That’s how I felt, more than once, last night in Iowa City for Cy-Hawk, where Iowa State and Iowa clash every year. Walking out to the field for my pre-game hit on NBC, I started to look around.

First it was the intimacy of the setting, a field seemingly swallowed by fans, the sidelines tighter than I’ve ever seen. Then it was the children’s hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium, where true competitors in life wave every home game. They inspire millions watching, and they draw inspiration right back from the players on the field.

Right before going on air, I looked up and a single butterfly floated by. Every butterfly does the same thing for me: it’s a reminder of my late Mom. She loved butterflies, she loved football, and in that moment I knew she had a great seat for the game too.

The game itself was back and forth, and in true Cy-Hawk fashion it came down to a game-winning field goal. Iowa returned the favor this year, beating the Cyclones and first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers in a thriller, 16-13.

Right before that kick, I looked around one more time. So many people, one setting, all connected by a shared love of football. It gave me chills. That’s the power of the game: it unites.

Flying home at 5am, my mind is all over the place. What’s up with Oregon? Can Michigan throw the ball well enough to win consistently? Is Washington in trouble? Is Boise State bound for the CFP? How legit is USC? How many losses will a CFP team be allowed? Are the top two teams in the country both sitting in the state of Indiana?

I’m not sure. But I can’t wait to dive into the film and find out.

Before I do that, I’m hitting the sauna and cold plunge. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Recovery for Athletes here at Y-Option, the #1 online retailer for athlete recovery and wellness products. From saunas and cold plunges to nutritional supplements and fitness equipment, they’re the one-stop shop for all the best brands in the game. When I’m traveling across the country, recovery comes before film study, every time. Be sure to check them out at RecoveryForAthletes.com.

But above all of it, I keep coming back to this: every athlete’s journey rarely goes as planned.

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Traditionally, this newsletter lands on Sundays, flying home from a game, but this week is a little later so thank you for your patience.

Bottom line for me: week one was fascinating.

I stood in a booth on Thursday, in front of a near sellout in Minnesota, next to Jason Benetti. We watched Drake Lindsey, PJ Fleck, and this Minnesota team operate at an elite level. Keep an eye on the Gophers. They’ll be a sleeper all season long. They have a big time QB, possibly the top edge rusher in the nation with Anthony Smith and are extremely well coached.

From there, it was The Greatest Setting. You know what I’m talking about. Seattle, The Apple Cup, the re-launch of the Pac-12. Not just another iconic rivalry but the 118th version of Washington versus Washington State, a rivalry that began in the year 1900. Yet this was the first time it had ever been the opening weekend of the season. And it was incredible. Both defenses played well and while the dark horse CFP Dawgs didn’t look sharp, they still have the tools to take a run this fall.

That got me thinking. Very rarely in life do we get to do anything for the first time.

That’s why year one with a new coaching staff is so unique. From Jimmy Rogers this weekend at Iowa State to Kirby Moore this past weekend at Washington State to Bob Chesney, Lane Kiffin and so many teams across the country who hired a new head coach this past off-season. It presents a fresh set of eyes leading a team, a new voice at halftime pumping up the team (hello Lane) and for fans, hopefully we all get to re-set our expectations and re-create the hope we have in our favorite team.

If things didn’t go your way this past weekend that’s ok too - it’s ONLY 1 game. That’s the beauty of college football, growth happens in ways we rarely project. And adversity is where true culture and character are revealed so I’ll be glued to see what Rutgers, Cal, Stanford, Michigan (even in a win) and others who met adversity this coming weekend.

A huge part of coming back home after calling games is recovery and we are so proud to have a new partner here at Y-Option. We met the Recovery for Athletes team and after hearing that their mission is to help high performers be their best, and recover after a game or practice, we had to join forces. And if you follow me on Instagram, you know that cold plunges and saunas are my go to post game recovery move. If you’re traveling or competing, be sure to check out RecoveryForAthletes.com as they have kept me fresh after week 1 as the grind of the football season is real.

Recovery for Athletes is the #1 online retailer for athlete recovery and wellness products. From saunas and cold plunges, to nutritional supplements and fitness equipment, they are the one stop shop for all of the best brands in the game.

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Welcome back to - where Todd Blackledge and I break down the biggest Week 2 college football storylines, including what happened at the Big House, whether Oregon fans should be concerned, how real Iowa’s offensive changes are, and what to watch in the Ohio State vs. Texas matchup.

Today’s podcast is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Hope you enjoy!

I was in the booth for USC’s opener against San Jose State. Yes, it was hot. So was Jayden Maiava as he played with elite command. The highly touted freshmen for the Trojans also met the moment. And one small detail stood out to me, worth flagging if you’re a special teams fan early in today’s show.

I also dove into Oregon’s game vs Boise State. I’m doubling down: the Ducks are one of the top two teams in the country as we approach week 1.

Speaking of top two, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Nico Iamaleava are two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and both play on the West Coast this Saturday night. That’s what makes Cal vs. UCLA a must-watch: two elite QBs and the debut for two new head coaches.

After calling Eastern Illinois at Minnesota Thursday night, I’m flying to Seattle to meet Paul Burmeister. We also bring you a preview of the Apple Cup live from the UW team room.

As always, each episode is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

Grateful for your support on many levels, enjoy week 1!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

We are hours from kick-off and college football will be officially underway. And thus, we will all either be right or absolutely wrong about our picks. And that’s the fun part, picking the sleepers and contenders. Todd Blackledge and I dive into those teams in advance of game 1 in today’s podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

We tap into the reasons why Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State, Minnesota, UCLA, Washington, Illinois, and USC could all challenge the way people are talking about them this season. We will explain what stood out in practice, which quarterbacks are ready to take a leap, why defensive depth matters, and how the Big Ten race could change once these teams get tested on the field.

Almost game time, set those DVRs!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

🔔 Subscribe for more college football conversations on our YouTube Channel as well.

That’s today’s focus on - fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Todd Blackledge and I break down what could actually stop Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers after seeing them up close at fall camp.

We explain why Indiana is unlikely to beat itself, how Josh Hoover’s turnover history changes in this offense, why the wide receiver room needs another playmaker next to Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, and how Bob Bostad’s offensive line could become one of the Big Ten’s best again.

We also discuss the depth on the defensive line, the challenge of replacing a true lockdown corner, and why matchups with Ohio State, USC, Oregon, and the rest of the Big Ten will reveal how far Indiana can go.

Thanks for watching, wherever you may be!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

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🔔 Subscribe for more college football conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@YOption

Todd Blackledge and I were in Happy Valley and had to break down what we saw from Rocco Becht, the Nittany Lions’ roster, and why this team can compete right away.

Welcome to today’s episode of - fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

I’ve always felt that the best coaches have a conviction in their style, vision, theme and philosophy. Coach Campbell has that in spades, which is a core reason why we think PSU will have long term success.

We share that Penn State has the talent to win in year one, how Rocco Becht’s experience and toughness shape the offense, why the tight end room and offensive line matter, and what Tony Rojas and the defense need to become as the season goes on. We also double down on Matt Campbell’s culture, the transfer-heavy rebuild, and why the schedule gives Penn State a real path to a strong first season.

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Thanks for listening!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

🔔 Subscribe for more college football conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@YOption

We explain why Michigan needs to start fast under Kyle Whittingham, how Bryce can take the next step as a runner and passer, why red zone decision making matters, and what Jay Hill’s defense could look like against a tough early schedule.

Today’s conversation is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

Am fired up to kick off Season 3 of Y-Option and update you on what will come this fall!

For starters, really proud to call Todd Blackledge a friend and colleague…now we get to be co-hosts of . We will be bringing you LIVE shows each Monday this fall and content all week, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

We kicked it off today with our recap from our respective Training Camp Tours. We break down early season expectations and key storylines across the Big Ten and beyond, including Michigan’s first 5 games, reasons for optimism at Michigan State, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, Penn State’s conviction in their approach, and why teams like Indiana and Ohio State could be even better than people think.

Also, we share stories from the road at Washington, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame and more.

Be sure to subscribe to our SubStack channel here, as well as our YouTube channel.

Thanks for the constant support, so proud of the community we have curated over the years as we enter this season.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

Not just because he turned down top-5 NFL dollars, but because he returned to Eugene with a purpose — one that’s fully aware that to do something special, it takes everyone.

I’ve known him since he was 16 years old, and even then, it wasn’t his arm talent that jumped out. It was his mindset.

In today’s conversation, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO so you never miss a beat, Dante talks about pressure like it’s a privilege. Failure like it’s fuel. And “the company” like it’s the whole point.

Ask Dante Moore about football and within a few sentences he’s back in Detroit, back at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, back with the people who put a ball in his hands before he ever dreamed of Autzen Stadium. That’s still home to him. He hasn’t outgrown it, and he doesn’t want to.

The phrase that stuck with me most from this one: the company matters more than the journey or the destination. Or as my Dad has told me for over 40 years, ‘You are the Company You Keep.’

Ain’t that the truth.

That’s a veteran way of thinking for a guy his age, and one every young quarterback should aspire to.

He’s grown over the past few years too, following the lead of head coach Dan Lanning — writing his goals down on the bathroom mirror.

What I appreciated most was how comfortable he was going beyond the X’s and O’s — talking pressure, mental health, what it’s like to carry a platform at 21 and use it honestly.

He’s been one of my favorite guys since we met in 2022 at the Elite 11, doing hot yoga together. Glad we were able to connect ahead of a 2026 season with massive expectations for the Oregon Ducks on behalf of T-Mobile’s Friday Night Lights 5G program.

Hope you enjoy our conversation, as games are only a week away! I’m flying back home to soak in some family time before the cadence truly ramps up this fall so if you need anything, meet us on the sand!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

I wasn’t surprised Larry Fitzgerald made the NFL Hall of Fame, as I knew he was talented the day I met him. What surprised me was everything else about the week in Canton. Which brings us to today’s podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

Four things stood out in profound ways — profound enough that I had to make a podcast episode about it.

To give you the highlights, those four are:

How talented Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico are. I was able to see the best broadcast booth and production group our sport has ever seen, up close. Spoiler, they are even better people than the talent they have.

How old I’m getting. Seeing so many faces from the past 25 years had me smiling ear to ear, until I realized how fast time has gone.

How many Pitt teammates showed up. Twenty-five years later, and the bond we built at 18 years old was poignant and powerful.

Don’t ever pass up a Hall of Fame after party! I lost my voice by 9 p.m. and got called on stage to sing with Marcus Fitzgerald and Bruce Arians — I never laughed harder.

Congrats to the new class, and especially to my guy Larry Fitzgerald. What a journey. Hope you enjoy today’s episode and looking forward to recapping this two week training camp tour once back home.

Until then, I’m off to Iowa, Indiana, and Penn State to finish it off!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

And after sitting down with him in today’s podcast, fueled by 76 keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat, I think he's going to do exactly that in Matt Campbell’s first year.

Rocco and I dove into falling in love with football in high school, the transition from Iowa State to Penn State, and how he’s learned to lead from the inside out. Growing up with an NFL Dad he has had to learn how to handle expectations and navigate praise and blame. That will serve him well this fall as gameday is right around the corner.

I’m back on the road, heading to Pullman, Seattle, Ames, Iowa City, Bloomington and finishing up in Rocco’s new town, State College. When back, Todd Blackledge and I will recap our respective camp tours right here at Y-Option. Wheels up!

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

I didn’t know he’d be one of the all time greats.

I definitely couldn’t tell he was going to be the 385th player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This past weekend, I got to witness that reality and it was one of the most beautiful celebrations of a person’s football life I’ve ever seen.

You likely know Larry’s stats: more tackles than drops. Second all time in receptions and yards. Walter Payton Man of the Year. All time Pitt Panther.

What you don’t know is the work that was done when no one was looking. The inner belief he carried in himself. How he had to process loss in a way that, sadly, some of us have had to navigate too.

And as I reflect back on the past week in Canton on my flight home I am smiling ear to ear in a way I haven’t in decades.

I arrived this past Wednesday after watching the 2026 Michigan Wolverines practice under new coach Kyle Whittingham. After covering the Utah Utes since 2004 it felt like I was home in a weird way. Friends from my past and a team I’ll cover in the future.

Ironically, once I arrived in Canton it felt relatively similar. Past and future, all connected in the present.

It would begin by shadowing absolute legends in broadcasting, Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, as well as their entire NBC Sunday Night Football crew.

I sat in on a production meeting and proudly listen to them trade memories of Larry while getting a masterclass in television production.

I walked the field in pre-game and saw longtime Pitt strength coach Buddy Morris. I watched every member of the Arizona Cardinals wear number 11 in warmups. I ran into Michael Wilson, Gardner Minshew, Dave Canales and so many members of the collective ‘football family’ that 25 years around college football can provide.

And again, perma-grin.

I stood in the booth watching the greatest broadcast crew in our sport’s history do their thing. I looked over and saw Larry getting interviewed by Melissa Stark. All class, all the time.

In between days, I found myself at Michigan State, learning from new head coach Pat Fitzgerald and running into former Pitt Panther Hank Poteat during my training camp tour.

It was then back to Canton for the Hall of Fame. My cup was already full but over the next 24 hours it would overflow in the most beautiful way.

I saw teammates, coaches and administrators from twenty years ago. I laughed with the ones I used to sweat with. I went deep with the ones I used to sit on the locker room floor with after summer workouts. I looked my head coach in the eye and asked him questions I’d dreamed about asking him for years.

Most importantly, I got to listen.

I listened as grown men—former teammates—talked about fatherhood and marriage. I learned as they talked about struggle and growth. And I discovered a hole in me that only teammates could fill.

I started thinking about my time at Pitt. When you meet people at eighteen and go through hard, rewarding things together until you’re twenty-two years old a bond gets built. It’s different than high school and different than college football today. When we signed at Pitt, we stayed there. Memories were made. Relationships were formed and a powerful connection for life was created.

That truth just kept showing up as the day went on.

I watched Devin Fitzgerald present his father at the Hall of Fame ceremony. Listening to him took me back to the day he was born. I got to spend time with Devin on Notre Dame’s campus a few months ago and three weeks from now, we all may be watching him play for the Fighting Irish. How cool is that?

I looked at Larry’s other two sons and thought about similar moments, watching them evolve in life and share in this experience.

I stared at my own teammates and coaches, twenty five years older than the last time I saw most of them, and I just kept smiling.

And then we went to the After Party.

I’d never been to the Hall of Fame, let alone a Hall of Fame After Party.

If you ever get the chance, don’t pass it up.

Music, food, all first class. But the stories. The laughter. The loss of my voice by 9 PM. That was the best part.

By midnight the stories only got better. The connections only got deeper. Kelly James had the whole room going, roasting the crowd, calling friends, coaches and former teammates up on stage. It was hilarious.

I got called up on stage alongside Bruce Arians, who coached Larry Fitz. They asked us and Larry’s brother Marcus to sing a song none of us wanted to. Mid song I just looked out at the crowd and took it all in.

Everyone here for Hall of Fame inductee number 385.

Everyone connected to Larry Fitz from his past.

Everyone so connected to the present.

Everyone smiling.

Hours after we shut it down I arrived on the Minnesota Gophers campus to learn about their team ahead of their opening game of the college football season, which I’ll be calling on NBC/Peacock.

For 2 days the same theme continued: listen, learn and discover.

Sitting on this plane I’m still smiling, my cup is overflowing with joy, gratitude, and love.

I missed my teammates.

I missed my coaches.

I even missed triple sessions in training camp. Yes, that was a thing.

I got to see Walt Harris in a different light, connect with J.D. Brookhart in a new one. I got to see mentors of mine like E.J. Borghetti, Burt Lauten, Chris LaSala, and Bryan Deal.

If you couldn’t tell, it was one of the most enjoyable nights of my life.

And as my friends and I all agreed late into the night while celebrating an all-time great, “we can’t let it be this long again.”

So, what’s the point of today’s long newsletter? Hang for a few more paragraphs as I promise, it’s coming.

When I was coaching at USC, Pete Carroll made me study Abraham Maslow and the hierarchy of needs. He wrote about the five basic levels of needs: physiological requirements, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization

My interpretation of that has always been we need to feel seen, to connect, to love and be loved and to have friends. To have a team.

I try to build a team environment every fall as a broadcaster. I think we accomplish that.

My wife and I built a team at home. I know we’re accomplishing that too.

A football team has over a 105 players competing for one goal, knowing success only happens if everyone does their job on every single snap time and time again. It gives me chills to think about that and the bonds formed in training camp, through a season, through an offseason, and then through a lifetime, are bonds that can’t be broken.

Whether it had been twenty years or two days, those bonds were alive all weekend. With Tyler Palko, Kris Wilson, Justin Belarski, Shawn Robinson, Trey McMurray, Brandon Hayes, Joe Stephens, and so many more.

They live on. Strongly.

So here is today’s ask and the point of this newsletter.

If you’re missing your teammates, call them. We want to hear from you.

If you miss the players you coached, call them. They would love to hear from you.

If you have something to say, apologize for or celebrate with a former teammate - do it. Make the call.

For those not on a team right now, create one. If you find yourself on one you might just never stop smiling, and have a cup that overflows with love, joy and regard for those you get to compete in life with. Trust me.

One more thing before I go. Today’s newsletter is an honor to write. Celebrating a teammate who is in the NFL Hall of Fame doens’t happen often, if ever. And I wanted you all to feel it. After all, we are a community who love the power of play and what sports can do.

And this fall, we have some fun plans for this community. If you enjoy this content or want something specific please let me know in the comments below. Each Sunday, I am planning to write this newsletter for you and this fall, it will be behind the paywall. We hope to compete to take you inside the stories, beyond the highlights, into the essence of this great sport.

Thanks for considering and grateful for your support.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

I’ve known of Nico since he was 16, and I’ve always felt like people were quicker to react to the headlines than understand the person. And since we launched three years ago the vision was to share insightful and thoughtful stories in college football.

That’s today’s podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

This conversation will give you a different look at who he is. The way he talks about his parents. The way he processes praise and blame. The way his mom’s cancer battle changed his perspective. The way he gives back to today’s youth via his Wilson football camps.

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There is a lot more to Nico than the noise around him. And if you’re a fan who has resented the new-age in college football, this episode may refresh your passion for the game.

As Nico steps into the 2026 season and the deepest group of quarterbacks in the history of the Big Ten conference, we will see the starter at UCLA as a man who is grounded, grateful and ready to be where his feet are.

I spend my life talking to quarterbacks and today’s podcast was one of the most enjoyable podcasts of this decade-long endeavor. We went back and forth on the craft, how he trains his mind, and the impact of new UCLA head coach Bob Chesney.

I walked in excited about our conversation and left the Bruins facility inspired by the face of the program on so many levels. I hope by the time you complete this episode, you feel the same way.

It’s been a hectic week as I’ve gone from USC to Michigan to the Hall of Fame game to Michigan State to the Hall of Fame induction to Minnesota to home. And I’m heading back on the road tomorrow to prepare for the Apple Cup on NBC, Cy-Hawk, Indiana, and Penn State. Full recaps with Todd Blackledge coming soon and a detailed essay about what it was like watching Larry Fitzgerald get inducted into the Hall as number 385.

Until then, much love and stay steady,

Yogi

So in part 2 of our Media Day recap show Todd Blackledge and I took a deep dive into the most critical position in sports and shared what we learned after being around most of the signal callers in the B1G.

Welcome to today’s podcast, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO so you never miss a beat.

The West Coast has finally captured their footing in the Big Ten and their signal callers are primed to thrive this fall. We spent time in Chicago with Dante Moore, Jayden Maiava, Demond Williams and Nico Iamaleava, as well as Julian Sayin and others.

It’s a gifted crop of QBs which means that most games will come down to a final drive, which only makes watching and broadcasting these games that much more enjoyable.

I’m off to watch USC practice and later this week, Todd and I kick off our training camp tour. Be sure to follow along on social media and if you haven’t done it yet, please subscribe to our YouTube page.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

Welcome to Part 1 of our B1G Media Day recap, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat.

A whole lot of what happens and what is said during media days doesn’t really matter.

But, for Todd and I, it does matter as we get to have some genuine interactions with the 18 coaches and 54 players throughout the week, and it gives us something we’ve been craving all off-season: data.

Now, we get the best data on Saturdays. It’s quantitative and it’s 30 days away. This data is nothing like that. It’s qualitative. It’s reading social cues and analyzing word choice. It’s often times about what’s not said.

And fortunately or unfortunately it’s the best data we got right now, so let’s start with the coaches.

Welcome to part 1 of our Media Day recap.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

Welcome to the latest episode of THE DAWN, where Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson sat down to talk about what this new chapter means, and why he believes Boise State was built for this moment.

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Coach Danielson grew up in Southern California watching the Pac-10 turn into the Pac-12, and he watched Boise State from a distance before he ever set foot on the blue turf. Now in his tenth season with the program, he called the move into the new Pac-12 an exciting time for West Coast football and a natural homecoming for a fan base that always felt like it belonged in that conversation.

The coaching lineage at Boise State is not lost on Coach Danielson with names like Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and Chris Petersen setting the foundation for excellence on the blue turf. He called it the most humbling experience of his life to lead a program with that lineage.

On the new conference, Coach Danielson praised the coaching talent across the league and called this first year just the starting point. He argued the champion of the new Pac-12 deserves a spot in the College Football Playoff regardless of a perfect record, noting that Boise State and its peers are not ducking marquee non-conference games, opening with programs like Oregon and Washington instead of padding schedules.

For Coach Danielson, all of it traces back to a culture he sums up in two words: built different. Not just because Boise State plays its home games on the only blue field in the country, but because the program is chasing transformation over transactions. He talked about developing players in every facet and pointed to Ashton Jeanty, who had chances to leave and chose to stay, as proof the culture is real and not just a recruiting pitch.

It is fitting, then, that this 40th anniversary season on the blue turf will forever carry the fingerprints of two players who embodied that mindset. Ashton Jeanty and Kellen Moore will have their numbers permanently placed on the hash marks of the blue field, a tribute Coach Danielson calls a reflection of two humble pillars who helped build Boise State into what it is today, and a fitting bookend for a program stepping into its next era with the same identity that got it here.

THE DAWN debuted July 1 across the Pac-12’s YouTube and Pac-12 Insider, the league’s 24/7 FAST channel. The series culminates with a finale featuring never-before-seen behind-the-scenes content from the building of this new league. It drops in August, right before the season kicks off.

Schematically, the Big Ten challenges coordinators on both sides of the ball in so many diverse ways that I often say it feels like NFL Lite. The game planning, the matchups, the in-game adjustments and more. Add in four new head coaches who may end up as College Football Hall of Famers, and it only ramps up.

I’ve enjoyed studying all eight new Offensive Coordinators this offseason as each one is walking into a completely different scenario, and each has a QB who will scare every DC in the country. So with that, here’s the one thing I’m seeking from each new offensive playcaller and what I’ll be on the lookout for in training camp next week.

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And today, with Fresno State entering the new look Pac-12, that phrase is at the heart of my conversation with head coach Matt Entz.

Welcome to today’s episode of THE DAWN, a collaboration between and the Pac-12.

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Matt Entz first fell for Fresno State on a Saturday night in the Midwest, a young assistant watching the late ESPN game, checkerboard end zones on the screen, Pat Hill pacing the sideline. He’d GA’d for Coach Hill’s old line coach, so he had a rooting interest built in, and it stuck.

Now he leads this proud program and seventeen months into the job, he calls it Midwest California, blue collar mentality echoing the small Iowa town he grew up in. It didn’t take long to see the same thing in his own roster, blue collar young men who grew up dreaming about playing for the Bulldogs.

That dream now comes with a new league, the re-imagined Pac 12, and Coach Entz can feel the excitement building as September closes in. There’s pride in it and pressure too, elevating a program and an athletic department that’s now in Pac-12.

THE DAWN debuted July 1 across the Pac-12’s YouTube and Pac-12 Insider, the league’s 24/7 FAST channel. The series culminates with a finale featuring never-before-seen behind-the-scenes content from the building of this new league. It drops in August, right before the season kicks off.

The highlight reels from Sean Lewis’s program show Snapdragon Stadium under the lights and the Warrior Shield held high. What they don’t show is a defensive back on his back in wet sand before sunrise, being reminded that paradise has a price when you play at San Diego State.

That’s the core of SDSU, and it’s led by Sean Lewis.

He joined today’s episode of THE DAWN, a limited series highlighting the re-imagined Pac-12, a collaboration between and the league.

I’ve known Coach Lewis since his days at Kent State when he was a 31 year old head coach, and it was clear then, just like it is now, that his philosophy is clear and his leadership style is one that will continue to thrive.

Two and a half years ago the giant was asleep. Now it’s a 9 win team, a 1st round NFL pick out the door, and a program that was in the CFP discussion last November.

Coach Lewis co-signs the idea without blinking that the champion of this new Pac-12 should be playing in the postseason in December.

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What’s underneath it all is the story behind Coach Lewis’s path to wearing a whistle.

He grew up on the south side of Chicago, went to Wisconsin to play quarterback and ended up at tight end. He was the head coach at Kent State by 2018, took a stop in Boulder to work with Deion Sanders, and two years ago this Midwest QB found himself leading the Aztecs out West. He didn’t draw this up. Nobody could have.

Life’s too short to huddle, he likes to say. One might argue life’s too short to plan out one’s path too. We just have to be present, enjoy the ride, and compete to impact people along the way.

Safe to say Sean Lewis is doing that, and much more, as San Diego State enters the new look Pac-12.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

THE DAWN debuted July 1 across the Pac-12’s YouTube and Pac-12 Insider, the league’s 24/7 FAST channel. The series culminates with a finale featuring never-before-seen behind-the-scenes content from the building of this new league. It drops in August, right before the season kicks off.