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- [00:00]
Paris Hilton
Hey, babes, it's Paris Hilton. So I was checking my points balance in the Hilton Honors app the other day, and, yeah, I've got about a billion, which feels excessive even for me. Just kidding. You can never have too many Hilton Honors points. And I want to do something iconic this summer, so I'm giving away all my Paris points. Just find somewhere you've always wanted to stay, then go to my socials or Hilton's and tell me about it. Just make sure you're a Hilton Honors member, and I might be sending you Paris points, because when you want points that make your summer even hotter, it matters where you stay.
- [00:32]
Paul Finebaum
The pride, passion, and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum show, our
- [00:44]
1 podcast, CC Media Days 2026. It's finally here. I know everyone's been waiting, watching all day, seeing the different coaches. We have one more coach to share with you later. That's Josh Hyple, who will be here in just a few minutes. But we say hello to all of you again and welcome a couple of guys that have been around all day, Greg and Cole, who do a show, of course, every morning throughout many parts of the south on wjox. Greg Cole, good to see you again. And I feel like I started the day with you on your show. Since then, what have we learned?
- [01:22]
Greg Sankey
Not a ton. It's been a bit of a quiet day. I mean, based on everything I've heard, it was nice to hear from Greg Sankey, his perspective on the Senate bill. I think that's interesting, where they stand on it, knowing that. Tell me your interpretation. We've known Greg a long time, but my evaluation is it feels like the SEC would be willing to cooperate, would be willing to get on board with some of the things that they initially said they were very much against if some concessions were made. So maybe there's some traction there. That's probably the biggest takeaway for me so far.
- [01:53]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah, I mean, Cole, there is a lot of traction. There's a lot of enthusiasm. You know, one of the senators from. From Missouri Schmidt said the other day he felt like they had 60 vot. I don't know anyone else who agrees with him, but what Sankey was trying to say, I think was, you know, you add some. Some teeth, like antitrust exemptions, and we'll come around. I think the issue is not to get into the Senate weeds as opposed to SEC media weeds, but the clock is ticking loudly.
- [02:18]
Cole Cubelic
He shared with us when he joined us on set here a little bit earlier today, that there are some concessions that need to be made in different ways. Essentially guardrails, everybody playing by the same rules. He referenced state laws is one of those as well. It's something, if we can circumvent that to where we're all playing on the same field, so to speak, they may be able to get back on board with that. I'll follow up what Greg said from the commissioner and not stamping out, going out on their own. And he was asked that question. He had the opportunity to do it and essentially said, it's something that we've looked at. It's something that we're willing to continue to look at if things don't go the direction that we want to. I think a lot of us, Greg, heard that and thought, okay, this is posturing. This is Greg Sankey trying to flex. This is not a flex. This is a real thought process by he and the SEC that if we need to, we can go play by ourselves for a few years until you get your act together.
- [03:04]
Paul Finebaum
Wouldn't you say that's coming from a position of strength where the SEC holds a lot of cards? They're willing to play them if they have to.
- [03:11]
Greg Sankey
Yeah, and they have a lot of leverage, too. I mean, ultimately, look, none of us that are associated with college football want to see the current version of college football dismantled. No one wants to see that. We all grew up loving college football. We, we do this business because we love college football. And part of why we love college football is because of how college football was played when we were young and impressionable. So we don't want to see it adjust to or get too far off the track. But if you're trying to tell us what we're going to do from a playoff standpoint, if you're trying to tell us what we're going to do here, what we're going to do there, how we're going to play, how these. How these two leagues right here are going to actually move up and we're going to be forced down. Like, I don't blame Greg Sankey for operating from position of strength, because that's exactly where he's operating from.
- [03:50]
Paul Finebaum
Well, we have talked about the Senate all year long. Let's get the football call because you've heard a lot today. There's been four coaches through here, including Oklahoma, who a lot of people really like this year, primarily because of the defense and John Mateer. What did you hear?
- [04:06]
Cole Cubelic
I think likability is maybe going to be my word of the day. You're not going to get a lot of insight to a lot of teams, Paul, to a lot of individuals schematically or what's going to be very different. But when you got Jon Mater up here with McElroy and Dusty and a couple of guys earlier, I think you found the reasons why his teammates enjoy playing him. You have to like a guy to want to play for him. I can speak specifically from an offensive lineman's perspective. When you want to block for a guy, you act a very different way when you're on the field. John Matier sort of oozes that. I think you got that from him today. I thought from Will Stein, Kentucky head coach today you saw a lot of reasons that they went out and made that hire in Lexington because of the likability to relatability factor. So we're not going to get a lot of the things behind the scenes that we would love to get information on injuries or players or scheme or who's going to play what. But I did think we learned today a little bit from John Matiere, from Will Stein, a couple others that we heard from that this is why they've been successful. This is why they have a chance to go be even more successful this upcoming season.
- [05:04]
Paul Finebaum
And Greg, Missouri was here today and that's a team that's been knocking on the door but just can't seem to get a firm handle on it. What did what is your takeaway of the Tigers?
- [05:14]
Greg Sankey
You know, one, it was great to get a somewhat positive prognosis on Ahmaud Hardy. I mean that's been the big story of the off season. Gunshot wound on May 10th sounds like according to his head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, five to eight weeks from when he could potentially return to action. Granted, all things going according to plan, of course, but he's now officially quote cleared to resume football related activities. Not necessarily contact but working out in an appropriate manner to get ready for football season. So that was encouraging. But I think really more from Missouri. I thought that would be the headline would be an update about Ahmad Hardy, but it's still at this point very vague as to whether or not he will get back on the field and at what time I do think he'll return. It's just a matter of when. The big thing that I've taken away from this group and visiting with Eli is that they believe they now have a ceiling at quarterback that's different from what they've had. They've had quality quarterback play, but Austin Simmons is a legitimate difference maker and if you look at how they ran the ball last year, 230 yards a game. It's top eight rushing offense in America. They have a dynamic one, two punch at running back. They got a really good scheme that's difficult to defend. The one thing lacking for them to beat top tier teams has been quarterback play and a guy's ability to take the game over. Well, Austin Simmons could potentially be that guy and I get the sense that he's really confident about their operation and how that offense could elevate because if you look at their performance against ranked SEC teams the last couple of years, it's left something to be desired. So I think that's the guy that's really the guy from Missouri that can kind of take them to the next level and they'll have plenty of opportunities against what should be a tougher schedule this season.
- [06:48]
Paul Finebaum
And we've already heard from Josh Hypo from the podium. We'll talk to him in a few minutes. Cole, that's a team that gets a lot of pulling and tugging on. How good can they be? Where are they last year ended badly. Where are they this year?
- [07:02]
Cole Cubelic
I do think a lot of people, Paul, have kind of put Tennessee to the side or on the back burner of maybe teams that can contend or surprise or pull a few upsets this year. And I get it. It's quarterback driven. Greg just mentioned with Austin Simmons going to Missouri. The ceiling at talent. Think about the ceiling at talent we've seen at Tennessee, at quarterback. Joe Milton, Nico Miyamali, Alva. You've had guys that have big time talent and we knew if it ever clicks and it ever gets to work, like Hinden Hooker, they can be elite. It's going to be part of the question. It's going to be part of the equation. I think they have two quarterbacks in house, both are capable of winning the job. One has that, one doesn't have that. The good news, Paul, for the last two off seasons, their case study has essentially been how do we win games in different ways on offense, we've got to be able to bludgeon you. We've got to be able to get bigger, stronger, use different personnel groupings, more compact personnel groupings. So when people want to go drop eight to make this very easy, we can find ways to go win games that will greatly benefit whoever is at quarterback this year. Sean Bishop's a really good running back. Sam Pendleton, Jackson, Moy, those guys back, Ethan Burke's back at tight end. The offensive line, the blockers on this football team are going to be very good. The Running backs are going to be very good and they have a new defensive scheme that really the only thing I have concerns with there about them getting on board is just the depth. They don't have the depth on the front seven that they've had the last few years, but I think they'll have time to lean on the run game and let whoever is the quarterback grow into that position and then hopefully by the time you get to the second month of the season, potentially be able to take off.
- [08:32]
Paul Finebaum
And Greg, what do you make out of their quarterback battle?
- [08:35]
Greg Sankey
You know, it's I, I go back and forth because last year all you hear about is McIntyre, man, this McIntyre kids like, I mean I, everyone talked to up there is like, hey look, Aguilar is going to be the guy. But like don't sleep on McIntyre. And now it's like oh well, here comes McIntyre guy. Like it's, oh no, no, no, hang on, you got to see this new guy, Faison Brandon, like this, this is really the guy. So it's a little unique based on my assessment of what McIntyre's done, granted in limited reps in spring game settings, like he can throw it. I do think there's another gear to the offense that could be unleashed in the event, which is Faison Brandon. That's who I think this competition is going to ultimately end up. I think Brandon's probably going to end up being the guy and it's going to be a bit of a work in progress. And this quarterback system, it is quarterback dependent. Like you got to have a guy that makes great post snap decisions. You got to be super accurate. Being dynamic athletically is really helpful as well. But I think they're going to be fine at quarterback. I'm not concerned. I think the office will be great. I think there could be a couple growing pains on defense and that happens. That's okay. I think their quarterback, if it is a true freshman, will have growing pains in this league. But I think Tennessee is probably the team in the league that's flying under the radar the most, as strange as that may sound, because their offense should be good. It just, it's ready made to score points. It's just how many games can they win against teams that can bludgeon you with the defensive personnel they're going to bring. So I think Tennessee is very dangerous and I look forward to hearing what Josh Hyple has to say because it's a different feeling this year around their program than it's been the last couple.
- [10:04]
Cole Cubelic
The problem with what Greg just said Paul is Auburn, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee, they all fall into this similar category. They can't all extend. They can't all go backwards. Someone's going to have to find a way to step ahead. And so you just sit there and you try to peel back, okay, what are the advantages that this team has? Some is going to be schedule, some are going to be experienced at quarterback, some is going to be who doesn't have to rely on their quarterback as much. And then leadership, continuity, togetherness, all of that which is critical in today's college football because it's so hard to find whoever finds that early. I think probably the team that steps ahead of this grouping that we're talking about.
- [10:40]
Paul Finebaum
Cole, Greg, thank you very much. We have a very busy couple of hours ahead of you as we wrap up this very first day. George Storya talking about Oklahoma along with Barry Trammell is covered Sooners for going on 40 years. The new host of SEC Nation, the guy with the good hair there, Matt Berry, and the guy with a little bit of hair, Josh Hyple, rounds out the hour. We're coming right back.
- [11:10]
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- [11:39]
Matt Berry
by, you know, when you're locked in, focused and fearless. Welcome to the wnba. Your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assistant, every stop, every loco three from beyond the logo, every. Did you see that moment?
- [11:58]
Josh Hypel
What records are going to be broken this season?
- [12:01]
Matt Berry
All of it right here.
- [12:03]
Greg Sankey
Lock in.
- [12:04]
Matt Berry
It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.
- [12:15]
Paul Finebaum
You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.
- [12:20]
Tampa, Florida. Or is that just a painting? It looks too nice to be a southern city on a hot July day. But we are here for day one of SEC media days. Oklahoma was here earlier and that means George and Barry joining us here at the set. Great to see both of you. And Barry, it was an amazing turnaround last year for everything connected to the Sooners. It ended badly. But I don't know if that's really hungover because there seems to be a lot of optimism this year.
- [12:51]
Barry Trammell
Yeah, it's sort of strange. You know, last year, coming into the year, a lot of optimism, a lot of buzz about John Mattier, but not so much his team. This year, it sort of flipped a little bit. Mattier's the ones got to show us, but everybody's high on the Sooners, so we'll see if Mattier can come through because that defense, you know, is pretty good.
- [13:11]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah, George, I, I, I was not that high because I, I saw the schedule a couple weeks ago, but everybody seems to be. And you are too, because we talked to you not that long ago and you really.
- [13:23]
George Stoia
Yeah, I mean, I think this is the best roster Brent Venables has had. Now, does that translate to wins on the field? I don't know. I mean, Oklahoma could be theoretically a better football team and end up with more losses than they did a year ago. I mean, you look at how they finished the season and winning in Tuscaloosa and winning in Knoxville, had to have some magical plays and you know, ultimately a good football team comes up with those plays. But can they do that again this year? I think it largely depends on what version of Jon Mattier do they get and can they get better around him. I think we all agree. Barry would probably agree with me. The defense is going to be good. We know that. How good? We'll see. But they're going to be good. It's offensively, can the offensive line hold up? You know, they bring back five starters from that group a year ago. You know, did they get better in the transfer portal at wide receiver and tight end like they think they did? And is John Mateer going to play to the expectation that a lot of people have for him?
- [14:11]
Paul Finebaum
And let's talk about that defense for a second because that's the trademark of Venables. And last year, for the most part, it held up. How different is it going to be?
- [14:22]
Barry Trammell
Well, the front line, you know, number one on depth chart, very similar, going to be very good. Now the, the depth is a little bit less because defensive line that they went eight strong on the D line last year. This year, maybe six or five, we'll see. So it's not quite as deep. So if they have health, injury, health problems, that could be a situation. But in terms of just top tiered talent, they're still really good on defense.
- [14:52]
Paul Finebaum
And George, to me, that tricky game on the schedule, it's not Texas or Georgia, it's Michigan because I don't think anybody really knows. You saw Michigan last year under a different coach. I mean, it seems like the coaching staff is better. I don't. The quarterback ought to be a lot better. But how critical is that game for the Sooner season?
- [15:11]
George Stoia
It's huge. And it's just like last year, Paul. I mean, going into that game last year, I think I wrote something that said this is the biggest game of Brent Venables career. And heading into that, at that point there were so many questions. And that's why the vibe here this year is so much different around Oklahoma. And Barry has alluded to it, but there's people that believe Oklahoma can really compete this year to make the playoff. And last year I don't know if that was the case, they ended up doing it. And that Michigan game kind of sparked things. So if they can go to Ann Arbor and beat a Michigan team that I do think will be a little bit better than maybe they were a year ago. I think right now Oklahoma's underdogs. If they can go there and win that game, I think that can give them some real momentum. And you look at the beginning of the schedule, Paul, really you got to get to three and two. And if you, if you're Oklahoma, you feel a lot better if you can get to 4 and 1. Somehow I don't know what that looks like, how they do that, but the minimum is three and two. And I think their best chance at that is beating Michigan.
- [15:59]
Josh Hypel
Yeah.
- [16:00]
Paul Finebaum
And certainly Texas is always there. And this seems like, I mean every year it seems like this is a record year for Texas. Didn't happen last year. But how critical does that game become? Barry, we know the history. Everybody treats it like it's the end of the world. But it hasn't been good to the Sooners lately.
- [16:17]
Barry Trammell
Yeah. You know, and it's not just that Venables is one in three, it's the way he's lost and the three losses. They haven't scored a touchdown. And it's three one sided games. His one victory in 23 was, you know. Yeah, 23. The Dylan Gabriel comeback. Great game, but it's not a career record. It's not a game that's going to get you fired, but over a course of time it's a rivalry that will get you fired. You can't keep losing that game. And as George said, it's also a game. If you win, it sets up your season. So at some point you, you know, it's a series, it's a history of streaks. One team tends to dominate the other for extended periods of time. And right now that's Texas. Brent Venables Needs to get that stopped.
- [17:10]
Paul Finebaum
And, George, last year, every time you thought Oklahoma was in good shape, the running game let them down. Is it any better?
- [17:20]
George Stoia
I think that's the big question, Paul. If I had the answer to that, Brent Venables might hire me on his staff. I don't know. And I think that that was the huge, huge talking point this spring. They finished 113th in rushing offense last year, and I don't even think anybody's saying, hey, they need to be a top 30 rushing offense. If they could do that, that'd be awesome. I think they'd be a playoff team if they can do that. But can they get, you know, cut that in half and get into 60s or, you know, 50s? And if they do that and take some of that pressure off of Jon Mattier, I think you're looking at a football team that can win some games. So, you know, last year we saw it. Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, they shined at times, and then they got injured and it didn't come together. They had a young offensive line. John Mattier was really the only thing going for him on offense at times, and he was also the bad part of the offense at times. So certainly if he can turn around and hand the ball off, I think that takes a lot off his shoulders.
- [18:07]
Paul Finebaum
And Barry, let me close on Mater because I saw him today look pretty confident last year behind him. I came away not really knowing that much about John Mateer, other than he probably shouldn't have played against Texas. Where are you on him now?
- [18:22]
Barry Trammell
Well, I mean, there's lots to like about him. He's a consummate leader, just a fabulous leader. The guys love him. He is. He takes accountability. He doesn't get over his heels. He's. He's a solid guy, but he's got to play better. His 14 touchdowns, 11 picks, that's not bad in 1974. It doesn't get you. It doesn't get the job done in 2026. So he's got to minimize the turnovers. He's a playmaker. He makes, you know, he makes things happen, but he's got a. You know, he's got to be more protective of the ball. And even at the highlight before his injury, the victories over Auburn in Michigan, that got everybody excited. They weren't running up and down the field like it's Baker Mayfield in Lubbock. You know, it's 24 points, 23 points. That'll win a lot of Brent Venable's games. But let's not pretend that before the injury, it was a, you know, a high speed locomotive.
- [19:18]
Paul Finebaum
And you were high. When we talked last, you even, you even got close to, I think 10 wins. I mean, is this a CFP team to you?
- [19:26]
Barry Trammell
I think it's a potential CFP team. CFP team. But they could be, George said it, they could be better and not win as many games. And here's the thing. The nine game conference schedule is going to bite a lot of people and I'm not sure the committee's ready for what's coming. Maybe they are, but I'm not sure they are. I think you got to get to 10 wins.
- [19:49]
Paul Finebaum
Thanks, guys. A Sooner report here from two guys who know the Oklahoma Sooner so well. We'll take a break and introduce you to somebody you probably already know. He's the new host of SEC Nation. Matt Berry joins us in just a moment.
- [20:16]
You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show
- [20:19]
podcast and we are here, of course, in Tampa Bay and Josh Hyple joining us in about 15 minutes right near that stadium. We did the first SEC Nation of the season last night, hosted by our next guest, Matt Berry. Matt, you've done a lot of things, but never SEC Nation.
- [20:40]
Matt Berry
That was the first. I mean, I could finally put it on my resume. You know, we, we were out there, but was it Thunder Alley is what they were calling it outside a hockey arena. Good crowd, by the way. And the shocking thing was is I thought at some point weather would be a factor. By the time we were out there on set, the SEC gods, part of the clouds and we had no weather and it was spectacular.
- [21:04]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah. And listen, I mean, everybody knows Matt Berry, first of all, the Matt Berry podcast.
- [21:09]
Matt Berry
Come on, we're coming.
- [21:11]
Paul Finebaum
You've never done anything other than the
- [21:12]
Matt Berry
bigger and better than ever this year with that one.
- [21:14]
Paul Finebaum
But it is something We've done almost 10 years together. Started out when I would, when you had me come up to your show in Bristol on Sunday morning. But you tell me because you're out there every week doing games. But I mean, I'm surprised how many people will come up to me in airports. Forget this show or sec. Love that podcast.
- [21:35]
Matt Berry
Yeah. You know, it's funny you say that. We were, I was at the Masters this year doing, doing the covers for espn. Was out having dinner after one of those nights, having a drink and this guy comes up and he's like, taps me in the shoulders. Like, man, I, I hate to bother you. I eat and I just have to know, like, is the Matt Berry show and you are you in fine bomb doing again that this fall. Are you, are you doing that again? I'm like, I mean all signs point to it.
- [21:58]
Greg Sankey
I don't know.
- [21:59]
Matt Berry
But yeah. And he goes. Because that's, that's the first thing I watch when I wake up. Another, you know, another loyal listener of that is PJ Fleck. Really row the boat. He loves that thing. He just like, it's interesting because he, they, what they catch on to.
- [22:14]
Paul Finebaum
Well, because again I've had coaches tell me the same thing, but I think it's the convenience of Sunday. It's the first real, I mean your show on Sunday night goes off the air about 2 o' clock in the morning.
- [22:27]
Matt Berry
It caused the final.
- [22:28]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah, a lot of people either traveling or asleep. But it is going to be fascinating to see you on Nation this year because we've talked about, I've talked to every Sunday morning for the last 10 years about nation. What can you, I don't know what you can tell us because there's a lot of things that are still being worked on.
- [22:45]
Matt Berry
That's right.
- [22:46]
Paul Finebaum
But what can you tell us about.
- [22:47]
Matt Berry
I can tell you that I'm excited to kind of carry that show's legacy of what Laura built for I think better part of a decade. Maria Taylor, before her Joe Test got the thing launched. And so it's just one of those shows that's always had a good host. I hope to be the next one, but it's just fun because Tim and I have done TV together since 2014, 2015. Same with you and me. Roman's been on SportsCenter with me and then I'm excited that Chase is a part of it to have another new voice out there. Jordan was phenomenal in that role. He's going to be phenomenal in his next role. And so to have Chase out there, to have another new person there, but I think it's just to be able to. I've been in studio over the last eight years with Galloway and Jesse Palmer and Dan Mullen and EJ and doing college football final in that show. Paul, as you know, that was an end of day wrap up show like we were wrapping up the entire day. I find it to be in a normless privilege to set the table for the day of college football and that's what I'm looking forward to more than reacting to what the day has brought. Let's set the table for what we believe the day is going to bring. And to do it with you and guys that I've worked with for years is going to be so exciting.
- [23:56]
Paul Finebaum
Matt Berry with us. So, Matt, let's talk about some of the things that we talked about on Sunday night and obviously it will be discussed all week long. And that's something you've asked me about when you were more representing the national voice. But it's the state of the sec.
- [24:14]
Matt Berry
Yeah. Look, here's how you kind of boil it down into its simplest term. I believe competitive balance that this league has is unlike anything we see in college football. Well, why is that? Because every other league, and look, it's not hyperbole, every other league has an easy out. There's two or three teams that are an easy out on your schedule where you're looking at saying, okay, good, we play this team and that's great. That's not a slight on those leagues. The Big Ten's won three consecutive national championships. That's not a slight on the Big Ten. It just exists that way. Who's the easy out in the sec? Who has been the easy out? I'm telling you, Jeff Lebby is going to have Mississippi State going. Ryan Silverfield, new head coach in Arkansas. Give him time and he'll have that thing going. Vanderbilt, the one team that people thought was always the tank team that you wanted to schedule, they won 10 games for the first time in program history. And so, Paul, I think the biggest thing with this conference, when you look at it top to bottom, the top's really, really good, the middle is good and the perceived bottom can beat you on any given Saturday. Perception, though, I think nationally right now is that because they haven't had a spot in the national championship game in the last three years, that the talking of being the best league in the, in the country, some people have stopped listening to that. But I could make an argument for five or six of these teams to go on a run of the playoff.
- [25:39]
Paul Finebaum
Matt, we are told Josh Hypo is, is near. What would you mind sticking around for the number? I'd love to have you with me here.
- [25:46]
Matt Berry
Love Hypo.
- [25:47]
Paul Finebaum
So Matt Berry joining continues to join us as it will also be joined by Josh Hypo in a few moments. We're coming right back.
- [26:06]
You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show
- [26:10]
podcast back in Tampa as day one. Four coaches in and the last one just I want to prejudge the conversation, but it looks like he's ready to get back on the plane and go back to big orange country. Josh Hypol joining us. Coach, good afternoon.
- [26:25]
Josh Hypel
Be true, Paul might be true.
- [26:27]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah. I don't Blame you. There's a million questions. Just at the end of the day, how do you feel about your.
- [26:34]
Josh Hypel
I'm really excited about, you know, where we're at as a program as far as players, staff being connected, some of the changes that we've made. I think, you know, our defensive coaching staff has done a great job. Our players have bought into it first and foremost, but then have really gained a lot of understanding and knowledge inside of it. And, you know, through the course of spring ball and this summer, I like where we're at as we get ready to start training camp.
- [26:59]
Matt Berry
When you get into this, I guess it's not as much of a new era anymore with Nil and Portal and you just come through a season and the gauntlet of the season, you've got to reset right away for you as a head coach. When you look now from the prior season to the current one, what's the first thing you do to kind of reset the foundation of want you want the following season?
- [27:20]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, I don't think in any off season you've ever been able to skip any of the steps of building your team, but now more than ever, with the amount of turnover that you have on your roster, building connection and a true definition of what it means to be a Tennessee volume inside of your building the expectations, the standards. And then you got to grow from
- [27:44]
Matt Berry
there and do things slip through the cracks when you're recruiting in the Portal? Because when high school now, family young develop, culture grow. Portal guys have been somewhere else and you may not get that time to kind of cultivate that relationship.
- [28:03]
Josh Hypel
I don't know how long you knew your wife before you married her, but let's find out. High school recruiting, you have a lot longer to get to know them, understand them, what makes them tick. Portal recruiting is speed dating and it's happening really fast.
- [28:18]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah, I'm too old for speed dating. We still went to the movies drive in theater. Coach, we've already talked about it here a few minutes ago. So let's ask somebody who actually knows something versus talking heads about the quarterback situation. How do you characterize it?
- [28:37]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, I'm excited about the guys that we have in that room, how they've competed to grow individually. They've competed in a really positive way. So one of the things that we talk about right when we first get back to campus, when you have an open competition, the expectations, we're clear with them that we're not going to pick a guy at the end of spring ball. I think it's important that when you finish spring ball, you know, guys have another four weeks where they're on campus. They have an opportunity to grow. All summer long, understanding what you're doing, schematically understand the defensive structures fundamentally and technically continuing to get better. That's why I'm excited. The way they've competed, the way that they've grown. I'm excited to get to training camp here, and ultimately someone's going to learn it and take a job.
- [29:20]
Matt Berry
That's the operative word, take the job. I've had some coaches say, listen, I'm going to select the quarterback because I'm the coach. I've had other coaches tell me the team will select the quarterback. Where do you weigh in? Is it obvious when the team's selected the guy that they want through practice more?
- [29:34]
Josh Hypel
I'm going to name the guy, but his work on the practice field and being around our guys, he's going to earn it in front of his peers. And, you know, we've had seven different quarterbacks in the last nine years, and we've had a ton of success. You know, been top 10 in the country in scoring seven out of those nine years. That guy gets a chance to be the artist and paint the picture. That's the fun thing about having a different quarterback. They're all a little bit different, but all of those guys have had to earn it in front of their peers, and the team will rally and know who the guy is and be ready to go play and help them out.
- [30:09]
Paul Finebaum
Coach, there's so many complexities in the game today, but you got through winter thinking maybe you had a quarterback and then the courts disagreed. Can you describe that type of situation and how chaotic it is right now for everyone?
- [30:24]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, a lot of land shift movement inside of the landscape of college football. The Portal Joey had a chance to potentially get eligible. I think, you know, a lot of people inside of our program and administration probably felt like there was a good chance of that happening. Ultimately, he didn't. We felt good about the two young guys that we had inside of our program, feel good about where they're at and them being prepared to go play at a really high level. But there's a lot of things that are just unknown in today's landscape. You have to have a plan. You have to clearly, you know, give that vision to your staff and to your players. But you also got to be able to move on a dime.
- [31:05]
Paul Finebaum
But you've had to deal with it two years in a row. With the chaos of the previous year back there, I couldn't resist I am glad he's gone because I never could pronounce his name.
- [31:18]
Matt Berry
I am Aliaba. Sorry. Please go ahead.
- [31:23]
Paul Finebaum
Malayala.
- [31:24]
Matt Berry
There you go. See, he's already a pro. But I think to finish your point. Point Paul quarterback being an offensive guy, I mean we, we've talked about quarterback and head coach connection is, is when this offensive coach is paramount to the success of the program. You've had to, in other words, speed date a quarterback the last couple years with Joey coming in late from really the team swap now. Do you feel you can almost settle in now? Let me know Joey's not going to be eligible. Settle into one of these two young guys and almost foundation piece him knowing that he's a younger guy that you can maybe build around.
- [31:57]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, absolutely. At some point I'm going to be on the show and we're going to have a returning quarterback. You know, different circumstances as it always is. You know, Joey had experience. We got to know and start with Joey in late May, early June last year. These guys have been with us since the end of January as we came back to campus. They have a lot of time inside of what we're doing, excited about who and what they are and ready to go compete with these guys.
- [32:24]
Paul Finebaum
Coaching changes are everywhere, but as a result of one, you were able to pick up one of the most coveted defensive coordinators in America and Jim Knowles. Talk about what you saw in him and how you brought him here.
- [32:34]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, Jim's been a great addition. Some of the staff that has familiarity with him at different stops have been great additions. I think that's been a huge part of our guys grabbing onto it so quickly. But you look at his track record, being multiple spots, developing elite defenses and having done it different ways, he has the ability as a defensive coordinator to think outside the box, understand what his personnel is, put them in a position to take advantage of our best 11 and doing it from a lot of different structures, three down, four down, three safety presentations. I'm really excited about where we're at right now.
- [33:13]
Matt Berry
And how has that adaptation been with the guys that were on your roster?
- [33:17]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, really quickly those guys have grabbed onto it. I think Jim coming here, having some staff that have familiarity with him. I know this having gone different spots with a lot of our staff as an assistant coach and as a head coach affords you the luxury of being able to look at some of your teaching patterns, how you package things together, making sure that's to going clear and concise. And now you're putting your players in the best position to grab onto it.
- [33:46]
Paul Finebaum
You've had such great success at Tennessee. The program was really on death's doorstep when you arrived. You've beaten Alabama, you won at Florida, you've been to the cfp. Can you describe now this additional challenge, which isn't new, but it's about to be real and that's having another conference game on your schedule.
- [34:09]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, absolutely. Excited you get a chance to play another great opponent, great staff, great venues. But it certainly does make the regular season more difficult as well. You look at the nine conference games, it's another loss for a half of the league, you know, but you're going to play the hand that you're dealt. We got a great schedule, great team. I know our fans are excited about not just the games inside of Neyland, but also on the road, but our home schedule I think everybody's really looking forward to in this league. You're going to play a bunch of great teams, great coaches. Games that come down to one possession. That means it's a one play game. You got to be on the right side of that one play that makes a difference.
- [34:54]
Matt Berry
We talked about it last night on our first show about weekend and week, week out. I mean, Tebow was talking about it, about just how grueling and a grind it is. There isn't an easy out in this league when you get in front of your team now with that extra conference game for you as a head coach, mentally, how do you prepare each week for another game that you know, as you said, one possession game, but you guys are going to sit there and beat the hell out of each other for the better part of four hours?
- [35:21]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, absolutely. In particular up front, but everywhere on the, on the floor, football field, I think that's the challenge inside of this regular season, inside of this league, mentally, physically, emotionally, the drain, the totality of it from week to week, teams that are able to recharge and get ready for the next one and sustain a level of success and competitive makeup and good teams continue to get better throughout the course of the season. That'll be the key for the teams that have an opportunity to compete for a championship at the end of it.
- [35:57]
Paul Finebaum
Coach, we're. We're mostly all refreshed. It's been a quiet off season for us, but for a coach, they told me Dustin June's one of the craziest months. I mean, is there any real downtime for a head football coach anymore?
- [36:12]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, Fourth of July week's a great week. It's the second best week of the Year, spring. I'm like a college kid. Spring break still the best week of the the year. But our staff got a chance to get out here in the early part of July. We'll get back to the office here tomorrow. And I don't like to get too far away from our players and try to get around them in the weight room and those types of things here in the early part of July. But the season's upon us here in a couple weeks and couldn't be more excited.
- [36:42]
Paul Finebaum
You're not like Matt and I, we, you know, we go to the beach and we leave the phone behind.
- [36:47]
Josh Hypel
When I'm with my family, I'm able to shut it off. You know, I'm going to check it in the morning and at night, but try to be present with the kids and wife and. But at the same time, when you get to SEC media days, you know the season's right around the corner and there's a level of excitement that hits when you come off of that break that you're ready to get back early August.
- [37:08]
Matt Berry
Okay, so you, you technically have maybe one more window to at least maybe a long weekend.
- [37:14]
Paul Finebaum
He said no.
- [37:15]
Josh Hypel
There's a lot of preparation that goes into getting ready for when the guys come back for training camp. But we'll have some, some long weekends for the staff.
- [37:22]
Matt Berry
All right, one more vacation. Ish.
- [37:26]
Paul Finebaum
Did you notice, Matt, he didn't tell us what he did during that very short break that he had?
- [37:30]
Matt Berry
No, no. He's smart. He knows what to keep from us.
- [37:33]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah, the coaches, coach hypo have come here and one about eight or nine years ago talked about seeing a shark or something and he was. I think he was let go in Florida the next year because nobody really believed the story.
- [37:48]
Josh Hypel
I actually recall that story. No shark for me.
- [37:52]
Matt Berry
No, none. Don't need him.
- [37:54]
Paul Finebaum
Okay. One more thing. In addition to the. We only have a second level. In addition to the nine SEC games, you managed to find a very difficult place to go on the road this year in Atlanta. I mean, is somebody trying to be devil you with the schedule?
- [38:07]
Josh Hypel
Yeah, we got a great non conference opponent night game in Atlanta, I'm sure, but also hoping that a lot of all nation makes the drive down.
- [38:18]
Paul Finebaum
Yeah.
- [38:18]
You went to school about 100 years ago at Tennessee, but that was a big, big rivalry.
- [38:24]
Josh Hypel
It used to be a conference game.
- [38:25]
Paul Finebaum
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
- [38:26]
Matt Berry
Have you gotten Feinbomb? Nil. Money has fine. Bomb cut a check.
- [38:30]
Josh Hypel
Fein bomb has not cut a check.
- [38:32]
Paul Finebaum
Paul. Okay, what are we doing?
- [38:36]
Matt Berry
He still balances this.
- [38:37]
Paul Finebaum
Let me see if I can. Let me see if I have any money. Coach, it's, it's great to have you here. Josh Hyple joining us.
- [38:46]
Thank you for listening to the Best of the Paul Finebaum show podcast. Watch the Paul Fine Bomb show weekdays from 3 to 7 Eastern on the Instrument SEC Network. Plus, you can listen and watch on the ESPN Applied.