Former college football coach Kevin Steele, discusses the evolving landscape of college football—specifically how the transfer portal and NIL have altered roster management and high school recruiting—along with his experiences coaching under Nick Saban at Alabama and Dabo Swinney at Clemson, what he misses about full-time coaching (mentoring young players and weekly game-planning), and the intense line-of-scrimmage physicality and depth required to compete in the SEC. He is joined by veteran college football journalist Tony Barnhart, who asks Steele about stepping away from full-time coaching, reflects on his 50-year career covering the sport, discusses Nick Saban's lasting legacy as college football's consensus greatest coach, and reinforces how crucial trench play and depth are to surviving an SEC schedule

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Ross Dellenger—a sports journalist for Yahoo Sports, Mississippi State alumnus, and college football reporter—was the sole guest featured on the show. The discussion began with an update on federal college sports legislation, specifically the Protect College Act co-authored by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, where Dellenger detailed ongoing negotiations between lawmakers, the SEC, and the Big Ten, noting that requested revisions regarding athlete compensation and regulation could push a Senate floor vote past the August congressional recess. Next, Dellenger addressed SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s stance on contingency plans if federal legislation fails, clarifying the distinction between a governance-only breakaway—where conferences establish independent rules for eligibility, transfers, and compensation caps to mitigate antitrust liability—and a full competitive breakaway from NCAA championships. The conversation then shifted to the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to a 24-team format, with Dellenger outlining proposed calendar structures, such as eliminating conference championship games and holding early playoff rounds in December, alongside the financial challenge of recouping $200M–$250M in lost championship revenue. Finally, Dellenger reflected on the rapid pace of congressional negotiations compared to the NCAA's multi-year lobbying efforts and concluded with a preview of upcoming discussions at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.

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Doug Mathews is joined by 27-year CBS Sports veteran Dennis Dodd  to discuss why media days represent the true start of the football season. Then, an inside look at how reporter access has changed.

Then, College Football insider Tony Barnhart joins discussing a number of different topics including the Cruz-Cantwell bill addressing the NIL Clearinghouse, SEC Media Day taking place starting on Monday, and as new era in the SEC with six coaches set to begin their first season's in charge. 

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With the 2026 college football season rapidly approaching, Doug and college football insider Tony Barnhart dive deep into the off-field politics and on-field storylines dominating the sport.

First, a break down of the Cruz-Cantwell bill addressing the NIL Clearinghouse. They discuss the revelation that $355 million in NIL deals were approved while $90 million were rejected during the first year of the clearinghouse. They also analyze the bill's 19-9 committee vote, its upcoming path to the full Senate, and why the SEC and Big Ten are pushing back to protect their ability to pool television resources.

Then, SEC Media Days kicks off Monday, July 20th, making its first-ever appearance in Tampa, Florida. The guys preview what to expect from the event's 16 participating schools.

Finally, the new era of the SEC brings six new head coaches to the podium, including Will Stein at Kentucky, Alex Golesh at Auburn, and Ryan Silverfield at Arkansas. Tony also highlights the pressure facing Kalen DeBoer and expectations for Arch Manning's upcoming season.

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Doug Mathews welcomes in  27-year CBS Sports veteran Dennis Dodd  to discuss why media days represent the true start of the football season. Then, an inside look at how reporter access has evolved in the modern era. He notes that despite an influx of different media outlets being allowed into the room, building in-person relationships remains crucial for securing stories.

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Today Coach talks to Jim Bonds and Tony Barnhart discuss the evolution of sports media, college football, and the impact of NIL and transfer portals. They share insights from their extensive careers, highlighting key moments and changes in the industry. Former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer joins the show to preview the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Fulmer reflects on the incredible careers and legacies of several of his former players being honored, including the late sweep-running standout Reggie Cobb, dominant top-ten draft picks Antone Davis and Charles McCray, and future NFL Hall of Famer Jason Witten—famously recounting the story of how Witten was convinced to switch from defensive end to tight end. The discussion also touches upon softball phenom Monica Abbott’s induction, the tight-knit bond and impending reunion of former Volunteer offensive linemen in town for the event, and the remarkable growth of the Hall of Fame celebration over the years, we explore college football's current landscape, including coaching, transfers, and team evaluations, with expert Chris Lowe. We discuss the impact of transfer portals, coaching changes, and the future of SEC teams.

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college football writer Chris Low joins the show to discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics and preview the upcoming season. Low breaks down the potential legal challenges facing proposed student-athlete eligibility rules, the skepticism surrounding federal legislation like the Save College Sports Act, and how the transfer portal is drastically altering roster construction across the SEC. Turning his attention to the gridiron, he analyzes Tennessee's defensive line and secondary depth ahead of fall practice, weighs in on the conference's top contenders—including Georgia, Texas, and LSU—and shares his outlook on several coaches navigating new roles or high-stakes seasons.

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Former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer joins the show to preview the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Fulmer reflects on the incredible careers and legacies of several of his former players being honored, including the late sweep-running standout Reggie Cobb, dominant top-ten draft picks Antone Davis and Charles McCray, and future NFL Hall of Famer Jason Witten—famously recounting the story of how Witten was convinced to switch from defensive end to tight end. The discussion also touches upon softball phenom Monica Abbott’s induction, the tight-knit bond and impending reunion of former Volunteer offensive linemen in town for the event, and the remarkable growth of the Hall of Fame celebration over the years

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Coach catch-up with legendary former University of Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer. And reporter Tony Barnhart, the conversation bridges the gap between past gridiron glories and the modern athletic landscape. The discussion transitions from reminiscing about historical rivalries to a candid critique of the current Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) system in college sports. The segment concludes with a heartfelt preview of the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, celebrating the athletic legends who have shaped the state's rich sports history.

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Coach sits down with longtime friend and broadcasting veteran Jim Bonds to track the massive evolution of sports media from the late 1970s to the modern era. Joined later by college football insider Tony Barnhart, the group breaks down how landmark legal shifts, broadcasting technological booms, and modern policies like the Transfer Portal and NIL have fundamentally rewritten the playbook for college athletics.

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