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My teammate joins this week in the Huddle. Ricky Williams is a gentle soul that was misunderstood by many for years in the NFL. After winning the Heisman and every other award while at the University of Texas, the expectations placed on him were unrealistic for many, but not Ricky. He expected to be great, and talking with him about his journey was incredible.  Growing up in San Diego, he became a star on the diamond and the football field. He was drafted by the Phillies and played in their farm system while in college. Although he has a deep love for baseball, he excelled on the football field. While at Texas, he was a two-time All-American and won the Heisman trophy. He loved Texas because he said it felt like a family. Ricky was drafted by New Orleans, who traded all their draft picks that year to move up and get him. New Orleans is the only team in NFL history to draft one player in an NFL draft.  This is why expectations were so high. He lasted 3 years in New Orleans before being traded to Miami. While in Miami, his Lifes calling was just beginning. He retired, played in the CFL for Toronto, and then played for the Dolphins again. He finished his 11-year career with Baltimore Ravens.  Ricky was still finding out who he was. He started coaching and became an ESPN analyst for the Longhorn Network. He was in a few reality shows, Celebrity Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother. Ricky followed his heart to alternative medicine and healing through all of this. He is now an astrologer, owns a wellness company called Real Wellness, and created a new app to use astrology to match people using their astrological signs. He also has his own podcast called Curious Questions, where he interviews his guests about their lives and interest using their astrological signs.  Follow Ricky @williams on Instagram and @rickthelaureate on Twitter. His store: https://realwellnessherbal.com His Website: https://rickywilliams.life Thank you, Ricky!!!!!

Joining me this week is one of the freshest guys on the radio. Zach Gelb is a rising star in Sports radio, and you can find him every weekday on CBS Sports Radio from 6-10 pm EST. Yes, he beat me in our NFL picks this year, and I owe him a Fat Head of myself, but I am still waiting on my steak. Zach's dad Bob has been in the radio business for a long time running the Mike and The Mad Dog show. Bob helped Zach start his first show in their basement when he was eight years old. Zach always knew he wanted to be a sports broadcaster but did play many sports growing up. He retired from playing sports to talking about them in 10th grade, and he has carved an insane path to the top of his industry.  Zach chose Temple over Syracuse and worked hard not on his books but on his studio time. He says that his most significant experience came from being in the studio and learning from real-life experiences. Zach landed his first job in New Jersey out of college at WNJE. He made a few more moves before landing one of the top spots for CBS Sports Radio. 

Joining me in the Huddle this week is Michele Tafoya. Since 2011, she has been a reporter for NBC Sports, primarily as a sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football. We find out that her love for sports came from the passion her dad had for sports, a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan. Her father Orlando Tafoya grew up in San Francisco and attended many games at Kezar Stadium. Michele describes her parents as compassionate and inspiring role models; she gives them much credit for her success.  By the time Michele was 27, she had earned her Bachelors in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. During her time at graduate school, she really thought about exactly what it was she wanted to do. What she knew was, she loves sports and she loves journalism. She thought if she could marry the two together she would never work a day in her life. There was no shortage of inspiration for her dreams. She admired the works of Lesley Visser and Robin Roberts and felt confident that she could do what they do. She landed her first gig in her professional broadcasting career; she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and started covering games not only for the NFL Vikings but the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team as well. From there she accepted an offer in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a color analyst for the men’s basketball team for the University of North Carolina; in 1993 she was the first woman to hold that position. As Michele became more recognized she also became more sought after. From 1994 to 1999 she co-hosted "CBS Sports Spectacular". In 1996 she positioned herself as the first woman to call television play-by-play of an NCAA Tournament game. Michele quite frequently works several jobs at a time. She is of course humbly proud of her accomplishments, but she credits hard work and dedication for her success. In the new millennium, Michele spent the next decade with ABC and ESPN, in 2004 she was allowed to report side by side with Al Michaels and John Madden for ABC’s Monday Night Football. By 2011 Michele had earned so much respect she was offered a position of sideline reporter for the most-watched weekly game. She was back with Al Michaels for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. With her outstanding sports personality, she won two Emmys; one in her first year with Sunday Night Football and the second in 2013. And in 2014 Michele won her second Gracie Award for her work on Lifetime again, but with the Sunday Night Football syndicate.

Professional golfer, Fred Funk joins me in the Huddle this week. I talk to Fred about his time growing up in Maryland and how working at the University of Maryland golf course starting at age 10. He was a multi-sport athlete growing up but golf eventually became his passion. He attended the University of Maryland, studied Law Enforcement and was on the golf team. After college, Freds journey to the PGA was not easy but he never gave upon his dream and eventually eatrned his PGA Tour card.   Fred has had such a long and illustrious career that there is to much to write. Here is his PGA Bio.... https://www.pgatour.com/players/player.01381.fred-funk.html     

Joining me in the Huddle this week is an amazing woman, mother, player and coach. Playing hoops on the rough-and-tumble Harlem courts, Brooklyn-bred Nancy Lieberman learned to play a physical, aggressive style of basketball unlike other women of her time. As a 5'10" point guard, Lieberman was taller than many of the guards of her era, and her ability to drive to the hoop, dish out assists, and grab hard-fought rebounds served her well during her stellar career. Lieberman led Old Dominion University to back-to-back AIAW national championships in 1979 and 1980. She was twice named as the Wade Trophy winner - a basketball first. As the nation's top female athlete during those two seasons, Lieberman was the two-time winner of the Broderick Cup as well. Lieberman played professionally in the Women's Professional Basketball League, Women's American Basketball Association, United States Basketball League, Women's National Basketball Association, and with the Washington Generals. Earning WBL MVP honors with the Dallas Diamonds in 1981, she led the team to the 1984 WABA championship. I want to thank Nancy for her honest conversation and all of the incredible stories she shared with us. Her stories about Muhammed Ali, Kobe Bryant, Ice Cube and many others were incredible. It was a hard day for her because it was the anniversary of Kobe's death. They were very close. Thank you Nancy for sharing your special relationship with me and all of our listeners. Please visit http://nancyliebermancharities.org to donate!

He was so influential that he was voted one of the top 100 most influential people in sports and even voted higher than Michael Jordan for a few years. Some of his favorite announcers were John Madden, Jim Nantz, and Bob Costas. Rudy was actually the first in the industry to hire Bob Costas. Rudy was the Director of Operations for the Spirit of St. Louis of the ABA in 1974. He also worked for 3 other Pro Basketball organizations.

Joining us in the Huddle this week is American University Law professor, Jeremi Duru. His journey through life has been influenced by sports and the pursuit of racial equality. Moving from Africa back to the states at age 7, Jeremi realized how sports helped him connect with all the new kids in his school. He also realized his passion to stop racial injustice and inequality at a young age after watching the movie Roots. I think it is amazing how Jeremi has combined these two experiences to find his path in life.  Jeremi is a sports law expert, media commentator, law professor, author and advocate for strengthened solutions around diversity and inclusion. (bio below).  (Note: Jeremi was involved in Jim Rooney’s book project and on content related to The Rooney Rule) As one of the nation’s foremost sports law authorities, Duru teaches in the areas of sports law, civil procedure, and employment discrimination at American University Washington College of Law. His book Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL examines the NFL’s movement toward increased equality of opportunity for coaches and front office personnel. He is also co-author of Sports Law and Regulation: Cases and Materials and The Business of Sports Agents. You can find out more about Jeremi with this link. https://www.wcl.american.edu/community/faculty/profile/duru/bio  

Joining me in the Huddle this week is my former teammate and friend, Matt Birk. He played center and was a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens, a 6-time Pro Bowler and Walter Payton Man of the Year. He had an incredible NFL career and continues his endeavors off the field with his company, https://www.mattbirkandcompany.com Join me in the Huddle with Matt Birk!

In this week's episode of Huddle Up With Gus, I give way to my sons Gunnar and Gabe. The boys give us their views on future NFL QB's, playoff predictions, and betting on the NFL. They know the game as well as anyone and love talking shop with anyone who will listen. Gunnar will always listen to you and have a great discussion and Gabe will just rip you apart if you don't agree.  Gunnar just graduated in 2020 from William and Mary and was going to coach at Duquesne until they canceled their season.  Gabe is a Sr. at the University of Delaware and is studying Sport Management. They both went to Central Catholic High School and won a State Championship in football in 2015.   You can follow them on Instagram:  Gunnar---- gunnar_frerotte Gabe------gabe_frerotte   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining me in the Huddle this week is Top 100 golf instructor Debbie Doniger. Debbie picked up her first set of clubs at the age of seven in Greenwich, Connecticut and became a dedicated student of renowned golf instructor Jim McLean, who has been her mentor for more than 20 years. As a junior and amateur, Debbie won every New York Metropolitan tournament in the area and went on to play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she captained the golf team both her junior and senior years and led the Tar Heels to an ACC Championship in 1992. She was later inducted into the ACC Hall of Fame.  Selected as one of five college seniors to represent the United States in the World University Golf Championship, Debbie was the only American to medal that year, taking home an individual bronze. After college, she went on to compete on The Futures Tour, The Gold Coast Tour, and then in 1993, The European Tour.  It was very interesting to me that she picked her college around the fact that the coach would not try to change her swing or coach her differently then her current coach, Jim McClean. Her college experience created lasting friendships and shaped her future in golf.  Debbie is a Lead Master Instructor at The Jim McLean Golf School, where she has worked for over 10 years, and Director of Instruction at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York. For more on Debbie and how you can reach her please visit her website.  http://www.debbiedoniger.com     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was an awesome episode. Matt Kazam joins me in the Huddle this week and it is one of the best times I have had on the show. The hour went by way too fast! I think we needed 3 to discuss everything! You got to check out Matt's website, https://theylaughyouwin.com. Matt is bringing laughter back to the workplace. The revolutionary public speaking and humor training program of They Laugh You Win can turn anyone into an extraordinary public speaker. His story about Richard Branson is great and he has worked with many other CEOs who have all seen the value in humor training and teach their employees how to use the tools of stand-up comedy. Matt is a veteran comic who can be seen performing at the nation’s top comedy clubs, casinos, and theatres. He has performed stand-up comedy over 6,000 times in 45 states and 7 countries. Matt has also performed at over 1,000 corporate and private events. He has an amazing ability to work for any crowd, anywhere, any venue. At the age of 10, Matt saw his first comedy show in Las Vegas at the legendary Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He knew right then that was what he wanted to do with his life. In 2014 Matt’s boyhood dream was realized and amazingly at the same iconic property where the dream was born, the Riviera. Matt’s one-man comedy show, “40 Is Not The New 20,” was an instant success. Becoming a Las Vegas “must-see” show month after month. He was the last headliner to perform at the Riviera that saw the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis rise to fame. Matt’s energetic style, witty observations, and unassuming charm are the driving forces behind his unique and hilarious comedy & learning events.  Growing up in New York City, he started performing shows for family and friends at the age of three, but it wasn’t until graduating college from George Mason University with a degree in finance that Matt finally took the plunge as a full-time stand-up comedian. While in DC he also was an on-air sports personality talking Skins Football and all things sports in DC. He has made television appearances on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, Fox’s “Big Red Couch”, Comedy Central’s “Stand-Up Stand-Up”, VH-1’s “Fools For Love”, TLC’s “Two For Vegas”, The Discovery Channel’s “Lux List”, WGN’s “The Bob & Tom Show. He has appeared with Tommy Davidson on the Rascal’s Comedy Club Webcast “Live Caught On The Net”. In addition, Matt’s comedy special, “Stand-Up and Sit-Down with Matt Kazam,” is currently airing on XM Satellite Radio. In addition to these television projects, Matt was a writer for the 2008 “Fox Reality TV Awards” on the Fox Reality Channel. Matt’s 1-man show, “40 Is Not The New 20,” had a residency at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The hilarious show tackles the subject matter both literally and figuratively. The material explores how much the world has changed in the past 40 years. The show is a mid-life celebration of the knowledge and experience that can only be gained with age. The show is like comfort food for the soul. It puts the notion that 40 is the new 20 on trial and breaks down the concept into categories such as technology, the media, politics, relationships, family, our priorities, and even how much our bodies have changed over the years. Matt walks the audience through specific and general examples on how the 40 is not the new 20 and more importantly why?  All the while, the audience is being thoroughly entertained as well as feeling an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Everyday topics like marriage, fashion, parenting, work, commuting, bills, and exercise, just to name a few, will be compared and contrasted through the eyes of a 40+-year-old taking a look at today’s 20-year-old young adult.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week my guest, Doug Cosbie and I go old school and talk philosophy and mentality of football from the 70s and 80s. He was an all pro TE with the Cowboys and went onto be a coach at many different levels. One story that we heard from Doug epitomizes his philosophy of football.  Doug says you got to be stubborn. You have to work hard in life and in football and he quotes coach Monte Clark “You gotta plan your work and then work your plan.” In other words you create goals to be successful but sometimes you have to have a contingency plan, just like making on field adjustments during a game to get to your main objective.       Doug spent all of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys. Before entering the NFL, Cosbie attended Santa Clara University where he was a three-year starter at tight end. He finished his college career as Santa Clara's top receiving tight end with 120 receptions, 1,721 receiving yards, 14.3 yards per reception and 10 touchdowns. Cosbie was inducted into the SCU Athletic Hall of Fame.   With the Cowboys, Cosbie caught over 60 passes in a season twice during his career and set team records with catches and yards per season and career. He caught 300 passes for 3,728 yards and 30 TD's and also had 22 catches for 243 yards and 3 TD's in 7 playoff games. He still ranks eleventh in franchise history in receptions and ninth in receiving yards.    Doug now works with the IAFA, International American Football Academy. They help International American Football players get scholarships to American Colleges and Universities.  https://iafa.us   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining me in the huddle this week is former Super Bowl Champion, Eric Davis and NFL Network Executive Marc Watts. Eric Davis was a pivotal player in the 1994 NFC Championship game versus the Cowboys when he made two key plays early in the game. These plays helped the 49ers beat the previous two-time champion Cowboys to advance to the Super bowl. The 49ers went on to beat the San Diego Chargers 49–26. Marc Watts is America's foremost TV talent maven. No one has sculpted more in-front-of-the-camera TV careers than Marc. Hundreds of on-air TV news and sports personalities who are household names consider Marc to be the go-to coach that made their aspirations a reality.  Eric and Marc talk about their different paths in life and how sports helped shape their careers. They have joined together and created a company that helps athletes stay on the right path. Athlete Brandguard, a Los Angeles-based sports culture and empowerment corporation that specializes in athlete development, life skills, sensitivity training and etiquette. The corporation was formed by NFL Alumni member Eric Davis and former NFL Network executive Marc Watts. Together they’ve created an educational curriculum to assist athletes in protecting their brands, maximizing their earning power, mastering athlete etiquette and safeguarding themselves against scandal. Brandguard is taught in a one or two-day seminar and is also available as a certified online course (www.athletebrandguard.com). “Athlete Brandguard is a playbook on how to deal with life. Everything I learned and experienced inside and outside the lines as a prospect coming up in Alabama, getting drafted, winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers, dealing with media, fans, finances, retirement, up to today was precisely weighed for relevance to today’s athlete climate and it’s included in that AB (Athlete Brandguard) playbook. We never got a ‘Brandguard’ or tangible insight into the actual ‘show’ we were characters in. Mistakes made now are costlier. That’s why today this training is so essential for an athlete, starting with high schoolers,” said Davis.  Davis partnered with Watts in 2012, laying out the framework and in writing the coursework for Athlete Brandguard. They teach it on stage directly to amateur/pro teams, summer camps and it’s also offered as a comprehensive online course on their website. Both men had front row seats to major sports scandals. Watts was CNN’s lead correspondent on the 1994 O.J. Simpson double murder trial. “We’ve both witnessed first-hand historical events which enabled us to produce the online course detailing how sports, media, law, success, pressure to win, social media, activism, money and mental health are all connected,” says Davis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I played for The Washington Football Team (Redskins), I used to see Matthew every once in a while at games or our team facility. He was a big fan of the Redskins and we were a big fan of his too. I was excited to find out that he agreed to join me in the Huddle to talk about our past and his new book, Greenlights! I listened to Greenlights because it was narrated by Matthew and it was good to hear his voice but before we talked about his book we discussed the time we spent together in Washington DC and how he became a redskin fan living in Texas. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Please go to his Greenlights website to order his book or buy Merchandise. https://greenlights.com Please visit his Foundations website and donate to help children. https://www.jklivinfoundation.org Everyone knows his career but just in case you don't here is Matthews IMBD Bio.. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000190/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who would have thought that a guy from Jersey would grow up a Dolphins fan. Well my guest this week, Jim Florentine tells us why he is a Dolphins fan and the time he caught passes from Dan Marino. He has written a new book and is looking forward to getting back on the road doing StandUp!. For nearly 25 years Jim Florentine has been making audiences around the world laugh across nearly every type of media. Jim has recorded six stand-up comedy albums and shot four full-length specials. On television Jim hosted 7 seasons of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" as well as lending his voice to the ground breaking "Crank Yankers". On radio Jim has been a regular on The Howard Stern show, the Opie & Anthony show and currently hosts his own program on Sirius XM. In addition Jim is a best selling author, world-renowned voice over talent and has been featured in the film's "Beer League" with Artie Lange and "Trainwreck" with Amy Schumer. Visit his website for more information.. https://www.jimflorentine.com/safari.php#home   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining me in the huddle this week is former Nfl defensive back Solomon Wilcots. You may know him from television and radio but he played for six years in the NFL and always had a plan to be successful. My favorite story of the podcast, he tells me of his dream to play basketball but how the High School basketball coach would not let him in the gym after football season. He knew football was going to be his choice after that.   Solomon has served in many roles across the landscape of broadcast television and radio, including studio host, anchor, analyst, and reporter.  He joined CBS Sports in March 2001 as a Game Analyst, giving viewers first-hand game insights on the network's marquee sports brand, The NFL on CBS. He also has served as a live game analyst, sideline reporter, and field reporter for major sporting events which include the network's coverage of Super Bowls XLI, XLIV, and XLVII (2007, 2010, 2013), and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (2003-05). Having joined the NFL Network at its inception in 2003, Solomon currently serves as a studio analyst, reporter, and contributor for the Los Angeles based station, which is also Wilcots' home town.  He first appeared as host of the NFL Network program, Playbook, but is now currently seen across all of NFLN's platforms, namely, their signature show, Total Access.  He simultaneously hosts TNF Storylines, which appears on NFL Media's digital platform, and is the only interactive in-game analysis in the NFL that integrates social media.  Wilcots is also a weekly contributor for NFL.com during their Thursday Night Football broadcasts, and previously wrote columns for them as well. A versatile talent, Solomon is host of Sirius Satellite Radio's The Sirius Blitz, and co-host of their daily NFL show The Opening Drive, with Bob Papa.  In addition, since 2014 Wilcots has served as an analyst for the Cleveland Browns' preseason broadcasts.  Prior to that, he spent six seasons, from 2007 to 2012, serving as a game analyst for the New Orleans Saints' preseason broadcasts. Solomon joined CBS Sports after working for ESPN as a Bureau Correspondent and Sideline Reporter for its national coverage of Sunday Night NFL games, where he received an Emmy Award in 2000 for his live reporting.  He also covered the PGA's U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, NBA Finals & Western Conference Finals, and Major League Baseball games for the cable network.  Before ESPN, he served as the weekend sports anchor for WLWT-TV News 5 in Cincinnati from 1994 to 2003.  Additionally, Solomon worked as studio anchor for Fox Sports Net's college football show. Solomon played four seasons in Cincinnati, with the Bengals (1987-90), where he currently resides, one with the Vikings (1991), and finished his six-year career with the Steelers (1992).  He was drafted in 1987 as an eighth-round pick after starting for two years as cornerback for his university in Boulder.  While attending school in Colorado, he majored in English Literature, and studied in the school of Journalism.  He also helped lead a program turnaround which led the team to two consecutive bowl game appearances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Stockwell is an American two-time Paralympic triathlete, swimmer and former US Army officer and she joins me in the huddle this week. What an inspiring story she has and turned her tragedy into one of my favorite stories on the podcast. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2002, Melissa Stockwell was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army’s transportation corps. One month after being deployed to Iraq, in April 2004, she became the first female American soldier in history to lose a limb in active combat after her vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. She was later honored with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for her service. Four years later, she became the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games, competing in swimming at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics. She was selected to be the flag bearer for Team USA at the Beijing closing ceremonies. After Beijing, Stockwell shifted her focus to triathlon because she enjoyed the variety that it gave her.  She made her elite ITU debut in 2009, and went on to earn three consecutive world titles from 2010-2012. In 2016, she earned a spot on the inaugural U.S. paratriathlon team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, which featured the sport as a medal event for the first time. She earned a bronze medal in the PTS2 category, sharing the podium as part of a U.S. sweep with silver medalist Hailey Danz and gold medalist Allysa Seely. Stockwell is a co-founder of the Chicago-based Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club with Keri Serota and Dan Tun. She is a USA Triathlon Level I certified coach, and serves as a mentor and friend to her fellow Dare2tri athletes as they train and compete. She also serves on the board of directors for the Wounded Warriors Project, USA Triathlon Foundation, and the USA Triathlon Women’s Committee. She is a licensed prosthetist but is currently training for triathlon full-time at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One of her pre-race rituals is that she always has to eat gummy worms the night before a race. She is married to Brian Tolsma and has two children, Dallas and Millie.    Check her website out for more information. https://melissastockwell.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining me in the Huddle this week is author, Jeff Benedict. He talks about all of his books that he has written but we spend the most time on his latest book about the New England Patriots and the Dynasty they created.  Growing up in the North East you think his team would be the Giants or Jets or Patriots but he fell in love with the Miami Dolphins because of their uniforms.  He has also been a special-features writer for Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times, an this essays have appeared in the New York Times.  Benedict's stories have been the basis of segments on 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO Real Sports, Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, 48 Hours, NFL Network, NPR, and ESPN’s Outside the Lines.  He is also a television and film producer.  He resides in Connecticut. Check out Jeff and all of the books he has written at https://www.jeffbenedict.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Super Bowl winning-head coach, Dick Vermeil joins myself and Marnie in the huddle to discuss his championship winning ways. An honest man who is not afraid to be himself.  Marnie's Grandfather hired Coach Vermeil to change the culture in Philadelphia. He helped the Eagles reach new heights and still lives near Philadelphia to this day.   https://pro-football-history.com/coach/429/dick-vermeil-bio   Calistoga’s native son, Dick Vermeil (aka Coach), had a singular passion for two things in his life – football and wine. He decided early on to pursue football first, getting his start as an assistant coach right out of college and beginning a professional career that would span decades. A mechanics son, he inherited his father’s relentless work ethic and was known for his tough-as-nails practices and for regularly saying “No one ever drowned in sweat.”  But he was also known for his emotional and inspirational coaching style as well as the willingness to approach seemingly insurmountable challenges head on. As head coach of UCLA, he led the underdog Bruins to a Rose Bowl win over the undefeated and number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in 1975; as the head coach of the long-suffering Philadelphia Eagles, he led them to their first Superbowl appearance in franchise history in 1980; and as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams, he led them to a stunning turnaround season and Superbowl XXXIV win in January 2000. Coach’s last professional coaching job was as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs who he coached for five seasons; leading them to the AFC West Championship in 2003. Retiring from professional coaching for good in 2005 and, with a little help from some friends, Coach began the next and current chapter of his life; actively pursuing his second passion -  making wine. https://www.vermeilwines.com/Team     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former WNBA and Olympic Champion Kara Lawson was named Duke University’s fifth head women’s basketball coach July 11, 2020. She joins us in the Huddle this week to discuss her journey.    Lawson, a 2003 Tennessee graduate, brings her decorated basketball career, both on and off the court, to the Blue Devils after spending last season as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. She had helped Boston to a 43-21 record and into third place in the Eastern Conference prior to the stoppage of the 2019-20 NBA season due to COVID-19. Lawson was the Celtics first female coach in the franchise’s 73-year history. Her impact on the women’s basketball community is evident as she was named one of the 100 most influential people in women’s college basketball as announced by Silver Waves Media in the summer of 2020.     Coaching Experience: 2020-present:  Duke University (Head Coach) 2019-20:  Boston Celtics (Assistant Coach) 2017-present:  USA Basketball 3-on-3 Team (Head Coach)   USA Basketball Highlights: Preparing USA Basketball 3-on-3 Team for 2021 Tokyo Olympics Helped lead 3x3 teams to six gold medals since 2017 Led U18 3x3 teams to three straight titles Led 3x3 men's and women's teams to gold medal at 2019 Pan American Games 2009 National Team Training Camp 2008 National Team (Gold Medal) 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Team (Gold Medal) 2006 National Team Spring Training Team 2001 World University Games (Gold Medal) 1998 World Youth Games Team (Bronze Medal)   WNBA Highlights: Surpassed 3,000 points, 800 rebounds and 700 assists over her 13-year career Led nine of her teams to the playoffs out of 13 seasons 2012 & 2009 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award winner 2007 WNBA All-Star Led Sacramento Monarchs to WNBA Title in 2005 Drafted in the 2003 Draft, No. 5 overall, by the Detroit Shock 2003 WNBA Select Team that played in FIBA World Cup (2nd)   Tennessee Highlights: Guided Tennessee to a 126-17 overall and 54-2 SEC record Led Lady Vols to four straight SEC Tournament and regular season titles Made 2000, 2002 and 2003 NCAA Final Four appearances Ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,950) Four-time All-SEC First Team (2000-03) Two-time Naismith Player of the Year finalist (2002-03) Two-time U.S. Basketball Writers of America All-America honoree (2002-03) 2003 Kodak All-America 2003 Associated Press Second Team All-America 2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Student-Athlete of the Year 2003 CoSIDA/Verizon First Team Academic All-America selection 2002 Associated Press Third Team All-America 2001 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America 2001 CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-District honoree 2000 Women's Basketball Journal Freshman All-America and SEC All-Freshman Team See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.