University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Podcasts
Beyond The Script | Episode 1.3 | Men's Soccer Season Preview
Podcasts
Published on 7/21/2026
Podcasts
Published on 7/21/2026
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 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
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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
Published on 10/13/2026
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, 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?
Published on 10/6/2026
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.
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
Published on 9/29/2026
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
Published on 9/22/2026