0:00 – Opening and Bobby Williams retirement• Sam Houston announces longtime athletic director Bobby Williams will retire at the end of the year• Why the timing was not a major surprise• What comes next for the athletic department• March2ThePod sponsorship update

5:44 – Around the Farm• Men’s basketball adds point guard Aiden Gross• Sam Houston baseball’s growing 2027 recruiting class• Why continuing to recruit high school players matters in the portal era• Women’s soccer shows offensive improvement against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi• Volleyball opens 3-0 at the Bearkat Invitational• Chloe Monson, Bella Wood, Chelsea Butler and the improved play at the net• What this weekend in Arlington could tell us about volleyball’s ceiling

22:43 – Phil Longo press conference reaction• What Sam Houston expects from Troy’s new offense• Landon Locke’s command of the offense• A more settled quarterback situation• Reaction to Sam Houston’s first depth chart• Longo says seven or eight offensive linemen could be ready• Why offensive-line depth remains a concern• Questions about pass protection and the size of the line

40:45 – Gerad Parker press conference reaction• Troy’s need to improve its running game• Parker’s honest evaluation of last season• Troy’s emphasis on stopping Sam Houston’s running backs• What Troy sees from the Bearkat defense• Why Sam Houston should return primarily to a four-man defensive front• Tim Burns Jr. emerging at wide receiver and returner

47:31 – Sam Houston at Troy preview• Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+• Troy leads the all-time series 7-0-1• The Trojans won the last meeting 31-21 in 2000• Troy replaces most of its receiving production and four offensive-line starters• New offensive coordinator Adam Austin brings an explosive system from Tarleton• Donnie Smith leads an experienced Troy pass rush• Special teams could be a major factor• Why this is an early measuring-stick game for Sam Houston

56:09 – Week 1 picks• Troy favored by 17.5• Total: 50.5• Ben: Troy 30, Sam Houston 21• Cory: Troy 34, Sam Houston 20• Both take Sam Houston +17.5• Both take the over

SHOW NOTES

0:00 — Welcome to March2ThePod

Season 4, Episode 5

Presented by Eternal Roofing

Football prediction time has arrived

0:02 — Men’s basketball recruiting

Quentel Young and James McCall-Spears visit Huntsville

Ben’s player comparisons for both prospects

Why size and physicality matter in the current game

First look at Sam Houston’s new black and white uniforms

Our thoughts on the designs

Upcoming basketball events and dates

A difficult nonconference schedule continues to take shape

0:23 — Around the Farm: Soccer

Texas A&M defeats Sam Houston 5-0

The Aggies finish with a 32-2 shot advantage

Hannah Stipp continues to see heavy work in goal

Opponents have outshot SHSU 72-15 through three matches

Why the midfield remains the biggest concern

What we need to see in the response against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

0:26 — Around the Farm: Volleyball

Looking back at an 11-18 season

Chloe Monson, Chelsea Butler and Shaelin White return

Lauren Pyle and Annika Brooks headline the newcomers

Encouraging exhibitions against Texas A&M, Houston and HCU

Ben raises the floor and ceiling for his expectations

Why this could be an important season for the long-term direction of the program

0:33 — Linebacker preview

Dean Ford and Brian Bates lead the group

Tokyo Gordon provides experienced depth

Stacey Bay and Mike King Jr. add versatility

Why the front seven could be Sam Houston’s biggest strength

0:37 — Defensive back preview

Added length at cornerback

Cesar McGee, Ish Atkins and Javon Wilson

Justin Cottrell and Octavius Henderson add more options

Tyler Bailey anchors the safety group

Jace Arnold appears headed for the nickel role

The second safety spot remains unsettled

0:42 — Special teams preview

Cal Joseph appears set at punter

Kicker remains one of the biggest questions entering the season

Tate Ryan, Sam Carpenter and Nico Ottominelli

We discuss how much practice emphasis should be placed on special teams

0:47 — 2026 football predictions

Vegas sets Sam Houston’s win total at 3.5

Troy

Tulsa

Nicholls

Texas Tech

Liberty

Western Kentucky

New Mexico State

Missouri State

Jacksonville State

Kennesaw State

Middle Tennessee

FIU

Our final predictions

Cory: 4-8

Ben: 5-7

Both: Over 3.5 wins

Ben sees a ceiling of seven wins

Tulsa, Kennesaw State and FIU could determine whether SHSU beats our projections

March 2 The Pod — Season 4, Episode 4 | Episode 139 overallPresented by Eternal Roofing

Topics:

SnapBack Sports CEO Jack Settleman joins the show

Why SnapBack chose Sam Houston for its jersey patch sponsorship

How CUSA’s midweek schedule helped make the partnership attractive

SnapBack’s plans for content, exposure and time in Huntsville

Jack learns more about Sam Houston history and culture

Guessing Bearkat Icons & Notables trivia

Phil Longo’s post-fall camp press conference

The improved mood and momentum surrounding the football program

Landon Locke firmly established as QB1

Wide receiver competition

Questions surrounding the offensive line

Why the defensive line could be Sam Houston’s best position group

Soccer’s 0-0 draw at Lamar

Is the midfield becoming a concern?

Sam Houston at Texas A&M on Saturday

A preview of next week’s season predictions and remaining position groups

Subscribe for year-round Sam Houston coverage at March2ThePod.Substack.com.

March 2 The Pod — Season 4, Episode 3 (Episode 138)Presented by Eternal Roofing

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells discuss:

Sam Houston’s 10-year, $6 million sponsorship agreement with First Community Credit Union

What the FCCU deal could mean for future athletics sponsorships

Ben’s day inside Sam Houston football camp

Why the 2026 roster looks bigger, faster and deeper

The biggest remaining concern with the offensive line

Why the defensive line could become a strength

Josh Alexander-Felton, Brody Henderson and Elijah Groves

Landon Locke establishing himself as QB1

The competition behind Locke at quarterback

Chris Reed and the search for additional receiving threats

Ben’s updated thoughts on Sam Houston’s 2026 ceiling and floor

Women’s soccer earning a 1-1 draw at Oklahoma State

Gabrielle Gipson’s set-piece goal

Hannah Stipp’s seven-save performance

What we want to see Sunday against Lamar

Running back preview: Coco Brown, Alton McCaskill, Caden Winkfield and Jerrion Parker

Freshman tight end Jack Merriman

Audience questions and additional camp observations

Subscribe: March2ThePod.Substack.comFollow: @March2ThePodPresented by: Eternal RoofingPart of the CUSA Podcast Roundtable

Remembering Ronnie Choate and his lasting influence on Sam Houston

Why Choate’s impact extended beyond championships

Steven Gilbert and Zavior Alvarez join the women’s basketball staff

Why additional staffing is a necessary investment

First look inside the new Bowers Stadium press box

Strong suite sales and new revenue potential

The problem with a six-seat working media area

A possible solution involving the visiting athletic director’s room

Stadium naming rights and sponsorship opportunities

Why Sam Houston needs more marketing and sales staff

Selling sponsorships throughout every athletics venue

Landon Locke enters camp as the starting quarterback

The areas Locke must improve this season

DJ Bailey’s progress and role as the likely backup

Mason Holtzclaw and Brett Holloway represent the future

Quarterback stability in the transfer portal era

Why Sam Houston must embrace player development as part of its identity

March 2 The Pod returns for its Season 4 premiere

The story behind the March 2 The Pod name

Conference USA Media Days recap

What Phil Longo’s media tour revealed

Why Sam Houston is further ahead entering 2026

Longo balancing head coaching and play-calling duties

How Sam Houston is beginning to use AI

Landyn Locke’s physical and leadership development

Concern over Sam Houston men’s basketball injuries

Breaking down the size and potential of the basketball roster

Sam Houston’s licensing and sponsorship revenue

Untapped naming-rights and jersey-patch opportunities

Why Sammy Bearkat merchandise needs wider distribution

Presented by Eternal Roofing

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells close Season 3 of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, with a full review of Sam Houston athletics.

The episode opens with a remembrance of Bearkat football player William Davis before shifting into final grades for Sam Houston baseball and softball. Cory and Ben discuss baseball’s improvement from last season, Ryan Peterson’s legacy, Jay Sirianni’s future, and why the program could become a major piece of Sam Houston’s athletic identity.

The guys also grade softball after a 29-win season, highlighting Tiffany Sanchez, Bella Perez, Veronica Harrison and a strong returning core. Then, they celebrate Sam Houston track and field’s success at the Conference USA Championships, including school records, personal bests and NCAA preliminary qualifiers.

The season finale closes with a look at athletic department finances, including Sam Houston’s payout to Nicholls, generated revenue, and how the Bearkats compare with the rest of Conference USA.

Episode Notes

Remembering Sam Houston football player William Davis

Season 3 finale and plans for the future of March 2 The Pod

Expanded Substack coverage coming for Season 4

Final baseball grades: pitching, hitting, fielding, coaching and overall program

Ryan Peterson’s place among recent Sam Houston pitching greats

Why baseball could become the “front porch” sport for Sam Houston athletics

Final softball grades: pitching, hitting, fielding, coaching and overall program

Tiffany Sanchez, Bella Perez and Veronica Harrison headline a promising returning core

Track and field success at the CUSA Championships

School records, NCAA prelim qualifiers and strong relay performances

Sam Houston’s payout to Nicholls compared with other CUSA guarantee games

Generated revenue, athletic department finances and where SHSU stands in CUSA

What to expect when Season 4 begins around CUSA media days

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells are back for another episode of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, with a packed discussion covering Sam Houston baseball, Conference USA football odds, recruiting, facilities, and one unforgettable youth baseball story.

The show opens with Cory’s retelling of his ejection from a 10U recreation baseball playoff game, which turns into a larger conversation about how adults can ruin youth sports. Then the focus shifts to Sam Houston baseball, where the Bearkats swept Delaware and clinched a spot in the Conference USA tournament. Cory and Ben discuss the progress made this season, concerns with the pitching staff, Tyler Ryden’s soreness, Ryan Peterson’s pitch count, and whether Jay Sirianni has done enough to return next season.

The football conversation centers on Vegas win totals and ESPN SP+ projections for Sam Houston and the rest of Conference USA. Ben sees value in the Bearkats going over 3.5 wins, while Cory remains cautious but believes several projections are too low with Bowers Stadium returning and Phil Longo entering Year 2.

The episode wraps with Around the Farm, including Kashi Nzeh’s NBA workouts, basketball recruiting updates, the Under Armour contract extension, track facility funding, FCS payout numbers, and women’s golf all-conference honors.

Cory explains how he was ejected from a 10U recreation baseball playoff game.

The Space Cowboys’ season ends, but Cory highlights the team’s improvement.

Sam Houston baseball sweeps Delaware and clinches a Conference USA tournament berth.

Ryan Peterson’s pitch count and Tyler Ryden’s soreness create pitching concerns entering the final regular-season series.

Cory and Ben discuss whether Jay Sirianni’s job is safe after the Bearkats doubled last year’s win total.

Assistant coach David Wood earns praise for recruiting momentum and bringing energy to the program.

Vegas posts Sam Houston football win totals, with three wins appearing to be the market expectation.

Ben likes the over 3.5 wins, while Cory remains cautious because of offensive line questions.

ESPN SP+ projections spark debate over whether Sam Houston is being undervalued.

The hosts break down Conference USA championship odds and possible league tiers.

Around the Farm includes basketball recruiting, Kashi Nzeh’s NBA workouts, Under Armour contract details, track facility updates, FCS payouts, and women’s golf honors.