Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth

Yogi Roth
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A college football podcast through the lens of the West Coast. Yogi Roth brings a uniquely expert, curious, and western take on the game we love. Facts first, opinions second. www.y-option.com

  1. FEB 24

    The Infinite Game: What I Learned Playing with Larry Fitzgerald

    One of my college roommates is heading to Canton. That sentence still feels surreal. When I first met Larry Fitzgerald on his visit to the University of Pittsburgh, I had no idea I was meeting a future Hall of Famer. I just knew he had presence. Not hype. Not ego. Presence. When he arrived at training camp, the coaches quietly pulled me aside and asked me to help him learn the offense. What I didn’t fully grasp at the time was what they already knew: he wasn’t just there to compete. He was there to take over. And it took about two weeks. But here’s what most people miss about Larry’s story. Yes, he could high-point a football like nobody I’ve seen in 25 years around major college football. Yes, he tracked the deep ball with the instincts of a center fielder tracking a line drive into the gap. Yes, he could manipulate defensive backs, adjust stride length mid-route, and finish through contact with late, violent hands. But that’s not what made him an All American at Pitt. It was how he saw the game — and his life — from the beginning. So in the latest Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding partner 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat it’s just me, celebrating him. My 1st lesson from him. During the first game of his freshman year he, like the rest of us at Pitt, wore a suit and tie to the game. That was the rule our head coach, Walt Harris, mandated. I think we all liked it as it felt like a business trip. But postgame everyone was changing into warm-ups to leave the stadium. I noticed that Larry started to put his suit back on. I quickly told him that he doesn’t have to. He looked at me and said, at least this is how I remember it, “Yogi, they’re going to know what I’m about from the jump.” That wasn’t bravado. It was clarity. He came to college with a vision. Not just to be great at Pitt. Not just to make the league. But to be a pro — in habits, discipline, preparation, relationships. Small things, All things as the phrase goes. Larry grew up around it. His father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., covered sports in Minnesota. As a kid, Larry was a ball boy around legends and he saw how pros moved, trained and most importantly how they treated everyone around them. By the time he arrived on campus, Larry Fitzgerald wasn’t dreaming. He was executing. Talent Is Everywhere. Discipline Is Rare. I’ve been around Elite 11 quarterbacks for nearly two decades. I’ve been a broadcaster for 19 years and a coach for 4. Point being — I’ve seen first-round talent up close. Natural ability is not rare at that level. What’s rare is clarity. Larry didn’t drink. Didn’t party. Had a tight circle. Was early to bed. Lived in the film room. Lived in the weight room. And that playlist was on repeat daily. I remember visiting him during the season when he was with the Arizona Cardinals. It was 8:00 PM and he said, “You can hang out, I’m going to bed.” Why? “I’m trying to be my best.” That’s it. No drama. No speech. Just alignment between what he dreamt of and how he lived. When he decided to leave Pitt early for the NFL, I asked him if he’d considered coming back. He reframed it in a way that’s stayed with me forever: if a surgeon is offered his dream job early, he goes. If a musician gets the gig of a lifetime, she goes. He was a wide receiver being offered his dream. He wasn’t chasing status. He was honoring preparation. Playing Through Loss During spring practice after his freshman season practice stopped and Larry left. News spread that his mom had passed away. I didn’t know then what that kind of loss felt like. I do now. What I remember most wasn’t just the grief — it was how he channeled it. He played for her. He carried her smile. He allowed the pain to sharpen his focus, not shrink his world. Or so it seemed. I know there was a lot of pain and I imagine that playing with his teammates allowed him to navigate through it. At least all of us hoped that we helped him out in the smallest of ways. After all, that’s what teammates do. And our roster was extremely close. Looking back he taught me a powerful lesson that season: that there’s a difference between playing for applause and playing with purpose. After he lost his Mom, it felt like Larry was playing for something deeper that just touchdowns and wins. And it showed. The Infinite Game Recently, I watched him receive his Hall of Fame invitation and greet Randy Moss — another all-time great. There was a knowing smile between them. A shared understanding of what it takes to get there. But when I think of Larry, I don’t first think of Pro Bowl’s or a Super Bowl run. I think of the freshman who chose the suit. The teammate who made everyone feel seen. The competitor who handed, or threw, the ball to officials after touchdowns like it was part of his joy. He played an infinite game. Not just to win on Saturdays.Not just to dominate on Sundays.But to become. He became one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.He became the greatest teammate I ever had.He became a father whose eldest son is now headed to University of Notre Dame to chase his own dream. And in a few months he officially becomes a Hall of Famer. I’ve never been to Canton before. This summer, I’ll go. Not just to celebrate a gold jacket. But to honor the habits.The discipline.The clarity.The compassion. Larry Fitzgerald didn’t just achieve greatness. He decided on it — early — and then lived accordingly. And if there’s one lesson in his story for any young athlete, entrepreneur, artist, or dreamer reading this, it’s simple: * Be clear about what you’re about. * Be truly confident around what Matters Most * Then let your daily discipline make it undeniable. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    14 min
  2. The Trends Reshaping College Football

    FEB 20

    The Trends Reshaping College Football

    The offseason is when football gets quiet enough to actually see it. In my recent Substack collaboration with Cody Alexander of Match Quarters, we didn’t just talk trends — we talked about the hidden language of defense, and why it’s still the hardest side of the ball for most people to truly understand. Offense has a few common dialects. Defense is a thousand little ones. The same concept can be taught five different ways, named five different things, and argued over like it’s personal. That’s part of why Cody’s work matters: he’s built a space that translates complexity into clarity without dumbing it down. As always, every conversation here at Y-Option is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Cody’s story is also a reminder of how quickly the game can redirect a life and one I have deep regard for. A former college coach who left to chase his passion is a lane I can get down with on so many levels. Coaching gave Cody the foundation, but instability — and the desire to protect time with his family — pushed him to create something sustainable. What began as writing on the internet turned into a full-time platform that now serves everyone from curious fans to coaches at the highest levels. He’s not just analyzing defense; he’s teaching it. And it didn’t happen overnight. So for the young coaches out there who are often whispering to me about life away from the office, this conversation may inspire you. Also, as former coaches, we zoomed out to the sport itself and trends that are coming to college football. The biggest takeaway: the NFL and college football are closer than they’ve ever been. As pro football fully embraced space, spread structures, and two-high solutions, defensive ideas that once felt “college” now live on Sundays — and NFL approaches are flowing back down into Saturdays. We spent time on what teams like Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Ohio State represent: defenses that win with multiplicity, movement, and disguise without asking players to memorize a novel. It’s less about having one perfect call and more about building a system that can adjust at a premium level week to week. We closed with something I loved — an idea bigger than scheme. When you know the game deeply, it’s easy to turn into a critic. But Cody still watches with joy. He studies hard, teaches relentlessly, and still loves the sport for what it is. That’s the point of the offseason, too. To learn. To see. And to come back to the game with more appreciation than noise. Much love and so grateful for our community. Let’s stay steady folks, spring ball is right around the corner. Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    38 min
  3. The Competitive Advantage of Joy

    FEB 4

    The Competitive Advantage of Joy

    There’s a certain kind of coach you can spot from a mile away. Not because of the headset or the scheme or the postgame soundbite. But because of the energy — the tone in the building, the way his players talk about the work, the way the staff carries itself on a Monday, the way the program feels when the season is done and the scoreboard is no longer speaking. Tim Plough is that kind of coach. Welcome to our Coaches Series, where this off season we will bring you in depth analysis, insight and conversations with coaches and GM’s in college football. Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To learn what Makes Coaches Great be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, podcast and YouTube channel Right now, leading UC Davis football, Tim Plough is building something that doesn’t fit neatly into the modern college football algorithm. It’s one that has almost nothing to do with chasing the next rung and everything to do with owning the one right in front of you. And for every head coach or aspiring head coach, this conversation will cut you deeply. (And if you’re a fan of Ted Lasso, Tim Plough will tee you up for this season) As always, every conversation here at Y-Option is fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Coach Plough’s first two seasons as a head coach have been the kind that earn attention: postseason football, national visibility, and a growing sense that UC Davis isn’t just “a good program” — it’s a program moving toward something bigger. But what stood out most in our conversation wasn’t the resume line. It was the way he described his head coaching experience: the learning curve, the mistakes, the emotional toll of falling short late, and the obsession with getting better without letting the business turn him into someone he doesn’t recognize. In a profession that often equates “growth” with leaving, Plough has had to define the word differently. Because he’s lived the push-pull that every ambitious coach knows: succeed where you are, and the world starts telling you the only rational next step is to get out. “The two-box filter” This part of our conversation will be cut and pasted into my life and may impact yours. Coach Plough shared a simple framework he’s used to make career decisions — one that applies just as cleanly to players in the transfer portal as it does to coaches staring at the next offer. He evaluates opportunities through two essential questions: * Who will I be around every day? * Will this make me better—on and off the field? Essentially, will I grow holistically? If he can’t check both boxes, he stays. That’s it. No elaborate speech. No posturing. Just a disciplined refusal to trade daily environment and development for a temporary dopamine hit — whether that dopamine comes from money, visibility, or the illusion that “this leads to that.” It’s a filter built for a chaotic era. And it might be the most practical tool I’ve heard from anyone navigating modern football. And it hit me square in the face as I almost changed my life path last year due to a temporary dopamine hit. Joy isn’t soft. It’s the edge. If you’ve watched UC Davis this season, you’ve probably seen it: the “JOY” hat, the postgame interviews with his kids, the steady presence even when the stakes are real. That isn’t branding. It’s philosophy. Plough’s relationship with joy started years ago — through the influence of Jim Sochor, the architect of what so many still call the “Davis coaching tree.” Sochor didn’t offer him a playbook first. He offered a question: Have you found joy? Over time, that question turned into a guiding principle: * Happiness is outcome-driven (and fragile). * Joy is process-driven (and stable). Tim Plough’s point is simple: if your emotional state is tied to outcomes, you’ll live on a roller coaster — high after a win, hollow after a loss, never anchored long enough to actually develop. But if you can build a “neutral mindset,” where gratitude and daily craft define the work, you gain something most teams spend all year chasing: consistency under pressure. Joy, in this framing, isn’t softness. It’s durability. Quarterbacks, development, and the modern trap Tim Plough is a quarterback coach at heart, even with the head coach title. And I had to present to him my philosophy on the QB position right now: * QB development in high school is as advanced as it’s ever been. * QB development in college—especially at the highest levels—is often the thinnest it’s ever been. He agreed and took it a step further. After all, he said the development of the quarterback postion is “Quest of my life right now.” His reasoning is not because coaches don’t care. It’s because the incentives have changed, at every level in college. When teams can buy experience through the portal, many stop investing time in the slow, messy, essential process of developing someone. Instead, they recruit ready-made résumés: starts, reps, game film. The problem? Most of the quarterbacks who ultimately thrive — at any level — aren’t always the ones who arrive as finished products. They’re the ones who get shaped somewhere, then explode when opportunity finally arrives. In other words: development still matters. But fewer people are willing to pay for it with patience. Plough’s counter is clear: if a player chooses a place where he can actually be developed, he can still end up on the biggest stages later — only now he’ll be ready for them. He pointed to the rare modern decision that reflects this mindset: a young quarterback willing to be a backup, to learn, to be built, instead of chasing instant stardom. That choice feels almost rebellious in 2026. Which probably tells you why it’s so valuable. Why players stay at UC Davis This stat blew my mind. Since 2018, only 11 players transferred out of UC Davis compared to broader Division I trends where the number is over 200 per school. Think about that for a moment — only 11! In an age where movement is the default, Davis has become a place where continuity still exists. Plough’s explanation isn’t complicated: * Players feel coached. * Players feel developed. * Players feel valued. * The environment makes sense. * And the program’s identity is strong enough to hold people in place. It’s also worth noting: UC Davis operates without the financial weapons many programs now rely on. Which, paradoxically, helps clarify motives. If a player chooses Davis, it isn’t because the check is the loudest voice in the room. It’s because the work is. And now, it’s because they see the transparency with Tim Plough. Family as culture, not accessory One of the most telling parts of the conversation had nothing to do with third-down calls. We touched up on the latest news around the coaching profession with new Bills head coach Joe Brady sharing that he missed the birth of a child due to a game and reportedly the GM of the Vikings is being criticized for taking two weeks of paternity leave. Two things that made most of the sports world cringe. Plough talked about building a staff culture where being a dad and a husband isn’t something you squeeze in after the job — it’s part of the job. A program where kids are around, where life isn’t kept outside the facility doors, where coaches are expected to show up for their families with the same intensity they show up for game planning. He’s not naïve about the grind. He’s just clear about the cost. And he’s making a decision — publicly, structurally — that time is more valuable than a bigger number on paper. That’s rare. And if you’ve spent any time around football, you know how rare it is. Getting over the hump For Oregon, Penn State, USC, Washington, Iowa, Nebraska fans — this one will resonate. Coach Plough opened up about the hardest part of building: getting over the hump and how to maximize a teams ability. That space between “we’re close” and “we did it” is where programs either fracture or evolve. And for him, the answer isn’t a magical speech. It’s a renewed commitment to the smallest details: * Situational mastery * Ball security * Incremental improvements across offense, defense, and special teams * And, maybe most importantly, playing your best football when your best is required. (Hello Indiana fans) He’s chasing the final step the same way he’s built everything else: by refusing to let the moment become bigger than the craft while still seeking joy. The essence of our conversation College football is louder than it’s ever been. More movement. More money. More urgency. More pressure to be “first” instead of thoughtful. And that’s why a coach like Tim Plough matters. Because he’s building something rooted in a different scoreboard. One that measures joy. Daily growth. Development. Family. Process. Environment. Identity. The Davis Way isn’t a throwback. It’s a counterpunch. And in this era, it might be the competitive advantage hiding in plain sight. Hope you enjoyed today’s conversation and hope you enjoy our Coaches Series this off-season as more are on the way here at Y-Option. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    51 min
  4. What the 2025 Season Actually Revealed

    JAN 28

    What the 2025 Season Actually Revealed

    College football doesn’t really end anymore. The clock hits :00. The trophy gets handed out. And almost immediately, the sport gets loud again. Portal moves, litigation, coaching changes, CFP debates and more. Oh, and by the way, we’ve also got a Super Bowl coming up with Seattle vs. New England. (Hello Elite 11 finalists Sam Darnold and Drake Maye) With everything seemingly happening all at once in football, there’s a race to be first instead of thoughtful. It’s the same in the content world. Instant reaction shows. Social posts fired off before the dust settles. Takes delivered as fast as possible. That’s not how we do it at Y-Option. Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. After the Hoosiers hoisted their hardware, we took a pause. And today, we took a detailed look back at the season that was in 2025. Today’s episode of Y-Option, fueled by our founding sponsor 76® — keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat, is with Jim Thornby. For nearly two hours, we just talked. No timer. No rush. Multiple cups of coffee. Dozens of teams. Real perspective. One hundred and five minutes later, the result was less of a “podcast” and more of a conversation. And as we talked, one thing became clear: * The biggest change in college football isn’t happening at the top. It’s happening in the middle. The 12-team Playoff didn’t just give more teams access, it changed the psychology of the sport. Suddenly, programs sitting fourth, fifth or sixth in their conference are making million-dollar decisions with almost no margin for error. Quarterbacks cost more. Mistakes cost more. One Saturday can swing an entire donor base’s belief. We talk about why that reality is both exciting and dangerous and why the sport still hasn’t figured out how to handle what comes after the final whistle. We went league by league—not to rank them, but to understand them. The Big Ten’s rise isn’t accidental, it’s legit and not going anywhere but up. The SEC isn’t broken, but it’s no longer bulletproof. The ACC looked chaotic… until Miami made a run that forced everyone to re-think the narrative. And the Big 12? Still searching for the moment that changes how the country sees it. Context matters. And it’s usually the first thing lost online. We also spent time on the Pac-12, a place that impacted both of us deeply, as it steps into a new reality. Looking back was a reminder that Oregon State and Washington State found ways to survive, even when the odds were stacked against them. And now, under the leadership of Commissioner Teresa Gould, they’re building something with substance: proven head coaches, programs with real momentum, and a league that still has a path to the CFP. That’s why we made this episode. To celebrate the game and coach the viewer. We know it’s “too long” according to the experts and the algorithms. But Y-Option wasn’t created to win an algorithm. It was built to serve the thoughtful college football fan, coach, and player. So before we sprint forward into the Super Bowl, Signing Day, and Spring Ball, let’s take one last look back at where we’ve been as a sport. As always, thank you for being here. This doesn’t happen without your support. Much love, and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    1h 41m
  5. Inside the Indiana Hoosiers National Title

    JAN 23

    Inside the Indiana Hoosiers National Title

    The season may be over, but moments like the one in Miami linger because they tell us something deeper about the game. Fresh off the National Championship, I connected with the Big Ten Network’s Howard Griffith on the latest Y-Option podcast, presented by 76 - keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Howard spent the week in Miami, inside the emotion of the instant classic of Miami vs Indiana. He shared what stood out from the Hoosiers, and it wasn’t just how physical the game was, it was how complete Indiana looked. This was football built from the inside out, defined by line play, mental conditioning, and a team prepared to absorb pressure without flinching. Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. As a 2-time Super Bowl Champion, Howard has lived championship moments at every level, and he recognized something familiar (see John Elway) when Indiana’s quarterback put everything on the line in the biggest moment of the game. Those plays don’t just move the chains, they unify a sideline and reveal belief. What followed the final whistle felt different too. It was the culmination of a two-year build by IU marked by road wins, discipline, and an ability to handle the invisible weight of being undefeated without talking about it. That’s the part that can’t be copied easily. Indiana didn’t win because of recruiting rankings or shortcuts. They won because everyone, from Curt Cignetti to the locker room as this team was aligned in message, intent, and daily habits. Indiana isn’t going anywhere in the Big Ten Conference. Neither is the standard they revealed on Monday night. And that may put even more teams in college football on the clock. Thanks for the support and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel as we hope to bring you thoughtful insight into college football. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    28 min
  6. Indiana wins the National Title!

    JAN 20

    Indiana wins the National Title!

    We just witnessed the greatest story in college football history as Indiana goes 16-0 and beats Miami to win the National Title. Welcome to a LIVE and instant reaction to the game and the conclusion of the season with Ryan McGrady of CBS Sports and 24/7 and the man who has helped shape Y-Option: Scouting. Ryan has worked in the NFL, College Football and MLB, let alone working at Pac-12 Network and currently at CBS Sports. Most importantly, he’s been a close friend and someone who has expertise in all things college football. Hope you enjoy our short conversation and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more insight and analysis within college football! Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    18 min
  7. The Long Game with JaMarcus Shephard

    JAN 19

    The Long Game with JaMarcus Shephard

    College football moves fast right now, but real leadership still takes time. This week on Y-Option, we sit down with Oregon State head coach JaMarcus Shephard to talk about the long road, the responsibility that comes with the head coach’s chair, and what it means to build something real in a moment defined by change. Every episode of Y-Option is presented by our founding sponsor, 76®, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. This week’s conversation features Oregon State Beavers head coach JaMarcus Shephard and a leadership journey defined by patience, purpose, and earned opportunity. Coach Shephard’s path to Corvallis wasn’t fast or linear. It was built through years of service, curiosity, and taking on responsibility wherever it was available--inside and outside of football. That long-game perspective now shapes how he leads a program in an era dominated by speed, noise, and transaction. We dive into how a wide range of coaching influences helped him find an authentic voice, why consistency matters more than image in the head coach’s chair, and how care, discipline, and accountability coexist in his program. At the core is a belief in creating a family environment--one that moves players from serving themselves to serving each other. The conversation also explores the opportunity in front of Oregon State: a re-imagined Pac-12, a locker room with a chip on its shoulder, and a chance to build something lasting by setting a clear standard and living it daily. It’s a conversation about culture, belief, and building something real--one rep, one relationship, one day at a time. Enjoy today’s conversation, the national title game and by Tuesday morning the start of your off-season. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for insight all off-season long. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    22 min
  8. The National Championship, Explained - with Bruce Feldman

    JAN 13

    The National Championship, Explained - with Bruce Feldman

    One game remains and it’s a match up with one of college footballs most notable teams, the Miami Hurricanes, vs college football most beloved teams, the Indiana Hoosiers. It truly has everything a fan of the game could ask for and am sure Hollywood agents are lining up for the life rights to this years college football story. Thus, we welcome back Bruce Feldman, one of college football’s best storytellers, to Y-Option to dive into the National Championship game. As always, this podcast is fueled by our founding sponsor, 76® - keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beat. Bruce is an alum of Miami and an expert in college football with a detailed lens on the quarterback position. We dive into all of that in today’s conversation. Some of the details include: * Miami’s rise isn’t about re-creating the past but built in the trenches under Mario Cristobal. * Indian’s run is a brilliant story and if they win, they should be considered among the greatest teams of all time. * The Quarterback position: how should premiere recruits approach which school they attend. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel as we will have LIVE content later this week. Also, we will have you covered all week long in advance of the title game with another Y-Option Scouting: Indiana vs Miami and more. Much love and stay steady, Yogi Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

    30 min
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About

A college football podcast through the lens of the West Coast. Yogi Roth brings a uniquely expert, curious, and western take on the game we love. Facts first, opinions second. www.y-option.com

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