The Program with Woj

In the Arena Studios
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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. Bonaventure men's basketball program—is joined by high-profile guests. They offer a wide range of perspectives across multiple college and professional sports to explore the business of building a sustainable and competitive program. Woj will approach every conversation from the seat of a brand-new GM in a completely different profession. With this transition in mind, the series acts as a lens into his own curiosity, seeking to understand how teams develop their respective programs and what it takes to sustain the success needed to compete at the highest levels of college and professional sports. For Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@inthearenastudios.com For Press Inquiries: Press@inthearenastudios.com For General Inquiries: Inquiries@inthearenastudios.com

  1. 6D AGO

    Pete Thamel on Curt Cignetti and the rapid ascent of Indiana football

    ESPN’s Pete Thamel joins Woj to dissect one of the most improbable rises in the history of the sport: the Indiana Hoosiers’ journey to the national title game. Ahead of a showdown with Miami, Woj and Pete dive into how Curt Cignetti built a "destination logo" in record time and the seismic shifts making this era of college athletics the most chaotic in history.     •    The Indiana Rocket Ship: Pete explains why the Hoosiers’ rise is unprecedented and why it required a "perfect storm" of the transfer portal, NIL and administrative defiance to keep a coaching staff intact.     •    The Death of Continuity: How the gap between the "Blue Bloods" and the rest of the field has widened, and why the mid-major advantage of veteran rosters is disappearing.     •    The Revenue Share Frontier: A look at the House settlement and why schools are continuing to spend at "100 miles per hour."     •    The 10-Year Outlook: Will the Power Conferences eventually break away from the NCAA? Pete breaks down the multi-billion dollar binders that are keeping the current model together for now. We’ll see you next week for episode thirteen of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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

    25 min

  2. JAN 7

    Inside the strategic rise of BYU Basketball with Justin Young

    On this episode of The Program, Woj is joined by BYU Head of Personnel Justin Young. Young walks us through "The Perfect Storm": a combination of NBA-level player development, the transition to the Big 12, and a high-functioning NIL landscape that has allowed BYU to go shoulder-to-shoulder with the blue bloods of the sport. The Kevin Young Effect: Why a top NBA assistant chose the college game and how his "intellectual relationship" with elite players like AJ Dybantsa changed the recruiting trail. The Business of Winning: How BYU’s leadership and donor community scaled their resources to compete with the likes of Duke and Kansas. The International Market: Calibrating talent evaluation in Europe and the challenges of identifying "archetypes" in leagues across the globe. NIL & The "Ego" Factor: Why the new era of college sports allows donors to feel like NBA owners—and whether or not it’s sustainable.. We’ll see you next week for episode twelve of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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. Thanks to Chime. Join the millions who are already banking fee-free today. Head to chime.com/woj to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    Tom Crean Pt. 2: How to win with less in the NIL era

    Tom Crean, former head coach at Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia, returns for Part 2 of a masterclass in team building. Crean shares why the fundamentals of winning haven't changed, even if the payrolls have. He and Woj dive into everything from the challenges facing Mid-Majors, to the danger of setting "ceilings" for your stars, and much more. The Talent Raid: How mid-majors can still win when high-majors consistently pluck talent from their rosters. The Harbaugh Influence: Lessons in experience-based coaching from Jim and John Harbaugh. Raising the Floor: Why developing the bottom of your roster is the secret to consistent winning. Personalized Recruiting: Crean on using film and voice memos to provide value to prospects before they sign. The Efficiency Gap: Why the highest payroll doesn’t always equal the best team. We’ll see you next week for episode eleven of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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

    30 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Tom Crean Pt. 1: Managing the dilemmas of modern college basketball

    Tom Crean, the former head coach at Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia, joins Woj to discuss the seismic shifts currently reshaping the college basketball landscape. Crean, who led Marquette to a Final Four and coached stars like Dwyane Wade and Anthony Edwards, dives deep into the evolving demands of coaching staffs in the NIL and Transfer Portal era, sharing insights on  player development and how the best programs are fighting to maintain culture in an increasingly transactional world. Problem vs. Dilemma: Crean explains the shift in the head coaching role, where modern issues like NIL and the portal are no longer "problems" to be solved but "dilemmas" that must be managed daily. The Evolution of Coaching Staffs: He discusses how the responsibilities of assistants have changed, emphasizing that every staff member must now be a fundraiser, an evaluator, and a relationship-builder rather than just a recruiter. Recruiters vs. Evaluators: Crean breaks down why the ability to evaluate talent and provide fundamental solutions is more critical than ever, and warns against the "shortsightedness" of recruiting based on empty promises. Sustaining Culture: He shares a behind-the-scenes look at his recent visit with Tom Izzo at Michigan State, highlighting how the Spartans have mastered program consistency and former-player engagement despite the chaos of the portal era. The Professional Bridge: Crean reflects on the vital role college programs play in preparing athletes for the mental and professional rigors of the NBA, and the danger of losing those transformational bridges in a transactional environment. We’ll see you next week for episode eleven of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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. Thanks to Chime. Join the millions who are already banking fee-free today. Head to chime.com/woj to learn more. Finally, thanks to Rula. Take control of your mental health at rula.com/woj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    David Carle’s blueprint for a NCAA hockey dynasty

    This week Woj sits down with David Carle, the two-time national championship hockey coach at the University of Denver. With four Frozen Four appearances and two titles in eight seasons at DU, Carle is one of the most coveted coaches by the pros in all of college sports.     •    The College Hockey Disruption: Carle details the unprecedented changes, including the recent ruling that made all players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) eligible for NCAA hockey — adding an entirely new dimension to recruiting.     •    The DU Strategy: Why the two-time national title  program intentionally chooses to be one of the youngest teams in the country, prioritizing recruiting and developing freshmen instead of relying on older transfer portal players x     •    The Non-Starter: Carle reveals the major "red flags" within a prospect's family and his mindset that will cause him to walk away from a top talent in the recruiting process.     •    Life at the Top: Carle shares his philosophy on success, the pressure of maintaining the standard of a 10-time national championship program and weighing factors when considering job opportunities at the NHL level.     •    The Future of the Sport: Carle gives his pragmatic prediction on the next major structural change in college hockey, driven by the revenue-sharing model. We’ll see you next week for episode ten of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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

    24 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Dalmar Ali on Building Somalia's National Basketball Team and LIU's Mid-Major Success

    Dalmar Ali, the newly appointed head coach of the Somalia National Basketball Team and an assistant coach at LIU, joins Adrian Wojnarowski to discuss his new international challenge, his roots, and the unique realities of of building a competitive program. The International Blueprint: Ali discusses modeling the Somalia National Team's structure after successful nation-building efforts in Africa, including the work of Masai Ujiri's Giants of Africa and Luol Deng's South Sudan program, leveraging their influence and pride. The Somali Basketball Community: He shares insights into the passionate and large Somali basketball community, particularly in Toronto and Minnesota, and the significant role it plays in developing talent. Coaching at LIU: Ali opens up about working with head coach Rod Strickland and the staff's remarkable success in the Northeast Conference (NEC) with limited resources. He explains their unique recruiting strategy that prioritizes relationships and vision over NIL funding. The Future of Mid-Majors: Ali expresses his concern over the sustainability of smaller conferences due to the transfer portal and NIL landscape, and how LIU managed to retain top talent by building a positive and impactful program culture. Mentorship and Learning: He reflects on the invaluable experience of learning program building from two Division I legends, Rod Strickland and his former boss, Leonard Hamilton. We’ll see you next week for episode six of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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. Thanks to Chime. Join the millions who are already banking fee-free today. Head to chime.com/woj to learn more. Finally, thanks to Rula. Take control of your mental health at rula.com/woj For Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@inthearenastudios.com  For Press Inquiries: Press@inthearenastudios.com  For General Inquiries: Inquiries@inthearenastudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    J.B. Bickerstaff on NBA Coach Autonomy and The Formula for Earning Player Trust

    Detroit Pistons coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, joins Woj to discuss the dynamics of team building, power structures in the NBA, and the principles that drive a healthy, winning organization. Coach vs. Management vs. Ownership: Bickerstaff discusses the critical importance of a true partnership between the head coach, the general manager (Trajan Langdon), and ownership, highlighting the supportive, hands-off approach of Tom Gores in Detroit. The Player-Coach Relationship: He emphasizes that success is built on a foundation of trust and respect with a team's best player, allowing for open, honest conversations and preventing manipulation of the locker room. Communication Style: J.B. shares his commitment to "touching base" with every player on the 1-15 roster every single day, fostering communication to solve problems before they escalate. Lessons from a Basketball Family: As one half of the winningest father-son coaching combo in league history, Bickerstaff reflects on the unchanging constants of coaching passed down from his father, Bernie Bickerstaff, emphasizing the importance of telling the truth and treating everyone with the same respect. League Life: J.B. introduces "League Life," the resource app he and his wife, Nikki, created to help professional sports families navigate the constant moves and find vetted services in new cities. We’ll see you next week for episode six of The Program. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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. For Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@inthearenastudios.com  For Press Inquiries: Press@inthearenastudios.com  For General Inquiries: Inquiries@inthearenastudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    Parcells Team Building Lessons & Will NIL Kill College Dynasties? With Mike Tannenbaum

    Woj sits down with his former ESPN colleague, current NFL Front Office Insider at ESPN, and founder of The 33rd Team, Mike Tannenbaum, to discuss the dramatic blurring lines between the NFL and major college football. College Football & The Cap How NIL, revenue sharing, and the lack of a true salary cap are forcing college GMs and coaches to adopt NFL-style decision-making. The essential difference between a "binary" scholarship decision and a rigorous salary cap approach. Is the dynasty dead? Mike's take on whether the Nick Saban-era of dominance is possible in the new landscape where players like Carson Beck can earn millions. Lessons from Bill Parcells  The most important principles Tannenbaum learned about team-building and player evaluation from his mentor, Bill Parcells. How Parcells was using data and analytics 30 years ago with his "typing system" for player prototypes (e.g., the "big men" philosophy). The Steve Kerr & David Blatt Saga A fascinating look inside Tannenbaum's time as an agent, detailing the final, dramatic hours of the Steve Kerr coaching sweepstakes between the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors. The race to hire David Blatt for the Cleveland Cavaliers right before LeBron James' return. The Future of the NFL Mike's prediction on what will drive the NFL forward in the next 5-10 years: sports science, player wellness, and data-driven decision-making to win on the edges. We’ll see you next week for episode six of The Program. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's #1 Sports Prediction Market, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds in over 35 states! Learn more at ⁠https://novig.us/woj 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. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/ozgl82a2 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. For Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@inthearenastudios.com  For Press Inquiries: Press@inthearenastudios.com  For General Inquiries: Inquiries@inthearenastudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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. Bonaventure men's basketball program—is joined by high-profile guests. They offer a wide range of perspectives across multiple college and professional sports to explore the business of building a sustainable and competitive program. Woj will approach every conversation from the seat of a brand-new GM in a completely different profession. With this transition in mind, the series acts as a lens into his own curiosity, seeking to understand how teams develop their respective programs and what it takes to sustain the success needed to compete at the highest levels of college and professional sports. For Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsorship@inthearenastudios.com For Press Inquiries: Press@inthearenastudios.com For General Inquiries: Inquiries@inthearenastudios.com

Information

  • Creator
    In the Arena Studios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14