to have the It Factor and I would direct the film titled The It Factory.
We canvassed the nation, asking premiere coaches, players and broadcasters to share their explanation of that phrase. It was fascinating as the nuances behind that phrase were so unique.
The conclusion: those that have the It Factor walk into a room and people feel their presence…AND they make everyone in that room better.
Dillon Gabriel is exactly that.
He joined the Y-Option podcast over the weekend in our Venice Beach studio where he reflected on his record breaking year in Eugene, the impact of the Oregon staff, how he is preparing to actualize a childhood dream, his parents impact on him, and yes, to discuss his It Factor. He also accepted one of our final 4 season-ending awards in collaboration with our founding partner 76, as we named Dillon “My 5-Star QB” of the Year.
The authentic nature of Dillon’s personality is infectious, as I’ve seen him in rooms full of high school quarterbacks, in the Oregon football facility, around Heisman winners or literally in my kitchen with my family. I’d go as far to say that his It Factor is the most impressive my eyes have ever seen in 25 years around major college football. And yes, I know what I’m saying when I write that.
Dillon Gabriel is a special talent and the NFL franchise that he lands at in late April will have a dynamic leader in their QB room.
How do you define the It Factor? Who has it? Can you cultivate it?
I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments at Y-Option.com or on social media as we truly enter the offseason in the sport we love.
Much love and stay steady,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Fly Eagles Fly!
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs to win this year's Super Bowl. As a Pennsylvania native, I’ve seen the passion from Philly fans since I was a child. Watching them dominate this past Sunday, I had Randall Cunningham memories flooding my mind.
For former Eagle and Oregon Ducks’ Hall of Famer Kenjon Barner, he too was going down memory lane this weekend. A member of the Super Bowl LII Champions in 2018, Kenjon holds a special place for Eagle fans and the City of Brotherly Love in his heart. He shared the impact of that team on the latest episode of the Y-Option podcast, sponsored by our founding partner 76.
Barner, a 3-time Super Bowl champ, is one of two players in NFL history to have Super Bowl rings from 3 different franchises (along with Matt Millen) and each one was unique. From Philly when he was a return specialist to New England the following season when he was not even on the roster during the Super Bowl to being in Tampa Bay during the COVID season with Tom Brady, the path that Barner was on to garner 3 rings is as unique as any in the NFL.
Like every player, Kenjon also navigated the transition from playing to life off the gridiron. Now, he hosts the podcast Ducks of a Feather, alongside former Oregon All-American running back Jonathan Stewart, where they share insights and analysis on the reigning B1G champions.
Overall, our conversation is a positive listen for any player navigating recruiting while also providing a lens on life through the eyes of a player who has been at epic highs while navigating life post playing career and the natural lows that come with that.
Hope you enjoy today’s conversation with my colleague, friend and former Oregon Duck, Kenjon Barner.
Much love and Stay Steady,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.y-option.com
The butterfly effect was popularized by a meteorologist in the 1960s while studying weather patterns. His discovery proved that a tiny change in the weather could lead to a variety of different outcomes. The same could be said for the coaching profession.
Last year, Nick Saban’s retirement impacted coaches in Tuscaloosa, Seattle, Tuscon, San Jose and many more. This year the Pete Carroll hire by the Las Vegas Raiders has done a similar thing.
In this Y-Option Extra conversation, exclusively for our paid subscribers, we take a deep dive into the ripple effect of his hire with Chip Kelly becoming his offensive coordinator, Brennan Carroll leaving Washington to be the Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach and how Ohio State and UW have or will respond.
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I can recall the moment like it was yesterday. USC vs Texas. The Rose Bowl. Burnt orange filling up one half of the iconic stadium and cardinal and gold filling up the other. A sunset for the ages. Keith Jackson. Pete Carroll. Mack Brown. Matt Leinart. Reggie Bush. And of course, Vince Young.
I’ve yet to watch that game back, as it was the finale of my first year on the USC staff, but since that day I’ve always had great regard for the Texas head coach, Mack Brown. A few years ago he joined my podcast and since that conversation, I’ve always perked up when he would speak about the game we all adore.
Coach Brown is a Hall of Fame and National Championship winning coach, but he is also a guardian of the game. His lens on the current state of the game, his advice to current coaches and his infectious energy are traits that we all can learn from and I’m honored to have him on today’s Y-Option podcast, thanks to our founding partner 76.
We reflected back on his career, how he navigated the pressures in coaching and even some of his regrets.
What landed most was his sage advice to coaches as we dove into the topic of “self-compassion” in coaching, or the lack thereof. And can’t we all use a little bit of that in today’s world? I know I can.
Hope you enjoy today’s conversation with the legendary coach, Mack Brown.
Much love and stay steady,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Fresh off of an epic football season, Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini joins the Y-Option podcast for the 2nd time, thanks to our founding partners at 76. I can recall my first year coaching at USC and our game at ASU. It was an epic back-and-forth showdown and while the Trojans were able to win it late, I left ASU with the feeling that many others have always felt, “ASU is a sleeping giant.”
After the Sun Devils run from being picked dead last in the preseason to becoming the Big 12 champions who took Texas to the absolute brink in the CFP all while being led by a rising star in Kenny Dillingham, it’s safe to assume that that giant is fully awakened.
Graham and I dove into the year that was in Tempe, his leadership style and how he has guided this athletic department as he recently extended the contracts of Coach Dillingham and both coordinators, Brian Ward and Marcus Arroyo. He also shared what it was like on the field postgame with Coach Dillingham after big wins (aka “I was one of these guys!”) and what was said in the ASU locker room after the CFP loss.
Always thoughtful, Graham explained his lens on the current CFP model and what it was like to represent the West Coast in major college football in a powerful way this season.
Personally, it’s been a joy to watch Graham lead the Sun Devils and take risks, or as he likes to say, “say yes, and figure out the details.”
Thank you for reading today’s newsletter and if you enjoy the lessons learned from today’s podcast please share it with a friend, as your support of Y-Option allows us to continue to grow this community of thoughtful and connected fans of the game we all love.
Much love,
Yogi
P.S. Hope you’re getting your off-season workouts in!
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
In the afterglow of the CFP National Championship Game, former Ohio State Buckeye Ben Hartsock joins Y-Option to share his joy, insight and analysis on the best team in the 2024-25 season, as well as answer the question of “What wins?” when it comes to building a team in college football.
As the season concluded, both Jim Thornby and I reflect back on Monday night’s game, the longest season in the history of college football and debate whether the regular season is becoming devalued.
I also play the “What If” game regarding this Ohio State team against some of the greatest teams of the 21st century: Miami in 2001, USC in 2005, LSU in 2019 or Alabama in 2020. Ultimately, we conclude that it’s a rather impossible comparison but one that reminds us that college football is in a new era on various levels.
Most importantly, we know it’s been a long season and we want to say thank you to all of you for the time and dialogue around our guests and college football through the lens of the West Coast.
Much love and stay steady,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby & edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.y-option.com
Dear Y-Option Community,
We’re excited to bring you the first bonus podcast of the season. In this insightful conversation for paid subscribers only, we dive into the recently proposed changes surrounding the transfer portal and the college football calendar—topics that are sure to impact the future of the sport.
In the episode, we explore:
* How the new tra…
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The CFP National Championship Game is a few days away and Big Ten expert Anthony Herron joins Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76, to dive into the key matchups in the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State game.
A long-time friend, Anthony has such a unique lens on the game, covering high school all-star games, college football and the NFL for his hometown Chicago Bears. Fortunately, I’ve been able to call him a colleague for the better part of the last decade, first at the Pac-12 Network and now at the Big Ten Network.
Anthony and I also explore the current recruiting landscape, as Anthony is the lead analyst for the All-American Bowl on NBC and has seen student-athletes become businessmen as well during this transactional era of college football. It’s fascinating insight from someone who is a true expert on all things football.
Jim Thornby and I also dive into the coaching matchup with Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman, as well as our predictions for the game.
I’ll be in Chicago on Monday, covering the game for the Big Ten Network from the studio so be sure to follow along on social media for insight and opinions from the finale of this brilliant season!
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
There are many experts offering insight into the National Championship game with Notre Dame facing Ohio State on Monday, January 20th. Among them all, one person stands out.
Meet Gerry DiNardo, a former Notre Dame All-American & 1973 National Champion, now a long-time analyst at the Big Ten Network. I call him “Coach” as his vibe, presence and commentary continues to reflect the role he had as the head coach at Vanderbilt, LSU, and Indiana. He joined us on Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76, to discuss what made his time in South Bend so powerful under the legendary Ara Parseghian as well as why the loss to Michigan might be the reason that Ohio State is 60 minutes away from hoisting the national championship trophy.
We also reflect on his time with Bill McCartney at Colorado, having been on his staff for 9 seasons. Coach DiNardo will have you laughing and learning as he shares poignant and vivid stories as a Buff.
In addition, Jim Thornby and I reflect on the semifinals and the duality of being at the Cotton Bowl while my mind was with those in Los Angeles.
As always, if you’d like to help those impacted by the raging fires visit this link:
(https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/how-to-help-victims-of-pacific-palisades-eaton-and-hurst-fires)
Much love and please stay safe,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
The CFP semifinals are upon us!
Thanks to our founding partner 76, Elite 11 President and close friend Brian Stumpf joins the show to take a deep dive into the quarterback position among the four teams remaining in the College Football Playoff. His recall into what Quinn Ewers, Will Howard, Riley Leonard and Drew Allar were in high school is fascinating, as each of their journeys are incredibly unique. We dove into the instant stardom that Ewers received the summer heading into his senior year at the Elite 11 and the path of Will Howard, who was in the same QB class as former Buckeye great CJ Stroud. Think about that for a moment!
We also dive into Brian’s lens on being a general manager in college football. If I was a team president or head coach, Brian would be my first call as his evaluation, relationships and character traits are as good as I’ve ever come across.
Jim Thornby and I also explore the state of the game in a wide ranging conversation around the professionalization of college football, private equity and officiating.
We also give our keys to the two semifinal games, as I’m in Dallas covering the Cotton Bowl for the Big Ten Network all week.
Most importantly, we want to send our love and support to everyone in Southern California who is navigating the wildfires that have impacted thousands of homes and families.
Much love to all and hope this show and the upcoming playoff games can offer a little reprieve during this challenging time in Los Angeles.
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
LIVE from Rose Bowl Media Day, Ashley Adamson of the Big Ten Network joins the show to offer her insight into the all-Big Ten Quarterfinal matchup of Ohio State and Oregon.
Thanks to our founding partner 76 - fresh off of the BTN set, Ashley and I offer our immediate takeaways, what we read between the lines during our interviews and our biggest takeaway in advance of the rematch of what I think are the nation's top two teams.
Jim Thornby and I have a spirited conversation about quarterbacks participating in bowl games as the decision around Cam Ward sitting in the 2nd half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl continues to be a point of discussion around the country.
We also offer a preview of the other three CFP quarterfinal games where stakes are high and it seems like most around the nation are not giving conference champions Boise State or Arizona State much of a chance. For ASU and Texas, the game will provide some of the best playcallers on both sides of the ball in the game and for Boise State, this one will come down to their passing game and unforced errors.
In addition, we want to wish all of you a Happy New Year! It’s been a wild year for us at Y-Option and we can hope each of you take time to reflect on the year with loved ones and fans of the game we all love.
I’ll be at the Rose Bowl on New Years Day, being a part of my 18th Rose Bowl overall and first on the Big Ten Network. I must say, I sense the same excitement in advance of this one as I did in the first one I went to in 2003. And amid so many changes in college football, I hope you are leaning into the joys of the game we all love.
Happy New Year!
Yogi
Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
The first round of the inaugural expanded College Football Playoff has come and gone. There are countless opinions, but I think we can all agree that this new format was a massive win for the sport we all love.
Another thing in sports that we love is taking the helmet off of players and getting to know them.
I’ve been around Dillon Gabriel since June at the Elite 11 Finals and as I’ve said many times, his It Factor is as high as any quarterback I’ve ever been around in my career.
How was that cultivated? Where did that come from? Well, we went straight to the source and welcomed his mother, Dori Gabriel, to Y-Option in our Holiday episode, thanks to our founding partner 76.
From Hawaii to our studio, she shared what the kitchen table was like in her home, how her and her husband Garrett (a former QB at Hawai’i himself) guided Dillon, her thoughts on #VanLife, her experience in NYC at the Heisman and how the Oregon Duck community has impacted her family in powerful ways.
It’s a powerful episode as so many parents are seeking wisdom while guiding their children as athletes in this new world of athletics in youth sports, high school and college athletics. As a parent of two young boys, I easily took away principles I’ll share with our kids and hope they get to meet the Gabriel family at the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.
Before we get to the quarterfinals let’s look back on the CFP from the lens of the West Coast as a few things also stood out:
* It looked cold in those games! I almost wished it was snowing to make the temperature look even more unique.
* The home crowds had an impact and kept the pageantry in bowl season, which all too often feels corporate. I’d vote for the quarterfinals to be home games too. More on that in today’s podcast.
* Ohio State played their best game of the season. They drilled Tennessee on the field, but I was more interested in what went on off the field since their game against Michigan. I said before the game that this team MUST play free and let it rip and they did exactly that. The Buckeyes looked loose, aggressive, and not concerned about living up to their or anyone else's expectations and for the first time this year looked the part of legit national title contenders.
* Speaking of the Natty, among the winners over the weekend, I could see all four of them in the final game of this season.
We will be sure to dive into all of that in advance of New Years Eve but in the meantime, be sure to enjoy your holiday season and our conversation with Dori Gabriel.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
With the inaugural 12-team CFP set to kickoff Friday night in South Bend, Indiana, we welcome Notre Dame alum and the voice of the L.A. Rams, J.B. Long, to the show with thanks to our founding partner 76.
J.B. called games this fall in the Pac-12, Mountain West and the NFL. His lens on the new look playoff, the current reality of college football and his insights on Washington State have tremendous depth and breath.
One of my dearest friends and one of the most talented voices in sports, J.B. brings a lens that is truly one of one.
We also dive into stories from South Bend - his as a student and broadcaster & mine as a player and coach, that neither of us have ever shared and you might get a laugh or two from them.
Jim Thornby and I also offer a conversation on the state of the Cougs, the transfer portal, how colleges are building out their NIL “matrix” and the slate of playoff games this weekend that are giving us some historical matchups.
Enjoy this weekend and be sure to follow along as I’ll be tracking each game in real time on Threads!
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
Travis Hunter wins the Heisman Trophy and we have an Immediate Reaction podcast from New York City plus hear from each of the other 3 Heisman finalists in advance of the big event.
Join myself and Jim Thornby as we break down the Heisman from all angles, including:
* My experience at the actual event for the first time.
* The resurgence of West Coast players on the grandest stage in back to back years.
* A detailed dive into what it’s like to cover a Heisman.
* Travis Hunter’s emotional speech.
* Our award winners (spoiler, they don’t wear a helmet).
Also, be sure to check out this week’s Empty the Call Sheet as I share how Larry Fitzgerald coming in second impacted my lens on the Heisman forever.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
What is going on in recruiting right now?!
This year the portal is seeing big name players who I would have never imagined entering and now exploring new homes in college football.
Before creating our own opinions here at Y-Option we had to talk to the expert of all things recruiting, Brandon Huffman, who joined the podcast thanks to our founding partner 76.
Brandon is the National Recruiting Editor for 247Sports and one of the most genuine and talented humans I know. He has joined this show every year for quite some time to share his insights into the Early Signing Period, recruiting and the future of college football.
This episode is a little different.
We spent 80% of the time talking about the new-look portal, agents and some guidance on how to navigate it all. We also gained expertise around the Ducks, Trojans, Bruins, Huskies and more West Coast teams as the Early Signing Period was last week and Portal Palooza is in full effect.
While Brandon’s insights are golden, how he continues to inspire the sporting community with the Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation, in honor of his daughter Avery, is incredibly powerful. It was established in 2016 and grows stronger by the day.
While we all are extremely busy during this time of the year please take a moment to learn more about Avery’s story, and how the Huffman family continues to impact people across the globe through this foundation. Please visit averystrongdipg.org and spread the word about Avery and how she continues to live on in so many beautiful ways.
#AveryStrong
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe -
The CFP bracket is set.
Some are thrilled, some are frustrated and a few are still politicking. Those of us on the West Coast are pretty happy, and rightfully so with Oregon, ASU and Boise State all receiving first round byes.
The Heisman finalists are also set and prior to departing for NYC, we had 1997 Heisman Trophy finalist Ryan Leaf join Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76. We dove into his first trip to The City That Never Sleeps while also learning about his post-event celebration that included his father singing alongside some of college football’s all-time greats as the sun was rising.
He also shared his intimate thoughts on perspective, as last week was the 10-year anniversary of him walking out of prison.
The CW Sports college football analyst detailed his 2024 season in the booth with Y-Option alums Ted Robinson and Nigel Burton, as this trio called the Washington State at Oregon State game a few weeks ago.
Jim Thornby and I take a look back on Championship Weekend, as both of us were in Indy for the Big Ten Championship game and look forward to the bracket that is top heavy with West Coast teams.
Hope all of you get a chance to exhale for a day or two as this has been a season to remember on so many levels.
Much love,
Yogi
This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren
This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe - Laat meer zien
