UVA and NOVA Legends Podcasts®

Julian Brown
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Sports

NOVA, Virginia, and UVA Legends Podcasts are interviews with the best of Virginia and DC Area homegrown talent and with sources that provide insightful information about local and statewide sports. I talk to national figures like Grant Hill, Tommy Amaker, and Jill Ellis but also terrific local athletes, coaches and even business/legal leaders. Hundreds more interviews available on NOVA Legends Podcast's Youtube channel.

  1. 3d ago

    Mike Skinner Is Back: The Championship Coach Returns to Woodgrove

    Two‑time Virginia state championship football coach Mike Skinner returns to the sideline — and at 67, he has Woodgrove off to a 3–0 start. Coach Skinner joins me for a wide‑ranging conversation about a coaching career that spans generations of Northern Virginia high school football.Coach Skinner looks back at his early years at Marshall and Centreville, the 2000 Centreville state title, Woodgrove’s 2018 state championship, and the coaches who shaped him — from Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll to Mickey Thompson and Nick Saban. He explains how the game has changed: no more two‑a‑days, reduced contact, advanced modern defenses, extensive film study, and offenses snapping the ball every 15 seconds.We also break down Woodgrove’s talented 2026 football team — its standout young quarterback, strong running game, and physical offensive line. Coach Skinner discusses why wrestling helps football players, the importance of community support, and what he learned coaching alongside Mickey Thompson.And after decades on the sideline, Coach Skinner explains why he’s still coaching. His goal for Woodgrove is simple: reach December with no “woulda, shoulda, coulda” — get there ready to roll.The episode ends with a moment that gives the conversation its heart. When asked whether he’s having as much fun now as he did 15 or 20 years ago, Coach Skinner reflects on stepping back, trusting his assistants, enjoying coaching more — and hoping he still has five, six, or seven years left in the game.NOVA Legends® Podcast is proudly sponsored by Foley Mechanical, the DMV’s elite HVAC company.

  2. 3d ago

    Jason Hescock: Why South Lakes Football Is Ready to Win Again

    South Lakes head coach Jason Hescock joins NOVA Legends after the Seahawks’ statement win over Battlefield High School to break down why South Lakes football may be poised for another deep Northern Virginia playoff run.In his eighth season, Hescock reflects on the program’s undefeated 2023 regular season, the tougher years that followed, and what he has learned about high school football leadership, building culture, and sustaining success in one of Virginia’s most competitive regions.Hescock analyzes the Battlefield victory and highlights key players on the 2026 roster — quarterback Christian Wyatt, two‑way captain Joshua Benjamin Dagby, and rising sophomore lineman Mason Turner. He discusses South Lakes’ improving pass rush, the challenge of managing two‑way athletes, and why this year’s defense reminds him of the 2023 group.The conversation also explores the broader world of Northern Virginia high school football: developing assistant coaches, Reston’s support for South Lakes, attracting young athletes to the sport, and why every season presents a new strategic puzzle for a coaching staff.Hescock closes with thoughts on the strength of the Concorde District, the coaches he respects across NoVA, and the goal that still drives him — practicing on Thanksgiving and giving Reston a chance at a regional championship.NOVA Legends® Podcast is proudly sponsored by Foley Mechanical, the DMV’s elite HVAC company.

  3. Sep 8

    Mike Robinson on South County Basketball, Coaching His Son & Another State Run

    South County basketball coach Mike Robinson joins me for a candid conversation about the Stallions’ run to the state semifinals, coaching his son Mikey, and what comes next for one of Northern Virginia’s most consistently successful programs.Robinson — a former Purdue standout under Gene Keady and a two‑time state championship coach — reflects on why he considered retiring after Mikey graduated, and how his current group convinced him to stay. He talks about the challenge of coaching his son, from pushing him hard on the court to learning when to leave basketball at the door at home.We revisit South County’s 2025–26 postseason, including the dramatic regional semifinal win over Lake Braddock, the regional title against Edison, and the state semifinal loss to a talented Lansdowne squad. Robinson explains why an early setback against West Springfield may have been the turning point — and how losing can expose issues that winning tends to hide.He also dives into the changing landscape of high school basketball, the rise of academy programs, South County’s growing school‑wide sports culture, players he felt were overlooked last season, and a potential 2026–27 breakout star: Khalil Smith.NOVA Legends® Podcast is proudly sponsored by Foley Mechanical, the DMV’s elite HVAC company.

  4. Sep 5

    Executive Coach Liz Bentley: What AI Can’t Tell You

    Can AI replace an executive coach — or does the rise of AI make human judgment even more valuable?Executive coach and UVA alum Liz Bentley, founder of Liz Bentley Associates, returns to the UVA Legends Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, leadership and the rapidly changing workplace.Liz works with Fortune 100 executives, CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals across industries. She explains why she encourages clients to use AI for certain problems — while arguing that the most important part of coaching is something a chatbot cannot easily replicate: telling people what they need to hear and helping them actually change.Liz also discusses how she uses ChatGPT and Claude, the potential impact of AI on entry-level jobs, LinkedIn and dating, the connection between professional and personal problems, workplace accountability, DEI and bias, coaching “alpha” executives, and why vulnerability and trust remain essential to effective coaching.After more than two decades in the profession, Liz also explains why she believes executive coaching — and her own career — may still be just getting started.

  5. Aug 30

    Austin Hamilton: Bringing Herndon Basketball Back | NOVA Legends Podcast

    Herndon basketball coach Austin Hamilton joins me after an impressive first season that saw the Hornets return to the Northern Region tournament.A former Herndon star ('11) and Elon guard, Hamilton talks about returning home to coach the program where he grew up, what he learned during his first year on the sideline, and why he believes Herndon's basketball history remains one of the program's greatest strengths.Hamilton discusses how today's players have changed, why unstructured pickup basketball still matters, and what he calls “bones over cones” — learning the game against live competition rather than relying exclusively on individual training.He also takes us inside Herndon's late-season breakthrough, including the memorable home win over Marshall and the atmosphere he hopes to make a regular part of Hornets basketball. Hamilton previews this year's team, identifies several players who could emerge, and explains why he believes an elite basketball program can still be built at a Northern Virginia public school.Finally, Hamilton looks ahead to a special matchup with Martinsville and former Herndon coach Gary Hall — a game he sees as both a competition and a celebration of Herndon's basketball history.

  6. Aug 25

    Mount St. Mary’s Coach Donny Lind: Building a Winner, Recruiting & Today’s College Basketball

    Mount St. Mary’s head coach Donny Lind joins me to talk college basketball, recruiting, and building a winning program.Lind discusses his unconventional path from Loyola student manager to Division I head coach, what he learned working for Shaka Smart at VCU, and why relationships remain at the center of his coaching philosophy.He also explains what college coaches look for in today’s players, how the transfer portal has changed recruiting, and why Mount St. Mary’s went all-in early on Loudoun County standout Ryan Brzezanski.Finally, Lind looks back at a remarkable first season that included 23 wins and an NCAA Tournament victory over American, and previews a Mountaineers team he believes can contend for a championship.

  7. Aug 15

    Heritage Basketball Stars Keira Stanford & Jordan Garland Preview Their Senior Seasons

    Today I’m joined by Heritage High School standouts Keira Stanford and Jordan Garland as they prepare for their senior seasons.Keira, state champion and Radford commit, and Jordan, key member of a boys team that won back‑to‑back region titles and reached the state semifinals, reflect on last year’s packed gyms, playoff runs, and the growing sports culture at Heritage.We talk AAU, why both chose to stay at Heritage, and what they want from their final season. Keira explains her multi‑sport balancing act and why Radford felt right. Jordan discusses his recruitment and his goal for 2025–26: win a state title.They also preview next year’s Heritage teams and players poised to break out seasons.Two great athletes, two Heritage lifers — one final season ahead.NOVA Legends Podcast is proudly sponsored by Foley Mechanical, the DMV’s elite HVAC company.

  8. Aug 14

    Darryl Overton: What He Learned in Year One at St. James

    Today I’m joined by St. James Performance Academy head football coach Darryl Overton to talk about the academy’s first year, what he learned, and what comes next.We discuss what daily life really looks like for a St. James athlete — academics, training, recovery and the challenge of creating a complete high school experience. Darryl explains why homecoming, team dinners, relationships and community still matter just as much to him as developing elite football players.We also tackle a bigger question: Is the academy model right for every athlete? Darryl discusses the players he looks for, why he encourages young athletes to play multiple sports, and his philosophy that players shouldn’t “chase money” but should instead chase the best version of themselves.Overton talks candidly about recruiting, the competition among St. James, Loudoun Sports Academy and St. Francis, and what he believes makes St. James different. We also discuss the lessons of year one and what he has learned coaching against national competition.Finally, we preview a loaded 2026 schedule featuring IMG Academy, St. Francis and other national opponents, and some of the players he’s especially excited about this season.

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About

NOVA, Virginia, and UVA Legends Podcasts are interviews with the best of Virginia and DC Area homegrown talent and with sources that provide insightful information about local and statewide sports. I talk to national figures like Grant Hill, Tommy Amaker, and Jill Ellis but also terrific local athletes, coaches and even business/legal leaders. Hundreds more interviews available on NOVA Legends Podcast's Youtube channel.

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