Beyond The X's And O's With Trent Dilfer

Luke Fickell talk with Trent about his career as a state champion wrestler, how that translated to the football field, playing in 50 consecutive games at OSU, playing in the Rose Bowl, and building a process and culture at Cincinnati.

Josh Heupel joins Trent to discuss his experience playing junior college, what the game means to those who take that route, playing in and winning the National Title, getting drafted and what the process was like for him, and what it means to be the head coach of a program like the University of Tennessee.

Lincoln Riley joins Trent to discuss the importance of playing multiple sports when young and the lessons you can learn from it, the various coaches he learned under from Mike Leach to Bob Stoops, the responsibility he feels to make sure he is bringing his all for his players, what its like to coach players with extreme talent, and what it means to him to be a Trojan.

Notre Dame Head Football Coach joins Trent to share his story, starting with his All American playing career at Ohio State, through Draft Day in the NFL, and all the way through his coaching career culminating in his head coaching job at Notre Dame.

Mel Tucker joins Trent to discuss his early experiences as a head coach, Michigan State culture, the current state of NIL feeling like free agency, and much more.

Current UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, joins Trent to discuss his football beginnings, how he came up as a defensive coach, why working his way up through the ranks was so important, and then touches on his time at Oregon. Kelly also talks us through his own playing days and how he transitioned to becoming a coach, the lessons he learned early on as a coach and the value of learning to teach. Going into a new era of college football, Kelly walks us through what it’s like navigating NIL, his excitement for the upcoming season and what it means to be a Bruin.

Drew Bledsoe joins Trent to discuss his high school football experience, not being recruited until his senior year, and the decision to go to Washington State University. He discusses his first completion in college being in a JV game and what it was like playing against USC in the Coliseum in his very next game. They go on to discuss his college journey ending with him being the number 1 overall pick in the draft, what it was like to play for a team of Hall of Fame coaches in Pete Carroll, Bill Parcells, & Bill Belichick, why the Patriots’ success has been so sustainable, his experience with Tom Brady, and how he is attacking his new career running Doubleback Winery with the same passion he did in his football career.

Atlanta Falcons and former Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron joins Trent to discuss his football journey, which began around when started walking. He explains why playing multiple sports through his high school career led to becoming a successful NFL quarterback, his views on winning and losing, how relationships changed as he received multiple college offers, what team his father led on as he was being recruited, and ultimately why he chose ‘Bama. What was it like playing for Coach Nick Saban? Then he talks about his current relationship with Saban, the importance of family, and the right kind of quarterback mentality.

Former Jets and Dolphins Quarterback and two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington sits down with Trent to talk through his journey from high school to Marshall to the NFL. Pennington dives into his experience climbing up the depth chart, his successful senior college season, and his transition into pro football. He relives moments with long time friend Randy Moss and what it was like to attend the Heisman ceremony. He wraps up with highlights from his time with the New York Jets to the Miami Dolphins at the end of his NFL career.

Super Bowl Champion QB Brad Johnson sits down with Trent to discuss how he went back and forth between basketball and football before ultimately deciding to focus on playing quarterback, the good times and lessons learned while playing for Bobby Bowden at FSU, and how playing in the World League forged him into the NFL quarterback he was always meant to be. Plus, Brad tells a hilarious story about why he got blamed for cheating in the Super Bowl 15 years after the fact, and shares how much having his family by his side throughout his career helped him to succeed.

Newly-inducted College Football Hall of Famer and No.1 overall pick Carson Palmer joins the show to share his perspective on what it took to win a Heisman, become a franchise quarterback, and leading teams deep into the playoffs. He talks about his early days in high school, what he learned about leadership there, his days at USC and the turmoil that occurred when former coach Pete Carroll took over, then talks through his NFL pre-draft process and what it was like being the top overall pick. Plus: why was it so critical that he had to study behind Jon Kitna for a year? Why is it that Kyler Murray, Mac Jones and others can succeed right off the bat? Finally, Carson discusses his philosophies on leadership, determination, and parenting.

Three-time Pro Bowler and iconic Virginia Tech and NFL quarterback Michael Vick sits down with Trent to explain how switching numbers became his “superhero cape”, why his HS coach didn’t speak to him for 6 months, and why he got chills before his first start for Virginia Tech. He also explains how a last-minute and surprising draft change was the best thing that could have happened for him and his family, plus talks about his influence on today's generation of quarterbacks.

College Football Hall of Famer Greg McElroy joins Trent to talk about the “lonely work” he put in in high school, explain why he decommitted from Texas Tech to go to Alabama, and what it was like during Nick Saban’s first year as the head coach of Alabama. He also discusses the ubiquitous presence of Tim Tebow in his life, from high school to competing against him with New York Jets to his role as a TV analyst.

Seattle Seahawks legend Matthew Hasselbeck may have been a 6th round draft pick, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a starting QB in the NFL. Matthew joins Trent to reflect on his time growing up around the NFL, shares his thoughts on how valuable being a multi-sport athlete can be and talks about what it was like not being invited to the combine. Matthew & Trent end their time together by looking back on their time in Seattle - the good and the bad.

Lions QB Jared Goff may have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, but his journey to being an NFL starting QB was not a conventional one. Jared joins Trent to share stories from his journey, including why he played several sports at once, how he didn't start as a QB in high school till his junior year, hearing Mel Kiper declare him ready for the draft before Goff himself was, meeting Jeff Fisher knowing he'd go No. 1, and his adjustment to NFL starter. Plus, Jared and Trent both recall moments from their respective Super Bowls, including a few throws they want back to this day.

Former No. 1 overall pick quarterback, Alex Smith, joins the show to walk us through his unlikely football journey -- because not everyone goes from being a 5’7 high school freshman considering joining the cross-country team to the top pick in the NFL Draft. Alex talks about his high school playing days with Reggie Bush, making his way to Utah and switching styles under Urban Meyer, working with Trent and Norv Turner in San Francisco, flourishing later in his career with Andy Reid & the Chiefs, mentoring Patrick Mahomes, and his future after football.

Former NFL quarterback, Ryan Leaf, joins the show and tells the story of how he cut his own cast off at school in an effort to get back on the football field, becoming “baby Bledsoe”, and questioning his college decision after the hazing he faced days after moving into college. Ryan opens up about the moment he believes his NFL career ended along with the path his life took in the years following. Throughout the episode, Ryan shares his advice and encouragement to any who might need to hear it.

USC legend and longtime NFL QB Mark Sanchez joins the show to talk about transferring high schools, playing for Pete Carroll, and his insane recruiting process, including stories about Notre Dame and Texas, as the first nationally-recognized 5-star QB. He shares the culture shock he felt going from California boy to and playing in New York after being drafted by the New York Jets, and if NFL franchises should even draft California QBs given the adjustment to harsh winter weather. Sanchez also reveals his thoughts on the current state of USC football after the firing of head coach Clay Helton and talks about the next phase of his career as a broadcaster at Fox.

Hall of Famer and Trent's close friend Steve Young joins the show and tells the story of his disastrous first start in high school. Young reveals that he didn't know how to throw a football until he got to college and learned by watching Jim McMahon. Young shares tales of memorable recruiting trips, including watching a freshman Dan Marino play against Army, and explains the philosophy he uses to power through difficult times. Young shares his perspective on how the NFL has changed to enhance offenses by resembling college, and the state of football today, stressing Bill Walsh's importance in creating a greater community in the NFL and how teams can improve their organizations to help develop young quarterbacks. Young believes that the most successful QB's are sophisticated passers, and encourages Zach Wilson to improve after throwing four interceptions this past weekend.

Hall of Famer and 49ers GM John Lynch shares what it was like to play QB in high school, talks about getting recruited by Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, and explains how playing football made him better at baseball, and how all the sports he played made him a better athlete. Lynch tells stories playing against Elway, Montana, and Brady, how he evaluates QBs, gives insight into the Niners plans to use both Jimmy Garroppolo and Trey Lance, and ends with stories of his and Trent's friendship and how important his family is to his success.

Kurt Warner, the only player in NFL history to go from undrafted to Super Bowl MVP, joins Trent to offer his wisdom to the next generation. Warner was never highly recruited, but he knew his preparation would give him a chance at the next level. Warner tells Trent how his preparation led to success when he got his chance as a starter for the Rams, how his goal of educating the next crop of young gunslingers through QB Confidential, and ends with a powerful message: don't allow your circumstances stop you from being the best person you can be.

Warren Moon Moon won five championships in five years in the CFL before being named to nine Pro Bowls in Houston, Minnesota, and Seattle, but he faced a tremendous number of challenges along the way. Moon opens up on the racism he faced at every stage of his journey, and how he dealt with it to find success as an athlete and a man. He also shares how his JuCo coaches tried to stop colleges from recruiting him, his CFL coaches tried to stop him from signing with the NFL, and how coaches at every level tried to change his position.

Three-time MVP Brett Favre joins Trent and shares what it was like to play for his dad in high school and wishing he had more options when he was recruited. He explains how he chose the number 4 when he got Southern Mississippi, developing his skills on the scout team, learning to ask for help, and making the most of his chances when they came. Favre explains how a friendship with Deion Sanders helped him get through being hazed as a rookie, and how that experience shaped how he treated people for the rest of his career. He talks about the present and future of the QB position, compares himself to Josh Allen, and why he feels compelled to run half marathons and bike hundreds of miles to stay active.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew joins Trent to walk him through Minshew's path from dominating high school in Mississippi, to playing JuCo at Northwest Mississippi, to struggling to Eastern Carolina University, to nearly playing for Alabama before ending up as a Heisman candidate at Washington State. Minshew shares how he stayed positive in the face of obstacles at every stop along the way, how that mentality kept him motivated and focused once he got the NFL, his memories of being drafted, and how he's acheived peace by focusing on controlling what he can control.

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman joins Trent to share his journey from high school to Super Bowl champion, beginning with the nerves he dealt with before his first varsity start, his recruiting experience and his issues with how it's done now, and the obstacles he overcame at Oklahoma that led to his transfer to UCLA. Aikman delves into the highs and lows of being drafted first overall and then going 0-11 as a rookie, his definition of leadership, and what it means to be a #girldad.

Subscribe now to Beyond the X's and O's with Trent Dilfer, coming Thursday, Aug. 19!