Hour 2: Quinn Gray Sr, Florida A&M Head Coach

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show — Hour 2 (August 4, 2026)

Main Theme:
Paul Finebaum hosts the second hour of his college football-centric show, focusing first on high-stakes SEC and Oklahoma football storylines and then highlighting the historic and cultural significance of HBCU football during an in-depth interview with new Florida A&M Head Coach, Quinn Gray Sr.

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1. Oklahoma’s 2026 Season: Lofty Expectations and Daunting Schedule

Guest: George Stoia (Oklahoma beat reporter)
Time: [00:45] – [08:51]

Key Discussion Points:

• Brent Venables’ Fifth Year: Expectations are high for Oklahoma after a roller-coaster tenure under Brent Venables, whose teams have alternated between 6-7 and 10-3 records. Now, with a strong returning roster, hopes are rising.
• Challenging Schedule: Oklahoma faces a brutal early schedule, including top-ranked Michigan on the road (week 2), plus Georgia and Texas soon after.
  • “You gotta go to Athens. You gotta go play Texas in Dallas. ... Michigan on the road is obviously a huge one early in the season in week two.” — George Stoia [02:24]
• Pivotal Michigan Game: Stoia and Finebaum agree that the Michigan game (Ann Arbor) could define the season.
  • “How critical to a successful season do you think that second game is?” — Paul Finebaum [03:12]
  • “It could really determine how the year goes.” — George Stoia [03:44]
• Navigating the Gauntlet: A loss to Michigan makes the following games (at Georgia, vs. Texas) “barely able to breathe” situations.
• Optimism vs. Reality: Stoia believes 4-1 in the first five games is doable—and Oklahoma could even pull off 5-0 if all goes perfectly.
  • “I think Oklahoma can get to 4 and 1. I think they should beat Michigan.” — George Stoia [06:43]
• Texas Game Breakdown: Stoia questions Texas’s secondary and new DC Muschamp ("I don’t know if I believe in the Longhorns totally just yet.”) and asserts Oklahoma’s defense “might be the best in the country.” [07:53]

Notable Moment:

• The segment is briefly hijacked by Stoia’s friend in the background, bringing some levity (Paul: “I just didn't want anybody from practice sneaking away and not being prepared.” [04:22]).

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2. Call-In Segment: Nebraska’s Identity, Conference Title Games, and TV Analyst Gossip

Time: [11:23] – [20:24]

Key Topics:

• Nebraska’s Past and Present: Caller Vance reminisces about Nebraska’s heyday, unique recruiting challenges, and the state’s commitment to football.
  • “Nebraska is unique. I mean, it's the only school in the state... There are very few other places where that is true.” — Paul Finebaum [13:53]
• Oklahoma vs. Nebraska Parallels: Vance contends both relied heavily on out-of-state recruiting and coaching connections.
• Lincoln Riley & Brent Venables Contrasts: Vance humorously wishes Riley had a defensive coordinator and Venables an offensive one. “If Brent Venables and that man were put together, I think we might be talking about something there.” [12:44]
• Championship Games’ Future: Paul concedes that expanded playoffs likely mean the end of traditional conference championship games.
  • “I think the future is pretty bleak... There's no way they're going to survive with the addition of either a 16 or likely a 2014 playoff.” [16:11]
• Michigan vs. Oklahoma as a CFP Elimination Game: Caller John calls the Michigan-Oklahoma matchup “all but a CFP elimination game for both teams.” (Paul agrees) [16:49]
• Will Muschamp to Texas Rumor: Finebaum dismisses the idea, calling it “the obfuscation of the year.” [17:56]
• Tony Romo, Greg Olson, and TV Lineup: Some light media talk, with Paul suggesting Fox’s Olson could move to CBS if Romo is let go.
  • “Tony Romo has already played out as a broadcaster... Olson’s outstanding.” — Paul Finebaum [19:52, 20:24]

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3. Featured Interview: Coach Quinn Gray Sr., Florida A&M Head Coach

Time: [21:11] – [31:05]

Main Focus:

New coach Quinn Gray discusses reviving Florida A&M’s football tradition, the legacy of HBCU football, lessons from past coaches, and the challenge of building culture quickly.

Key Insights:

• HBCU Legacy is SEC-Level Serious:
  • “This HBCU spectrum and the things that come along with HBCUs is really no different than the SEC, to be honest with you, because the brand of football that we play... So the historical piece as it relates to black college football, man, it's to be spoke about and I hope one day they do some type of a series on it.” — Coach Quinn Gray [22:31]
• Honoring the Ancestors: Gray intentionally integrates history lessons and building pride in team culture.
  • “When I first got here back in January, I made it a point to make sure that our student athletes understood who those people that have built the foundation for us to stand on are... Every meeting that we had ... we had a history lesson.” [23:41]
• Tangible Legacy: Team spaces are filled with reminders of past championships and legendary figures.
• Building Culture—On and Off the Field: Gray has all players living in dorms to foster camaraderie and vulnerability, believing that knowing each other deeply leads to trust and resilience during adversity.
  • “...If you're not comfortable being vulnerable around your teammates, there's a lot of things that you'll hold in and you'll react in ways that we don't know anything about.” [26:34]
• High-Profile Schedule: Florida A&M faces three champions or runners-up in its first three games—including Gray’s old team, Albany State, and Miami.
• Coach Cohesion & Standards:
  • “It's coaching up the coaching staff as well... Because it's always standards over feelings at the end of the day.” [28:53]
• Facing Old Friends: Opening against his former team, Gray says the personal feelings are set aside once the game starts.
  • “Once that ball is kicked off and that whistle blows, it's a different situation.” [30:04]

Notable Quotes:

• On HBCU football: “Before the SEC, it was all truly about the HBCU and HBCU players...” — Quinn Gray [22:31]
• On instantaneous culture-building: "I think for us, it's sort of expedited because of the time. We've only been here since January, and we got to put this thing together here before August 29th." [27:41]
• On leadership style: "As long as we ain't worried about your feelings and you understand what the standard is, I think we're headed down the right direction." [29:32]

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4. Final Call-In Segment: Selection Committee, Georgia Offense, and Golf Stories

Time: [31:36] – [39:28]

Discussion Points:

• Why the CFP Selection Committee Waits Until Week 10 for Rankings: Paul attributes it to TV programming and manufactured debate rather than any competitive necessity.
  • “It creates a narrative that usually is false. ...just to create fake conversation which they interpret as good for the game.” [32:29]
• Georgia’s Offensive Challenges: Brad and Paul bemoan the Bulldogs’ inability to attract five-star wide receivers and question OC Mike Bobo’s ability in key games.
  • “We're tied in university. ... If I were a five-star recruit coming out of high school, who would I want to catch balls for?... I'm not going to play for in Mike Bobo's offense. No way.” — Brad [35:20]
  • “That call did cost Georgia a national championship.” — Paul Finebaum (on a crucial Bobo play call) [36:44]
• Golf Banter: Brad pokes fun at another caller’s golf scores, and Paul jokes about playing from the women’s tees.

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5. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Paul Finebaum on Nebraska’s climate:
  “Nobody in their right mind would want to go to Nebraska to spend October through April unless they had to.” [14:24]
• George Stoia’s balanced optimism:
  “I think Oklahoma can get to 4 and 1. I think they should beat Michigan. ...and then I think they can find a way to split Georgia and Texas.” [06:43]
• Quinn Gray on culture:
  “It's always standards over feelings at the end of the day.” [29:32]

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6. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Oklahoma 2026 Outlook (with George Stoia): [00:45] – [08:51]
• Nebraska’s Past and Future (Caller): [11:23] – [16:11]
• CFP Selection Committee Logic and Muschamp-Texas Rumor: [16:43] – [20:24]
• Florida A&M Interview Coach Quinn Gray Sr.: [21:11] – [31:05]
• Georgia Offense, Mike Bobo Rant, and Golf: [31:36] – [39:28]

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7. Episode Tone & Style

Paul is insightful, occasionally wry, and generous with his guests. The hour features a satisfying mix of high-level program assessments, deep dives on program culture and history, lively debate, and homespun call-in banter—ranging from hard-hitting analysis to golf course humor.

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Ideal For:
Listeners eager for both insider SEC and Oklahoma football talk and a unique foray into the proud tradition and challenges of HBCU programs with a compelling new coaching personality.

“It's not always played in the 110,000 seat stadium.” — Paul Finebaum [31:05]

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Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

Pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum Show. Our two podcasts.

[Paul Feinbaum]

This might be college football. And welcome back as the second hour of the program is live. We were hearing from John Matiere during that break and it all comes down to Brent Venables, fifth year. Can he keep this thing moving along? A lot of people expect it. Top 10 in the most recent poll. Expectations are high. George Steuer covers the team and joins us now. George, camp is opening. Good afternoon to you. And what, what can you tell us?

[George Steuer]

Yeah, Paul, we heard from Brent Venables as well as every assistant coach for Oklahoma today, as well as a dozen players. So busy day in Norman as fall camp officially starts tomorrow here in expectations are sky high. You know, Brent enters his fifth season, his fifth fall camp as the head coach at Oklahoma. It's been kind of up and down a little bit of a roller coaster with Brent since he's taken over for Lincoln Riley. Six and seven the first year, 10 and three, then six and seven and then 10 and three last year. And there's a lot of hope that this year will be different, Paul, in terms of carrying that momentum, the 10 win season, you know, you lose to Alabama, the College Football Playoff, but in all reality, you overachieved a season ago. So I think Oklahoma feels really good about this team. I think Venables feels good about this team. There's a lot of questions that they're hoping will be answered here in fall camp over the next few weeks. But certainly on paper this looks like the best roster that Brent Venables has had in his tenure here in Norman.

[Paul Feinbaum]

So nothing could go wrong, George? Absolutely nothing. Based on where you're telling me, right?

[George Steuer]

Yeah, I wouldn't say that, Paul. I think that certainly you look at the schedule and I know you and I have discussed it quite a bit this offseason. It's daunting. And you mentioned, you know, they were ninth in the coaches poll today and I immediately tallied up, okay, well, how many teams in the top 25 are they going to be facing? And I think it's six teams, three or four in the top 10, three in front of them. You know, you Got to go to Athens. You got to go play Texas in Dallas. You know, you have to play Ole Miss at home, A and M at home. It's not easy. Michigan on the road is obviously a huge one early in the season in week two. So the schedule is not easy, Paul. And that's where things could go wrong, because I. I do like this football team. I think it is better on paper than maybe what it was a year ago. But that doesn't always mean that the results are going to be better than they were a year ago.

[Brad]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And listen, I. I don't want to put words in your mouth. The last time we talked to you, you were pretty upbeat, and I would like to join you, but I. I'm really hung up on that Michigan game first, because I don't know what to expect from them. But I do know that. And I also know that Oklahoma has been a road warrior. I mean, they won last year at Tennessee and at Alabama. Whether that really means anything, I don't know. But how critical to a successful season do you think that second game is?

[George Steuer]

It's huge, Paul. And I think that it could really determine how the year goes. And obviously there's, you know, 10 football games after that, and if they lose, they can certainly bounce back. And, you know, they hadn't played, you know, any SEC games, but you look at last year and what they were able to do, winning that game in Norman, beating Michigan, who obviously Michigan ended up being just an okay team, I think, at 8 and 4. But I think that that game kind of propelled them and made them believe, hey, we can compete at the highest level with some of the best teams. And I think that if they can go on the road and win against the Michigan team in Ann Arbor and, you know, be a Kyle Winningham, who I think's a really good football coach, and.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Hey, George. George, who's a guy. Is that a player on the loose there? I mean, I'm just. I'm just wondering. I know you said that's your good

[George Steuer]

friend Eddie Radosevich that just crashed my. My set there. So he. He's been trying to do this. He told me he might put on the football helmet for you. There he is.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay. I just. I just wondered. I just didn't want to. I didn't want anybody from practice sneaking away and not being prepared. So we were talking about the schedule before Eddie R. Tried to hijack the segment here. If either. Or there, you're right. A loss won't end the season, but to me, my math shows A loss would put those next two monster games into the barely able to breathe category. And I'm talking about going to Georgia and then Red River.

[George Steuer]

Yeah, certainly. And that's where it gets really tough. If you lose to Michigan, you're in a really tough spot because you got to go to Athens, then Dallas. And obviously Oklahoma's not fared well against Texas during the Brent Venables era. So certainly that's why I think the Michigan, Michigan game is so big. Because if you lose, let's say you lose at Georgia and you lose to Texas, obviously at three losses already in the season, that would be difficult. Whereas if you have two, maybe you can navigate the back half of the schedule like Oklahoma did a year ago and go on a little bit of a run. I like those last seven games and Oklahoma is probably going to be favored in almost all of those games. Ole Miss and A and M, we'll see. Probably more of a pick them type situation. But that's where the schedule last year was so difficult down the stretch. Right? You had on the road in Knoxville, on the road in Tuscaloosa, facing LSU in Missouri, and obviously neither of those teams ended up being the teams we thought they were going to be. But that was a brutal final four games. This year it's flipped. The first five games are extremely difficult, except for obviously UTEP and even New Mexico of G6 teams, they are not an easy out either. And Jason X group is going to be really good coming to Norman. So it is a brutal early part of the schedule, Paul. But if they can somehow navigate it, get to 4 and 1, the minimum being 3 and 2, then Oklahoma still has their hopes alive of making the College Football Playoff.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And back to one of our previous conversations. You, you're in that camp. You think four and one is doable, right?

[George Steuer]

I certainly do. You know, I, I, I think 5 and O is doable. I wouldn't pick them to do it though.

[Caller Vance]

Paul.

[George Steuer]

I, I think though that Oklahoma can get to 4 and 1. I think that they should beat Michigan. I know they're not favored right now, but I think the expectation here in Oklahoma is that they should go up and beat Michig Ann Arbor early in the season. The experience of all the guys, Oklahoma is coming back and obviously Michigan going through a transition. I think Lynn's in Oklahoma's favor and then I think they can find a way to split Georgia and Texas. And really that Texas game is the one, Paul, that I circle. I say, man, I, I really think Oklahoma, I, I'm not saying that they definitely should win that game, but I think they should fare better in that game than they have in previous years. And they've gotten blown out a few times by the Longhorns. I don't expect that this year. I think it's going to be a close game. I think Oklahoma's defense can give that Texas offense some problems. And then I have some questions for Texas defense and also Oklahoma's offense. What does that look like in that battle? And if John Mateer really is the better player that Oklahoma believes he is, then I think Oklahoma. Oklahoma has a chance to win the Red River Rivalry this year.

[Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Listen, I don't want to quibble because you're the expert, but I just. I want to drill down on your optimism for that Texas game because I don't know too many. Too many people out there who agree with you.

[George Steuer]

Yeah, no, and I. I get that. I just. I'm not so high on Texas defensively. I think that they're going to be solid. I think they've got a really good defensive line. I think their linebacking core is. Is pretty solid as well. I have questions in the secondary. They lost some veteran pieces there for the Longhorns. And I wonder, how do they match up defensively within Oklahoma? Obviously, we all know they have a ton of talent, but what does it look like? I also just don't know, Paul. Do I believe in Muschamp taking over the defense for them? I know that obviously he was once a great defensive coordinator, but where's he been the last few years? What does that look like in his first year, getting back into college football and facing some of these offenses? And so it's not so much a Oklahoma Texas matchup as much as it is. I don't know if I believe in the Longhorns totally just yet. I do believe in their offense. I think they're going to be really, really good offensively. Just from Oklahoma standpoint, though, I think Oklahoma might have the best defense in the country, so they might be one of the few teams that can slow down. Tex.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, we had a guest an hour ago who said he thinks mush champ is the key to Texas. That was Mike Griffith, in case you're looking for a segment to rewatch this afternoon. George, thank you. Tell Eddie Rather poor job of hijacking this segment. Great to see you. We'll see you soon. Oh, there. I thought he just went by again. We'll take a short break. We are enjoying the conversation about Georgia and Oklahoma. Plenty of time for you to get in as well.

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[Podcast Narrator]

In a sunny Californian suburb, one family's home is unusually quiet.

[Brad]

When detectives walked into that house, they said that it was like time just stood still.

[Podcast Narrator]

It's 2010 and the McStay family is nowhere to be found inside the home. No clear answer where the family could have gone.

[Caller John]

Husband, wife and two children, all gone.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Like poof, disappeared.

[Podcast Narrator]

The search for the McStays quickly captures the nation. But for years, the search for answers only brings more questions.

[Brad]

Who's ever heard of an entire family going missing?

[Coach Quinn Gray]

A family of four doesn't just drop

[George Steuer]

off the face of the earth with no contact.

[Podcast Narrator]

Is this a family on the run or is the truth far more sinister? From ABC Audio in 2020, this is what happened to the mixed days coming August 11th, wherever you get your podcast or subscribe to 2020 True Crime plus on Apple Podcasts for ad free episodes, early access to new episodes. And so.

[Podcast Host]

Listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast,

[Paul Feinbaum]

we are back and continue if you'd like to give us a ring. And we'll take your phone call at 855-242-7285. Vance is up next. Good afternoon.

[Caller Vance]

Good afternoon, Paul. You had a caller call up. You've had a couple of callers over the last couple of weeks call up asking about Nebraska. I'm not an authority on this, Paul. You mentioned it's a different landscape today. But a lot of people might not realize because people you're in my age and other callers on this show remember the absolute days of Nebraska being an absolute mainstay in college football, you know, and their path has been very strange. In the 60s they were in a valley. They came out of it in the early 70s, kind of stay there for a while. In the 80s they were subject to Miami and Florida State. And then they came out of that in the early 90s. And we know what they did. But there's one thing people might not realize is that's a very barren state in many places. And a lot of it plays seven man football. So they relied on young men from the west coast in Texas to build those great football teams, as has Oklahoma. And I'm going to get killed for this. But facts be known, Oklahoma is not the high school recruiting state that Texas is. And through certain associations with assistant coaches. Kind of like Urban Meyer going to Ohio State. Well, when he was at Florida, he made connections in Florida and had young men, especially the Bosa brothers, go up to Ohio State. But I don't know that if Nebraska is going to come back or not. It's a tough landscape. It really, it was tough even before Paul and now it's even worse. I like, for all I know, Matt rules got him going and two quick points. Another caller wanted to know about Lincoln Riley. What does he need to do? I can tell you what he needed to do. The same damn thing he needed to do at Oklahoma. He needs to get a defensive coordinator. That's what he needs. If Brent Venables and that man were put together, I think we might be talking about something there. Brent Venables need an offense just like Lincoln Riley needs a defense. That's just my opinion, Paul. Doesn't mean I'm right, but it sure seems obvious to watch. But they're both, all three are such great programs.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And yeah, you know, Vance, let me talk about Nebraska for a second because I'm trying to think and I don't know if there is a one on one comparison because Nebraska is unique. I mean, it's the only school in the state. There are very few other places where that is true. They were such a, you know, their dominance went on forever. I mean, their team in 95 I would say was just as good as their team maybe in 71, which many

[Caller Vance]

believe would have crushed their 71 team. They were awesome. The defense, God, that's a long time

[Paul Feinbaum]

to have that type of dominance under different coaches where people say, well, this school is not as good as it used to be. But I don't think there's another one quite like Nebraska. And you're right, I've been there. And nobody in their right mind would want to go to Nebraska to spend October through April unless they had to.

[Caller Vance]

Well, but you were right about one thing. They have arguably the best fans in the country as far as they're genteel, they love their team, but they're not rowdy when they lose. They just seem like wonderful salt of the earth people.

[Caller John]

Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, I would agree with that and I will try to get to another Nebraska game one of these days. Hey, thank you, Vance. Appreciate it. John is in Louisville. Hey, John. Oh, I'm sorry. Chris is up next in Alabama. Hey, Chris. Go right ahead.

[Caller John]

Hey, Mr. Finebaum, how serious is it, if you think about the championship game? What do you think the history of the conference championship game is, say, in the next two or three years?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I feel pretty smart. I feel like I know a lot about dogs and I usually know what they want when they're barking like that. But that dog was not happy.

[Caller Vance]

I'm so sorry.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, it's okay. I think the future is pretty bleak. Thanks for the call, by the way. Man, there were so many jokes to say there, and I had to refrain from all of them. I think they're okay for now, but the championship games are going away. There's no way they're going to survive with the addition of either a 16 or likely a 2014 playoff. Thanks for the call. I think we have John back from Louisville as my eardrums begin to recover.

[Caller John]

Ruff. Rough. That sound like your first dog that you had?

[Paul Feinbaum]

It sure did.

[Caller John]

Yeah. Hey, Paul, great interview with George. And I agree that the second scheduled game of Oklahoma playing at Ann Arbor against Michigan, it's all but a CFP elimination game for both teams. Given their league schedules. They have two of the toughest schedules in the whole league. Don't you agree?

[Podcast Host]

I do.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And, you know, again, I'm not trying to read too much into Michigan under Kyle Winningham, but I. I think the optimism level from Sooner fans. Sooner fans might be a little bit high.

[Caller John]

Yeah. Whittingham's done more with less. One of those coaches. So, Paul, the same old Griff be moaning and whining about poor George. And they were ranked number three with all the rebuilding and injury attrition, tougher schedule and all that. But then he still picks Georgia to win the league title. He picks Texas to win the national championship. And so, Paul, it appears you had cured grip of his office skating ailment. But then Griff says any of seven teams can win the SEC title and Will Muschamp will be the next Texas coach. Your thoughts?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, let me go backwards. Will Muschamp will not be the next Texas coach. I can assure you of that. Because there's not an athletic director who's going to believe in a guy who has failed already at two different schools and quite frankly disappeared. And, you know, it's not for me to sit here on this perch and have any earthly idea the relationship and the desire for Will Muschamp to go pull for his team, pull for his son. But Kirby Smart's got athletes and his family. Other coaches have athletes. It's part of life when you're a football coach. Most of them don't disappear to go support their son. Most of them do their job. And just because that's not the reason he won't get the job replacing Sarkeesian. First of all, Sarkeesian's not going anywhere. And second of all, if he does go somewhere, I believe the University of Texas can do a lot better than Will Muschamp.

[Caller John]

So Griff should still be treated for office skating. Right?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I think now that Saban's not around for Griff to say that he'll be the next coach. Wherever Griff. Griff's had to go into the goody bag. And I guess he came up with Will Muschamp for the obfuscation of the year.

[Caller John]

Let's drug test him. Paul, you got time for one more item?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Sure.

[Caller John]

So Fox is. Greg Olson is a starting caliber TV analyst who was moved to the B team when Tom Brady came on board. And Tom's done a good job. He's been improving. But Olson can leave Fox if it's a promotion. And he could go to the CBSA team if CBS dumps Romo's $70 million plus contract for the morality clause. Does it seem like a win win for CBS to dump Romo and bring in Olson?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yes, it does. I think Tony Romo has already played out as a broadcaster and I don't know any of the details of his recent arrest, but if it's enough for you to be suspended from the A game, the A, the A team during a. During a year like this, they probably want to get rid of him. And you know, Olson's a very good broadcast. The only thing I don't know about is what, what they think of J.J. watt.

[Caller John]

Yeah, that's a good question. But I know what you get with Olson. That's why I really like the idea of Olson moving over to cbs.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No, I agree. Olson's outstanding. John, thanks for the call. Appreciate it. He used to be a neighbor of mine. I got to know him really well when he played for the Panthers. And he is. He should already be a star in broadcasting, but he ran up against the one in a million hire that FOX made. We have a very special guest coming up, somebody that I think you're going to be very excited to get to know. Coach Quinn Gray, the head football coach at Florida A and M.

[Podcast Host]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum Show Podcast.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We welcome you back and Big story brewing in Tallahassee, not the one you think, but a new coach has arrived and a new spirit at historically rich school. And we're talking about Florida A and M. Quinn Gray, who played quarterback there is a new coach. Coach, first of all, thank you. Congratulations on the job and thanks for making time for us.

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Oh, it's a pleasure, man. Thanks for having me and looking forward to getting this thing started and get this thing back on track.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, I don't need to tell you, but I would like to talk about this just for a second because this is historically well known school that. I'll tell you a quick story. My first job, I covered a number of things in Louisiana and I accompanied the legendary Eddie Robinson down to the Orange bowl and they played in the Orange Blossom Classic. I believe they lost that game. By the way, Doug Williams was on the sidelines that day, but that was my introduction to how serious folks take football in not only that league, but around, around Tallahassee and around, around college football, indeed, with, with the rivalries that you have. I know you're playing in the Orange Blossom Classic, but just, you know, you, you've, you've lived it. You were a star quarterback there and now you're the head coach.

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Yeah, Paulie, you know, this, this, this HBCU spectrum and the things that come along with HBCUs is really no different than the SEC, to be honest with you, because the brand of football that we play, because before the sec, it was all truly about the HBCU and HBCU players until segregation and all that good stuff. So this, this, the coaches like Eddie Robinson, Jake Gaither and things of that magnitude, because you had coaches like Woody Hayes and all those people that would come clinic with Coach Jake Gaither here, right here in Tallahassee, only blocks away from my office. So the historical piece as it relates to black college football, man, it's to be spoke about and I hope one day they do some type of a series on it. So the people of these days and the student athletes of these days understand the rich history of it.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, you played it and I know you talked a lot about culture. You have to build the right culture. But how do you communicate the past, the history of Jake Gaither and so many other people to your current players and remind them of what they are representing?

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Well, for us, our culture and what we have here at Florida A and M, it still resonates throughout our building. You see representation of the past in and out and throughout our building as it relates to Jake Gaither, Billy Joel, the historical coaches that have coached here at one point. And when I first got here back in January, I made it a point to make sure that our student athletes understood who those people that have built the foundation for us to stand on are. And every meeting that we had as it relates to spring ball, we had a history lesson in terms of, you know, past players, past coaches that help build the foundation that is Florida and M University. So for us, our players are very in tune with the guys that have come before them now, because before I got here, you know, there were guys that I would mention that they had no idea about. So, you know, as it relates to the culture, we wanted to make sure that we gave these kids the history lesson that they needed to understand the colors that they wear, why they wear them, why we're called the Rattlers, you know what I mean? And things of that magnitude. So we're on our way to making sure that we're setting the standard as it relates to understanding the rich history here at Florida A and M. And our student athletes are very understanding of that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And I know you alluded to it, but when they walk in that building, they see the eight black national championships. I know today that a lot of people are glassy eyed, like, what are you talking about? But that is the history of you, of your program, of so many other programs as well.

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Absolutely. And it also goes back to us being the very first FCS national champions, you know what I mean, back in 1978. So that rich history and that those accomplishments are very much told in and around our building. And our student athletes understand the standard as it relates to the people that set those standards before they got here. Because, you know, at the end of the day, we have a rich tradition in winning. And, you know, the last couple years, there's been some not so good years. But at the end of the day, we're not focusing on that. We're focusing on making sure that we take this thing and move it in the right direction and make sure we get Florida and M football back on the map where it rightfully belongs.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, I know you're only. I'm sure you're concentrating on Albany State, but you got Miami on the schedule. You got a lot of opportunities this year to be seen that second weekend as well in the Orange Blossom Classic. How do you turn a culture around at a place that's used to winning but has hit some speed bumps along the way?

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Well, to be honest with you, Paul, man, we fortunately, we, you know, with the schedule we have, we got a Division two national champion, HBCU national champion, we got a Division one HBCU national champion, and we got a FBS national champion runner up in the first three weeks. So for us, you know, it's about making sure that they understand what it's going to take to win football games and getting back to winning and the attitude that it takes and helping them understand. One of the things that we've implemented is making sure that we got all of the guys back in the dorm so they can get to know each other and making sure that we understand how each other ticks and how we react in adverse situations. And the only way we're going to know that is to know each other. And for us, we got to make sure that we're building that family atmosphere so guys are comfortable being vulnerable, because if you're not comfortable being vulnerable around your teammates, there's a lot of things that you'll hold in and you'll react in ways that we don't know anything about. So for us as coaches, we wanted to make sure that we got to know our players on a deeper level, just versus the surface level. So we do a lot of things as it relates to team activities that give us a chance as coaches and as. As. As teammates to get to know each other. And then that's the way that you build the culture over time. I think for us, it's sort of kind of expedited because of the time. We've only been here since January, and we got to put this thing together here before August 29th. But at the end of the day, I think we're headed down the right path, and we got some players here that have been here that are mixed in with some guys that played for us at Albany State last year that understand what it looks like to play in this. In this culture and play for. For us as coaches. So I think we're on our way to get these guys on track to do what it is that we want to do this season.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And I know patience is difficult, but you've already alluded to the schedule. I mean, how. I mean, you've been a coach for a couple years now. This isn't new, but you do want to get off to a fast start. You know that that's difficult. How do you deal with your own staff where you don't want to trickle down to your team a level of exasperation because you want to build this thing the right way? I'm sure.

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Absolutely. And I think, you know, for Me, it's coaching up the coaching staff as well. And it's not about just coaching up the players because, you know, we do have some guys that are new to myself and how we do things, but I also have enough coaches that have been with me over the last several years that understand what it's supposed to look like that'll be able to help these coaches, the newer coaches, understand what the expectation is. And as we have been together, we've done a lot of things together over the last six, seven months that have allowed us to come together in jail a lot quicker than some may think. So for us, just understanding what the standard is as it relates to getting our guys ready to play and making sure that we're putting our guys in the best situation to be successful is what it's truly all about. Because it's always standards over feelings at the end of the day. Because as long as we ain't worried about your feelings and you understand what the standard is, I think we're headed down the right direction.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm sure you've been asked about a hundred times this question already, but you're playing your old team, even though you're at the team you used to play for.

[Caller Vance]

What?

[Paul Feinbaum]

How do you approach something like that? Obviously, you took some people with with you, a few left behind. What do you think that's going to be like?

[Coach Quinn Gray]

It's going to be fun, man. You know, it's the first game of the season. We're really focused in on going out and playing good football. You know, all the pageantry of winning a D2 HBCU National Championship will be behind us. Obviously, we'll see some familiar faces and, you know, we'll have a good time, say hello and shake hands and all that good stuff prior to the game. But once that ball is kicked off and that whistle blows, it's a different situation. At the end of the day, there are another opponent across the field from us that's trying to do something to us that we don't want to happen and we're going to act accordingly. So looking forward to having fun with it leading up to the. Up to the game. But at the end of the day when again, once that ball kicks off, it's all hands on deck to try and win a football game.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Coach, what a pleasure. I can't wait to follow it this season and it's great to meet you and great to see your program on such a large national stage. We appreciate your time.

[Coach Quinn Gray]

Hey, Paul, man, I appreciate you guys and look forward to seeing you throughout

[Paul Feinbaum]

the season, I hope. I can't wait. Thank you very much, coach. That was really fun. Just getting a little different perspective on college football. It's not always played in the 110,000 seat stadium. We'll take a short break. We are coming back with much more right after this foreign.

[Podcast Host]

To the Paul Finebaum show podcast.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And we're back. Appreciate it. What a great conversation that was with Coach Gray. Let's get to the calls and Kirk is up next. Hey, Kirk. Go right ahead.

[Sports Commentator]

Hey, Paul, my question for you today is why does the selection committee wait till week 10 to start making their picks? Because at the end of the season when they're Talking about top 25 wins, top 10 losses, top five wins, I mean, honestly, it's not your top 25 selection committee. That's the AP poll top 25. That's week four top five loss for the AP folk. Like, that's not your, that's not your, you know, your top five election committee. Like, do you see what I'm getting at there? Why do they wait so late? That's all I want to know.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, I mean, I think some of it is because they, I think some of it has to do with the actual TV show. They, they committed to five shows. And it's just initially, I believe it was a way to promote the College Football Playoff by having the silly conversation every Tuesday night. I think most people are somewhat immune to it, but it creates a narrative that usually is false. And last year was the shining proof of that when you had the Miami Notre Dame debate and then it was all undone. So I think some of it is just to create fake conversation which they interpret as good for the game. If you took it away, would you have as much conversation on, let's say, espn, which is the only place I can talk about on Tuesday and Wednesday morning? You probably wouldn't. So now you do. And it's a built in. Okay, you know, you're going to hear it on Tuesday and there's going to be either outrage or no reaction the next day. Hey, thank you for the call. Brad is up next in the zoom. Good afternoon, Brad.

[Brad]

Hey, Mr. Paul, it's great to see you and enjoyed your interview with Griff. And if you had to pick one analyst that won the award for making the most excuses, hands down, I think he win it almost every year. What do you think?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, listen, I appreciate Griff, unlike some of the guests. Brad, you can say, hey, well, what do you think about Georgia this year? They're going to be good I mean, at least Griff comes in with it, with it, with an attitude or narrative even when it's absurd. I mean, you do have to appreciate he puts work into it.

[Brad]

He does, you can tell. I think he practices a lot too. He stands in the mirror and practices. But you know, I watched SEC media days and the guy who asked Kirby Smart a question about the receivers, it was a good question. And Kirby can put his ass on his shoulders all he wants, but he don't. It's true. Our receivers are unproven. We have, we have nobody on the outside as of yet who have, who has proven to me that they can stretch the field so we can take some shots. We're tied in university. We got all the tight ends you ever want. But for some reason, Paul and I don't know why this is. We recruit five star wide receivers. We never can get them. They always go to Alabama, they always go to Ohio State. And as a five, if I were a five star recruit coming out of high school, who would I want to catch balls for? Would I want to catch one balls for Lane Kiffin or Mike Boba?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Honestly, I get, I get it. And even though Georgia's had some memorable quarterbacks, you know, I'm looking for Arch Manning, I'm looking for Julian, saying I'm not going to play for in Mike Bobo's offense. No way.

[Brad]

No. And if you looked at some of the numbers Bobo's produced last year, I mean they were not even close to being in the top 50 in Russian yards and passing yards and total yards. We're not even there. And if people think my Bobo is the best we can do at University of Georgia, they're wrong. And other offenses with these big time schools are a lot better than that. And that's why he's a good offensive coordinator. But when we get in that next level with elite teams, Mike Bobo just can't call plays. He gets tight and can't do it and everybody.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, yeah, but as somebody told me two weeks ago, yeah, but look what he did when Aaron Murray was his quarterback.

[Brad]

Well, look what he did after. Yeah, Aaron Murray, look what he did in Harrison. Mike Monkins, Monkins players. He didn't take us to SEC championship. Matter of fact, he blew the call against Alabama when we lost that in the SEC championship game. Was blown. It was a stupid call to got us in trouble. But hey man, can I get.

[Paul Feinbaum]

By the way, you're 100, right? And that I, I, I will think about that call and I think Kirby Smart will the rest of his life. Because, I mean, it was. In many ways, that was a far more costly call than the boneheaded call at the end of the Ole Miss game. That call did cost Georgia a national championship.

[Brad]

It surely did. It cost us a chance for it. And we had a hell of a team that year. And it seems like the bigger the game, the more he chokes it up. But, you know, he's pulled out a few against regular teams, good teams, but it's the elite teams that get us control.

[Paul Feinbaum]

He was. He was absolute money in Neyland Stadium last year, which is great. He's. Yeah, a couple of times, but. And again, you know, I don't. I'm not lecturing Kirby Smart anymore. I spent two years ago doing that. And I think along with you, we were both proven to be correct.

[Brad]

Hey, yeah, you're right, Paul. Most of the time we talk about one particular person. We got the facts to back it up. But, hey, Paul, there's. There's one person that. Can I get straight on your show today?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I wish you would.

[Brad]

Chris and Mount. Brother, look, don't complain to me about shooting 79. You ought to be good with shooting 79. And I'm, you know, it's fine that you're doing it from the women's tees. I don't judge.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I didn't know Chris had shot a 79.

[Brad]

He shot. He damned me the other day, was complaining to me about shooting a 79. And I told him, I said, it's okay. A 79 from the women's tee still counts, you know. And so,

[Paul Feinbaum]

you know, I played with a guy once. I took a guy to a really good course, and he. And I. I said, where do you want to play from? He said, well, there's only one way to break the course record. So we played from the tips, which was the biggest mistake I've ever made because I picked a bad day. That's back when I actually could play golf. But it was. But I'll play Chris from the women's teas if he wants, even though I haven't played in years.

[Brad]

Hey, I think we should do it. Me, you, and Chris. And we can get somebody else, maybe cousin Shane. Cousin Shane loves to play golf. Me and him DM all the time about playing golf, and we're eventually gonna play. But that would be a crazy foursome right there, man. Paul, man, you could take them. I guarantee you, man, you could take.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I still got the swing. Thanks, Brad. Appreciate it very much. We're up against the break. We are halfway home. Busy show so far and we are coming right back.

[Podcast Host]

Thank you for listening to the the Best of the Paul Feinbaum Show Podcast. Watch the Paul Feinbaum show weekdays from 3 to 7 Eastern on the SEC Network. Plus you can listen and watch on the ESPN Applied.