A.J. McCarron on ‘Bama, Saban, Recruitment & Playing with Authenticity | Beyond the Xs & Os

Luke Fickell talk with Trent about his career as a state champion wrestler, how that translated to the football field, playing in 50 consecutive games at OSU, playing in the Rose Bowl, and building a process and culture at Cincinnati.

Josh Heupel joins Trent to discuss his experience playing junior college, what the game means to those who take that route, playing in and winning the National Title, getting drafted and what the process was like for him, and what it means to be the head coach of a program like the University of Tennessee.

Lincoln Riley joins Trent to discuss the importance of playing multiple sports when young and the lessons you can learn from it, the various coaches he learned under from Mike Leach to Bob Stoops, the responsibility he feels to make sure he is bringing his all for his players, what its like to coach players with extreme talent, and what it means to him to be a Trojan.

Notre Dame Head Football Coach joins Trent to share his story, starting with his All American playing career at Ohio State, through Draft Day in the NFL, and all the way through his coaching career culminating in his head coaching job at Notre Dame.

Mel Tucker joins Trent to discuss his early experiences as a head coach, Michigan State culture, the current state of NIL feeling like free agency, and much more.

Current UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, joins Trent to discuss his football beginnings, how he came up as a defensive coach, why working his way up through the ranks was so important, and then touches on his time at Oregon. Kelly also talks us through his own playing days and how he transitioned to becoming a coach, the lessons he learned early on as a coach and the value of learning to teach. Going into a new era of college football, Kelly walks us through what it’s like navigating NIL, his excitement for the upcoming season and what it means to be a Bruin.

Drew Bledsoe joins Trent to discuss his high school football experience, not being recruited until his senior year, and the decision to go to Washington State University. He discusses his first completion in college being in a JV game and what it was like playing against USC in the Coliseum in his very next game.  They go on to discuss his college journey ending with him being the number 1 overall pick in the draft, what it was like to play for a team of Hall of Fame coaches in Pete Carroll, Bill Parcells, & Bill Belichick, why the Patriots’ success has been so sustainable, his experience with Tom Brady, and how he is attacking his new career running Doubleback Winery with the same passion he did in his football career.

Atlanta Falcons and former Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron joins Trent to discuss his football journey, which began around when started walking. He explains why playing multiple sports through his high school career led to becoming a successful NFL quarterback, his views on winning and losing, how relationships changed as he received multiple college offers, what team his father led on as he was being recruited, and ultimately why he chose ‘Bama. What was it like playing for Coach Nick Saban? Then he talks about his current relationship with Saban, the importance of family, and the right kind of quarterback mentality.

Former Jets and Dolphins Quarterback and two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington sits down with Trent to talk through his journey from high school to Marshall to the NFL. Pennington dives into his experience climbing up the depth chart, his successful senior college season, and his transition into pro football. He relives moments with long time friend Randy Moss and what it was like to attend the Heisman ceremony. He wraps up with highlights from his time with the New York Jets to the Miami Dolphins at the end of his NFL career.

Super Bowl Champion QB Brad Johnson sits down with Trent to discuss how he went back and forth between basketball and football before ultimately deciding to focus on playing quarterback, the good times and lessons learned while playing for Bobby Bowden at FSU, and how playing in the World League forged him into the NFL quarterback he was always meant to be. Plus, Brad tells a hilarious story about why he got blamed for cheating in the Super Bowl 15 years after the fact, and shares how much having his family by his side throughout his career helped him to succeed.