The Triple Option - Saving College Sports Roundtable, USF's Brian Hartline Joins, and Remembering Lou Holtz

Episode Date: March 11, 2026

Caution tape, tiktoks, and tattoos. It's a new age for USF under Brian Hartline. Coach Urban Meyer and Rob Stone discuss Coach's trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the round table to fix college sports, what still needs to happen, and what the next steps are. The guys then discuss the relationship between university presidents and the athletic departments after Ohio State's Ted Carter resigned for inappropriate behavior in Columbus.  Speaking of Columbus, former Buckeye Brian Hartline is now the head coach at the University of South Florida. He gets into why the Bulls where the choice, what the ceiling is in Tampa, his coaching style, and how Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and Ryan Day molded him into what he is today.  We wrap discussing the life and legacy of College Football Hall of Famer Lou Holtz with personal stories from Coach and Rob.   01:55 Roundtable to Fix College Sports 11:50 Ohio State President Resigns 17:06 Brian Hartline, USF Head Coach 39:42 Remembering Lou Holtz   New episodes of The Triple Option drop every Wednesday. Make sure you’re subscribed on YouTube and following on all podcast platforms. Also make sure you’re locked in on social @3XOptionShow on all platforms for highlight moments, bonus content, and to engage with the guys and the TO community. (https://tripleoptionshow.com)   The Triple Option is presented by Wendy’s. Get yourself a $4 Biggie® Bites, $6 Biggie Bag®, or a $8 Biggie® Bundle. Now at Wendy’s. https://m-wendys.app.link/468biggiedeals   #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFP #NCAA #NotreDame #USF #Bulls #LouHoltz #OhioState #GregSankey #SEC #JeremiahSmith #Tampa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know, I was going to get a sleeve on my arm. I wanted to, it was just, it was going to cost a little bit too much. So I decided to stay away from it. You know that guy. Yeah, I got a guy. 62-year-old men, arms don't need sleeves on it. I know, but I can see you driving that boat, you know, with a great sleeve. You're right. You're right.

Oil it, bad boy up. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Light it. The Triple Option is presented by Wendy's. Get yourself a $4 biggie bite, $6 biggie bag, or an, $8 Biggie bundle now at Wendy's. The triple option presented by our great partner, Wendy's, the legend Urban Meyer, Rob Stone.

Our good friend Mark Ingram, Duce Duce, you know where he is right now, Coach? Oh, yeah, Vegas. Sure, I do. Vegas. They send pictures. So Southern Highland, one of the favorite courses in the country. Running in Vegas. He said he played well. I think he's doing more than just golfing if I know Duce.

Yeah. Last time we were in Vegas was celebrating you with Duce Duce. We had a late night for two. All right. Coming up next, we're going to visit with the new head coach at the University of South Florida. One of your guys, Brian Hartline, great conversation. Really going to enjoy that. We remember the legendary Lou Holtz, and we discuss yet another presidential vacancy at the Ohio State University.

As always, thanks for joining us. We love it when you can rate, subscribe, send us those questions. We're on social media at 3X option. Show new episodes come your way on YouTube, wherever you get your podcast. And let's begin, coach, with any given Saturday. Yeah, here we are 170 days out until the 2026 season kicks off. The big news, what is the future of college football?

What is the future of college athletics? You, my friend, were summoned to D.C. to the White House this past week. quite a list of invitees to discuss the future of college athletics. Real quick, what was that day like? What was the setup? What were the conversations before you really got to the meat on the bone? I've been fortunate to be in the White House a few times with President Bush when we wanted in 06, then President Obama in, what was it, 08 and 14, and then a couple times recently. And I just, first of all, I love going. I just love to pay respect to that. incredible institution in the White House. So it was really interesting. You get there and I did not

realize this, but you had a lot of the cabinet members of the President Trump there. You know, Marco Rubio was there. And then you had Governor DeSantis. Ted Cruz was there. Scalise from Louisiana. And Susan Wiles, the chief of staff, I believe that's her name. So they had a bunch. Condoleezza Rice was there. And then the four commissioners were there. You had Coach Saban, myself. You had a bunch of other athletic directors.

And you had the NBA commissioner was there. Adam Silver. Yeah. So there's a lot of people there. And President Trump opened up about he just wanted to hear what was going on. And how many people actually had time to speak or raise their hand? and address the president. Well, you had, you had five, I believe it was five.

First of all, Marco Rubio spoke, Governor Sanis, Sanky, Greg Sankey, the commissioner of Southeastern Conference, and you had Nick Saban. Those were scheduled speakers, and I think there was one more. But just kind of where we're at, and I think listening and everybody wanted to, you know, the message was pretty much the same that they're, grateful that the president is listening to hear the commissioners talk and some of the athletic directors talk about the peril they're in with the fiscal issues that a lot of these universities and it's you know i kept hearing no term unsustainable so that was kind of the common theme that

was expressed and then you know and then i think we're all educated on what needs to happen further to be any kind of i think the bottom line is i don't think i know the bottom line is there's zero enforcement right now. The NCAA is no longer can set rules and regulations and enforce them. Coach, was it a useful, positive exercise? I think it was incredible. Yeah, I think now what comes of it is, you know, there's also the harsh reality that here's the bottom line, Rob, is that there's something called the antitrust and antitrust exemption.

And antitrust is a law that are rule law that's put into place to keep people from cluding and eliminate competition in the market, which makes a lot of sense. And I've done some research. I've done some research on this. What's happened is the NCAA has gotten litigated against them because there's, I think, I heard there's 37 or 38 different state rules and laws. that deal with how student athletes are treated at universities. And so antitrust exemption or limited liability would preempt the state laws, and there would be now the NCAA can enforce it without automatically getting sued or you find in the, you know, like the judge in Mississippi that overruled the NCAA

and that's happened many, many times. The other thing it would do is give, you know, liability to common sense. you know, if the NCAA and everybody agrees that a player should get five years for five years. So it keeps, you know, it just keeps some common sense in the sport. And then finally, when the president asked me, my thoughts is the one, the collective issue. And so I think the important thing I know I'm talking about, but the important thing is, and I actually spoke to some people, and they said, you know, how you get a group of people there that do not want the players to get paid.

That never, of course they're going to get paid. I mean, I don't know where that comes from, Rob. When you someone's, I mean, you know, these coaches just don't want the players get paid. I'm not sure where that, you didn't listen if that's what you're saying. So of course, there's collective bar, there's a revenue share and then there's NIL opportunity. Those are two ways that players can't get paid, should get paid, and that's, that keeps the sport and everybody operating the right, moving in the right direction. When you have revenue share collective and NIL, that's when things are starting to get out of whack.

And that's my recommendation was eliminate the collective. The university can simply revenue share, and that is it. And they'll let the free marketplace take care of any NIL, real NIL opportunities. If you had more time to speak, what are some of the other things that you would have shared with the committee with the president? Yeah, I think before you, what I found out in my research here in the last couple months is that there's no step two unless you get step one. There's no, there's no two unless you get antitrust exemption because you can't, whatever you say, you know, say they say, okay, we want to, we want to limit, you know, the transfer portal. Well, they'll get sued and they'll lose. So you can't, why are we talking about that anymore?

There's, you can't have that conversation. We want to limit the collectives and all this. What are you going to lose? You're going to get a lawsuit and you're going to lose. There's going to be a judge in some state that say, no, you can't do that. So without one, there's no two, three. So you asked me, though, I would get one. Number two would be transfer portal.

One is antitrust exemption. Number two is going to be control the NIL eliminate collectives. And I have NILB legitimate name and likeness, which is great. I even said this in the meeting that that's America. Should you profit from your name and likeness? Absolutely. That's what our country is built on. Number three is the transfer portal, get control of that. And my recommendation is they get one free one. And then after you graduate, you get another one. And then finally, the eligibility piece that you get five to play five.

Enough with the red shirts, enough with the 40%, 80%, 20%, he got hurt, he didn't get hurt, she got hurt, whatever. It doesn't matter. When your clock starts, you get five years to play five. Now, there's a couple other things down the road, TV rights and scheduling, etc. But those, Those are the things I would focus on. Yeah, I would love to see, and I think it will happen, some student athlete representation. Oh, sure. And again, not every student athlete is an apple to apple, right? The college football player at the University of Florida is different than the field hockey player at the University of North Carolina or whatnot.

But it would be nice that they had a voice. I think it will happen. The other part is, and it's something that I really like from the college football playoff committee coach, is their ability to kind of reconvene whatever it is every X months and say, hey, how do we do? And then having the ability to pivot and make those changes, right? The changes they made to the playoff format and the seating after realizing, hey, this is good, but it's not great, let's make it better. I hope that there's still enough flexibility going forward once we get that first problem solved, right, that they can keep tweaking and refining and making things better

for college athletics. But when you walked away from it, did you feel like, hey, we're going in the right direction at least? I did. And then right at the end, one of the senators or one of the government officials

made a comment that there's only one way that happened, and this be by Potterson and everybody comes together and let's get this done. And he said there's minimal chance that will happen. And everybody kind of,

the air left the room, like, oh, wait a minute. And I actually talked to Greg Sanky, the SEC commissioner, who's a great friend from many, unknown him since 2005. I love the guy, great respect for him. And we kind of laid it out,

and I just wanted to hear from, I talked to actually five or six people in that meeting because I want to know if I'm going to start pushing for something am I pushing for the right thing? And the reality is that unless something gets done,

status quo is not going to make it. That's what I've been told. I'm not, once again, I don't have a dog in the race other than I love the sport and I love student athletes, and I want to see, you know, I want to see women's sports thrive. I don't want to see women's sports disappear. And my daughter's played volleyball and college.

I want to see, you know, soccer and baseball. And I just, I'm such a believer that we have to get some fiscal responsibility here. And I hope it happens. Well, thank you for your efforts. I appreciate it. And hopefully it doesn't end right there. And let's cross our fingers that there's a better future for college athletes out there. You know, as long as there's open dialogue and people, what I left with that, do people care?

You're damn right they do. Yeah. I mean, there's a lot of stuff going on in this world. I also saw some criticism about that. Who cares about, what do you mean? Who cares about college sport? You realize the future leaders of our country are on volleyball courts and on gymnastics meets. And, I mean, that's the leadership of our country.

So you're damn right. It's important. Good man. That was your fresh take of the week presented by, Wendy's, get yourself a $4 biggie bite, $6 biggie bag, or an $8 biggie bundle now at Wendy's. Let's head to Columbus right now. Ohio State, in the headlines, not the way they want to be. Their president, Ted Carter, resigned after he disclosed to trustees that he had an inappropriate

relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business. This has been a bit of a theme in Columbus for presidents. in less than 20 years, certainly not what you expect from a program like the Ohio State. I mean, coach, you get to Ohio State. That's a goal, right? That's like, I've made it. I've achieved. I'm locked down.

I am there till I am done like decades. And now this turnover, certainly not what they expected in Columbus. Curious, though, on a football, on an athletic level, what is that relationship like at a Florida, at a Ohio state between the school president and the head football coach. I had great relationships with our presidents. You know, I had Sinania Braboa at Bowling Green. I had Dr. Bernie Matchen at Utah, who ironically went to Florida. Then they hired us at Florida.

And then I had Gordon Gee at Ohio State. And I, to this date, very close with all of them. You know, I've not talked to the Bowling Green president very much. But Dr. Matchen and Gordon and Guy, we remained very close friends. Gordon Gee left at one point, and when you talk about alignment from the top down at all, it changed when Gordon Gee left. And my comfort level wasn't the same. You know, that's the guy that hired me, and then the lines of communication are a certain way. And so I have not spoke to Coach Day.

I spoke to one of the assistants about it. Regardless what happened, does that change things at Ohio State? It certainly does. Yeah, there's some complicated issues that if you're not aligned with the president of the university, that's a bad situation. So I don't know what's going to happen in Ohio State. I was a huge fan of the president, Ted Carter. He was a Navy aviator, a pilot who I did a couple benefits with and charity events with, and I love the guy. So yeah, to answer your question, the alignment and relationship with the president of university for the head football

coach is imperative to be on point. And does things change in Ohio State? They have to get, you know, I'm sure Coach Day is going to be involved in one way or the other. I'm not sure he won't be on the committee, but don't at least have insight into what's going on. Jim Tressel for school president. Oh, done. Is that, I don't even know that. Someone said you have a PhD.

You have to have a PhD or something, but I don't know. Boy, he would fit the bill or he would fit the bill. He'd check a lot of boxes, at least particularly if you're Ryan Day. Ask people on how to raise their hand up. They want that to happen. You see what's the hands going up. Yeah, a lot of hands. It's interesting, though, remember, there's been some presidential issues in Arbor as well.

Santa Ana, the former president in Michigan, he left, tried to go to Florida. He was denied by the board right now, right there. Does it weaken the Big Ten? Does it hurt their voice, their cause that two of their biggest. institutions are having some issues at the presidential front? Maybe on the surface you don't really feel it because, you know, at noon next year in November and Thanksgiving weekend, Ohio State is going to play the Wolverines in Columbus and it doesn't matter who the presidents are. But I think behind the scenes, how you manage your university,

how you manage your football program with all the complexities that are going on right now, I think behind the scenes, I think it absolutely does. Very curious times. These are conversations we didn't think we would be having talking about those two programs having issues up top. Interesting days, right? All right. Coming up next, coach, we head towards your way. Tampa, Florida. Talk with your guide, the new head coach at the University of South Florida. Brian Hartline joins the triple option coming up next. Ready or Not Two, here I come. Only in theaters March 20th. After surviving one deadly game, Grace and her sister Faith must now face off against four rival families in a fresh round of blood and games filled with more action, scares, laughs, and combustions.

Starring Samara Weaving, Catherine Newton, Sarah Michelle Geller, and Elijah Wood. Ready or Not Two, here I come, only in theaters March 20th. Get tickets now. Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's Rob Stone, Urban Meyer, and we go down to the 8-13, the brand-new head coach at the University of South Florida. He left Columbus after playing there, after coaching there. We welcome Brian Hartline to the show. Welcome, Coach. Thanks, Rob. Thanks, Erwin. Coach Meyer. Appreciate it.

So good to see it. You know, when I was at Florida, USF and UCF and those Florida schools started to get going. And I always thought USF would just just punched their way right through, even UCF, because I just thought the location, you know, you had the facility issue, stadium issue, but you also had the best recruiting, man. That area was on fire when we were there. So, and a guy named Jim Levitt was actually there and got them cranked up to, I think, number two at one point. You did. You're getting the stadium. You're getting the stadium. You got talent within a four-hour radius. I think I know the answer, but was that the reason this was the one that you jumped in?

There's a lot of, as you know, coach, and everything I kind of went through the process, a lot of things that you kind of talked about, you know, between the resources, the people, the vision of acquisition of players and being in the hotbed of Florida for recruiting. And then, frankly, the new era, it didn't work out at these other places. Come on home. We've got a spot for you. So all these different pieces definitely play a huge part. I think that the motivation of the individuals around me, surrounding me, the CEO,

of athletics, Rob Higgins, Willardford, the stadium. Again, I point because I literally see it being built right now. Wow. And, you know, everything they said that we wanted to happen, they were putting their money where their mouth was. And it just, they kept checking boxes. And then ultimately, in the end, as Coach Meyer, you know, like Carol looked at me and he said, Brian is time.

And she eventually made that family made the last push, the last comments, and the rest was off and running. Well, let me ask you. a follow-up. So the revenue source at USF, you know, is it going to be a student fee? Is it all private donations? How does a school, because I know USF had that went through that when they UCF, excuse me, when they built the stadium, they got a lot of heat and you had it worked out great for them. Where is the revenue source at South Florida? Yeah, I mean, they've been very aggressive on a rev share as far as, you know, how much we're allocating for football. We

maxed that out. So from a player's perspective, uh, building the stadium has been, uh, funding. We're working through Will Wutherford and, and, uh, and getting the back, the backbones of everything being built. Uh, but yeah, I think that the, the big piece is allocating the school rev share amount and maximizing that out. I think that, uh,

uh, you know, us choosing to do that is very uncommon, especially in this, in this conference. And, uh, but they're very adamant about winning. They're very adamant about winning. they're very adamant about growing this program. And frankly, it's only 30 years old. You hit on it. The football program is only 30 years old, which is amazing to me. So where they've started, you know, back when, in the trailers, out back, literally, trailers,

to where we are now today, has been a, it's pretty, pretty special. What are the short term and then the long term goals for this program, not just football, but for USF athletics as a whole? Well, I'm where my feet are right now. I'm not looking too far down the road, frankly. I am focused on the here and now, focused on having a first and great spring ball. We're doing a great job,

getting the right guys in this building, but then challenging them daily, both as people and players, for them to grow is really, really important. Now, strength coach, Antonio Turner did a great job, AT, of changing our numbers from where they started to where they are now. So good first step,

but now we're just really focusing on, on a handful of things in Springball, you know, relentless effort, they're learning what that means, you know, to go, you know, four to six, A to B, plus two, and everything you do, you think you work hard, you don't really know until you know. So we're learning what that means right now. You know, that's really, really important. We're trying to build trust. You know, that's really, really important, like, you know, our character, our connection, our competence, and then consistently doing that, like, the level, the understanding of I can do it once, but I got to do a it every time is not normal to most. It's not that you can. It's how often you do. And so they're just

understanding this new level of expectations. Really, really, really important. You know, I would say, you know, and then competitive excellence, right? When the guy, when the ball comes your way, do you make the play? And then do you do it consistently, right? And that's a really big part of spring for us. Every position is, you know, focused in competition right now. I mean, there's no guarantees anywhere really, really important. And then, you know, I think individual improvement is just, it's just all lumped into some of that. So we're focused on our spring goals right now, you know, getting some leaders to step up.

But be transparent. My focus is on chasing conference championships. That's where we want to be. We have not done that at USF. Coach alluded to, you're getting all the way at number two in 2007. I remember that. In 2007, USF was number two. Do you know who number one was?

Ohio State Buckeyes. So I remember seeing that back when I was playing at Ohio State in 2007, but we've never won a conference championship. So for us to do something we've never done, you've got to operate, like we've never operated. And that's really our focus going into spring ball. Coach Hartline, real quick, you're talking about, you know, building that culture right now, right?

And whether it's through the weight room or other things. I sense that some of your players are starting to pick up on this. You know, Coach Meyer is a big fan of social media. He's always out there scouring the TikToks and the Instagrams of the world. Coach came up with this one. Wow. Do you know where this is going? We're going to run it right now.

One of your running backs posted this caution tape all over the running backs lockers right now. Right? So break this down. What happened? Who did it? What instigated it and what the ramifications have been? Yeah. So I'm not going to say who did it, but there's an accountability.

standpoint, you know, for us being, you know, things that don't take talent are non-discussion issues, right? So being late is not ever okay. We've also extra, extra motivated the guys by putting 25 minutes before their lift time. So they have to be at wait, at breakfast, checked in 25 minutes before their lift time or they are late. It's not about the lift time. It's about being ready for your lift. So there may have been a guy that was late. The first time, was a warning. We obviously progressed past that. And once that happens, the unit is kicked out of the locker room. They can get their stuff outside the locker room.

They can wash their own clothes because they don't get the convenience of people taking care of them. And then the coach is also out of his locker room. So it's definitely a unit feel. Oh, look at Urban celebrating down there. He's like, keep talking, Coach Hartline. This is his magic elixir. I'll tell you what.

So I hired, there was these guys. asked me, Coach Hartline, that I offered you a job and you said you turned it down. I don't remember that. I remember seeing a guy that I loved as a player and you would come around our players. I saw the relationship. I love the Heartline family because you guys are just nothing but grinders, man. Your brother was on our staff who I'm so happy he's with you. I thought he was a great coach. It shocked me that he couldn't jump in right away after you left Ohio State. And then you hired our old boy, Tim Beck, who was at my house about a month ago. Oh, yeah.

It was so good to see him, one of my favorite coaches that we hired from Nebraska. So first of all, did you turn me down? And if you did, I'm shocked I went back to get you because usually there's one and done. But second of all, talk to us about your staff. Were we able to get what you wanted to get? Yeah. So, yeah, I was that to show you how silly I was then. I was just getting done playing coach.

Remember, there was a fad where guys would come back and practice with you. getting ready for the bowl game. And my brother talked to me in the coming back to practice. So I did. I remember that. Yeah. And then there's Terry McCormick and there's Paris Campbell and Austin Mack. And I was coaching them up as second year players, I want to say. And yeah, so he's like, man, I love to hire you. Well, Coach Gianna was kind of the real big one that kind of pushed because I was over with the defense. And I was like, you know, I'm a heart wasn't there yet. I was like, hell and no. I knew the obligation of being a coach. And I was still working through that. So I turned it down. And I remember I was getting.

contact. I forget how I'll coach. I got closer February for spring ball and the conversations I list. I love to be around. Hey, just come in and come and go. If you, whatever, you know, makes you used to the schedule. Schedule's crazy. And I remember looking at you as like, coach, I'm going to do it. I want them to trust me. I'm going to be there every freaking day. So I'm going to be there for spring. Let's see how it goes. A weekend, coach, I was hooked. And so I remember telling you, coach, I'm in for the year. Let's do this. You know, you want all now being super busy. I went back to the room. But, That changed my life, Coach.

So, you know, people always told me I'd be a decent coachman. I always told him you're crazy. I'm never doing it. You guys are crazy, the time commitment you guys have. But ultimately, everyone else knew I didn't know. But I'll tell you, think of the Brian Hartline that what, and I've said this on Big Noon, I don't know, 150 times. And we were good recruiters. I mean, at Florida, what you have done, you've changed the game in recruiting.

the first round draft picks high, and your average players were high draft picks. I mean, I remember his, Emeka. I mean, he was like, who's this kid in a mecca? You know, and all of a sudden the Rose Bowl shows up, and now he's the best receiver in the NFL. So I hope, and I know you will,

and I think how do you hold your coaches accountable for their room? If you can do that heart the way you are, as a person, the way you are, or grind away a worker. If you can get nine assistant coaches to take care of the rooms, you're going to be good. How are you going to do that? Yeah, so I think, you know, very similar to how we want to enhance players,

I think it's the head coach's responsibility to enhance their coaches. And so to get feedback back, I mean, again, my job is to enhance everyone around me. And wherever my blind spots are, I've got to have great guys in that position to feel my blind spots. Like, that's what great CEOs do. And so I love the idea of enhancing individuals as players. But then the more I got into coaching, I just love trying to enhance individuals.

And if I think there's an opportunity for someone to grow, I will give that feedback. Now, just like great coaches or great players, excuse me, you got to go take that feedback and then apply the feedback. And that's what great players ultimately do. But I'm hoping to find coaches that were really hungry that, you know, saw what USF is capable of. But then frankly,

through the interview process, they get a feel for me of like, I'm going to challenge guys. I'm going to ask you to enhance and grow. And frankly, you are the head coach of your unit, right? I mean, we want, the goal isn't to win championships. The goal is to be 10 strong. You have 10 units operating at a high level, both from accountability standpoint, a production standpoint, and a community standpoint, right? That's all of those clear facets are very, very important. And ultimately, however the unit acts is a direct reflection of the coach. Like make no mistake. You're either coaching it or allowing it.

And so for me, to have that trend, you know, being clear with that and to be, you know, consistent with that. Now it comes down to me just calling those meetings and holding them true. And when the top is right, maybe lose my gasket every now and then. But I think it starts with the people, Coach Meyer. I think you know that. And like, ultimately, you can only enhance individuals that want to be enhanced. You can only grow players that want to grow

and don't look for handouts. I think we've got a great staff that's built that way. Now it's up to me to follow through on my word. Now, Tim Bex, your OC, will you run the, I know it's going to be the USF version? Yes. Similar terminology that you've used and that you're used to. Yeah, a lot of what you know, Coach. I mean, it was that kind of pre, I remember coming in 2017 with Coach Day.

Coach Day was the quarterback coach. I was just the assistant receiver coach. but I grew with him. So the way he kind of grew that offense with Kevin Wilson and all of us kind of became version 2.0, if you will. And then Tim Beck had the foundation, the formations, you know, the mentality, the culture part of it, which is critical how we operate. He knew that piece. So we're kind of combining the two, coach, and kind of updating the system and it'll be our USF version, if you will.

Yeah, was Tim Beck from point one? Do you want it or did you kind of look at some guys? No, I talked to some guys, and I think that when I did that, I was trying to explore other options, a lot of different philosophies out there. The players that were here, I was trying to do right by them. They ran a different kind of philosophy offensively last year. So was there an opportunity to kind of blend and grow? I tried.

I couldn't do it, coach. I couldn't do it. So I went back to your kind of offense, Coach Day's kind of offense, what we've been doing for the last, you know, seven, eight, nine years in Ohio State. Tim end up being the perfect fit for that. So, very excited about that and just kept everybody up on where we took everything. You know, I was going to get a sleeve on my arm. Yep.

I wanted to, it was just, it was going to cost a little bit too much. So I decided to stay away from it. You know a guy. Yeah, I got a guy. And we have some NIL too with the help of talk. 62-year-old men arms don't need, uh, uh, sleeves on it. I know, I just see you driving that boat, you know, with a great sleeve. You're right.

You're right. Oil up, bad boy up. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. All right, Hart, obviously, you know, the number one factor in that I looked at when taking jobs was what's the recruiting look like? And years ago, I had a chance to go Notre Dame or go to University of Florida. It was because you got it right there, man. I mean, you fall over players.

But I noticed that the high school coaching, because we quit paying our coaches, they started to leave. I understand our governor, Ron DeSantis, who I'm a big fan of his, passed a bill or they're really going to reinvest in the high school coaches, which I tried to get done years and years ago. You take the top talent, now you pay the coaches. This could become the best state in the country. What's your thoughts on Florida high school football? Man, Florida high school football, I mean, frankly, you know,

might be the best in the country already. So to just provide that security and not leaving the state, I think, is everything, right? I mean, I think that it provides a great security. For players to develop coach, as you know, like you need consistency, both in routine daily and this, the players are the coaches that are coached on. So for them to have more stability and more a consistency in their development, it only helps the potential growth.

I think the athletes are definitely here. The mindset definitely is. That's why I love the Florida athlete, the mindset here that I love ball, the winner takes all. there's just so much competitive spirit in the state of Florida. That's why I gravitate to it. I got to know it well in Miami when I was down there,

recruited the state for a long while now. And man, I don't know. We say it's one of the top schools. I'm not so sure it's not the top school in the USA. So to help support these coaches that are going through it with all this NIL and movement and craziness to do that and give them more opportunities there, that's huge. And I'm a big fan of his as well.

You know, Polk County was, I told people that I had a rental home in Polk County and St. Thomas Aquinas. Yeah. And George Smith was a coach, and I had my own office. And people got so pissed off the other Florida schools when I was at Ohio State. I'd go down and I became friends. And I got the bosses. And yeah, you can, you can, watch your coaches going out of state, man. You don't need to go far.

No, not far, coach. And there's some, again, quarterbacks are a little different, you know. Right. But outside of that, there's some great players and a little bit of southern Georgia. But man, you got all of Florida to really operate with. And so when they have great teams here at USF, heavy Florida representative. So got to make sure we're mindful of that and we will be. Coach Hartland, you talk about all those things.

What is the ceiling for football at USF? Rob, I mean, I know it seems like you dream big, but that's where big things happen. And I'm going to be fully transparent because our CEO of Athletic, Rob Piggins is big on too. Like, you know, he has big aspirations. He really wants to take us, you know, to another level. And if that were to be the case between talent acquisition, the players in Florida, those that want to be here, the city of Tampa, the media market is 11th in the country. Number one, the state of Florida. We're going to have a brand new facility for football. I mean, state of the art now, Coach Meyer, Rob, like, unbelievable. and a stadium right behind it with all its funds and whistles. And so the opportunity here is limitless.

I mean, I think that, you know, where we are now, we're looking to dominate, you know, and do a great job in our commerce. We've got to earn that right. We have not done that in the past. But to say we can't be, you know, chasing bigger aspirations would be a mistake. To think that you can't do anything you want to do here at USF, you can't do everywhere else. I don't really know why. The markets here, the resources are here, the people are here, the players are here, and then ultimately they do a great job building a sustainable culture and a team.

But I think the sky's the limit, to be honest. And that was a big part of why I wanted to be at USF. Listen, I don't want to be in a place where I'm looking to like jump other places. Like I stayed in Ohio State for a long time. I love that place. And I am falling more and more in love with USF and the reason why I chose USF because I thought that was possible. Like I'm not looking, people have used this place as a stepping stone in the past. That is the opposite of my mindset. I have no interest in that. I love my family.

I love the security and stability and consistency of being in one spot for my family. And I thought I could do that here at USF. Curious. Did you try to get Jeremiah Smith to join you down in Tampa? Yeah, he actually wanted to come. And I say, listen, just stay in Ohio State. You know, it's probably best for them. All kidding.

aside. Yeah, that would have been awkward, you know, but no, Jeremiah is, you know, my guy, but you were recruited. O'S shoes is in that offense, right? And Julianne's saying what we're talking about. Go, go dominate, go win a national championship, and then I'll see the pros. So you were recruited by Tressel. You worked under Urban. What are some of the attributes you've pulled from those two and other coaches that you've been around, whether it's NFL or college football, that make you, head coach. They have they have shaped me for sure. I wish to this day that it could have been in Jim Trussell's staff meetings to see how he operate, he's having to get that luxury. But, you know, for him, I definitely saw what everyone sees. Like, he really cares more about the person

than the player. I mean, he is like, you know, to a fault, maybe even, you know, like he is, he is, I don't think you can be wrong that way, but, you know, he is, you know, the senator, he is, you know, just big-hearted from a grandpa mentality kind of thought process. I mean, to sit in a room during fall camp and have quiet time and read our books, like that was part of camp, you know, which we really haven't seen a whole lot of since. Coach Meyer, you know, I think that his intensity consistently was from a coaching perspective and the way he demanded excellence from his coaches. Frankly, and I'm going to be full as like, I know he's right here.

But like the way he was able to motivate his players through the players loving their position coach. And then him demanding and challenging and going at the position coach, ultimately just to get to the players was like, I love that. And it was cat. And it hit a different nerve. And I just thought that, you know, everything was purposeful. It wasn't reckless. It was very harsh and old school a little bit at times.

But like he knew exactly what was happening. And then I think when I got an opportunity with Coach Day, you know, watch him even, you know, grow as a head coach, elite offensive mind and then become the elite head coach that he has become, you know, it was kind of a mix of Coach Meyer and Coach Trestle. It was like put them in between a little bit. And so to see all those perspective, I think the one thing I learned, Rob, was do it your way, you know,

and it's not about trying to be somebody you're not or fake it like a meet like them. Just do it your way. because your way is enough and be consistent in that way be be convicted in that way and uh but multiple guys can do it multiple different ways and you can still be successful awesome conversation coach heartline thanks so much for your time best of luck get yourself to burn steakhouse by the way i'm already there good man burns meat market i mean i'm getting like all the oh you know oh i're hitting me in my soft spot you know a stove yes going there tonight oh let's go it's pretty nice all right all right we'll We'll get Urban to jump on his boat and cruise on up to your house and hang out for some spring practice.

You know, my favorite stop up there is St. Pete. Have you done St. Pete? No, it's gorgeous. I've heard it's amazing. It's just back when I was in Florida, it was just okay. It's my favorite place in Florida now. Wow. The Noi.

There's a resort right there. It's fantastic. Take the boat up for a Tampa Bay raise game. Get yourself to a raise game, by the way. Awesome. I hope you guys. I'm going to practice and insert yellows people. I'd like it, Coach.

Love it. Coach Hartline, best of success in the 813 in the Tampa area, the new head coach, the University of South Florida, Brian Hartline. Coming up next on the Triple Option, we remember a legend, the late great, Lou Holtz. Light it. Welcome back to the Triple Option and the college sports world lost an absolute legend last week. The great Lou Holtz passed away at the age of 89. Six schools he was a head coach chat on the collegiate level. Remember, got to start at William and Mary, jump to NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, he's most famous for winning the national title there. Also the head coach

at the University of South Carolina. A lot of folks forget he was in the NFL as well for one season back in 1976 with the New York Jets. I know how much Coach Holtz meant to so many people, particularly you as well. What will you remember and miss most about him, Coach? I love Coach Holtz. arguably one of the most loyal guys I've ever been around. You know, I just worked for him in 1996. I got the phone call that I had a chance to go to coach at Notre Dame. And I remember joking around with Shelley saying your husband's going to work at Notre Dame. And that obviously propels you in your career.

The minute I would tell people, the minute you wear a gold helmet on your shirt, coaching shirt, you walk to the front of line in the school when you go see a recruit. and I felt that all of a sudden here. Hey, they didn't know my name, but a coach from another name's here. And then you just learned his expertise. He was a walking encyclopedia of how to motivate and maximize people. And the speeches, I've seen hundreds come across my phone since he passed away, and I've seen most of them, but such great wisdom.

And then I was humbled by my access to them that I tell people the story that we beat Arkansas to win the Southeastern Conference, and we find out the next day that we're in the national championship. I have 40 days to get a team ready, and I honestly sat there and I said, I have no idea what to do. So, of course, the first phone call was the Lou Holtz.

And an hour later, I didn't only know what to do. I knew how to do it, and I did it. And without Coach Holtz, and there's so many stories like that. Give me a story, though, because there's people just, he's like, we talked about Bobby. Bowden a couple days ago, right? He's one of those guys that people just gravitated to and they wanted to hear him. And he was so entertaining in the way that he told stories. But it was more than

just entertainment. It was it was motivational. It was it was uplifting as well. He was just one of those personalities coach where when you walked away from him, you felt better, stronger, smarter, and that you had been in a privileged spot. In 1996, Notre Dame was looking for a receiver coach. and several people said, Coach, Urban, you got to go get that. Coach, you got to go get that. And I became very good friends with his son, Skip Holtz, and Skip Holtz went to see him at the convention.

I can't remember where was that, and said, you should hire Urban Meyer for the spot. And Blue Holtz and I know how I'm going to hire. I don't want to even talk to him. I'm done. And so all of a sudden I get a phone from Skip 1030 the night before. He says, hey, it doesn't look good, but just meet me at 6.30 in the morning

and be prepared to meet Coach Holtz. We're going to go out breakfast before he flies out of there. So he doesn't tell, Skip does not tell Coach Holtz that I'm going to meet with him. And again, he asked coach, he said, please meet with this guy. And New Holtz says, I'm not meeting with this guy. I'm done. I know where I'm going to do. And then all of a sudden we, I'm standing right there.

And he walked around the corner to go have breakfast together. And he says, hey, it's Coach Meyer. This is Lou Holt. Lou Holtz looks right at Skip and he gets so pissed off. And then an hour, hour and a half later, he says, I'll call you tomorrow. And he called me tomorrow and said, because I got to spend some really good quality time with him. And the next time I know I was on a plane to South Bend

and ended up getting higher. And then his wittiness, the stories he would tell about. You know, he says, so much pressure was on him at Notre Dame. They went a national title, and they finished second in the country the next year, and he's a bum. And he says, I finished second in the country, and they call me a bum. There's people that finished last in med school, and they call him doctor.

So he said it really wasn't fair. And then the best one, he said, I'm so slower. I'm such a bad athlete. I got in a race with a pregnant woman and finished third. So just nonstop, such a humor. Arguably the greatest speaker. Yes. Of certainly our generation, but one of the greatest of all time. So back in the day, coach, when I worked at ESPN, I was on a midweek college football game crew with Mark May and Reese Davis and Lou Holtz. And I was the reporter. And we were doing like random.

Random games, Mac games, and here and there in the middle of the week. And I remember the first time I got there, you know, everybody's kind of got their rental cars. We had our meetings and then we had to go somewhere else. And Reese and Mark piled into their car like lightning quick. So there was no option for me. And they're like, you're with Coach Holtz. And I'm saying to myself, Urban, I'm like, hell yeah, I get to drive with Coach Holtz. This is amazing.

I can't wait for this. let me tell you, that drive, that was a white knuckler. Now, like, I know why those guys put me in that car, because Coach Holtz can drive quickly. Let's put it that way. And stop signs and other things can be optional. So it was a white knuckle drive with him. They're cackling at me when we get back.

But he would drive, and he always had this look, coach, of a Florida grandfather that I would think of when I was a little kid. He had that pipe all the time, had that soft, casual. v-neck kind of golf sweater. Light blue with a Notre Dame on it. Right? It was so great. And we worked this game in Orlando together.

And again, he and I were driving to the game together. And, you know, coaches, you guys don't know where to park, right? You and I got driven to an Oklahoma game with Bob Stoops, right? The coaches, they just keep driving, right? They're like, how I should be able to park literally in the tunnel. Right? 50 yard line. So I'm driving to the old citrus bowl with Coach Holtz, and he just keeps driving by the parking attendants who are like waving flags and putting up hands, whatever.

Coach Holtz, when I say coach Holtz pulled up next to the citrus bowl, I'm saying I could barely get out of the passenger door because it was right next to the concrete of the citrus bowl. Coach didn't care. through his keys underneath the mat, door unlocked, car smelled like pipe, and off we went to work. And one of one man. No one touched the car. No. Actually, do you know who touched the car? Rob Stone.

This idiot touched the car. I knew his keys were there. And I talked to our producer. I was like, hey, we were encouraged to have fun. Let's put it that way. and we filmed me taking coach's car out of the lot and just driving off in the distance. And they aired it live and coach was kind of pissed because he needed to be somewhere right after the game. And the whole time he's like with his beautiful Lou Holtz Lisp, right, it was Rob, where are my keys?

Where is my car parked? I need to get out of here. I got a golf date coming on up. He was petrified of it, but it was just absolute beauty. He was one of one and he has missed for sure, man. Absolute legend, Coach Holtz. Well, that does it for the Triple Option. Make sure to follow, subscribe, rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

Wherever you get your podcast as well as across social media, we are at 3X Options Show. Thanks for joining us and always thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Wendy's. We'll see you next time on the Triple Option.