Next Up with Adam Breneman

This week on Next Up with Adam Breneman, Mississippi State Head Coach Jeff Lebby joins the show to talk about the journey of rebuilding a program in the heart of the SEC. From taking over a team that had seen four head coaches in five years, to bringing in more than 60 new players and creating instant belief, Lebby opens up on how he’s building stability and momentum in Starkville. He shares what it means to shape the identity of Mississippi State Football around effort, physicality, and execution, and why he leans on tempo and explosiveness to make opponents “defend every blade of grass.” We dive into recruiting battles in the South, the role football plays in growing the Starkville community, and why alignment with the administration has been critical to the program’s rise. Coach Lebby also reflects on the lessons from a 2–10 season, the importance of preparing his players for life beyond football, and his personal “why” that keeps him grounded through it all. It’s a candid look at what it takes to build a program in today’s college football. PRIZEPICKS: Get $50 in lineups when you play $5 with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro :50 - Reflections of first years at Mississippi State 2:24 - First adjustments when taking Head Coaching job 3:32 - Why Mississippi State 4:40 - First year at Mississippi State 6:45 - Momentum at Mississippi State 7:54 - Getting buy-in from transfer portal players 10:25 - Reflecting on 2-10 year 11:40 - Identity of Mississippi State Football 12:28 - Investment from University into football program 13:47 - Spring ball 14:40 - Installing Coach Lebby’s Offense 15:47 - Talent acquisition at Mississippi State 17:07 - Tennessee matchup preview 18:00 - Locker room after beating ASU 18:49 - Dealing with outside noise 19:46 - Approach to analytics 20:53 - Day in the life 22:48 - Growth of Starkville 23:37 - Preparing players for life after football 24:47 - Traits Coach Lebby looks for in young coaches 25:53 - Non-negotiables for recruits and portal players 26:45 - Coach Lebby’s Legacy 27:20 - Future of Mississippi State 28:07 - Coach Lebby’s why On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Watch the full episode with James Franklin: https://youtu.be/xPES1GMZl50 Everyone wanted Jim Knowles. Ohio State. Notre Dame. Oklahoma. But James Franklin and Penn State got it done. When the best defensive coordinator in college football hit the market, Franklin didn’t hesitate — and it changed everything. This wasn’t luck. It was leadership. It was having the right people — like Pat Kraft — and the right support behind the scenes to win the battles that matter most. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

This week on Next Up with Adam Breneman, Congressman Russell Fry joins the show to talk about the SCORE Act, his bipartisan proposal to bring stability back to college athletics. Fry explains why the current NIL and transfer portal landscape feels like the Wild West, and how the SCORE Act aims to create a single national standard. We dive into what the bill means for athletes, schools, and fans: protecting student-athletes from predatory agent contracts, ensuring financial education, preserving Olympic and non-revenue sports, and guaranteeing that players can profit from their name, image, and likeness. The conversation also covers why athletes should remain student-athletes rather than employees, the balance between revenue sharing and true NIL deals, and the NCAA’s future role if the legislation passes. Congressman Fry shares his perspective as a lifelong South Carolina sports fan, and why he believes this bill is crucial to saving the future of college sports. PRIZEPICKS: Get $50 in lineups when you play $5 with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM:  INSTAGRAM |  https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - South Carolina Football 2:09 - Why College Athletics matter so much 3:28 - Congressman Fry’s journey 4:20 - Breaking down the SCORE Act 6:16 - Pillars of the SCORE Act 8:06 - How the SCORE Act Affects Agents 10:14 - Salary cap vs true NIL 11:51 - President Trump’s support on the SCORE Act 12:56 - Student-Athletes as employees 14:32 - Feedback on the SCORE Act 15:46 - SCORE Act in Congress 16:42 - Most consistent pushback on the SCORE Act 17:27 - Misconceptions about the SCORE Act 18:08 - NCAA’s role in SCORE Act 19:10 - Implementation of SCORE Act 20:30 - Watching college athletics change 21:49 - Giving student-athletes a voice 22:56 - Why the SCORE Act matters 23:53 - Charlie Kirk On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.  Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.  Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

The structure. The discipline. The standard — every single day. Manny Diaz saw it up close under James Franklin at Penn State. Not just talk about toughness and culture. A masterclass in how to live it. Diaz broke it down on Next Up. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/XZQ3WPnFoX4 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork joins Adam Breneman for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on leading one of the biggest brands in college sports. Bjork reflects on his first days in Columbus—pinch-yourself moments in the same department as Woody Hayes and Jesse Owens—while laying out how he’s protecting a strong culture and modernizing the Buckeyes’ athletic department for what’s next. The episode digs into his overlap with Gene Smith and the simple advice that set the tone, the confidential process behind landing the Ohio State job, and first impressions of Ryan Day’s leadership and locker-room culture. Bjork walks through his game-day routine—from Skull Session to the AD suite to the sideline—and why he wants to feel the emotion right alongside fans and players. Bjork explains Ohio State’s approach to revenue sharing and NIL, including how they allocated $18M across sports, why the next arms race is building the NIL infrastructure itself, and how donor strategy and facilities now balance performance, recovery, and revenue generation. He also shares his view on the future of governance in college athletics, the College Sports Commission, potential federal legislation, and what smart playoff expansion could look like. We wrap with his hiring philosophy, the best part of the job, lessons from Western Kentucky, and his “why”: giving young people the chance to reach their full potential through sport. PRIZEPICKS: Get $50 in lineups when you play $5 with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:53 - First Days as Ohio State AD 3:40 - First Changes at Ohio State 6:18 - Advice from Gene Smith 7:31 - Process of getting Ohio State AD job 13:18 - First impression of Ryan Day 17:04 - Game Day as Ohio State’s AD 20:35 - Improving the Ohio State Football program 22:35 - NIL and Revenue Sharing 28:30 - Future governance of college sports 31:16 - How many teams in CFP? 33:27 - Hiring coaches as an AD 35:04 - Best part of the job 36:00 - Advice to Ross at Western Kentucky 37:04 - Ross Bjork’s why On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Drake Lindsey wasn’t supposed to be here. An underrated recruit from Arkansas with no SEC offers - now he’s the starting quarterback at Minnesota, leading a Big Ten offense at just 19 years old. We talked about his rise, the mindset shift that changed everything back in January and what it really takes to walk into a locker room and earn the respect to lead it. Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/jSyuZFPP_SQ For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

College sports are changing… fast. IMG Academy CEO Brent Richard and Drew Weatherford (Weatherford Capital co-founder, former FSU QB, FSU Board of Trustees) join Adam at IMG Academy to lay out a simple, bold solution: Add More Athletes. Instead of cutting “non-revenue” sports, expand roster spots and create JV/“varsity-lite” teams—an on-campus farm system that develops talent, reduces portal chaos, and adds revenue. We dive into the House settlement, NIL, the SCORE Act, Title IX implications, tuition economics (why “non-revenue” is a broken label), and a 2035 vision where football may operate outside the NCAA while the rest of college athletics becomes more local, developmental, and educational. If you care about athletes, coaches, or college campuses thriving, this conversation is the blueprint. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 3:24 - When Brent knew there needed to be a change in college sports 4:56 - Drew’s perspective on the new era of college sports 7:45 - Brent Richard’s background and career path 11:05 - Drew Weatherford’s background and career path 13:33 - Advice to student-athletes that are interested in entrepreneurship 15:43 - Financial literacy at IMG Academy 17:46 - Bren’t favorite moment as CEO at IMG Academy 22:11 - Making the transition from high school to college easier 23:18 - Drew and his company investing on youth sports 26:05 - Add More Athletes initiative 30:30 - Implementing Add More Athletes at universities 39:45 - Add More Athletes makes the Transfer Portal less chaotic 45:38 - Olympic sports in college 51:50 - Conversations with administrators about Add More Athletes 53:20 - Implementing Add More Athletes legislation 57:00 - Dealing with big change in college sports 1:05:07 - Who needs to support Add More Athletes 1:07:52 - General public being in support of Add More Athletes 1:08:44 - Most pivotal moment of Drew’s career 1:12:36 - Brent on Overcoming Adversity 1:19:15 - Teaching belief in yourself at IMG 1:20:45 - Advice to younger Brent and Drew On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

“Row The Boat” isn’t a slogan. It’s the heartbeat of Minnesota football. P.J. Fleck opens up on how it was born from tragedy, why it resonates so deeply, and how it’s transformed the culture of Gopher football. Full episode with P.J. Fleck: https://youtu.be/B2dB6RcETKs For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

In this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, we sit down with Drake Lindsey, Minnesota’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Lindsey opens up about his journey from Fayetteville, Arkansas to Minneapolis, the moment he knew he was “a Gopher,” and what it’s really like playing for Coach P.J. Fleck. He breaks down his development behind Max Brosmer, the importance of NIL (and why it’s not his focus), how he’s building chemistry with star running back Darius Taylor, and what his “Why” is as he prepares to lead the Gophers into a new era. If you’re a Minnesota fan, college football junkie, or just love hearing from the next generation of leaders in the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro :54 - Mindset going into 2025 1:23 - Growing as a QB 2:00 - Welcome to College Football moment 2:43 - Recruiting process 4:00 - Committing to Minnesota 4:38 - Being QB1 for P.J. Fleck 5:49 - Best P.J. Fleck story 6:53 - Biggest adjustment at Minnesota 7:48 - Tanner Morgan and Max Brosmer 9:26 - being ready for the spotlight 10:40 - Darius Taylor 11:10 - Check down vs. Big play mentality 12:13 - Offseason improvements 13:00 - What family means to Drake 14:15 - NIL at Minnesota 15:44 - Advice to younger Drake 16:20 - Expectations for 2025 17:11 - Drake’s why On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Nate Burleson didn’t want to be known as just a football player. After 11 years in the league, he walked away with no Hall of Fame jacket… and a decision to make. Be remembered for what he was or become something greater. He chose the hard road — reinventing himself from scratch. Now he’s a multi-time Emmy winner, one of the most respected voices in media, and still pushing for more. This is what reinvention really looks like. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 Watch the full episode with Nate Burleson: https://youtu.be/csh1mfEdFS8 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

This week on Next Up With Adam Breneman, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck sits down for a wide-ranging conversation on building a program, leading through change, and the personal experiences that shaped his “Row The Boat” culture. Fleck reflects on the moments that defined his tenure at Minnesota — from snapping a 15-year losing streak to Wisconsin, to the program-changing upset over Penn State in 2019. He explains how his background as a 6th-grade teacher influenced his coaching style, why he believes “control is for amateurs,” and what he looks for in both recruits and young coaches. The conversation also dives into how Fleck keeps his program transformational in an era that’s increasingly transactional. He shares why Minnesota has one of the nation’s highest retention rates, how his staff manages NIL and revenue sharing, and the importance of honesty and transparency with players when money is involved. Fleck opens up about the origin of “Row The Boat,” born after the loss of his infant son, and how it became a symbol of resilience for Minnesota football and the community. He also discusses the advice he received from Greg Schiano, the lessons he’s learned in 13 years as a head coach, and the legacy he hopes his players remember: not wins, but the life lessons of being better husbands, fathers, and leaders. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Defining last 9 years at Minnesota 2:52 - Building culture at Minnesota 6:06 - Evolving as a Head Coach 9:36 - Traits in young coaches 11:38 - Transparency with players 14:37 - Shifting Model for Revenue Sharing 16:48 - Coach Fleck’s favorite part of the job 18:43 - Elevating the Minnesota Football Brand 20:18 - Row The Boat origin story 22:15 - Minnesota is a life program 23:20 - What still needs to happen at Minnesota 24:32 - Best advice Coach Fleck has ever received 27:40 - Coach Fleck’s why 29:15 - What Coach Fleck wants his players to say about him On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Syracuse’s first spring practice was sloppy, guys were fighting and professors were watching. So, Fran Brown made the whole team bear crawl — even the quarterback. That was the day everything changed. That was the culture shift. Watch the full episode with Fran Brown: https://youtu.be/_su7k1_DqGs For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 Watch the full episode with Jim Knowles: https://youtu.be/JCv9pf-kO-Y FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Virginia Tech starting quarterback Kyron Drones joins Adam Breneman on Next Up for an in-depth conversation about his journey from Texas high school football to leading the Hokies. Growing up in Pearland, Texas, Drones won a state championship with his dad as head coach, a moment that solidified his love for the game.  After beginning his college career at Baylor and learning patience through a redshirt season, he transferred to Virginia Tech, where he quickly earned the starting job and began shaping the team’s identity. In this episode, Drones opens up about how he knew Virginia Tech was the right fit, what he learned from his first start, and how he’s battled through adversity, injuries, and outside noise. He shares how he balances being a playmaker with making smart decisions, the ways he’s grown as a leader, and the brotherhood that’s fueling the Hokies this season. Drones also talks about life off the field—from his approach to NIL opportunities and investing in real estate, to his commitment to mental health and the unwavering support of his family. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM:  INSTAGRAM |  https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:33 - Transferring to Virginia Tech 3:26 - Growing up in Pearland, Texas 5:22 - Realizing Kyron was D1 bound 6:21 - Why Baylor out of high school 8:04 - Welcome to College Football moment  9:07 - Redshirting at Baylor 10:44 - First impression of Coach Pry 11:14 - First start at Virginia Tech 13:16 - Where Kyron’s toughness comes from 14:10 - Offseason improvements 15:56 - Kyron’s definition of leadership   17:20 - Winning games through the air and not running   18:49 - Best Coach Pry story  19:51 - Fall camp so far at Virginia Tech 20:43 - What makes Virginia Tech special 21:44 - Overcoming adversity 22:59 - Blocking out the outside noise  24:48 - Advice to 18-year-old Kyron 25:17 - Best advice a coach ever gave Kyron 25:43 - Family 26:57 - What the world doesn’t know about Kyron Drones 27:47 - Kyron as a teammate and leader 28:15 - How Kyron has changed in college 29:08 - Measuring success in 2025 29:33 - NIL as starting QB at Virginia Tech 32:46 - Goals for Virginia Tech in 2025 33:28 - Weekly routine 34:20 - Kyron’s why On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.  Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.  Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

They said his system was too risky. Too aggressive. That it couldn’t work at a place like Penn State. Jim Knowles heard all of it — and didn’t flinch. Now he’s the one calling the shots in Happy Valley, and he’s got one goal: build the best defense in the country. This is how he thinks about pressure, scheme, and silencing critics. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 Watch the full episode with Jim Knowles: https://youtu.be/JCv9pf-kO-Y FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

In this episode, Adam Breneman sits down with Vanderbilt Head Coach Clark Lea for one of the most thoughtful and transparent conversations ever on Next Up. From his emotional first day on the job to the grind of building a winning program in the SEC, Coach Lea opens up like never before. He reflects on the early failures, the pressure he put on himself to be the “savior” of the program, and how those expectations had to be broken down before real growth could begin. Lea discusses the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on his recruiting blueprint, the internal culture shift he fought to instill, and the importance of alignment at every level — from the weight room to the classroom. He also shares what it takes to lead with purpose in a results-driven world, why retention is just as important as talent acquisition, and how he’s learned to coach with patience, clarity, and conviction. Beyond the X’s and O’s, this is a conversation about growth, fatherhood, self-awareness, and building a program rooted in values. Whether you’re a coach, player, or leader of any kind, this episode will challenge you to think differently about success. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - Day 1 as Vanderbilt’s new head coach 2:20 - Going into year 5 3:43 - Moment of getting head coaching job 9:43 - Interview process 14:00 - Biggest surprise during first few months at Vanderbilt 17:40 - Changing culture at Vanderbilt 22:22 - Creating culture with coaching staff 25:05 - Turning point as a head coach 32:53 - Favorite moments of last season 35:54 - Roster construction 40:51 - Being Nashville’s college football team 44:34 - What Coach Lea looks for in young coaches 49:06 - Most important decision in Coach Lea’s life 56:58 - Legacy at Vanderbilt On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Beau Pribula didn’t want to leave Penn State. He had just practiced. Thought he was playing in the playoffs. Then everything changed. The phone call from his family. The meetings with Coach Franklin. The decision that changed everything. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 Watch the full episode with Beau Pribula: https://youtu.be/fCm3aTWfrJk FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

In this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, presented by Teamworks, Vanderbilt GM Barton Simmons joins the show for an unfiltered look into what it actually takes to build a college football roster in 2025. From the chaos of the transfer portal to the complexity of NIL and data analytics, Barton explains how his role has evolved into one of the most important front office jobs in the sport. Barton shares how he went from being the Director of Scouting at 247Sports to running roster strategy in the SEC, why evaluating talent is more about minimizing misses than maximizing hits, and what it really feels like to build a program from the ground up alongside lifelong friend Clark Lea. They get into recruiting philosophies, how to watch highlight tapes the right way, why multi-sport athletes matter, and how Vanderbilt is using a year-by-year strategy to balance high school recruiting and portal acquisitions. Barton also opens up about the future of NIL, revenue sharing, and what college football looks like when a salary cap becomes real. And through it all, one thing becomes clear he genuinely believes Vanderbilt can win a national championship, and he’s not afraid to say it out loud. This conversation is part of a larger look—presented by our partners at Teamworks—at how NFL-style general managers are changing college football. Their end-to-end solution, Teamworks GM, is purpose-built for this new era. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:39 - Getting the GM job at Vanderbilt 3:31 - Process rebuilding Vanderbilt 6:05 - Day in the Life as Vanderbilt Football GM 8:40 -Evaluation process 12:18 - Transfer Portal process 15:16 - Using Data to make decisions at Vanderbilt 22:13 - Common denominator across best players 25:50 - Reviewing highlight tapes 31:55 - Building a team from high school recruits vs. transfer portal players 35:24 - Future of NIL 40:25 - Importance of recruiting rankings 46:25 - Best Clark Lea story 51:00 - Success at Vanderbilt On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Baylor starting quarterback Sawyer Robertson sits down with Adam Breneman for a raw and inspiring conversation ahead of the 2025 college football season. In this episode of Next Up, Sawyer opens up about his unlikely journey—from growing up a baseball-first kid in Lubbock, Texas, to playing for Mike Leach at Mississippi State, and eventually earning the starting job at Baylor. He reflects on the moment he took over as QB1, the adversity he faced battling injuries, and the breakthrough game that proved he was built for this stage. Sawyer shares unforgettable stories about Coach Leach, including how Leach once read “The Little Engine That Could” to the entire team to boost their confidence after a tough loss. He also discusses his leadership evolution, how he prepares each week as the starting QB, and why playing multiple sports shaped him into the competitor he is today. With remarkable honesty, Sawyer talks about the lowest moment in his career—when Coach Leach passed away—and how his faith carried him through it. He gives fans a unique look into his relationship with Coach Dave Aranda, what NIL has really meant to him as a team leader, and the game he has circled this fall. He even shares what life after football might look like, his goals for this season, and the advice he’d give to his 18-year-old self walking onto campus for the first time. Most importantly, he explains his “why”—the deeper purpose that drives everything he does. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM:  INSTAGRAM |  https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Taking over as a starter 2:19 - Ups and downs as a starter 3:14 - Sawyer’s breakthrough moment 4:34 - Battling adversity & injuries 5:48 - Sawyer’s recruiting process 7:20 - Mike Leach 10:12 - Playing at Baylor 11:00 - Playing baseball 12:22 - Sawyer’s scouting report 13:50 - Sawyer’s Leadership Progression 15:20 - Path to being a starter 17:31 - Relationship with Coach Aranda 19:12 - Game week prep 22:55 - Overcoming adversity 25:50 - Family  27:48 - Offseason development 28:44 -  A game circled on the schedule  29:32 - Who Sawyer Robertson is 30:35 - NIL as the starting QB at Baylor 32:46 - Life after football 33:44 - Goals for this season 34:50 - Advice to 18-year-old Sawyer 36:02 - Sawyer’s why On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.  Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.  Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Dan Furman is one of the leading voices in the college sports business, joins Adam Breneman for a powerful and revealing conversation. As the head of Louisville’s official NIL collective, Dan has overseen tens of millions of dollars in athlete payments, and helped redefine how collectives, schools, and players operate in this new era of college athletics. In this episode, Dan shares how 502 Circle started with just $12,000 in the bank and scaled into one of the most sophisticated and respected collectives in the country. He opens up about the realities of running seven-figure monthly payrolls, the daily chaos of the transfer portal, and why player negotiations now resemble professional free agency. From in-house battles over donor dollars to dealing with underqualified agents and “runners,” Dan lays out the messy, high-stakes truth behind the NIL headlines. Adam and Dan also dive deep into the impact of the new revenue-sharing model and how the College Sports Commission is reshaping the rules of engagement. Dan reveals what top players are actually making by position, how locker room dynamics are affected by incoming transfers, and what agents get wrong (and right) in this system. He also discusses launching Floyd Street Media with College Sports Co. one of the first media networks run by a collective, and why storytelling and brand-building are now essential tools in recruiting and fundraising. If you're a coach, fan, administrator, parent, or athlete trying to understand the business of college sports in 2025, this episode is a must-watch. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 3:15 - Louisville’s NIL Collective 8:33 - Managing Relationships with Players, Coaches, & Donors 10:40 - Paying Athletes in 2026 14:17 - College Sports Commission 18:58 - Craziest Transfer Portal Story & NIL Agents 24:43 - Having 1 Transfer Portal Window 28:03 - What Top Players Make In College Football 33:25 - Negotiating with Current Players vs. Portal Players 37:42 - What the Best Agents Do 40:45 - Floyd Street Media 45:25 - Advice for Getting into Sports Industry 47:28 - Toughest Moment at Louisville Collective 49:43 - Advice to a 17-year-old Athlete 53:08 - Biggest Misconception about NIL On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.

Army plays by different rules. No NIL collectives. No revenue sharing. Strict admissions standards. And still… they win. Jeff Monken breaks down how they recruit, why they use analytics to gain an edge, and what makes Army football so different. Watch the full episode with Jeff Monken: https://youtu.be/nHl7cbHHMU4 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1 FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQ X | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdam TIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasuc SPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaK APPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49D On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.