The Football Scholarship Podcast

Richie Contartesi

The Football Scholarship Podcast is hosted by Richie Contartesi, founder of Next Play, this podcast is dedicated to helping high school football players transform into confident leaders, communicators, and businessmen. Richie shares his personal journey of overcoming the odds to earn a D1 football scholarship in the SEC at Ole Miss, despite being just 5'7" and 150 pounds. Through stories, interviews, and expert advice, this podcast equips athletes with the tools and mindset needed to secure the best college football scholarships possible. Tune in to learn how to live your dream!

  1. JAN 27

    Head D2 Football Coach Reveals The #1 Question To Ask That Gets You Offers

    D2 Head Football Coach reveals exactly how his staff recruits—and what gets players NOTICED (or ignored).Coach Brian Mistro from the University of Jamestown breaks down his team's entire recruiting system: how they track players, who gets letters vs. texts vs. phone calls, and the ONE question that instantly gets coaches excited about a recruit.If you're a 2026 or 2027 recruit (or parent), this episode is a masterclass in understanding how coaches actually think.🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:→ Why you NEED to answer the phone when coaches call (and what happens when you don't)→ The question that makes coaches stop and pay attention: "How do you see me fitting into your culture?"→ How to find out where you actually stand on a coach's board→ What turns coaches OFF about parents during the recruiting process→ The systematic way D2 programs track and evaluate hundreds of recruits00:00 Head D2 Football Coach Reveals The #1 Question To Ask That Gets You Offers02:25 Transition to Division II07:51 Facilities and Resources09:54 Recruiting Process and Challenges15:54 Recruiting High School Athletes16:21 Effective Communication with Coaches16:41 Importance of Phone Calls in Recruitment19:29 Evaluating Player Fit and Culture23:35 Recruitment Process and Strategies29:53 Role of Parents in Recruitment33:49 University of Jamestown's Approach37:26 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship? Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation:https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-orgClick Here to Register for My Free Live Training:https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too:https://gonextplay.com/freeFollow us on different Social Media Platforms:IG: https://www.instagram.com/richiecontartesi?igsh=MWlmaTZyZ2lnMGg3bw==X: https://x.com/richcontartesi?s=11TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richiecontartesi?_r=1&_t=ZG-

    39 min
  2. 12/30/2025

    Former football coach has shared it journey in one book: For God and the Game

    Coach Brian's book:https://www.amazon.com/God-Game-Play-Honor-Christ-ebook/dp/B0F9CP6NK2Want Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship? Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation:https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-orgClick Here to Register for My Free Live Training:https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too:https://gonextplay.com/free____________________________________________________________In this episode of the Football Scholarship Podcast, Richie and Brian share crucial insights for athletes and parents on securing football scholarships. Brian also introduces his new spiritual guide eBook, 'For God in the Game,' aimed at young athletes and coaches. He discusses his journey of faith, the inspiration behind the book, and how it can be utilized by parents and coaches to support athletes. The hosts also encourage viewers to engage with the podcast and provide feedback through reviews.00:00 Intro01:16 The Inspiration Behind 'For God in the Game'02:01 Challenges Young Athletes Face04:20 How Coaches and Parents Can Use the Book08:29 Brian's Personal Reflections and Lessons13:32 How to Get the Book15:52 Closing Remarks and Subscription Info____________________________________________________________Follow us on different Social Media Platforms:IG: https://www.instagram.com/richiecontartesi?igsh=MWlmaTZyZ2lnMGg3bw==X: https://x.com/richcontartesi?s=11TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richiecontartesi?_r=1&_t=ZG-

    17 min
  3. 12/23/2025

    Head College Coach Explains the Importance of Making a Good Impression on Football Coaches

    Want Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship? Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation:https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-orgClick Here to Register for My Free Live Training:https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too:https://gonextplay.com/freeSlippery Rock Pennsylvania Footballhttps://rockathletics.com/sports/football_____________________________________________________________00:36 Intro01:38 Importance of Player Evaluation04:28 Importance of Player Attitude and Presentation25:47 Social Media's Role in Recruiting25:47 Social Media's Role in Recruiting41:40 Advice for Parents and Recruits43:14 Parental Involvement in Recruiting48:24 Final Thoughts and Opportunities at Slippery RockIn this episode, Coach Lutz provides an in-depth look at the college football recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of identifying players who truly love the game. He discusses the challenges of sustaining a successful program and the critical role of recruiting players who are relentless, passionate, and tough. Coach Lutz offers practical advice for recruits and parents on how to approach interviews, the importance of social media branding, and the value of multi-sport athletes. He also shares personal anecdotes about home visits and the significance of building genuine relationships with recruits. This episode is invaluable for parents and players looking to navigate the complex world of college football recruitment._____________________________________________________________Follow us on different Social Media Platforms:IG: https://www.instagram.com/richiecontartesi?igsh=MWlmaTZyZ2lnMGg3bw==X: https://x.com/richcontartesi?s=11TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richiecontartesi?_r=1&_t=ZG-

    51 min
  4. 12/15/2025

    D1 Head Coach Warns: Stop "Supporting" Your Son Like This (Do This Instead)

    Want Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship?Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation:https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-orgClick Here to Register for My Free Live Training:https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too:https://gonextplay.com/freeGrab Coach Bernard book in this link:https://www.amazon.com/Ascension-Coachs-Becoming-Better-Husband/dp/B09XSS83QC _______________________________________ Navigating College Football Recruiting: Expert Advice from Coach ClarkIn this detailed discussion, Coach Clark of Robert Morris University dives deep into the college football recruiting process, offering invaluable insights for parents and high school football players. Key topics include the importance of character, realistic evaluation of talent, and the significance of academics. Clark shares personal experiences and provides actionable advice on selecting the right university, understanding different levels of college football, and the critical role of GPA in securing scholarships. Parents will learn practical steps to support their children and avoid common pitfalls in the recruiting journey. Additionally, Clark emphasizes the importance of developing young athletes into better men, husbands, and fathers, highlighting the holistic development approach at Robert Morris University.

    57 min
  5. 12/09/2025

    Official vs. Unofficial Visits: The Truth & How to Get Invited (College Football Recruiting)

    Confused about the difference between an Official Visit and an Unofficial Visit? You’re not alone. Most parents and athletes guess their way through this part of the recruiting process and leave thousands of dollars (and scholarship offers) on the table.In this episode, Coach Brian (Head Coach at Next Play) and I break down exactly how college football visits work, who pays for what, and the specific text message strategy you can use to turn interest into an official visit invite.In this video, we cover:Official vs. Unofficial Visits: The #1 difference is who pays. We explain what D1, D2, and NAIA schools cover.The "Junior Day" Trap: Why these are almost always unofficial and how to know if you are actually being recruited.The New NCAA Rules: You can now take unlimited official visits (one per school). Here is how to use that to your advantage.The "Plant The Seed" Strategy: The exact script to use when sending your end-of-season highlights to get a coach to book a visit.The 50-School Rule: Why targeting only 5 schools is a recipe for disaster and how to widen your net to get real options.Your Next Play: Stop waiting for coaches to find you. Update your highlight film, send it to the area coach, and ask the right questions to lock in your visit dates.Want Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship?Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation:https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-orgClick Here to Register for My Free Live Training:https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too:https://gonextplay.com/freeFollow us on different Social Media Platforms:IG: https://www.instagram.com/richiecontartesi?igsh=MWlmaTZyZ2lnMGg3bw==X: https://x.com/richcontartesi?s=11TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richiecontartesi?_r=1&_t=ZG-

    20 min
  6. 12/01/2025

    Inside Carroll College Football with Coach Purcell

    Want Some 1:1 Help With Getting Your Son a College Football Scholarship? Click Here To Learn More & Schedule Your 15 Minute Scholarship Evaluation: https://gonextplay.com/book-evaluation-call?el=youtube-org Click Here to Register for My Free Live Training: https://gonextplay.com/free-training?el=richie-yt-bio 📖 Get a FREE copy of Richie’s #1 bestselling book, where he shares how he earned a D1 football scholarship at just 5'7" and 150 lbs—so your son can too: https://gonextplay.com/free In this episode of The Next Play Podcast, Coach Purcell, head coach of Carroll College's Fighting Saints, shares valuable insights about recruiting and building a successful football program. As a seasoned coach with an impressive track record, Coach Purcell delves into the characteristics he looks for in potential recruits and stresses the importance of character, effort, and academic performance. He also details the recruiting process, the role of social media, and the significance of camps in evaluating players. Additionally, Coach Purcell talks about Carroll College's facilities, academic opportunities, and the unique community atmosphere in Helena, Montana. This episode offers essential advice for parents and student-athletes navigating the college football recruiting landscape, emphasizing the importance of being authentic and strategic in their approach.____________________________________________________________Follow us on different Social Media Platforms:IG: https://www.instagram.com/richiecontartesi?igsh=MWlmaTZyZ2lnMGg3bw==X: https://x.com/richcontartesi?s=11TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richiecontartesi?_r=1&_t=ZG-

    39 min
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Football Scholarship Podcast is hosted by Richie Contartesi, founder of Next Play, this podcast is dedicated to helping high school football players transform into confident leaders, communicators, and businessmen. Richie shares his personal journey of overcoming the odds to earn a D1 football scholarship in the SEC at Ole Miss, despite being just 5'7" and 150 pounds. Through stories, interviews, and expert advice, this podcast equips athletes with the tools and mindset needed to secure the best college football scholarships possible. Tune in to learn how to live your dream!