Next Up with Adam Breneman

In this engaging discussion, Jeff Monken, Head Coach of the Army Black Knights, shares his inspiring journey revitalizing the Army football program. He discusses the culture shift he implemented, emphasizing leadership that extends beyond the gridiron. Monken delves into the strategic use of analytics, the return to the triple-option offense, and the exceptional qualities of players like quarterback Bryson Daly. He also reflects on overcoming adversity in his coaching career and the vital role of serving and developing young athletes.

In this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion opens up like never before. From being broke in his 20s to getting passed over for head coaching jobs — including his own alma mater — Marion has stayed true to himself, even when it cost him opportunities. Now, he’s one of the most innovative minds in football. Marion shares what it was like getting the call for his first head coaching job, the infrastructure he immediately changed at Sac State, and how his journey shaped the edge he brings to the sideline. He dives deep into creating the Go-Go Offense — a system built to win even without top-tier talent — and the grit it took to build it from nothing. Marion and Adam talk about the broken parts of the current NIL system, how a head coach has to balance being loved by players with making ruthless decisions, and what fans don’t understand about the business of college football. Marion explains why he believes “one great year can change your life” — and how that mindset has guided him every step of the way. 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 1:14 - Day 1 at Sacramento State & Getting the Job 3:02 - First thoughts about Sacramento State  4:07 - Interviewing Process for Head Coaching Jobs 6:53 - Experience leading up to Being a Head Coach 8:53 - Early Coaching Career 12:05 - Creating the Go-Go Offense 16:26 - Toughest Coaching Interview 19:49 - Toughest part of becoming a 1st time Head Coach 22:00 - NIL thoughts 25:15 - Balancing Relationships with Players 28:44 - “One Great Year Can Change Your Life” 32:15 - Business of Head Coaching 34:25 - NIL support at Sacramento State 35:22 - Family 36:55 - First Purchase After Becoming Head Coach  37:29 - Rapid Fire QnA 39:30 - Defining Moment In Coach Marion’s Career 43:31 - Defining Success at Sacramento State 44:42 - Roster Management  46:50 - Coach Marion’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.

Gary Vaynerchuk joins Next Up with Adam Breneman for a raw, unfiltered conversation about ownership, obsession, AI, NIL, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. From building his dad’s company from $3 to $60 million and walking away with nothing, to firing his best friend in order to save his company, Gary opens up about the moments that defined his career. He shares why he believes most coaches are losing the locker room, how NIL money is exposing, not changing, young athletes, and why his advice to 17-year-olds getting paid is simple: tune your parents out. This episode dives into everything from Gary’s mindset on momentum to the reality of working 100-hour weeks in his 20s, and why balance is relative. He also goes deep on the future of AI, predicting a world where our grandkids might marry robots, where Google becomes obsolete, and where athletes could be replaced by AI-powered machines. Whether you’re building a $100M media company, trying to make it as a young athlete, or figuring out how to balance life and ambition, this episode delivers a masterclass in mindset, sacrifice, and execution. 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 1:26 - Most Defining Moment of Gary’s career 7:18 - Lessons starting Vaynermedia  8:37 - Getting first clients at Vaynermedia  9:17 - Reflecting on Vaynermedia  11:46 - VaynerX ecosystem  15:50 - Best hire in the last few years 19:52 - Work-Life Balance  25:20 - Momentum  28:25 - When Gary first felt like he was rich 30:11 - Aggressiveness with money  31:28 - Hiring your friends   33:07 - Building a brand as a Head Football Coach 35:44 - Dealing with money and attention as a CFB recruit 38:40 - Ai in 10 years 42:44 - Implementing AI in everyday life 43:30 - Traits of top 1% entrepreneurs 44:25 - 1 piece of advice Gary would leave his children 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.

Fran Brown joins Adam Breneman for a raw, no-filter conversation about how he transformed Syracuse football in year one. From being counted out in the hiring process to creating a culture built on D.A.R.T. — detailed, accountable, relentless, tough, Fran shares what it really takes to build a program that lasts. He opens up about his Camden roots, his journey through adversity, the lessons he learned at Georgia under Kirby Smart, and why he believes Syracuse is just getting started. This episode is packed with real stories, not coachspeak. Fran talks NIL, leadership, recruiting, player development, and his why: family, community, and a deep belief that football can change lives. He shares the moment professors showed up to spring practice, how he approached his first meeting with the team, his raw and unfiltered recruiting philosophy, the story behind texting the AD himself to get the job, and why he still believes to this day: “none of them can beat me.” PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Day 1 on the job 3:57 - Building a staff 7:14 - Process of getting the job 11:36 - Hardest moment in year 1 15:41 - D.A.R.T. Mentality 16:54 - Moment of adversity 18:56 - Why Syracuse 21:15 - Interview with Kirby Smart 22:49 - Number 1 lesson learned from Georgia 24:57 - Being a great recruiter 28:10 - Best recruiting win and loss 30:45 - Elijah Robinson 34:00 - NIL & Financial Literacy at Syracuse 42:07 - Coaching Kyle McCord 44:38 - When Coach Brown knew Syracuse was going to have a big year 45:44 - Game managing 47:10 - Overcoming adversity in coaching career 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.

Texas Tech GM James Blanchard joins Adam Breneman to break down how he helped turn the Red Raiders into one of the most well-resourced, forward-thinking programs in college football.  He shares what a day in the life of a GM looks like, how Texas Tech built the #1 transfer portal class, and why NIL has completely changed the landscape. Blanchard explains the NFL-style structure of their front office, what it takes to recruit elite talent, and how they evaluate players before they even enter the portal.  He also talks about turning down the Notre Dame job, building a $250 million football “resort,” and what it will take to bring a Big 12 title to Lubbock. This is one of the most eye-opening conversations about the business behind college football. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:58 - Day in the life as Texas Tech GM 3:57 - Player personnel department structure  5:30 -NIL at Texas Tech 8:02 - NIL and Revenue Sharing per position  9:06 - Getting the call from Coach McGuire  10:01 - First week in Lubbock, Texas 11:25 - Recruiting strategy 12:11 - Patrick Mahomes 13:28 - Building culture  14:40 - James Blanchard’s elite trait  15:20 - GM relationships across CFB 17:15 - What top schools will spend on their rosters  18:15 - Negotiating process as a GM 19:57 - Most chaotic 24 hour stretch  23:10 - High school coaches in the recruiting process 23:54 - Crazy transfer portal story and talent in the portal 27:22 - Cody Campbell  28:35 - What fans don’t understand about the GM role 29:42 - Evaluating young coaches 32:36 - Head Coaches next up in CFB 35:41 - GM to Head Coach track 36:41 - How Texas Tech structured their personnel department  38:42 - Making CFB more of a even playing field  40:16 - Future of CFB 41:55 - Success at Texas Tech 42:35 - James Blanchard in 5 years 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.

Jake Butt joins Adam Breneman for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the broken state of college football. From NIL hypocrisy to why players feel like employees, Jake dives into how the sport needs to evolve and fast. He also shares his journey from Michigan star to rising broadcaster, his thoughts on sports betting, why Penn State might be ready to break through, and how he rebuilt his purpose after football. If you care about the future of college football, this is a must-watch. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:27 - How different Jake’s life would be if NIL was around when he was playing 3:28 - NCAA as an organization and future of College Athletes 8:59 - What Jake Butt is doing as CFB commissioner 10:01 - Jake’s pick for CFB commissioner 12:39 - Jake’s thoughts on the current situation of the transfer portal 18:58 - Broadcasting 22:35 - Jake’s income streams  24:11 - Negotiations with networks 25:48 - Jake’s investment strategy and crazy insurance story 31:00 - UFL’s potential  33:22 - Sports Betting 36:15 - Will broadcasters talk about betting lines during games 37:38 - Underrated teams heading into 2025 42:09 - Finding purpose after football 46:52 - Jake Butt in 5 years 47:28 - Jake's Big Ten champion prediction    48:04 - Pulse of Michigan program and Bryce Underwood 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, Adam Breneman sits down with the man behind the curtain at Penn State Football — General Manager Andy Frank. For years, Andy has played a critical but often unseen role in building one of the top programs in college football. He’s been Coach Franklin’s right-hand man going all the way back to their time at Vanderbilt, and now he’s overseeing everything from roster construction and recruiting strategy to navigating the chaos of NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing. We dive deep into how a college football program is actually built — not just for one season, but for sustained success. Andy talks through how they evaluate players, what they look for beyond size and speed, and how they balance winning now with building for the future. He explained the behind-the-scenes decisions most fans never hear about, like how scholarships are allocated by position, how they plan for injuries or depth issues years in advance, and why culture still matters just as much as talent. With revenue sharing on the horizon and college football entering a new era, this conversation is a rare look at how top programs are preparing for massive change — and how Penn State is positioning itself to win big. Andy is one of the most thoughtful minds in the sport, and this conversation is packed with insights you won’t get anywhere else. If you’re a fan of college football, curious about the inner workings of elite programs, or just want to understand what it really takes to build a team at the highest level — this one’s for you. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 1:03 - Andy Frank’s role and Princeton background 3:40 - Relationship with Coach Franklin 4:48 - Preparing for Revenue Sharing  7:05 - Evaluating players  9:12 - Building to win now vs. Winning down the road 11:15 - "Non-negotiables" when looking at recruits 13:44 - Personnel Department Structure   15:15 - Managing relationships with everyone  17:00 - Structuring who recruits who 19:03 - The GM Role that fans don’t know about 20:59 - Best talent evaluation 22:15 - What still needs to happen to win a National Championship 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.

Billionaire entrepreneur Mike Repole — the mind behind Vitaminwater, BodyArmor, and now NoBull — joins Adam Breneman for one of the most raw and inspiring conversations we’ve had on Next Up. From growing up in Queens as the son of a waiter and a seamstress to selling companies for billions, Repole shares the unfiltered truth about what it takes to win — in business, in sports, and in life. This episode dives into his mission to make NoBull bigger than Nike, his legendary partnership with Tom Brady, and how Kobe Bryant turned a $6 million investment into more than $400 million for his family. Repole doesn’t just talk business — he talks legacy, loyalty, and why he wakes up every day feeling like he’s starting from zero. He also opens up about his deep love for St. John’s basketball — the program that shaped his roots — and why he’s gone all-in to help rebuild it into a national powerhouse with Rick Pitino at the helm. From NIL deals to the business of college sports, he breaks down why St. John’s success means so much more than just wins. If you care about building something bigger than yourself — whether it’s a brand, a legacy, or a team — this conversation is for you. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 0:47 - 1 piece of the journey Mike is the most proud of 2:16 - Identifying No Bull as a brand Mike wanted to acquire 5:30 - Inside negotiations at No Bull 9:03 - Hiring talent 11:39 - Bringing the TB12 brand into No Bull 16:37 - Tom Brady as a businessman 18:22 - Scaling a brand in 2025 22:36 - Mike’s elite trait 24:51 - Overcoming adversity  27:45 - Mike’s first “I made it moment” 31:59 - Horse racing  34:10 - St. John’s NIL  39:02 - Lessons from Vitaminwater and Body Armor 42:33 - Best advice Mike has ever received in his life 45:06 - Life as a billionaire  47:24 - Mike’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.

In this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, Penn State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles opens up about his journey to Happy Valley and what it means to coach at the school he grew up idolizing. From his first impressions of the Penn State culture to the fast-moving process that led him to take the job, Knowles brings you inside the mindset of one of college football’s top defensive minds. He breaks down how he’s merging his aggressive defensive philosophy with Penn State’s proud tradition, what great programs all have in common, and why caring for players is the foundation of elite teams. Knowles also shares the biggest challenges facing defenses in today’s game, how he manages risk as a playcaller, and the coaching lessons that still guide him today. If you're a college football fan, a young coach, or just someone who loves the behind-the-scenes of elite programs—this episode is a must-watch. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 0:00 - First impressions of Penn State 1:46 - Journey to Penn State 3:40 - Process of getting DC job at Penn State 5:00 - Advantage of an experienced coaching staff 6:14 - Implementing his system at Penn State 7:55 - Balancing Penn State traditional defense vs. Jim Knowles defense 9:25 - Common denominator among top programs 12:05 - Biggest problems for defenses in current CFB 13:10 - Balancing risk as a playcaller 14:56 - Biggest coaching lesson Knowles has learned 17:39 - Post Spring ball takeaways 18:55 - What it would mean to win at Penn State 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, Adam Breneman sits down with Nate Burleson — former NFL star turned Emmy-winning TV host and entrepreneur. Nate opens up about how he built a second career even bigger than his first: the struggles of life after football, finding his voice in media, navigating self-doubt, investing smartly, launching new businesses, and why preparation is the secret weapon to success on and off the field. They talk about chasing trophies beyond the NFL, learning to let go of ego, negotiating high-stakes TV deals, building generational wealth, and what really drives Nate today. This is one of the most powerful and relatable conversations yet for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing greatness beyond their first act. PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "NEXTUP": https://prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/NextUp 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 For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.com CHAPTERS: 0:00 - intro 1:00 - How Nate views himself as a professional and person 3:44 - What Nate says he does professionally 6:00 - Dealing with ups and downs as an athlete 13:01 - Nate’s welcome to TV moment 20:04 - One moment in Nate’s life that lead him to where he is today 24:06 - Preparation as a news anchor to be on live TV 30:25 - Drive to become a great broadcaster 36:43 - Nate’s investment strategy 41:20 - Nate’s biggest revenue stream outside of TV 45:15 - Negotiating TV deals 52:33 - Best advice Nate has ever received 54:12 - Nate’s legacy 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.