The Program with Woj

By In the Arena Studios

Adrian Wojnarowski and In the Arena Studios welcome you to "The Program with Woj." In this series, the veteran journalist and influential media personality—now serving as General Manager of the St. Bo... more

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FAQs about The Program with Woj:

How many episodes does The Program with Woj have?

The podcast currently has 26 episodes available.

The Program with Woj episodes:

April 10, 2026 The real reason NFL teams win and lose | Adam Schefter
This week, ESPN's Adam Schefter joins Woj on The Program to break down how NFL teams are actually built. Woj and Schefter dive into the realities of roster construction, the shifting balance of power between GMs and head coaches, and what it really takes to build a team that can win consistently in today’s NFL.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Power Structure: How control shifts between coaches, GMs, and owners and why it’s different in every organization.
Avoiding Self Inflicted Losses: Why most teams lose because of their own mistakes, not a lack of talent.
The QB + Coach Equation: The only formula that consistently leads to fast turnarounds and sustained success.
The Modern Rebuild: Why NFL teams can go from last place to contenders almost overnight and what makes that possible.
The Changing Pipeline: How NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping the draft, with players entering the league older and more experienced.
Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday.

1:44 – Schefter on witnessing both Michigan title runs and what stood out
3:11 – Why he thrives in fantasy basketball but not football
4:31 – What made this Michigan team actually work
6:44 – Why Dusty May’s leadership resonates
8:51 – How power shifts between NFL GMs and coaches
12:17 – Why most NFL teams beat themselves
14:48 – Why NFL turnarounds happen faster than the NBA
15:51 – The QB and coach combo that drives winning
17:17 – How NIL and the portal are changing the draft
18:26 – A recruit asks Schefter to break his news
18:57 – Why agents are getting involved earlier
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility.

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23min
April 01, 2026 The boldest experiment in college baseball Is working with Oregon State's Mitch Canham
This week, Oregon State coach Mitch Canham joins Woj on The Program to unpack one of the most unconventional builds in college baseball.
Woj and Canham dive into how Oregon State navigated conference realignment, built an independent schedule from scratch, and still returned to national prominence—while doubling down on a culture rooted in discipline, development, and accountability.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Independent Blueprint: How Oregon State schedules, travels, and competes without a conference.
The “Earn It” Standard: Why playing time isn’t given to recruits, veterans, or draft picks—it’s earned daily.
Culture Over Circumstance: How adversity became an advantage in building a tougher, more connected program.
Player Development Plans: The system behind Oregon State’s consistency—on the field and beyond it.
Recruiting the Right Fit: Why Canham prioritizes character, honesty, and resilience over raw talent.
Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

1:24 – The Independent Experiment: Building a Powerhouse Without a Conference
4:41 – The Travel Reality: Competing From Corvallis Without a Home Base Advantage
6:25 – Built for the Road: Why Travel Is Part of the Program’s Identity9:34 – The Standard: “You Have to Earn It” Culture Explained
13:25 – Inside Player Development: The MDP System
13:58 – Where MDPs Came From: Lessons from Pro Baseball
18:22 – Canham’s Journey: From Unknown Recruit to Oregon State Leader
20:02 – Adversity and Support: The Foundation of Oregon State’s Culture
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility.
Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/woj or use code woj at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.

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25min
March 25, 2026 "80% of a Team's Success Is Decided Before the Season Starts " with Evan Miyakawa
This week, Evan Miyakawa (EvanMiya.com) joins Woj on The Program to pull back the curtain on the analytics driving the modern game.
Woj and Evan break down the 80/20 rule of roster building, why "bucket getters" often fail when jumping to the high-major level, and which programs—from Michigan to Vanderbilt—are using data to gain a competitive edge in the NIL marketplace.
In this episode, we discuss:
The 80% Correlation: Why preseason roster talent is the ultimate predictor of cutting down the nets.
The Portal "Secret Sauce": Why versatility beats pure scoring when projecting transfer success.
NBA vs. College Evaluation: The major differences in scouting for the league versus building a winning NCAA rotation.
Roster Continuity: Why veteran retention remains the "underrated" superpower of the Final Four.
Closing the Gap: How mid-majors use analytics to compete with the biggest budgets in the country.

1:14 Introduction: Meet Evan Miyakawa of EvanMiya.com
1:55 Origins: From a PhD at Baylor to NBA Analytics
4:14 The 80/20 Rule: Why Roster Talent Predicts Success
5:42 Moneyballing the Portal: Conversations with College Coaches
7:20 Evaluating Transfers: Why Multi-Skill Excellence Beats Pure Scoring
8:20 NBA vs. College Scouting: Tracking Data and Role Specialization
10:33 The Retention Factor: Why Stability Wins in the NIL Era
12:25 Programs Winning the Data War: Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Florida
15:18 Size and Athleticism: Trends in the Modern Frontcourt
16:47 Closing the Gap: How Smaller Programs Compete with Big Budgets
19:13 Marrying Data with Film: The Best Path to Evaluation
20:25 Accessing EvanMiya.com for Fans and Programs
Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars wroth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility.

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23min
March 20, 2026 The hidden NBA Draft storylines in March Madness with Jonathan Givony
On this episode of The Program, Woj is joined by Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony to break down what March Madness really means for NBA prospects — and how the draft landscape is changing in real time.
With March Madness underway, the spotlight shifts to a new wave of young talent. But as Givony explains, the tournament is just one piece of a much larger evaluation process — one that now includes years of scouting, advanced analytics, and a rapidly evolving college basketball ecosystem shaped by NIL and the transfer portal.
Woj and Givony dive into:
    •    Why the NCAA Tournament still matters — even if it doesn’t define draft stock
    •    The freshmen and under-the-radar prospects who could rise on this stage
    •    How NBA teams evaluate players beyond just production and highlights
    •    The growing impact of NIL on draft decisions — and why more players are staying in school
    •    Why older prospects are becoming more valuable in today’s NBA
    •    How roster construction, the CBA, and two-way contracts are changing scouting priorities
    •    The debate inside front offices: production vs. upside in modern draft models
They also explore how college basketball’s offensive explosion could be skewing evaluations — and whether this year’s class is truly as strong as it looks.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code WOJ for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

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20min
March 11, 2026 How George Steinbrenner built the Yankee dynasty with Mike Vaccaro
George Steinbrenner didn’t just rebuild the New York Yankees — he changed how modern sports franchises are built.
In this episode of The Program, Woj sits down with legendary New York columnist Mike Vaccaro, author of The Bosses of the Bronx, to unpack how Steinbrenner transformed the Yankees into the most powerful brand in sports.
From signing Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson to reshaping free agency and television revenue, Steinbrenner’s approach created the blueprint for big-market dominance.
Woj and Vaccaro explore:
• How Steinbrenner recruited stars without always being the highest bidder
• Why Reggie Jackson almost didn’t sign with the Yankees
• The moment Steinbrenner realized he needed a farm system
• The suspensions that accidentally built the Yankees dynasty
• How the Yankees’ Core Four survived George’s impatience
• Why modern owners can’t replicate Steinbrenner’s strategy today
Mike Vaccaro’s new book The Bosses of the Bronx releases March 24.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code WOJ for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

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25min
March 04, 2026The state of the game: A conversation with Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer
In a rare and candid conversation, Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer joins Woj to discuss her transition from the sidelines to the classroom. After 38 years at Stanford and a record-breaking 1,216 career wins, the winningest coach in college basketball history opens up about the "perfect storm" that led to her retirement in 2024.
Woj and Tara also covered:
The "Joy" Mandate: Why the best coaches—from third grade to the pros—must protect the fun of the game.

The Transactional Trap: Her concerns for the modern player in the era of the Transfer Portal and NIL, and what is lost when the "alma mater" experience disappears.

The 1996 Olympic Legacy: Reflecting on the team that birthed the WNBA and changed the trajectory of women's sports forever.

A Path to Sanity: VanDerveer’s proposal for "rational" regional scheduling and bringing common sense back to college athletics.
Plus, Tara shares the one thing she misses most about the daily grind (it’s not the games) and how she’s navigating a calendar that finally allows for a Saturday night movie.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code THEPROGRAM for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

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28min
February 25, 2026 NBA tanking, the death of free agency, and the new era of college scouting with Bobby Marks
On this episode of The Program, Woj reunites with ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks!
Woj and Bobby discuss:
The NBA’s "Tanking" Fine: Why a $500,000 fine is just the "cost of doing business" for a shot at a generational superstar.
The Rise of the "Super-Senior": How NIL is turning the second round of the NBA Draft into a hunt for 23 and 24-year-old high-value, cost-controlled talent
Pro-Style Roster Math: Woj breaks down his exercise of "shrinking" NBA payrolls to determine fair market value for NIL athletes.
The Death of Free Agency: Why "Bird Rights" and veteran extensions have replaced the traditional open market.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.
A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code THEPROGRAM for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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28min
February 18, 2026How Jerry Mack transformed Kennesaw State Football in 12 months
On this episode of The Program, Woj sits down with Conference USA Coach of the Year and Bear Bryant Newcomer of the Year, Jerry Mack.
After inheriting a 2-10 program at Kennesaw State, Mack engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the country, leading the Owls to a 10-4 record and a bowl appearance in year one. Mack breaks down the "staff list" he spent a decade building, the transition from the Jacksonville Jaguars back to the college ranks, and why he chose to return to the NFL as an intern even after becoming a successful head coach.
Woj and Coach Mack discuss:
The Cignetti Model: Why Mack studied Curt Cignetti’s Indiana turnaround and how he applied the James Madison-to-IU strategy of "proven snaps" to jumpstart the Kennesaw State roster.

The Staff List: Why Mack spent nine years tracking GAs and quality control coaches to prepare for his next head coaching shot.

The NFL Influence: What he learned in the rooms of Doug Peterson and Bill Callahan—and how those internships catapulted his career.

The "Steakhouse" Philosophy: Why Mack treats recruiting like a high-end restaurant to compete with NIL heavyweights through elite customer service.

HBCU Roots: The lessons learned at NC Central that still apply at the FBS level.

The 30/50/20 Roster Formula: The specific mathematical split Mack uses between high school, transfer portal, and the "lost art" of Junior College recruiting.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at novig.com and use code THEPROGRAM for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

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26min
February 11, 2026 The high stakes world of USA Basketball with Stephen Silas
As USA Basketball prepares for the next window of World Cup Qualifying in Southern California, Stephen Silas joins Woj to talk through the unique, high-pressure discipline of tight-window international team building.
Fresh off a 24-year run in the NBA — includingas the Houston Rockets’ head coach and assistant roles working with Steph Curry and LeBron James — Silas shares what he’s learned about coaching in preparation for World Cup qualifying events.
Woj and Silas dive into:

    •    The 72-Hour Turnaround: How to build a cohesive roster in just six practices with players from the G League and European circuits.
    •    The FIBA vs. NBA Gap: Why the international game is more physical, why the "three-ball" is the ultimate equalizer and the rule differences that catch even veteran coaches off guard.
    •    Patrick Ewing’s Impact: What it’s like having a Dream Team legend on the bench and the advice Silas received from Jeff Van Gundy before taking the job.
    •    The Weight of the Jersey: Why representing the U.S. remains the ultimate career milestone for players who may never reach the Olympic stage.
    •    Life After the Grind: Silas opens up about finding the balance between "Coach Silas" and "Stephen Silas" after decades on the road.

Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code THEPROGRAM for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

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23min
February 04, 2026Inside the Ohio State Football front office: GM Mark Pantoni on the new era of roster building
Mark Pantoni, General Manager and Director of Player Personnel at Ohio State, joins The Program to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving "front office" of college football.
From his humble beginnings as an undergraduate pre-med student at Florida—where his first task for Urban Meyer was hand-writing 400 envelopes a day—to now managing what is essentially a collegiate "salary cap," Pantoni shares the blueprint for building a career in player personnel. He discusses the shift from relationship-based recruiting to agent-led negotiations and how the "Indiana model" is changing how big programs value veteran experience over high school potential.
In this episode, Woj and Mark discuss:
The Non-Traditional Path: How a pre-med student with no playing background became one of the most powerful executives in college football.

The Evolution of Recruiting: Transitioning from VHS tapes and handwritten letters to managing NIL valuations and transfer portal "free agency."

The "Switzerland" Approach: Why Pantoni has to remain emotionally detached from players to make fair, data-driven financial decisions for the locker room.

The High School vs. Portal Dilemma: Analyzing the "dead money" risk of high school recruits versus the immediate impact of veteran transfers.

Building a Front Office: How Ohio State has structured its personnel department to mirror an NFL scouting operation.

Red Flags for Recruits: Why something as simple as being on your phone during a visit can change a staff's evaluation of your "football IQ" and maturity.
Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more inside looks at the architects of modern sports.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code THEPROGRAM for a match up to $100 on your first purchase. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. New users receive 1,000 Novig Coins and 5 Novig Cash automatically. See terms of use for eligibility.

Also, a big thank you to SurfShark VPN. go to surfshark.com/woj or use the code WOJ at check out for four additional months of SurfShark VPN.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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29min

FAQs about The Program with Woj:

How many episodes does The Program with Woj have?

The podcast currently has 26 episodes available.