Pitt Beyond The Script

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.18 | Ryan Baer & BJ Williams

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:56:00 +0000

Welcome to Beyond the Script, the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.

For this special episode, Jason hands the mic over to two of Pitt’s own, fifth-year tackle Ryan Baer and senior guard BJ Williams, for Players on Players. What’s it like to line up next to the same guy for years on the right side of the offensive line? How have they changed since the day they met? And what does it take to keep a line steady through changes at quarterback?

Ryan and BJ take over the conversation, then wrap with a round of quick hits, in this special edition of the show that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, beyond the script.

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.17 | Jeff Capel, Robin Harmony

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:56:00 +0000

Welcome back to Beyond the Script, the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. This week, two basketball programs, two new-look rosters and two conversations about how it all comes together before tip-off.

First, Abby Schnable sits down with men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel to talk about how the team has come together, what the Providence exhibition revealed and who fans should watch when Pitt opens against Rider on Nov. 2.

Then, Jason Earle talks with new women’s basketball head coach Robin Harmony, fresh off a championship season at the College of Charleston, about building a program from the ground up and bringing 11 newcomers together.

That’s this week on Beyond the Script: inside Pitt Athletics, and this time, two programs just getting started.

Recap: 0:25
Upcoming: 5:04
Capel: 8:46
Harmony: 26:53

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.16 | Wrestling Preview, MBB GM Jay Kuntz

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:33:00 +0000

Welcome back to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the people making it happen, and this week, that means two seasons about to get underway.

Pitt wrestling opens in the brand-new Victory Heights Arena, and head coach Keith Gavin and senior heavyweight Dayton Pitzer preview the year, from the trip to Tulsa for the National Duals Invitational to the wrestlers that make up the team.

Then, men’s basketball general manager Jay Kuntz breaks down how this roster has come together, what the exhibition against Providence told us and whether the work on next year has already begun.

That’s this week on Beyond the Script.

0:28: recap
8:47: what’s next
10:39: previewing the wrestling season
24:27: Jay Kuntz joins the show

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.15 | Antonio Chadha, Izzy Starck

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:58:00 +0000

Welcome back to Beyond the Script, the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the people making it happen.

This week, Jason is joined by Pitt football kicker Antonio Chadha to talk about his journey to Pitt, his first field goal as a Panther and his love for the movie Rocky. Then Abby Schnable steps in as guest host to chat with Pitt volleyball setter Izzy Starck. Starck shares what it was like growing up in a volleyball household, why she wanted to play for the Panthers and her relationship with teammates Olivia Babcock and Blaire Bayless.

All that and more, beyond the script.

Recap: 0:25
What’s coming up: 6:14
Antonio Chadha discusses his journey to Pitt: 9:43
Izzy Starck talks settling in at Pitt: 22:54

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.14 | 1976 Championship 50th Anniversary Special

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:09:00 +0000

This week, a special episode marking the 50th anniversary of Pitt's 1976 national championship. Jason sits down with offensive lineman Jeff Matthews and defensive lineman Al Romano to revisit the historic season, the biggest games, and memories of Tony Dorsett. Plus, Jackie Sherrill — who was on staff in 1975 before taking over as head coach in 1977 — joins by Zoom to share his own perspective on that championship run, ahead of the team being honored at Saturday's football game against North Carolina.

Recapping last week: 0:25
Looking at this week: 5:45
Jeff Matthews joins the show: 8:53
Reminiscing with Al Romano: 21:25
Jackie Sherrill shares stories: 38:37?

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.13 | Swimming & Diving Staff, plus Pat Narduzzi

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Pitt Swimming & Diving enters a new era. Katie Kasprzak steps into a full-program director role, with Ian Walsh and Josh Larcom joining as head coaches for swimming and diving, respectively. The three sit down with Jason to talk through the new leadership model, the culture they're building, and the returners and newcomers who'll shape the season ahead.

Plus, Pat Narduzzi joins the show four games into the season to talk team identity, breakout performances from the freshman class, the growth of the passing attack, and what's riding on this final home stretch — starting with this week's showdown against Virginia Tech.

Weekly recap: 0:28
What’s coming up: 5:51
Narduzzi talks 4-0 start: 8:50
Katie Kasprzak breaks down new leadership model: 13:14
Ian Walsh discusses the swim team: 22:54
Josh Larcom shares his thoughts on the dive team: 29:45

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.12 | Blaire Bayless & Ayanna Watson

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Beyond the Script, the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. This week, we're handing the mic over.

It's a Players on Players special, pairing Pitt volleyball's Blaire Bayless and Ayanna Watson for a conversation that goes beyond the box score — big moments, big personalities and everything that makes this team click.

Plus, a look back at a big weekend across Pitt Athletics, from football's 27-13 win over Syracuse to a ranked win for men's soccer.

0:27 – Recapping the past week
6:32 – What's coming up
10:26 – Players on Players start
10:40 – Talking preseason
14:07 – Looking to ACC play
17:30 – Earning starting spots
20:50 – Who has the best gatorade?
23:20 – Outside of volleyball
27:22 – Most likely to

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.11 | Marcedes Walker & Antonio Bryant

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:21:00 +0000

Eight names joined the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame — and two of them are joining us. Marcedes Walker, Pitt's all-time leading rebounder turned 2024 Olympian, and Antonio Bryant, the Biletnikoff Award winner who still holds Pitt's career receiving records, sit down with Jason to look back on the careers that got them here.

Plus, a rundown of the rest of this year's Hall of Fame class.

Also, a look back at a big weekend across Pitt Athletics, from football's 12-7 win over UCF to volleyball closing out a perfect 10-0 non-conference slate.

Weekend recap: 0:33
Upcoming events: 7:38
Meet the Hall of Fame inductees: 9:45
Marcedes Walker joins: 12:55
Chatting with Antonio Bryant: 22:21

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.10 | Goalkeepers Elli Johnson & Jack Moxom

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Recapping last weekend: 00:35
Upcoming events: 7:04
Elli Johnson and Jack Moxom takeover: 9:50

Welcome back to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the people making it happen, and this week, that means handing the mic over.

Freshman Elli Johnson (women's soccer) and senior Jack Moxom (men's soccer) had never met before this episode — so instead of Jason asking the questions, the two goalies interview each other.

Recorded on 9/1, before both had ever spoken, the conversation covers what it's actually like living between the pipes, how talking to your defense changes from program to program, and the saves each of them still thinks about. Two goalies, no host in the middle, comparing notes on a position only they really understand.

Plus — a look back at a big weekend across Pitt Athletics, from Mason Heintschel's record-setting day in football's season-opening win to volleyball's climb to 6-0, and a look ahead to what's coming next for the Panthers.

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.9 | Pat Bostick & Matt Smith

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.

This episode, Jason is joined by Pat Bostick, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, and Chief Marketing Officer Matt Smith, as Pitt football's season opener against Miami (Ohio) approaches. What does the new UPMC patch on Pitt jerseys signal about the future of the program's business side? With Mason Heintschel solidified at quarterback and a retooled offensive line, what is this team building toward? And what will fans feel the moment they walk through the gates at Acrisure Stadium this season? Pat and Matt break down the roster and the game day experience — beyond the script.

1:15 – Pat Bostick joins
2:05 – Jersey patches and NIL
11:11 – First game jitters
12:13 – Bringing back Heintschel
15:15 – Breaking down the offense
21:43 – Looking at the defense
24:12 – The freshman class
25:40 – Matt Smith joins
26:30 – Enhancing game day
31:14 – Night games
32:29 – 1976 team celebrations
33:33 – Loyalty Locker

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.8 | Jeremiah Warren & Alex Sanford, Jr.

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

For this special episode, Jason hands the mic over to two of Pitt's own — defensive tackle Jeremiah Warren and linebacker Alex Sanford Jr. — for Players on Players. What's it really like lining up next to each other on defense every day? What was it like transferring into the program and finding their footing at Pitt? And how competitive are these two with each other, really?

Jeremiah and Alex take over the conversation in this special edition of the show that takes you inside Pitt Athletics — beyond the script.

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.7 | Inside Victory Heights with Dustin Gray & Aaron Duvall

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:34:00 +0000

This episode, Jason takes you inside Victory Heights. Deputy Athletic Director Dustin Gray breaks down what opening weekend actually looked like — the Fan Fest, the Blue-Gold volleyball scrimmage, and the first real test of a building six years in the making. Then, Assistant AD for Sports Performance Aaron Duvall goes inside the Martchek Family Strength and Conditioning Center — what's new, what it means for Pitt's 16 programs, and what he's already seen change for the athletes training there.

From the arena floor to the weight room, Jason gets the full picture of Pitt's newest building — beyond the script.

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.6 | Cross Country, Track & Field & Jeff Capel

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This episode, Jason is joined by cross country and track & field coaches Alonzo Webb and Alonzo Webb III, Griff Graves, and men's basketball head coach Jeff Capel. What does it mean to coach alongside your own son — and how does that relationship shape the culture of a program? What’s next for cross country as the Panther Open opens the season at Schenley Park? And with 13 new faces and a near-total roster turnover, how is Capel building chemistry and identity into a Pitt basketball team that barely knows itself yet? Jason sits down with our coaches to answer those questions and more — beyond the script.

2:50: Track & Field nationals

7:39: Father-Son coaching duo

8:52: Zo’s coaching journey

14:58: Coach Webb and Graves talk culture

21:12: The best dressed coach in track and field

26:30: What to expect this XC season

29:42: Jeff Capel joins the show

33:23: Looking at the roster

41:42: Players stepping up

45:14: What to watch for in 2026

Pitt Beyond The Script | Episode 1.5 | Pat Narduzzi & Sean FitzSimmons

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:51:00 +0000

This episode, Jason is joined by football head coach Pat Narduzzi and redshirt senior defensive lineman Sean FitzSimmons as they preview the season ahead. From a returning quarterback to a defense built around experience up front, what does Pitt have to prove after another year of hot starts and tough finishes? Pat and Sean break down the roster room by room and get honest about what it'll take to finish what they start — beyond the script.

Narduzzi’s 12^th year: 1:01

Return of Mason Heintschel: 6:20

Look at the offense: 9:45

Breaking down the defense: 11:48

Special team thoughts: 16:00

Sean FitzSimmons joins: 18:12

Going down the roster: 22:37

Mentality for 2026: 27:09

Beyond The Script | Episode 1.4 | Women's Soccer Season Preview

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:08:00 +0000

Welcome to Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. This episode, Abby Schnable sits down with women's soccer head coach Ben Waldrum and senior defender Olivia Lee.

2026 marks the 30th season of Pitt women's soccer, coming off a 2025 campaign that closed with a 1-0 win over No. 1 Notre Dame — the program's first-ever victory over a top-ranked opponent. What does it take to build on a season like that? How does a roster with 17 returners and a wave of new talent find its identity? And what does the program's growing pipeline to the professional ranks say about where Pitt soccer is headed? Ben and Olivia take us inside a program building on its best season yet — beyond the script.

Beyond The Script | Episode 1.3 | Men's Soccer Season Preview

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

This episode, Jason is joined by men's soccer head coach Jay Vidovich and assistant coaches Bryce Cregan, Will Marshall and Robby Dambrot — all three former Pitt players themselves. What does it mean to protect the culture behind the crest as rosters turn over year after year? How does a program build a coaching staff almost entirely out of its own alumni? What does staying true to that culture look like heading into 2026? Jay, Bryce, Will and Robby take us inside the program they helped build — beyond the script.

1:25 - Welcome/Summer
2:45 - Connection with athletes
5:05 - Building Pitt men’s soccer
7:30 - Recruiting for fit
11:40 - Staff of alums
15:30 - 2026 season
20:05 - Thank you to fans
20:38 - World Cup chat
24:29 - Assistant coaches join the show
30:05 - Laying a foundation
35:58 - Season ahead
37:32 - World Cup chat

Beyond The Script | Episode 1.2 | Dan Fisher & Olivia Babcock

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

This episode, Jason is joined by volleyball head coach Dan Fisher and star senior Olivia Babcock. What did the team learn from their international trip to Italy, Slovenia and France? Who are the newcomers ready to make an impact? And with a decorated career already behind her, how does Olivia top herself this season? Jason, Dan and Olivia dig into all of it — beyond the script.

1:43 - European Adventure
11:59 - Victory Heights
15:17 - Team Identity
19:05 - A look at the Newcomers
24:12 - Upcoming season

Beyond The Script | Episode 1.1 | Allen Greene

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:39:00 +0000

Welcome to Pitt Beyond the Script — the podcast that takes you inside Pitt Athletics, past the press conferences and into the real conversations. Host Jason Earle sits down with the coaches, athletes, and administrators who are doing the work every day to build something special in Pittsburgh.

For our debut episode, Jason is joined by Pitt Athletic Director Allen Greene. How is Pitt building on last season's College GameDay moment? What does H2P NIL mean for the program's future? What can fans expect when Victory Heights opens this August?

Jason and Allen tackle those questions and more in the first episode of the show that takes you inside Pitt Athletics — beyond the script.

Allen Greene’s Background: 6:41
The state of college athletics: 16:00
What’s going on at Pitt?: 23:08
H2PNIL and revenue sharing: 27:51
Football: 34:50
Volleyball: 37:35
Basketball: 40:00
A call to fans: 45:56