The Program with Woj

Epizode

• Jeff Peterson on working to build an NBA contender and why the Hornets were sold on Kon Knueppel 12.06.2026 29min

  Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson joins The Program to discuss the realities of building an NBA contender in today's league. Peterson takes Adrian Wojnarowski inside the Hornets' front office as they prepare for another pivotal offseason, sharing lessons from two years leading basketball operations in Charlotte and explaining how organizations navigate the draft, free agency, and trade market simultaneously. Topics include: Why some NBA trades take months or even years to complete How front offices manage draft season, free agency, and trade talks at the same time The impact of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement on roster building Why small-market teams face a different path to contention The changing value of draft picks in today's NBA How the Hornets evaluated Kon Knueppel throughout the scouting process What made Knueppel stand out as both a prospect and a person Why basketball IQ and decision-making matter more than ever The importance of alignment between the front office and coaching staff Jeff Peterson's partnership with Hornets head coach Charles Lee Charlotte's long-term vision for building a sustainable winner Subscribe to The Program with Woj for conversations with the most influential leaders, executives, coaches, and players shaping the future of sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Jonathan Givony analyzes the 2026 NBA Draft: Dybantsa, Boozer, or Peterson at No. 1? 05.06.2026 30min

  Draft Express founder Jonathan Givony joins Woj for an in-depth look at the 2026 NBA Draft and the difficult decisions facing teams at the top of the board. In this episode, we cover: • Why Givony would select Darryn Peterson over AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer with the No. 1 overall pick • How Peterson, Boozer, and Dybantsa compare as franchise cornerstones • Why the analytics strongly favor Cam Boozer and what makes him one of the safest prospects in recent memory • How college basketball's financial boom is reshaping the talent pool available to NBA teams • What teams can learn from evaluating second-generation NBA players like Boozer • How injuries affected Peterson's freshman season and why teams remain confident in his long-term upside • Why the San Antonio Spurs may be ahead of schedule in their pursuit of a championship • How recent changes to the NBA Draft Lottery could permanently alter team-building strategies around the league • Why scouting, analytics, and player evaluation may be more important than ever in the modern NBA Subscribe for more episodes of The Program with Woj, new every Wednesday. 2:24 — How the 2026 NBA Draft Class Stacks Up 5:55 — Who Should Be the No. 1 Pick? 8:09 — The Analytics Case for Cam Boozer 11:05 — How NBA Bloodlines Impact Draft Evaluation 13:41 — Darryn Peterson's Injury and Draft Outlook 17:13 — The Spurs' Rapid Rise Around Victor Wembanyama 20:06 — How Lottery Reform Is Changing Team Building 22:12 — The NBA's Push to Spread Talent Across the League 24:01 — Building a Contender Without Top Draft Picks 25:24 — How NIL and Revenue Sharing Are Reshaping the Draft 26:52 — Why Scouting Matters More Than Ever A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to Novig.com and use code WOJ to get $50 worth of Novig coins when you spend your first $5. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Jonathan Givony details the NCAA’s 11th hour international eligibility crackdown 03.06.2026 23min

  Draft Express founder Jonathan Givony joins Woj to examine the NCAA's new international eligibility guidelines and the uncertainty they're creating throughout college basketball. In this episode, we cover: • Why the NCAA's May guidance caught coaches and programs off guard • How international players can lose eligibility based on the leagues they played in overseas • Why schools that have already committed millions in NIL and roster construction are now scrambling for answers • The growing backlog of international players waiting on eligibility rulings • How the NCAA determines whether a player is considered a professional athlete • Why coaches are frustrated by the lack of transparency in the eligibility process • The role of NGB waivers and how they affect older international prospects • Whether the NCAA is signaling a broader effort to limit older international athletes in college sports • How these changes could reshape recruiting and roster building across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and beyond Subscribe for more episodes of The Program with Woj, new every Wednesday. 1:14 — NCAA's New International Eligibility Rules Explained 2:24 — Why Coaches Were Surprised by the NCAA's May Guidance 3:28 — How Overseas Leagues Could Make Players Ineligible 5:49 — Hundreds of International Players Caught in Limbo 6:21 — The NCAA's New "League Quality" Standard 7:25 — Why Coaches, Agents, and Players Want More Transparency 8:22 — Does the NCAA Still Want International Players? 9:11 — How Many College Rosters Could Be Affected? 10:10 — What Is an NGB Waiver? 11:06 — Why Older International Players Are Being Held Up 12:14 — The Rise of Former Pros Entering College Basketball 12:58 — Why Programs Feel the Rules Changed Midstream 13:38 — Did LSU's Recruiting Class Trigger This Crackdown? 15:23 — Why the NCAA Changed Course on International Eligibility 16:17 — Is Anyone Really an Amateur Anymore? 17:19 — The Political Forces Shaping NCAA Policy 18:14 — The Impact of the Proposed "Five-for-Five" Rule 19:24 — The Protect College Sports Act Explained 20:38 — How These Changes Could Affect Other NCAA Sports 21:17 — Will the New NCAA Legislation Actually Pass? A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• An NBA veteran's first year GMing Notre Dame basketball with Pat Garrity 22.05.2026 24min

  Pat Garrity played 10-plus years in the NBA, then spent four seasons in Detroit's front office learning how to build a winning team. Now he's back at Notre Dame, the school where he was Big East Player of the Year, running the general manager role for both the men's and women's basketball programs.  Woj and Pat break down what it really takes to compete in the NIL and transfer portal era, why re-recruiting your own players never stops, and whether the current financial model of college basketball is actually sustainable. In this episode, we discuss: The NBA vs. College Gap: Why four years in Detroit's front office only partly prepares you for a world with no guaranteed roster from one season to the next. Re-Recruiting Your Own Guys: Why the retention battle starts the day a player steps on campus, not in March, and what Notre Dame is doing to stay ahead of it. The Notre Dame Sell: How the value of a degree holds up against a bigger check — and exactly when it stops being enough. The Sustainability Question: Why Pat believes the current cost structure of college basketball can't hold, and what the NBA's own labor history tells us about where this is headed. Men's vs. Women's: The key differences Pat sees operating both programs under one roof, and where the two worlds are starting to converge. Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. 1:37 — Why Pat Garrity Took the Notre Dame GM Job 2:37 — What the NBA Can't Teach You About College Basketball 4:00 — Building a Roster When Anyone Can Leave 5:01 — The One-Year Contract Problem 7:02 — Can Notre Dame Still Sell Academics? 9:58 — Re-Recruiting Your Own Players 11:48 — The New Reality of Player Development 14:47 — Is College Basketball's Business Model Broken? 15:46 — Why This System Can't Last 17:13 — The Salary Cap Isn't Working 18:39 — Why Schools Keep Spending Anyway 20:19 — Men's vs. Women's Basketball in the NIL Era 22:30 — What Pat Garrity Would Be Worth Today A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Texas football GM Brandon Harris on managing Arch Manning's contract--and everyone else's 19.05.2026 32min

  Texas football GM Brandon Harris joins Woj to pull back the curtain on what it actually costs to build and keep a championship-level roster in the SEC. In this episode, we cover: Why the minimum investment to compete for a national championship in the SEC is $30 million and climbing How Harris structures negotiations to keep Coach Sark insulated from player money conversations The three tiers of players on every roster and why the middle tier is always the hardest deal to close Why he'd rather negotiate with an agent than a parent every time and what he tells families who ask What a visit to the Baltimore Ravens front office taught him about building a program the right way How roster inflation has grown 20 to 25 percent year over year with no ceiling in sight Subscribe for more episodes of The Program with Woj, new every Wednesday. 1:33 — Brandon Harris on Becoming Texas Football’s GM 2:45 — How the Transfer Portal Changed Roster Building 4:10 — Why College Football Is Moving Toward a 5-Year Model 5:12 — The Biggest Problem With Roster Retention 6:16 — The Academic Challenge of Modern Transfers 8:33 — How Texas Builds a Championship Roster 10:27 — Why Retaining Players Matters More Than Recruiting 11:24 — The NIL Problem With High School Recruits 12:48 — How Texas Finds NFL Talent Others Missed 13:47 — What Brandon Harris Learned From NFL Front Offices 15:08 — Why the Ravens Are the Model Organization 16:09 — What a National Championship Roster Costs Now 17:47 — How Much Time Texas Spends Raising Money 19:56 — How Texas Evaluates NIL Market Value 21:32 — Why Some GMs Are Better Negotiators Than Others 22:50 — Why Restraint Matters in Recruiting 24:27 — Why Sark Doesn’t Handle NIL Negotiations 26:22 — The Three Tiers of Players on a College Roster 27:56 — Why Agents Are Easier Than Parents 29:01 — When Relationships Become Business Decisions A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Jeff Passan on the Yankees' edge, the Dodgers' dominance, and one manager's plan to stop Ohtani 07.05.2026 30min

  Jeff Passan catches up with Woj to break down what actually separates good MLB organizations from great ones, and talk about his new show Sources Tell Jeff Passan. In this episode, we discuss: - The Yankees' secret edge in pitching development - Why the Dodgers are nearly impossible to beat - How Moneyball changed sports forever - The power shift from managers to front offices - One manager's hidden plan to stop Ohtani And plenty more. Subscribe for more episodes of The Program with Woj, new every Wednesday. 1:16 — Why Jeff Passan Started a Podcast 2:37 — Inside the World Series Strategy Room 4:26 — The Goal: Making Smarter Baseball Fans 5:29 — The Most Surprising World Series Revelation 6:24 — Did the Blue Jays Intentionally Tire Out Ohtani? 7:14 — The “Game Behind the Game” in Baseball 8:20 — Why Competitors Rarely Open Up This Quickly 9:53 — Aaron Boone, Joe West, and Baseball Ejections 11:48 — How MLB Teams Actually Build Winners 13:03 — Why College Sports Are Becoming Impossible to Manage 14:03 — How Small Market MLB Teams Stay Competitive 15:41 — Did Moneyball Change Sports Forever? 17:22 — How Analytics Completely Changed Baseball 18:34 — Why Modern Players Must Understand Data 20:25 — Have Front Offices Taken Over Baseball? 21:38 — How Analytics Flipped MLB Power Structures 23:42 — The Yankees’ Hidden Competitive Advantage 24:26 — How the Yankees Mastered Catcher Framing 25:06 — Why Yankees Pitchers Keep Developing So Well 26:31 — The Yankees’ Development System Explained A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Visit surfshark.com/woj to get four EXTRA months of Surfshark VPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Kaleb Canales on reuniting with Dame and building Weber State into a winner 04.05.2026 22min

  New Weber State head coach Kaleb Canales joins Woj to discuss what it means to reunite with Damian Lillard, the player he helped draft in Portland, now as his general manager. In this episode, we cover: • What Damian Lillard’s role as general manager looks like day to day • Building a roster with an NBA style approach • The pro college hybrid system Canales is installing • Lessons from coaching Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Dirk Nowitzki • Why roster construction today is more art than science • What it takes to build a winning program in modern college basketball Follow us for more conversations with the people shaping the future of team building. New episodes of The Program drop every Wednesday. 1:30 — Reuniting with Dame at Weber State 3:45 — Dame as GM and program presence 5:35 — Coaching journey (“took the stairs”) 8:05 — Roster building is art, not science 9:25 — Player development philosophy 12:40 — FIBA physicality 14:05 — Portal vs young players balance 16:20 — Program building and roster process 18:20 — Mentors and influences 20:20 — Pro/college hybrid system 22:10 — Adam Schefter story A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America’s sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds. Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why this coach loves NIL and the transfer portal 24.04.2026 23min

  New Boston College basketball head coach Luke Murray catches up with Woj to break down why he embraces the chaos of modern college basketball, and how roster building now looks more like managing a salary cap than recruiting a team. From rebuilding an entire roster overnight to navigating NIL, the portal, and shifting player markets, Murray gives his take on what it actually takes to build a winning program in today’s game. In this episode, we discuss: Why some coaches hate NIL… and why Murray loves it Building a roster in the transfer portal era The “salary cap” mindset in college sports How analytics and international scouting factor in Why Boston College could be a sleeping giant Subscribe for more episodes of The Program with Woj, new every Wednesday. 2:04 Initial priorities and meeting with the players 3:59 Transitioning from pre-NIL coaching to the current landscape 5:11 Enthusiasm for roster building and salary cap constraints 6:53 Navigating revenue share and athletic department resources 8:47 Prioritizing character and fit in the transfer portal 11:07 Using data and analytics to verify scouting 13:24 Structural differences between the ACC and the Big East 15:20 The selling points of Boston College as a brand 17:04 Recruiting battles with elite academic institutions 18:37 Balancing high school recruiting with the transfer portal 20:11 Strategies for player retention and building trust A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to  https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The real reason NFL teams win and lose | Adam Schefter 10.04.2026 22min

  This week, ESPN's Adam Schefter joins Woj on The Program to break down how NFL teams are actually built. Woj and Schefter dive into the realities of roster construction, the shifting balance of power between GMs and head coaches, and what it really takes to build a team that can win consistently in today’s NFL. In this episode, we discuss: The Power Structure: How control shifts between coaches, GMs, and owners and why it’s different in every organization. Avoiding Self Inflicted Losses: Why most teams lose because of their own mistakes, not a lack of talent. The QB + Coach Equation: The only formula that consistently leads to fast turnarounds and sustained success. The Modern Rebuild: Why NFL teams can go from last place to contenders almost overnight and what makes that possible. The Changing Pipeline: How NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping the draft, with players entering the league older and more experienced. Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. 1:44 – Schefter on witnessing both Michigan title runs and what stood out 3:11 – Why he thrives in fantasy basketball but not football 4:31 – What made this Michigan team actually work 6:44 – Why Dusty May’s leadership resonates 8:51 – How power shifts between NFL GMs and coaches 12:17 – Why most NFL teams beat themselves 14:48 – Why NFL turnarounds happen faster than the NBA 15:51 – The QB and coach combo that drives winning 17:17 – How NIL and the portal are changing the draft 18:26 – A recruit asks Schefter to break his news 18:57 – Why agents are getting involved earlier A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The boldest experiment in college baseball Is working with Oregon State's Mitch Canham 01.04.2026 24min

  This week, Oregon State coach Mitch Canham joins Woj on The Program to unpack one of the most unconventional builds in college baseball. Woj and Canham dive into how Oregon State navigated conference realignment, built an independent schedule from scratch, and still returned to national prominence—while doubling down on a culture rooted in discipline, development, and accountability. In this episode, we discuss: The Independent Blueprint: How Oregon State schedules, travels, and competes without a conference. The “Earn It” Standard: Why playing time isn’t given to recruits, veterans, or draft picks—it’s earned daily. Culture Over Circumstance: How adversity became an advantage in building a tougher, more connected program. Player Development Plans: The system behind Oregon State’s consistency—on the field and beyond it. Recruiting the Right Fit: Why Canham prioritizes character, honesty, and resilience over raw talent. Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. 1:24 – The Independent Experiment: Building a Powerhouse Without a Conference 4:41 – The Travel Reality: Competing From Corvallis Without a Home Base Advantage 6:25 – Built for the Road: Why Travel Is Part of the Program’s Identity9:34 – The Standard: “You Have to Earn It” Culture Explained 13:25 – Inside Player Development: The MDP System 13:58 – Where MDPs Came From: Lessons from Pro Baseball 18:22 – Canham’s Journey: From Unknown Recruit to Oregon State Leader 20:02 – Adversity and Support: The Foundation of Oregon State’s Culture A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars worth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/woj or use code woj at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• "80% of a Team's Success Is Decided Before the Season Starts " with Evan Miyakawa 25.03.2026 22min

  This week, Evan Miyakawa (EvanMiya.com) joins Woj on The Program to pull back the curtain on the analytics driving the modern game. Woj and Evan break down the 80/20 rule of roster building, why "bucket getters" often fail when jumping to the high-major level, and which programs—from Michigan to Vanderbilt—are using data to gain a competitive edge in the NIL marketplace. In this episode, we discuss: The 80% Correlation: Why preseason roster talent is the ultimate predictor of cutting down the nets. The Portal "Secret Sauce": Why versatility beats pure scoring when projecting transfer success. NBA vs. College Evaluation: The major differences in scouting for the league versus building a winning NCAA rotation. Roster Continuity: Why veteran retention remains the "underrated" superpower of the Final Four. Closing the Gap: How mid-majors use analytics to compete with the biggest budgets in the country. 1:14 Introduction: Meet Evan Miyakawa of EvanMiya.com 1:55 Origins: From a PhD at Baylor to NBA Analytics 4:14 The 80/20 Rule: Why Roster Talent Predicts Success 5:42 Moneyballing the Portal: Conversations with College Coaches 7:20 Evaluating Transfers: Why Multi-Skill Excellence Beats Pure Scoring 8:20 NBA vs. College Scouting: Tracking Data and Role Specialization 10:33 The Retention Factor: Why Stability Wins in the NIL Era 12:25 Programs Winning the Data War: Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Florida 15:18 Size and Athleticism: Trends in the Modern Frontcourt 16:47 Closing the Gap: How Smaller Programs Compete with Big Budgets 19:13 Marrying Data with Film: The Best Path to Evaluation 20:25 Accessing EvanMiya.com for Fans and Programs Follow The Program with Woj: New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Go to https://novig.com and use code WOJ to get 50 dollars wroth of Novig coins when you spend your first five dollars. Must be 21+. No purchase necessary to play. Void where prohibited. See terms of use for eligibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The hidden NBA Draft storylines in March Madness with Jonathan Givony 20.03.2026 19min

  On this episode of The Program, Woj is joined by Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony to break down what March Madness really means for NBA prospects — and how the draft landscape is changing in real time. With March Madness underway, the spotlight shifts to a new wave of young talent. But as Givony explains, the tournament is just one piece of a much larger evaluation process — one that now includes years of scouting, advanced analytics, and a rapidly evolving college basketball ecosystem shaped by NIL and the transfer portal. Woj and Givony dive into:     •    Why the NCAA Tournament still matters — even if it doesn’t define draft stock     •    The freshmen and under-the-radar prospects who could rise on this stage     •    How NBA teams evaluate players beyond just production and highlights     •    The growing impact of NIL on draft decisions — and why more players are staying in school     •    Why older prospects are becoming more valuable in today’s NBA     •    How roster construction, the CBA, and two-way contracts are changing scouting priorities     •    The debate inside front offices: production vs. upside in modern draft models They also explore how college basketball’s offensive explosion could be skewing evaluations — and whether this year’s class is truly as strong as it looks. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code WOJ 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
• How George Steinbrenner built the Yankee dynasty with Mike Vaccaro 11.03.2026 24min

  George Steinbrenner didn’t just rebuild the New York Yankees — he changed how modern sports franchises are built. In this episode of The Program, Woj sits down with legendary New York columnist Mike Vaccaro, author of The Bosses of the Bronx, to unpack how Steinbrenner transformed the Yankees into the most powerful brand in sports. From signing Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson to reshaping free agency and television revenue, Steinbrenner’s approach created the blueprint for big-market dominance. Woj and Vaccaro explore: • How Steinbrenner recruited stars without always being the highest bidder • Why Reggie Jackson almost didn’t sign with the Yankees • The moment Steinbrenner realized he needed a farm system • The suspensions that accidentally built the Yankees dynasty • How the Yankees’ Core Four survived George’s impatience • Why modern owners can’t replicate Steinbrenner’s strategy today Mike Vaccaro’s new book The Bosses of the Bronx releases March 24. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com and use code WOJ 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
• The state of the game: A conversation with Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer 04.03.2026 27min

  In a rare and candid conversation, Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer joins Woj to discuss her transition from the sidelines to the classroom. After 38 years at Stanford and a record-breaking 1,216 career wins, the winningest coach in college basketball history opens up about the "perfect storm" that led to her retirement in 2024. Woj and Tara also covered: The "Joy" Mandate: Why the best coaches—from third grade to the pros—must protect the fun of the game. The Transactional Trap: Her concerns for the modern player in the era of the Transfer Portal and NIL, and what is lost when the "alma mater" experience disappears. The 1996 Olympic Legacy: Reflecting on the team that birthed the WNBA and changed the trajectory of women's sports forever. A Path to Sanity: VanDerveer’s proposal for "rational" regional scheduling and bringing common sense back to college athletics. Plus, Tara shares the one thing she misses most about the daily grind (it’s not the games) and how she’s navigating a calendar that finally allows for a Saturday night movie. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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
• NBA tanking, the death of free agency, and the new era of college scouting with Bobby Marks 25.02.2026 27min

  On this episode of The Program, Woj reunites with ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks! Woj and Bobby discuss: The NBA’s "Tanking" Fine: Why a $500,000 fine is just the "cost of doing business" for a shot at a generational superstar. The Rise of the "Super-Senior": How NIL is turning the second round of the NBA Draft into a hunt for 23 and 24-year-old high-value, cost-controlled talent Pro-Style Roster Math: Woj breaks down his exercise of "shrinking" NBA payrolls to determine fair market value for NIL athletes. The Death of Free Agency: Why "Bird Rights" and veteran extensions have replaced the traditional open market. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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
• How Jerry Mack transformed Kennesaw State Football in 12 months 18.02.2026 25min

  On this episode of The Program, Woj sits down with Conference USA Coach of the Year and Bear Bryant Newcomer of the Year, Jerry Mack. After inheriting a 2-10 program at Kennesaw State, Mack engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the country, leading the Owls to a 10-4 record and a bowl appearance in year one. Mack breaks down the "staff list" he spent a decade building, the transition from the Jacksonville Jaguars back to the college ranks, and why he chose to return to the NFL as an intern even after becoming a successful head coach. Woj and Coach Mack discuss: The Cignetti Model: Why Mack studied Curt Cignetti’s Indiana turnaround and how he applied the James Madison-to-IU strategy of "proven snaps" to jumpstart the Kennesaw State roster. The Staff List: Why Mack spent nine years tracking GAs and quality control coaches to prepare for his next head coaching shot. The NFL Influence: What he learned in the rooms of Doug Peterson and Bill Callahan—and how those internships catapulted his career. The "Steakhouse" Philosophy: Why Mack treats recruiting like a high-end restaurant to compete with NIL heavyweights through elite customer service. HBCU Roots: The lessons learned at NC Central that still apply at the FBS level. The 30/50/20 Roster Formula: The specific mathematical split Mack uses between high school, transfer portal, and the "lost art" of Junior College recruiting. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at novig.com 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
• The high stakes world of USA Basketball with Stephen Silas 11.02.2026 22min

  As USA Basketball prepares for the next window of World Cup Qualifying in Southern California, Stephen Silas joins Woj to talk through the unique, high-pressure discipline of tight-window international team building. Fresh off a 24-year run in the NBA — includingas the Houston Rockets’ head coach and assistant roles working with Steph Curry and LeBron James — Silas shares what he’s learned about coaching in preparation for World Cup qualifying events. Woj and Silas dive into:     •    The 72-Hour Turnaround: How to build a cohesive roster in just six practices with players from the G League and European circuits.     •    The FIBA vs. NBA Gap: Why the international game is more physical, why the "three-ball" is the ultimate equalizer and the rule differences that catch even veteran coaches off guard.     •    Patrick Ewing’s Impact: What it’s like having a Dream Team legend on the bench and the advice Silas received from Jeff Van Gundy before taking the job.     •    The Weight of the Jersey: Why representing the U.S. remains the ultimate career milestone for players who may never reach the Olympic stage.     •    Life After the Grind: Silas opens up about finding the balance between "Coach Silas" and "Stephen Silas" after decades on the road. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more deep-dive interviews with the most influential figures in team building. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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
• Inside the Ohio State Football front office: GM Mark Pantoni on the new era of roster building 04.02.2026 28min

  Mark Pantoni, General Manager and Director of Player Personnel at Ohio State, joins The Program to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving "front office" of college football. From his humble beginnings as an undergraduate pre-med student at Florida—where his first task for Urban Meyer was hand-writing 400 envelopes a day—to now managing what is essentially a collegiate "salary cap," Pantoni shares the blueprint for building a career in player personnel. He discusses the shift from relationship-based recruiting to agent-led negotiations and how the "Indiana model" is changing how big programs value veteran experience over high school potential. In this episode, Woj and Mark discuss: The Non-Traditional Path: How a pre-med student with no playing background became one of the most powerful executives in college football. The Evolution of Recruiting: Transitioning from VHS tapes and handwritten letters to managing NIL valuations and transfer portal "free agency." The "Switzerland" Approach: Why Pantoni has to remain emotionally detached from players to make fair, data-driven financial decisions for the locker room. The High School vs. Portal Dilemma: Analyzing the "dead money" risk of high school recruits versus the immediate impact of veteran transfers. Building a Front Office: How Ohio State has structured its personnel department to mirror an NFL scouting operation. Red Flags for Recruits: Why something as simple as being on your phone during a visit can change a staff's evaluation of your "football IQ" and maturity. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more inside looks at the architects of modern sports. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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. Also, a big thank you to SurfShark VPN. go to surfshark.com/woj or use the code WOJ at check out for four additional months of SurfShark VPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Will Hardy on the human side of player development, Kevin Love's impact & front office alignment 28.01.2026 22min

  This week, Woj sits down with Utah Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy to go inside one of the most intentional culture-building projects in the NBA. Since taking the reins in Utah, Hardy has navigated the transition from a veteran contender to a young, hungry roster by emphasizing the "monotony of greatness" and a holistic approach to the modern athlete. In this episode, Woj and Will discuss: The Monotony of Greatness: Why a seared mental image of Tim Duncan shooting jump hooks 45 minutes before a shoot-around still dictates Hardy’s expectations for his young core. Human Development vs. Player Development: Moving beyond drills to help players navigate life in their 20s, mental health, and the habits that drive winning. The Kevin Love Factor: The honest conversations that brought a 5-time All-Star to a rebuilding locker room and why his "honesty and perspective" have become a cheat code for the Jazz coaching staff. "Show Love": The origins of the team’s viral mantra and the daily locker room exercises used to combat the negativity and ego of professional sports. Front Office Alignment: How the Jazz avoid the "grab for credit" and "passing of blame" through constant communication with Danny Ainge, Justin Zanik, and the Utah leadership team. Subscribe to The Program with Woj for more inside looks at the architects of modern basketball. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Novig, America's sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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
• Making players the CEOs of their own development with Hornets assistant coach Josh Longstaff 21.01.2026 23min

  This week, Woj sits down with Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Josh Longstaff to go inside the high-stakes world of NBA player development. Longstaff, a rising name in the coaching ranks, shares the lessons he learned in the trenches of Oklahoma City, where he helped mold three future Hall of Famers, and explains the radical "CEO" culture he is now building alongside Charles Lee in Charlotte. Josh and Woj discuss: "He Would Test Me": The raw honesty required to earn the respect of a young Russell Westbrook and the moment Longstaff realized that truth is a coach's greatest currency. The Soul of Development: Why the Hornets' "holistic" approach reaches far beyond the court, focusing on mental performance, nutrition, and the "whole person." The CEO Mindset: How Charlotte empowers young stars like Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball by putting them at the head of the table (literally) to own their professional growth. Mentoring Icons: What it was like to witness the daily, obsessive work habits of a young Kevin Durant and James Harden. The Head Coaching Path: Longstaff’s transition from the video room to leading an expansion G League franchise. We’ll see you next week for episode fourteen 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 sports exchange, where you can make picks on the NBA, NFL, and more at the best odds! Learn more at https://novig.com 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