Coaches Scoop

Photo Courtesy of Butler University Athletics   By Nate McCray A month has passed since the last whistle blew at spring practice, but for Butler University’s defensive coordinator Jordan Belfiori, the real grind is just beginning. The quiet hum of the offseason is deceptive—beneath it lies a frenzy of high school recruiting visits, transfer portal evaluations, coaching staff meetings, coaching clinic schedules, and a relentless pursuit of competitive edge. Belfiori, ever the tactician, finds himself in the eye of a whirlwind that never quite settles, where days blur into film sessions, phone calls, and chalkboard strategy. It’s here, in this organized chaos, that the next season’s foundation is laid—not under stadium lights, but in the subtle, unseen battles of preparation. Jordan Belfiori’s transition to Butler University as the new defensive coordinator marks a pivotal move in his coaching career. Leaving behind his post at Colgate University, where he steadily climbed the rank...

  Photo Courtesy of James D. Smith / Dallas Cowboys By Nate McCray As the Dallas Cowboys dive into the 2025 offseason program, a narrative of renewed strength and strategic recalibration takes center stage. With fresh draft talent, veteran acquisitions, and lingering player injury concerns, the Cowboys have crafted one of the NFL’s most intriguing storylines heading into the new season. Quarterback Dak Prescott enters the 2025 offseason fully healthy, a welcome development after a hamstring injury disrupted his 2024 campaign. At full participation in OTAs, Prescott has already begun syncing with an upgraded receiving corps, including the headline addition of George Pickens. The former Steelers receiver joins CeeDee Lamb to form a potentially explosive tandem—a move Prescott hailed as adding “juice” to Dallas’ deep threat game. On the ground, the running back room is a crucible of competition. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders return as seasoned veterans, but fifth-round rookie...

  Photo Courtesy of Steve Woltman By Nate McCray It’s not often you have the opportunity to meet someone who has made it to the Super Bowl six times in their pro football career.   However, I had the good fortune to connect with former Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Don Beebe to talk ball, philosophies, culture, family and faith.   When Don Beebe was named head football coach at Division III Aurora University in 2019, he brought more than just a Super Bowl ring and nine years of NFL experience to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference—he carried with him a philosophy rooted in something far deeper than X’s and O’s. A champion with the Green Bay Packers and a relentless competitor best known for his never-quit mindset in four Super Bowl appearances alone with the Buffalo Bills, Coach Beebe returned to the sidelines with a mission to mold young men of substance, not just skill. In those early days at Aurora, as he began to build a program that wou...

  Photo Courtesy of the University of Oregon By Nate McCray As I continue the journey down the Name, Image, and Likeness topic, it is clear that the landscape of college football is undergoing a seismic shift with the rise of (NIL) deals. These opportunities for athletes to profit from their personal brand have revolutionized the game, creating new avenues for revenue and spotlighting athletes as both sports figures and marketable icons. However, while NIL deals open doors to financial success, they also introduce complexities and challenges that require a holistic approach to ensure athletes are equipped to navigate their newfound prominence responsibly. In this evolving era, universities and athletic programs must continue to consider several key factors to help athletes thrive beyond the field. Mental Health Support: Exploring the Pressures of NIL Responsibilities As athletes step into the spotlight, the pressure to manage personal branding, media presence, and financial gai...

  Photo Courtesy of Ohio State University Athletics By Nate McCray Know more will the horseshoe be filled with echoes of the heartbreak of recent seasons — close calls, playoff exits, and the lingering taste of “what could have been.”  Now as the 2025 season looms, there will be a determined edge in the air in Columbus. The Ohio State Buckeyes aren’t interested in simply being in the conversation anymore — they are plotting a full-force return to the National Championship game.  Without a doubt, their plan will be aggressive, strategic, and built upon core pillars of development, leadership, retention, and recruiting excellence. Data Driven Dominance: Mastering Player Skilled Development Metrics The Buckeyes know championships are won by stars — but developed through daily mastery of fundamentals. In 2025, I expect Ohio State’s coaching staff to double down on position-specific technical drills that target the tiniest margins of player performance. The quarterbacks wi...

  Photo Courtesy of Auburn University Athletics By Nate McCray As the sun rises over Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2025, a new era of Auburn football will begin to take shape. A certain type of energy will be in the air — a belief not just in a single player or coach, but in the foundation being built brick-by-brick across every inch of the program. For Auburn fans, this isn’t just hope — it’s the start of something tangible, something lasting. And they hope it is happening right now. Building the Wall of Culture & Identity The cornerstone of Auburn's continued approach should be culture. It’s not just about catching lightning in a bottle; it's about building a sustainable, accountable identity. Head Coach Hugh Freeze has made it clear: Auburn football will be tough, resilient, and unselfish. Players are now taught that being a Tiger means more than individual stats — it means embodying a "Team First" mentality. Practice should be more physical. Meetings should emp...