Next Up with Adam Breneman

Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz joins Adam Breneman for an in-depth conversation about his coaching journey, leadership philosophy, and the challenges of building a winning program in today’s college football landscape. From getting fired at Texas in 2013 to leading Miami and coordinating one of the nation’s top defenses at Penn State, Diaz has seen it all. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge at Duke, and he’s determined to make his mark.In this episode, Diaz shares his approach to building a strong culture, the importance of toughness in his coaching philosophy, and what it takes to recruit and retain top talent in the era of the transfer portal. He also reflects on the pivotal moments in his career, the lessons he learned from James Franklin, and the differences between taking over at Duke versus Miami.Whether you’re a college football fan, coach, or aspiring leader, this conversation provides valuable insight into the mindset of a Power 4 head coach and what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Don’t miss this inside look at the future of Duke Football and the man leading the charge.PRIZEPICKS: Get a $50 bonus from PrizePicks with code "Next Up": https://www.prizepicks.com/SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro1:50 - First team meeting at Duke 2:40 - First order of business as Duke Head Coach 4:27 - Pivotal moment in Coach Diaz’s career 5:35 - Coaching philosophy 6:25 - Being a production assistant at ESPN 8:26 - When Coach Diaz knew he wanted to be a head coach 9:14 - Process of getting job at Duke 14:09 - Taking over Duke vs. Taking over Miami 15:07 - Building a staff 17:07 - What Coach Diaz looks for in young coaches 18:59 - Lessons from Coach Franklin 22:10 - Ready to be a head coach again 23:46 - Building a relationship with players 26:21 - Building a team to win now vs. building for the future27:50 - When Coach Diaz knew his team was tough 29:20 - Managing risk during a game 30:18 - Spring Practice thoughts 32:47 - Important stats to Coach Diaz 34:23 - Play calling as a head coach 35:34 - Being honest with players 36:35 - Advice to his younger self 37:24 - Overcoming adversity 40:05 - Biggest challenge at Duke 41:11 - Duke’s culture 44:33 - What will take Duke to the next level 45:07 - NIL at Duke 46:42 - Philosophical changes throughout coaching journey 48:10 - Coach Diaz’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.

Wake Forest football is entering a new era under Head Coach Jake Dickert, and in this episode of Next Up with Adam Breneman, he opens up about the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a Power 4 program.From his first team meeting to the culture he’s building, Coach Dickert shares what it takes to win in today’s college football landscape.He talks about the unconventional path that led him to this role, the lessons he’s learned from adversity, and why he believes Wake Forest has what it takes to compete at the highest level. He also dives into the importance of leadership, accountability, and surrounding yourself with the right people—both on and off the field.This conversation is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the realities of college football coaching, the mindset of a leader, and what’s next for Wake Forest football.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro3:22 - First thing Coach Dickert wanted to implement at Wake Forest4:27 - Process of getting the job6:02 - Getting final phone call for job7:19 - Alignment at Wake Forest9:08 - Coach Dickert’s culture10:49 - Coach Dickert’s journey to Wake Forest15:09 - Coach Dickert Reflects on career journey16:05 - Coach Dickert’s support system in his family and wife17:37 - Number 1 thing Coach Dickert learned about himself during Pac-12 turmoil18:44 - Traits Dickert looks for in young coaches21:35 - Toughest job interview in Dickert’s assistant coaching journey22:42 - Advantages of being defensive-minded head coach24:47 - 5 Principles of winning games26:45 - Game management as a head coach29:11 - Coach Dickert’s daily routine30:26 - New era of CFB as a head coach from a front office standpoint34:01 - Being a players' coach and relationships with players in the new era36:15 - Energy will feel different at Wake Forest37:02 - Coach Dickert on overcoming adversity39:04 - Advice Coach Dickert would give himself when taking WSU job40:29 - Wake Forest football 5 years from now41:47 - Instilling toughness in his team43:04 - What Coach Dickert is most excited for in 202543:59 - Coach Dickert’s why and what he hopes players say about himOn 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.

Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman joins Adam Breneman for a raw and insightful conversation about his journey to leading one of college football’s most storied programs. He shares what it was like stepping into the role, the whirlwind 72 hours that changed his life, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Freeman opens up about the challenges of being a head coach, the adversity he faced in his playing career, and how those experiences shaped his leadership style. He also dives into NIL, recruiting, and what it will take for Notre Dame to win a national championship. This episode is packed with wisdom, behind-the-scenes stories, and powerful leadership insights from one of the most respected coaches in the game.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DCHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro2:53 - Getting the job and the viral video addressing the team4:19 - Process of getting the job 6:37 - Advice to himself after a few years on the job7:24 - Biggest surprise as being a head coach9:00 - Overcoming adversity in playing career12:43 - Preparing to be a HC during time as an assistant coach14:03 - What he looks for in a young coach15:14 - Being a position coach vs. head coach16:45 - Loss to NIU20:00 - Knowing the team is bouncing back21:26 - Changing as HC from year 1 to now23:00 - Having a great relationship with players24:24 - Marcus on his son Vinny26:26 - Balancing history at ND and it being “Marcus Freeman’s program”28:08 Best decision of Freeman’s life29:59 - What gives Freeman the most energy every day31:14 - Daily routine32:14 - NIL recruiting and roster construction33:53 - What needs to happen for ND to win a national championship35:11 - Best advice Freeman has ever receivedOn 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.

Wake Forest Athletic Director John Currie joins Adam Breneman for a candid conversation on the future of college sports, the rapid changes in NIL and revenue sharing, and how Wake Forest is positioning itself for long-term success.Currie dives into what it’s really like to be a Power 4 AD, how he approaches hiring coaches, and why Wake Forest has become the fastest-growing fan base in the Power 5. He also shares insights on the role of private equity in college athletics, what keeps him up at night, and why he’s bullish on the ACC’s future.If you want a behind-the-scenes look at the business of college football from one of the most experienced ADs in the game, this episode is a must-watch.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS0:00 - intro2:23 - Biggest change since taking Wake Forest AD job 3:47 - Most impactful moment of John Currie’s career and what makes Wake Forest special5:40 - Alignment within administration 7:26 - Lessons from previous AD stops 8:09 - Day in the life as an AD at Power 4 program10:14 - Hiring process of coaches13:10 - Knowing when Wake Forest was going to hire Coach Jake Dickert 15:17 - Calls Currie makes when he knows there will be a coaching position open17:10 - Why Wake Forest is set up to win long term21:03 - Thoughts on Coach Jake Dickert22:09 - What keeps John Currie up at night 23:43 - Revenue sharing in college athletics26:27 - Allocating money between programs during revenue sharing era20:26 - Private equity in college sports30:45 - Branding at Wake Forest 33:13 - Advice to young people working in sports35:08 - Overcoming adversity37:27 - Future of the ACC39:24 - Future of Wake Forest athletics 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, Memphis Head Coach Ryan Silverfield takes us inside his journey—from getting the head coaching job to building a sustainable winning culture. We discuss the lessons he’s learned, key coaching philosophies, and how Memphis continues to compete at a high level.We dive into his biggest surprises as a head coach, the advantages of being promoted from within, and the moment he found out he got the job. Coach Silverfield also shares his thoughts on creating an explosive offense, the role of analytics in coaching, and the NFL offensive schemes he loves right now.We also talk about recruiting in today’s era of college football, how he approaches roster management, and the one decision that helped him get to where he is today. Plus, we discuss what Memphis needs to do to make the College Football Playoff and Coach Silverfield’s ultimate “why”.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM: INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS0:00 - Intro2:15 - Reflecting on 9 years coaching at Memphis 4:40 - Biggest surprise when getting head coaching job 5:18 - First game as head coach 6:25 - Piece of advice to 2019 Coach Silverfield7:33 - Advantages of getting promoted from within the program 9:00 - Finding out how he got the head coaching job 11:24 - What makes Memphis special 13:00 - The All In culture at Memphis 15:33 - Sustaining success16:57 - What Coach Silverfield wishes he’d done differently has a head coach19:00 - Creating an explosive offense 20:42 - Data after games22:00 - Analytics 24:20 - Preparing as a head coach 26:20 - Quick decisions as a head coach 27:50 - NFL Offensive schemes Coach Silverfield loves right now 29:27 - Pregame ritual 30:55 - Recruiting strategy in the new era of CFB34:02 - Revenue sharing 36:11 - Roster management37:56 - What Coach Silverfield looks for in young coaches 41:57 - Preparing to be a head coach44:23 - What made Seth Henigan special46:18 - Daily routine48:45 - One decision that allowed Coach Silverfield to get to where he is now50:47 - 1-2 things that need to happen for Memphis to make CFP52:02 - Coach Silverfield’s whyOn 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 exclusive interview, Michigan Football Head Coach Sherrone Moore shares his incredible journey from graduate assistant to leading one of the most storied programs in college football. He opens up about the moment he got the head coaching job, the lessons he learned from Jim Harbaugh, and the challenges of stepping into this high-profile role.Coach Moore breaks down his approach to recruiting, what it takes to build a winning culture, and how he evaluates coaching staff. He also shares his thoughts on NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of Michigan Football.Plus, he reflects on beating Ohio State, the mindset it takes to win a National Championship, and what drives him as a leader.If you're a Michigan fan, a coach, or just love football, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM:INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS0:00 - Intro2:37 - Coach Moore’s first team meeting3:52 - Pivotal moment in Coach Moore’s career5:32 - Coach Moore as a GA7:31 - Becoming Michigan’s head coach11:18 - Biggest surprise first day on the job12:03 - Growing up in Derby, Kansas12:45 - Balancing building Michigan14:30 - Advice to Coach Moore on day 115:24 - Lessons from Coach Harbaugh16:15 - Being a coordinator under Coach Harbaugh17:23 - Getting hired as TE Coach at Michigan21:02 - What goes into being a great recruiter23:38 - Building a coaching staff24:36 - Relationships with players27:06 - Biggest lesson from Year 1 as a Head Coach28:38 - First win as a Head Coach in 202329:58 - Handling expectations as Michigan’s Head Coach31:05 - NIL at Michigan32:10 - Landing Bryce Underwood33:03 - Changes needed in College Football33:55 - Hiring Chip Lindsey as Offensive Coordinator34:40 - Overcoming adversity36:08 - Identifying a great offensive lineman38:22 - Building a culture in the new age of college football39:52 - Building from the portal vs building from HS recruits40:33 - Michigan’s 2025 QB situation41:33 - Michigan football under Sherrone Moore42:17 - What Michigan needs to win year in and year out42:59 - Building out recruiting department43:58 - What Coach Moore wants his players to say about him44:58 - Coach Moore’s Why46:01 - Most proud moment as a coach47:20 - Expanded playoff thoughtsOn 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.

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference and former athletic director at Rutgers, dives into the seismic shifts in college athletics. He discusses the future of college football and the pressing need for changes in the College Football Playoff. Tim highlights the complexities of NIL deals and the influence of private equity in sports. He also shares insights on rebranding the American Conference, strategies for expansion, and the art of negotiating media rights, illustrating the dynamic landscape of collegiate sports.

The Pac-12 Conference has faced one of the most challenging periods in its history, but what happens next? In this interview, I sit down with Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould to discuss the conference’s survival, media rights, expansion, and the future of the Pac-12.She shares what it was like stepping into leadership during such a critical time, the tough decisions she’s had to make, and her vision for where the Pac-12 will be in the coming years. We also dive into the lessons learned from the conference’s collapse, what it means for college athletics, and how the Pac-12 is positioning itself to compete in the modern era.If you’re interested in the business of college football, conference realignment, and what’s next for the Pac-12, this is a must-watch.SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW NEXT UP WITH ADAM:INSTAGRAM | https://shorturl.at/d9IdQX | https://x.com/NextUpWithAdamTIKTOK | https://shorturl.at/qasucSPOTIFY | https://shorturl.at/5ZdaKAPPLE PODCASTS | https://shorturl.at/mW49DFor sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: advertising@frontofficesports.comCHAPTERS0:00 - Intro2:44 - Becoming commissioner of the Pac-124:52 - First to-dos when getting hired7:25 - Figuring out the future of the Pac-1210:26 - Deal making as a conference commissioner11:50 - Lessons during time as Pac-12 commissioner13:32 - Pac-12 media rights17:18 - Competing in the revenue sharing era19:00 - The Pac-12 network20:40 - Solutions for college athletics 22:23 - Advice for young people in the sports industry25:14 - Naming rights in college sports26:15 - Performance based conference distributions27:00 - Overcoming adversity28:42 - What does the future of the Pac-12 look like29:54 - Teresa’s whyOn 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.

Kenny Dillingham, the dynamic Head Football Coach at Arizona State, shares his journey as one of the youngest coaches in college football. He discusses the challenges of transforming ASU's program and his innovative recruiting strategies. Dillingham emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with players and creating a family-like atmosphere within the team. He also dives into lessons learned from his time at Memphis and reflects on the evolving landscape of college football, including the impact of NIL. It's an inspiring look at leadership and resilience.

Next Up is back and now part of Front Office Sports.  In the first edition of the new Next Up, Johnny Manziel opens up about his remarkable journey through football and beyond. From his breakout moment at Texas A&M to winning the Heisman Trophy and navigating the chaos of the NFL, Johnny shares stories, including his draft night experience and the challenges of adjusting to pro football schemes. He offers thoughtful advice to young athletes about staying focused amidst distractions, maximizing opportunities in the NIL era, and navigating the pressures of being a public figure.  This episode dives into the story behind the icon of "Johnny Football." _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE 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 2:19 - Johnny's podcast journey and defining moments shaping who he is today 3:12 - Breakthrough at A&M: overcoming struggles, freshman wall, and gaining confidence under Kliff Kingsbury 7:25 - Advice for athletes: staying focused, NIL era changes, and surrounding yourself with the right people 10:40 - Draft night experience and transition to the NFL, including challenges with scheme adjustments and coaching 12:36 - Netflix documentary 13:50 - Behind-the-scenes of Johnny’s Heisman season and leadership lessons at A&M 17:33 - Life after football, what makes Mike Evans special, and reflections on NFL vs. CFB 23:15 - Importance of draft fit, facing adversity at A&M, and thoughts on 12-team CFP format 26:48 - Coaching aspirations, players-only meeting, and financial advice for athletes 30:01 - Craziest "Johnny Football" moment and reflections on the Heisman trophy 32:04 - Importance of family and advice to 18-year-old Johnny _______________________________________________________________ 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.