Podcast Summary: "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack"

Episode: BEST FITS for Fired CFB Head Coaches | ALEX GOLESH Convo | Michigan Deep Dive
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Guests/Co-Hosts: Brent, Alex Golesh (USF Head Coach)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the hottest coaching carousel questions surrounding fired high-profile college football coaches and speculates on their best fits, followed by a detailed "Something’s Brewing" analysis of the Michigan Wolverines. The episode features a wide-ranging, candid interview with USF head coach Alex Golesh, exploring his unique background, coaching philosophy, and building the Bulls’ program. True to form, David Pollack couples honest X's and O's discussions with coach anecdotes and direct locker room observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Oklahoma State Coaching Search & Changes in the Landscape

• Oklahoma State's evolving head coaching job (01:43–05:01):
  David describes a recent visit to Mike Gundy’s farm, sharing lighthearted anecdotes about Gundy's peacocks and his unique personality.
• Potential candidates:
  • Zach Robinson: Former OSU QB, current Atlanta Falcons play-caller—“there are a lot of people who are Falcons fans who would be glad and would just help him pack to go to Oklahoma State.” (03:36, Brent)
  • Colin Klein: Known for innovation and QB development at A&M.
  • Jim Knowles: Veteran DC, former OSU staffer; could seek his first head coaching opportunity.
• Emphasis on Oklahoma State needing a coach eager to prove themselves, given resource limitations.

2. Where Do Fired Big-Name Coaches Land?

(05:01–11:35)

• Changing Market Dynamics:
  Early firings and musical chairs (noting Penn State, Florida, LSU) have made the head coach market complex.
• Brian Kelly Analysis:
  • Pollack is unwavering about Kelly:

    “Brian Kelly is a great football coach. Like, you can't convince me of that otherwise. You could debate me if you want to. You're going to lose.” (05:32, David Pollack)

  • Believes Kelly could fit at “Penn State” better than most SEC jobs, citing personality fit and salary expectations.

    “Now his personality. Is that a great fit for everybody else to the—no, it's absolutely not. But like, Brian Kelly, to me, I would hire... I might be more inclined to hire Brian Kelly at Penn State because to me that might be a better fit.” (05:56, David Pollack)

  • On Kelly’s buyout:

    “He’s getting 50 million to walk away... Let’s be smart enough to read the room now and let’s go, ‘Where can I go win?’” (07:32, David Pollack)

• Younger/Older Coach Question:
  Willie Fritz (Houston): Noted as a perennial winner but concerns about age for high-pressure jobs.
  P.J. Fleck (Minnesota): Celebrated for development, but likely not “transactional” enough for a school like LSU.

3. Halloween Segment – Coaches Swap Stories

(12:14–14:45)

• Light-hearted talk about Halloween memories.
  • David’s approach to limiting his kids’ candy via “candy or toy” swap.
  • Jokes about “dad tax” on Halloween candy.
• Costumes: David once an “insane Dracula,” Brent dressed as Mr. Clean, Joe Dirt, and Richard Simmons for work.

4. Something's Brewing: Michigan Deep Dive

(16:07–23:56)

• Michigan’s Offense:
  • Bryce Underwood (QB): Pollack’s high expectations have tempered—notes he isn’t dominating as before, but attributes it to adjustment at the collegiate level.
  • Justice Haynes (RB):

    “I haven’t seen a better running back in the country... His vision is nasty. He can hit the home run. He can lower a shoulder.” (18:00–18:30, David Pollack)

  • Passing game is still limited—“not ready yet to go by air consistently to beat you.”
  • Offensive issues: Reliance on RPO, not enough under-center snaps, offensive line “not Michigan”—not elite individually.
  • Receiver Marsh: Emerging as a vital option with “21 of 24 targets” caught.
• Defense:
  • Derek Moore (DL) praised: “Always a guy at Michigan that’s got close to 10 sacks.” (22:00, David Pollack)
  • Defensive line physicality and coaching impresses.
• Season Outlook:
  • Schedule sets up for 9–2 record before the Ohio State game.
  • Historical note: “Since 2005, the team who’s rushed for the most yards in that game has won.” (23:03, David Pollack)
  • Weather will be a factor and run game will be key vs. the Buckeyes.

5. Podium Kings Segment – Notable Quotes & Soundbites

(24:09–26:02)

• Mark Stoops on Analytics:

  “But that’s what the analytics book said. And I said, well, that’s a stupid book.” (24:40, Stoops quote via Podium Kings Host)

• Lane Kiffin’s Classic Retorts:
  • On Oklahoma claiming to be better than Ole Miss:

    “Maybe they had the better team last year too when we beat them.”

  • Series of quips referencing national championships against Oklahoma and Clemson.
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on LSU’s Hiring Process:

  “Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it [referencing AD Scott Woodward].” (25:51, Landry)

6. Conversation with Alex Golesh (USF Head Coach)

(26:38–63:56)

Golesh's Unique Journey & Philosophy

• Background:
  • Immigrated from Moscow in '91 with family’s life savings ($400).
  • Started in New York, moved to Columbus, OH.

    “We moved here... my parents literally dropped everything, and we were living in Moscow. Everything was fine. But my parents were adamant about trying to give my brother and I a better situation and moved here in '91. Literally 400 bucks. No place to live, no car.” (27:04, Alex Golesh)

• Coach Development:
  • Early coaching stints; started on defense, transitioned to offense by request.
  • Gundy’s mentorship:

    “Coach Gundy had some glowing turns from you... he said you loved the grind.” (29:04, David Pollack)

  • Taught young coaches matter—calls his support staff “young coaches,” not just GA’s or analysts.
• Switching Sides:
  • On switching from defense to offense at Toledo:

    “I don't know anything about coaching running backs... [Matt Campbell] said, ‘I'll teach you... recruit one, and then don't screw him up.’” (33:41, Alex Golesh)

  • Emphasizes recruiting talent and not screwing it up as the key to coaching.

System & USF Rejuvenation

• Innovative Offensive Evolution:
  • Drew on lessons from Baylor’s rise, time at UCF with Josh Heupel.
  • COVID allowed for deep dive innovation with Heupel:

    “As good as they were on offense, he [Heupel] is so humble... all we did was sat there and talked ball... He taught me what, what they had evolved to.” (41:44–43:22, Golesh)

• Rebuilding USF:
  • “This was legitimately maybe the worst program in the country. Four games in three years... I could never wrap my mind around why.” (45:41, Golesh)
  • Tampa location, talent-rich area, school investment in facilities help set the foundation for improvement.
  • Focus: retain local high school talent, develop in-house, and utilize the portal for Florida/Georgia players wanting to return.
  • “...I wanted to be that 2 A.M. phone call of, like, man, I'm ready to come home.” (50:19, Golesh)
• Program Culture:
  • Stresses process over results; “player-driven, not coach-driven.”
  • Takes pride in programs’ transition from low buy-in to meaningful November games:

    “...when we got here, we were trying to get guys to show up to workouts... now we’re in November playing meaningful football.” (57:13, Golesh)

  • Leadership: “When your toughest dude is your quarterback, it’s easy to rally around...” (55:39, Golesh)

Handling "Hot Name" Attention

• Golesh credited his transparency—never hides job rumors from players:

  “I've stood in front of our guys for almost three years now and just told them the truth. I think that's the first principle of building trust.” (60:21, Golesh)

  • No time or energy to focus elsewhere—"be where your feet are."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brian Kelly’s Value:
  "Brian Kelly is a great football coach. Like, you can't convince me of that otherwise. You could debate me if you want to. You're going to lose." (05:32, David Pollack)
• Golesh on Rebuilding USF:
  “This was legitimately maybe the worst program in the country. Four games in three years... I'm like, man, you're in Tampa. It's an incredible school... what in the world is stopping you from being really, really successful here?” (45:41, Alex Golesh)
• Halloween Dad Tax:
  "There was always the dad tax. If there's a full Butterfinger... that was mine." (13:54, Brent)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Oklahoma State Coaching/Carousel: 01:43–05:01
• Fired Coaches & Best Fits: 05:01–11:35
• Willie Fritz / P.J. Fleck as Candidates: 11:35–12:14
• Halloween Stories: 12:14–14:45
• Michigan Deep Dive: 16:07–23:56
• Podium Kings (Stoops, Kiffin, Landry): 24:09–26:02
• Alex Golesh Interview (Background–USF): 26:38–63:56

Tone & Style

True to Pollack’s style, the conversation is high-energy, deeply knowledgeable, and full of personal anecdotes—balancing serious football breakdowns with playful exchanges and authentic coach-speak. Golesh’s interview stands out with its openness and insight about building a winning program from the ground up.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The coaching carousel is more competitive and nuanced than ever, with fit and personality being as pivotal as track record.
• Michigan’s current form: dominant running game, work-in-progress passing, and a defense with stars poised to make noise in November.
• Insightful, practical look at program culture-building and leadership with Alex Golesh, including honest strategies for navigating “hot name” job speculation.

This episode is essential listening for college football fans craving honest, inside-the-room analysis and actionable coaching wisdom.