Next Up with Adam Breneman

I traveled to Bloomington, Indiana to sit down with reigning national champion head coach Curt Cignetti and learn how he transformed the Hoosiers into the top program in college football. We discussed the standards, culture, and leadership principles that fueled Indiana’s rapid rise, why toughness remains at the core of everything he does, and the mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy. Cignet...

Miami running back Mark Fletcher has already faced more adversity than most players do in an entire career. I traveled to Coral Gables to sit down with Fletcher and discuss his recruitment process, his relationship with Mario Cristobal, battling through a Lisfranc injury as a freshman, and how he handled the loss of his father. We also talked about his development as a player, the areas of his gam...

Miami Football is back in the national spotlight, and Executive Director Dennis Smith has been one of the key people behind the scenes helping make it happen. I traveled to Coral Gables to sit down with Smith and get an inside look at what his day-to-day really looks like, how he’s navigating the rapidly changing world of NIL and revenue sharing, and what it takes to build a championship-caliber p...

I traveled to Miami to sit down with Mario Cristobal and learn how he's rebuilding one of college football's most iconic programs. Cristobal opened up about growing up in Miami, playing for the Hurricanes, and what it means to return home as head coach. He shared lessons from working under Nick Saban, the adversity that shaped him early in his coaching career, and how he bounced back from a diffic...

I sat down with legendary Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney for a candid conversation about the lessons that shaped his career and the mindset that still drives him today. We talked about his relentless work ethic, his time at Alabama, and the unexpected path that led him into coaching. Swinney also opened up about what keeps him motivated after building one of college football’s premier programs, w...

I sat down with West Virginia offensive lineman Nick Rahe to talk about his journey to Morgantown, why he chose the Mountaineers during his recruitment, and what the transition from high school to college football was really like. We also discussed his goals for the upcoming season, what he’s learned playing for Rich Rodriguez, and the mindset required to thrive in a demanding program. Rahe embodi...

West Virginia defensive coordinator Zac Alley is one of the fastest rising coaches in college football and I sat down with him in Morgantown to talk about the vision behind rebuilding the Mountaineers with Rich Rodriguez. We talked about his defensive philosophy, the culture he’s creating on that side of the ball, what he looks for in recruiting, and how he developed as a coach early in his career...

I sat down with West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker in Morgantown to talk about how the role of an AD has completely evolved in the modern era of college sports. We talked about his career path, the financial impact and overall direction of West Virginia athletics, and the challenges that come with leading a major program today. We also discussed the decision to bring Rich Rodriguez back to...

Head coach Rich Rodriguez sat down with me in Morgantown to talk about the foundation of his coaching philosophy, why he believes every great program needs a “hard edge,” and how he balances demanding accountability while still loving his players. We also talked about being viewed as one of the pioneers of the no-huddle spread offense dating back to his days at Glenville State, the evolution of hi...

I sat down with Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III in Gainesville to talk about what the transition to Jon Sumrall and the new coaching staff has really been like inside the program. We talked about why he decided to stay at Florida, his first impression of Sumrall, how the team’s weekly schedule and culture have changed, and how he’s preparing for the 2026 season. Brown is one of the most ex...

I sat down with Florida Football GM Dave Caldwell to talk about why he made the jump from the NFL to college football and what he’s building at Florida. We talked about his evaluation philosophy, how he approaches high school recruiting versus the transfer portal, and why retention matters more than constantly replacing players. Caldwell also shared what he learned from his NFL experience, what he...

I sat down with new Florida football head coach Jon Sumrall to talk about his journey from Troy to Tulane and now taking over one of the biggest jobs in college football at Florida. We talked about why he chose the Gators, the culture he’s trying to build in Gainesville, and why empowering player leadership is a major part of his program. Sumrall also opened up about navigating the modern era of c...

I sat down with new Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea to talk about his transfer from UNLV, why he decided to bet on himself, and what made Nebraska the right fit. Colandrea opened up about the impact Matt Rhule and Dana Holgorsen had on his decision, why the environment in Lincoln immediately stood out to him, and how the talent level at Nebraska felt different from anything he had experienc...

I sat down with Nebraska GM Pat Stewart to talk about leaving the New England Patriots for college football and why his 20-year relationship with Matt Rhule made Nebraska the right opportunity. We talked about how NFL evaluation strategies are changing the way rosters are built in college football, the balance between potential and production, why retention is more important than ever, and how Neb...

I traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to sit down with Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen for a real conversation about football, coaching, and how the game is changing. After spending 13 years as a head coach, Holgorsen opened up about what it’s been like returning to a role focused purely on offense, how his offensive philosophy has evolved over the years, and what stood out to him about An...

Matt Rhule has built his career on taking over programs that need to be rebuilt and now he’s trying to do it again at Nebraska. I traveled to Lincoln to sit down with Rhule for a deep conversation about leadership, pressure, and what it really takes to change a culture in modern college football. We talked about how his time in the NFL changed him as a coach, how he connects with players today, an...

Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was suddenly thrown into the spotlight before making the decision to start over at Virginia Tech. In this conversation, Grunkemeyer opens up about transferring to Blacksburg, why the Hokies felt like the right fit, the pressure that comes with playing quarterback at the highest level, and the mindset that drives him every day. We also talked leadership, con...

I traveled to Blacksburg to sit down with new Virginia Tech GM Andy Frank, one of the key architects behind James Franklin’s programs at Vanderbilt and Penn State. We talked about the whirlwind transition to Virginia Tech, the uncertainty surrounding the move, and what it takes to build a roster in today’s era of college football. Andy also broke down Virginia Tech’s recruiting philosophy, how the...

I traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia to interview new Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin. As someone who played for him at Penn State, this was one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Franklin opened up about the pressure that comes with leading a major program, what went wrong at Penn State, and the moments that ultimately led to his departure. We also talked about the lessons tha...

I went to Auburn, Alabama to get an inside look at new quarterback Byrum Brown as he steps into one of the biggest stages in college football. We got into the real reasons behind his transfer, what fuels his edge, and how he’s approaching the opportunity in the SEC. This is a quarterback who believes in the vision, trusts what Alex Golesh is building, and is coming in with something to prove. USAT...

I went to Auburn to sit down with new GM Andrew Warsaw as he stepped into the role. He broke down how he evaluates players, how that drives resource allocation, and what he looks for when building a roster. It all comes back to one standard, competing for championships, and finding players who buy into it. USAT: This tour is powered by USAT, providing the stable domestic foundation for the digital...

I went to Auburn, Alabama to sit down with new head coach Alex Golesh at a pivotal moment in his career. Leaving South Florida wasn’t easy, with deep relationships and a family decision behind it, but he made the move for one reason: opportunity. Auburn is a job you don’t pass up. We get into what he’s building from day one, how he’s setting the culture, and what it really takes to win at the high...

I went to Dallas, Texas to sit down with SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings for a real conversation about his rise. He wasn’t a recruiting headline. One offer. No hype. Then Rhett Lashlee showed up to a playoff game and everything changed. Now Jennings is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and the leader of a program that’s building something real. We talked about the journey, the mindset, and...

I traveled to Dallas to sit down with SMU General Manager J.R. Sandlin for a real conversation about what the GM role actually looks like in today’s college football. We got into how his background as a coach shapes the way he builds and manages a roster, from high school recruiting to navigating the transfer portal and allocating resources the right way. The game has changed, and programs that ad...

I traveled to Dallas, Texas to sit down with SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of college football’s fastest-rising programs. Lashlee has led a true resurgence at SMU Mustangs football), building a team that finishes games, plays elite defense, and is grounded in strong relationships across the roster, bringing a level of consistency and stability the program has...