The Andy Staples Show & Friends: A show about college footbal‪l‬ The Athletic

Andy welcomes University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offensive lineman and NFL hopeful Quinn Meinerz to the show. Meinerz walks Andy through the process of his upcoming Pro Day. What is the procedure for a Pro Day amidst a pandemic (1:30)? Meinerz reflects on his time at UW-Whitewater and how it shaped him into the player he is today, plus, what was it like participating in the Senior Bowl and never having snapped a football in a live setting until then (2:15)? CANADA WORKOUT Youtube video...that's all I gotta say (7:30). Having trained and practiced alongside one of his peers, Rashawn Slater, an early-round NFL prospect himself, what did Meinerz learn from that experience (9:45)? What were Senior Bowl practices like and who was his favorite player to play against (13:30)? So, Meinerz broke his hand and still wanted to play/start in the Senior Bowl...hardcore. Plus, what's his response to "how much do you love football"? A question routinely posed by scouts and coaches during the interview process (19:00)? Did Meinerz work during college? How has wrestling shaped his football career, and what's with the "Belly of the Beast" (20:15)? Lastly, what has a wider reach on social media done for Meinerz's chance to give back, and did he ever, in his wildest dreams, believe he'd be an NFL player (29:00)?

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_Staples
Follow Quinn Meinerz on Twitter: @QMeinerz
Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indiana University head football coach Tom Allen joins Andy to discuss an array of topics, including recruitment and what traits, characteristics he seeks in a potential Hoosier (1:00). Allen then describes his club's mantra L.E.O. (Love each other), and how his players have embraced this philosophy (3:30). Through all Allen's travels, positions, expectations, etc. how has he remained true to himself (8:30)? What was it like working for Hugh Freeze (12:00)? How will Indiana respond now that there are expectations for them to perform well (19:00)? Plus, what went into the 2-point attempt, and subsequent conversion, against Penn State, and what's next (20:00)?

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_Staples
Follow Tom Allen on Twitter: @CoachAllenIU
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you thought a global pandemic meant college football's drunken sailors (ADs) would stop spending absurd amounts of money on football coaches you were wrong. Nicole & The Athletic's Chris Vannini unpack the Tennessee situation as well as others across the country where money seems to be growing on trees. Plus, Deion Sanders' Jackson State career starts with drama & 'Selection Sunday' is less than three weeks away. Last call!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another rank-filled edition of The Andy Staples Show and Friends, Andy and Ari order the Big Ten's jobs based on a 5-year projection. Sure, number one is obvious (rhymes with Toehio Fate), but what about the guys' second-best job in the conference, and why is it Wisconsin (3:45)? Will Penn or Michigan round out the top-3 (9:00)? Is Lansing an attractive enough location to put Michigan State in the top-5 (16:00)? Which school would win a national title if Nick Saban or Dabo Swinney coached there (22:30)? Who should be ranked 7th; Minnesota or Rutgers (29:30)? OK, let's talk about Nebraska (39:30). Plus, our bottom three (47:45). Andy tasks Ari with ranking Chili's, Applebee's, P.F. Chang's, Outback Steakhouse, and Olive Garden while also considering he has a $50 gift certificate (53:15). Lastly, we further explore the inner workings of Ari's mind as he dispenses life advice, gambling style (1:03:30).

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_Staples
Follow Ari on Twitter: @AriWasserman
Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy welcomes on former Florida State and National Championship fullback, Freddie Stevenson, who persevered through poverty, homelessness, a near career-ending injury, and more to achieve his NFL dreams, and, ultimately, finding his true calling in life.

Rundown:
(2:00) Childhood
(4:30) A dollar in mom's pocket
(8:00) Career-threatening injury; Florida State
(14:15) Fullback?!
(16:30) The NFL
(19:00) Out of the league and in trouble
(24:30) Connecting with others and dad's guidance

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_Staples
Follow Freddie Stevenson on Twitter: @strugglemade105

Own your own copy of Freddie's book now!: https://amzn.to/2ZvMmtC
Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy welcomes University of Oregon head football coach Mario Cristobal to the show! Cristobal explains his and his staff's process when evaluating offensive linemen (1:00). What traits does he look for in a lineman? And has the current, and presumed future, success of former Duck offensive lineman, Penei Sewell, help in recruiting? What does recruiting the 2022 class look like (5:30)? Will there be an even greater onus on virtual recruitment? How have competitive practices shaped the Ducks (10:15)? How does Oregon's quarterback room look, and what qualities do the coaching staff seek in their signal callers (13:30)? Cristobal discusses his relationship with offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and his mentorship of the Ducks' front five (18:30). Plus, for coaching candidates, how does a typical coaching interview with Cristobal go (20:15), and Cristobal was nearly an agent for the US Secret Service (24:15)?!

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_Staples
Follow Mario Cristobal on Twitter: @coach_cristobal
Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/andystaples
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices