From Small-Town Indiana To Baldwin Wallace Football

A quarterback journey rarely goes the way you draw it up, and Andrew Zimmerman proves it. We sit down and trace his path from growing up in Chesterton, Indiana to chasing college football opportunities, choosing Baldwin Wallace University, and learning what Division III football really demands when you’re fighting for reps at the hardest position on the field.

From there, the conversation turns into the part most people never see: the grind of becoming a graduate assistant coach. Andrew breaks down how a shoulder injury reshaped his playing career, how friendships and resilience kept him in the game, and why GA life feels like drinking water through a fire hose. We get into recruiting, camp chaos, getting coached hard, and the growing role of analytics and data tracking in modern football operations. If you’re curious about coaching careers, sports management programs, or what it takes to work in college athletics, there are a lot of real details here.

Andrew also shares what it’s like to pivot into higher education as a transfer admissions counselor at Baldwin Wallace, plus some Cleveland and Lakewood favorites, Chicago sports allegiance, Notre Dame passion, and college football predictions in the NIL and transfer portal era. Tap in, share this with a friend who loves sports stories, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this.

All music brought to you by former guest of the show Speedo

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants Podcast. This is, as always, your host, Mike Bono. I got a great guest for us today. He is a two-time alumni of Bolton Wallace University in Cleveland. He lives now in the Cleveland area, but is originally from Indiana. We're going to get into all of that for him. But Andrew Zimmerman joins the show. Andrew, thank you for joining.

SPEAKER_02 0:24

Yeah, thank you for having me, Mike.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

No problem at all. You are, like we said there in the intro, from the state of Indiana, where you grew up and played football and I believe volleyball there too, as well. So tell us a little bit about where you're from and just what growing up and you know playing sports and all that.

SPEAKER_02 0:43

Yeah. So you know, Hoosier, born and raised, was born originally in South Bend, and that's where my family was, you know, living for the first couple of years and then moved to what you know is truly my hometown, a little town called Chesterton, about 13,000 people there. I mean, if you're on you know 8090 on the toll road, you know, that's if we're here in the Midwest, it's pretty easy to spot on the exits, but we're in close proximity to Valparaiso Gary to just kind of paint a picture for the listeners as well. And yeah, so that's the northwest part of the uh state, and with you know some of the news going on. I mean, who knows? Maybe the Chicago Bears are going to northwest Indiana for home.

SPEAKER_01 1:32

I can't foresee, I never thought I would foresee a day where the Bears could possibly be moving out of Chicago. Yeah. But we'll see what happens there.

SPEAKER_02 1:40

Yeah, I think it's more of a you know, leverage play at that point. I I can't see them getting outside of Illinois, but yeah, that's just a funny occurrence that's been going out there. But yeah, growing up, I mean, you know, was always actively involved with sports. And it was I played, you know, you know, the main three football, baseball, basketball, and then kind of felt, even though, you know, Indiana's the home state for basketball, wasn't really my thing. So it was mo it was football and baseball for a gosh. I mean, from when I was six all the way up until probably 13, and then just wasn't feeling baseball anymore because you know, when you can't hit as well, it's not as fun. So I gave that up and you know, started playing. I saw I played quarterback pretty much from sixth grade on. So that was what I was doing, and then you know, eventually found volleyball as my second sport while I was in eighth grade because the head coach for the club and you know the high school team that I eventually played on, he coached my sister at the high school level, so just kind of a natural you know relationship from there. But yeah, I was playing volleyball for five years and you know, pretty some some high-level stuff too, especially at the club level. And you know, I didn't really think about playing college sports really. I mean, I had the thought, but I just didn't know how serious it was at first. And that's kind of where you know my junior year wasn't really the strongest season because you know I was the varsity backup, you know, my sophomore year felt you know pretty much in line for junior year, but did not go as you know the storybook ending as I would have you know imagined, but you know, created a lot of adversity for me and that you know kind of helped you know shape me throughout that process. But yeah, that's what gave me the thoughts I may not be able to play college football because I don't have the film, but you know, just you know, put my nose down, got to work, and senior year, you know, much better. And that's where I'm like, okay, this is pretty serious, because then you know some division three coaches were starting to you know text me. And then it was mostly those suburbs of Chicago schools that were interested in me at that time, and I never heard of Baldwin Wallace really at all. I couldn't even have told you where it was, but my dad's former boss, Ty Nye, was a BW alum and also played football, and he just kept, you know, in his natural state, just kept pushing, hey, why don't you keep checking? Why don't you check out BW? Check it out. And you know, they had the BW has the best both worlds, in my opinion, where you know, it's very stellar football program. And then I got my sport management degree at BW. And with I'm sure you with a few other guests you've learned a little bit about how the sport management program is at BW. I mean, yeah, the opportunities that you get, you're probably not getting it at any

Meet Andrew Zimmerman

SPEAKER_02 4:48

many other schools. So that's what was the deciding factor for me in leaving, you know, to coming in northeast Ohio. I was looking at a different school, like I said, Chicago suburbs, but you know, part deep down, I just felt that this was the place for me. And I can say definitely eight years, you know, looking back, I think I have made that right decision. So that's a little long-winded, but you know, that's my story there.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

I I mean, you're on a show with rant in the title. I mean, we we don't expect long-winded answers here, you know what I mean? We're we're good with those. Like you were saying there, you know, you went to BW to play football, and you ended up coaching there too, as well. Correct. So, what was your time like on both sides as a player and a coach at the school?

SPEAKER_02 5:36

Oh, yeah. So coming in, I mean, for the most part, I was realistic about it's it'll probably be an up, it's definitely gonna be an uphill battle to you know play, especially quarterback, you know. Right. There's one guy that's gonna play, that's inevitable. And if you know you're athletic enough, maybe you'll get you sprinkled in there. But that's just not me. And you know, to talk a little bit about how Chestern's program was for the longest time, you know, we were a triple option school, so I was a triple option quarterback uh in high school, even though I was you know six foot 200, I wasn't you know having blazing speed or anything, but you know, I was able to operate the system and still, you know, pass well. And that was definitely one of my strengths and why I would play my junior year in high school. But I knew it was gonna be an uphill battle because my offense is just significantly gonna be a little bit different than what you get at the college level, and everything's more spread. So I knew freshman year was definitely gonna be an adjustment,

Growing Up In Indiana Sports

SPEAKER_02 6:40

but thankfully with Division III, you know, you have those opportunities to play JV football. So getting some light reps that was very beneficial. And then, you know, going into you know that spring season for my freshman year, you know, I had an honest conversation with my quarterback's coach at the time. I had to change my body a little bit, and I was able to lose you know 20 good pounds and was feeling good during spring ball practice, and it wasn't until gosh, the last week we were doing a drill for ball security, and that's when I injured my shoulder, my throne shoulder, which ended up being just a you know grade one slap tear, which didn't they didn't say required surgery, so I still live with it now. But that was a tough summer going into my sophomore year just because most of it was just spent on rehab, and I couldn't really get live reps really throwing how I'd want to until probably the first couple weeks before camp. So that camp was rough, and you know, for a while it was like during that sophomore year, I'm like, this I don't know. And I wasn't gelling with my quarterbacks coach at that time. I felt that just wasn't getting the love for the game anymore, but right then he eventually left. But really, it's about the core group of guys that I was around. Like they still, you know, wanted me, and not that I had conversations about quitting, but it's just like they always wanted me to be around, and you know, I just I feel personally that I have a great set of friends, and they're definitely a big reason why I for sure stayed and then just wanted to make sure that you know I was competing still because you never know at the end of the day, like injuries can happen. I saw especially, you know, that sophomore year, we had a starter and he gets injured, you know, third week in the season. Um, and then we had actually one of my close friends, he was our starter for a majority after that, and then he gets hurt as well, and then we're playing another guy our last game of the year. So it's like it can happen. So that's why uh and by then I was starting to feel much better with you know the my body and getting used to what my shoulder is and working around it. So I was fine, and I just wanted to stay ready with that for junior, senior year. I was able to get, you know, one game action my senior year, but I I wouldn't trade really my experience for anything else as a player just because it taught me a lot of life lessons and you know helped, like I said, shape me once again into you know who I am and kept me around great friends, probably friends for life at this point. And while I was in school, I obviously with the sport major degree, you have to learn so many things. So it was I did internships and like facility management at T3, and I was like, uh maybe this isn't it.

Choosing Baldwin Wallace For Football

SPEAKER_02 9:53

Initially thought about scouting in the NFL, or you know, now it's more prevalent in college as well. But I was able to get connected with I don't know if he's still with the Rams, but his name is Vince Hugg. He's director, he was a director of football operations with the Rams when I spoke with

Quarterback Reality And Shoulder Injury

SPEAKER_02 10:14

them coincidentally after they won the Super Bowl the first time around with Stafford, and I was just you know trying to learn about his experience and what it was like to get in where he's at, and he's like, should probably uh look into being a graduate assistant. And this happens to be what yeah, a couple weeks into February, maybe early March. And so I started thinking about that process, and that's when BW just offered the GA role. And I was close enough with you know Coach Hilbert throughout my you know four years as a player, and he felt comfortable enough, you know, extending an opportunity for me to do that. And you know, I'm one of three that from the BW football program that were offered those GA positions initially. There was one outsider, I guess you can call it, but yeah, so I got that, and then pretty much after I graduated that first weekend of May, boom, right into it. There's pretty much no stop from you know being an undergrad, and then like two weeks after that, I'm taking grad school classes, so you know, yeah, it's pretty much drinking water through a fire hose at that point. I mean, you gotta learn you know a lot there with you know recruiting and setting things like you think you know until you actually do it, and that's just what I feel like the GA life was, but man, that was a great experience for sure.

SPEAKER_01 11:48

Yeah, yeah. I definitely get it with the the injury aspect of being an athlete, kind of similar to you. I was a swimmer from the time I was eight up until my sophomore year of college at Bethany College, and it's because my senior year of high school, I had offer D1 offers to swim, but I played football too. All my buddies played football. I loved the game of football. Wasn't the best receiver in the world. You know, I was 6'5, I was tall, I was more of that red zone threat, you know, kind of me. Not not that fast either, you know. I said I got a white boy speed, and I and I I really do in that one. But the first week we're we're putting the pads on, we're hitting sleds and hit one, and I feel a burning sensation go down my arm and into my pinky, and I was like, ah, stinger, haven't had pads on in a while. That's all it is. Played the whole season, turns out I stepped away to my shoulder. And when when swimming recruiters hear that they have a swimmer that now has an injured shoulder, all of those offers kind of go by the wayside. Bethany College kept their their scholarship for me. So I went there to swim. Couldn't swim my freshman year. They let me be a quote unquote manager for the team so that I could keep my scholarship still being on the team and helping them out so that I could rehab my shoulder and get back into it. But sophomore year, you know, I'm thinking like, okay, I was I was pretty good, but now I got a repaired shoulder. I don't know how this is gonna look, how it's gonna feel. This is completely different than even though it's at the D3 level, was not prepared for what practices and stuff like that was gonna be like at the college level. Thought I had it figured out. Turns out reinjured that same shoulder that year, midway through the season. That to me was kind of like, okay, this is kind of the sign that swimming isn't going to be in the future for me. Thought it was, but I mean it is what it is, but I learned a lot. Coach wanted me to stay on the team, and it was just like, I gotta tell you, coach, I I love the sport of swimming. I've been doing it since I was eight years old for over a decade now, but I can't be around the pool and be here and not be able to get into the water. Like that's where it was for me. So kudos to you for being able to transition from a player to now on the sidelines because to me that's that's a lot to be able to do. I dabbled a little bit a couple years ago in coaching and swimming. Did a couple summer league, swimming, swim coaching, assistant coaching around here. Uh anywhere kids from eight years old up to 16. So it's a very big team. But it was it's it's one of those things that it's just like you missed it to a point, but I I'd rather miss it from afar now. You know what I mean? Like, I just can't be there and not be able to get into the water. That's just my mindset and how I've I've been with the with the sport and everything like that. Everyone says I'd make a hell of a football coach. It's like I just wish I had the time to do it, you know what I mean? Because I love the sport of football. Everyone was like, you'd make a better coach than you did a player. And I I feel like I feel that in my soul sometimes, but it is what it is. But yeah, the coaching aspect of that getting right into it right after graduation had to have been a tough transition for you.

SPEAKER_02 15:24

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I told I originally when I came to the BW, I'm like, it's my four-year degree, and I'll try to and I'll get a job, you know. It's probably every person's

From Player To Graduate Assistant

SPEAKER_02 15:36

mindset at that point. But yeah, immediately going into that, it was I mean, I didn't feel like it was a terrible transition just because it's still pretty much the same faculty members at the end of the day that are teaching us. There's some new ones like here and there for some of the other courses, but for I mean, I got my MBA with an emphasis in sport management still, it's just more natural that way. So I already had you know three or four of those professors in the classroom before. So I already knew expectations with that. It's just the other ones I'm not familiar with. How do I you know work around that? But summertime, it was you know, obviously much easier to get the schoolwork done just because, yeah, I mean, you are going to these camps and kind of learning the day-to-day operations of being a coach, but yeah, I mean, man, when ball camp came around, that's when you truly learn you know what to be doing. I remember you know, guest on here before, Andrew Kriegan, my best friend, actually. Yeah, uh, he uh he and I we were in charge of a uh punt return drill. And our um coordinator at that time, Coach Nickel, he's still on the staff, but just different titles now. He was not I remember we got yelled at you know on the field, but we were able to, you know, kind of shake it off. And you know, after that, we let you know go through the rest of the day, and players eventually in the dorm rooms. Him and I you know go grab a quick workout while we can just because we're you know feeling it. And we get a call because we one of us had our phones hooked up to the you know hawk system, and he calls us seeing if we were still you know around. Yeah, and then we walk upstairs and he you know yells at us even more about messing up the drill. And that's you get your it's you know, you get your low moments there for sure. You're definitely feeling like you're eating shit a lot as a GA, but that's just where you gotta be resilient and then just learn from that. Because at the end of the day, you're still learning, you're still being coached up. And yeah, I mean, that first transition as well, we're dealing with the new offensive coordinator, I mean, which was like a it seems like a revolving door at that time when I was a player. I think he was like third or fourth offensive coordinator, and you know, then my five years out with the program. So you know, you gotta learn his way of things, and he coach Ortz was uh, you know, he's a different guy. I mean, he is very analytical, has a whole Google sheets that we have to put all this all this data. Like it was a lot of data entry that you probably wouldn't think of, but you know, it's more common now, uh, especially at the NFL level. So, I mean, it was just a lot of those tasks that you had to learn and get used to somebody else's teaching. But yeah, and then at that time, I mean, I was the running backs GA and our official running backs head coach, I mean running back's coach, he was uh he's a part-time coach, so he's not there like running the meetings. And that's where I had to learn some growth as well, because first I was with the offensive line, our coach, Coach Collison at the time, he was you know leading low-line running back meetings, and that's where I'm like, okay, I better learn how to you know step up and start talking about you know leading that group in meetings because we're gonna meet at the end, you know, in the season in the morning. So it happened probably that first second week where I'm like, okay, now I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable, but yeah, and then managing school on top of that. That was definitely uh that was a new one for sure, just because you know, your football coach feels like 20 hours of the day, 18 to 20 hours, and then you have to throw in that little bit of school. Ugh, they got yeah, you had to learn that one quickly. And there's there was high expectations in our contract, you can't get more than two C's, so you know you're held to you know some pretty high standards there.

SPEAKER_01 20:06

Yeah, absolutely. Definitely sounds like a lot, but sounds like you handled it like a champ. Like uh it sounds like we know you knew you would, but now you're transitioning into you're now the admissions and admissions at BW as the transfer counselor. What does that entail for your career?

SPEAKER_02 20:27

Yeah, it's just still helping students feel that BW is their home. I mean, after I finished my uh you know graduate assistant opportunity, you know, finished in May of 24th, I'd still, you know, thought about, you know, I'll just do a story time before getting into admissions. I mean, I still thought about doing scouting and I'd thrown out plenty letters to NFL teams and even put some of my you know grad school projects in there to show them work that I've done. Only one franchise you know emailed me back. That was the New York Giants. And it was just thanks but no thanks. So I had to find a job still at the end of the day, just to you know, because I was about to start paying rent now, you know, darn. But eventually found a role with NCSA College Recruiting as a recruiting coordinator, sales job, really. Um so for the folks that are listening to this, um now they'll know whenever they get a call from NCSA, just a sales guy, if they haven't already to found that out. But did that for 10 months, but just wasn't feeling that job for sure. Like it was nice to you know talk sports almost every day, but then you're talking about sports you're unfamiliar with, and I knew that I could do something better where. 'Cause it was a completely remote job. I just you know having that uh face-to-face interaction, like actually being with my coworkers in a meeting setting, because that's just what I was used to, you know, being in the classroom or being in the office and just stuff like that. Thankfully this opportunity opened up in like February of 25, and I never really considered even working with the admissions team, even though I had worked as a student worker there just as a you know, working the phones, like just transferring calls at the end of the day. Knew kind of what the work entailed, but one of my you know co-workers from that time, she was in the transfer admission counselor position as well. And her and I were very you know friendly back then, and like she said, might as well see if it would be something you know that's worth it. And the more I chatted with you know Meredith and Kelsey throughout the interview process, and thought more about it and thought about you know why I selected BW granted as a student athlete experience, but I had to think a little bit deeper about you know what BW meant to me and how that could be presented to other students as well. And it's good that I don't necessarily always have to talk to sport management majors because I get to challenge myself per se with you know creating new connections with say our education department or you know, nursing, other you know, depart like majors that I was never associated with. I was always on you know in that school business. So getting to meet new folks like that, and then just learning how transfer credits you know apply, and transfer students are a lot different than your traditional first year ones. I mean, nobody's the same. So that's kind of what the job is well. I mean, like almost every day is kind of new just because clientele is gonna be a little different. I mean, after I got settled in, it started to feel a little bit more natural, but still at least once a week for sure. I can guarantee that I'm getting a situation where like I don't know that exact answer, but I'm gonna make sure that I find out. But that's just what I want to show for families that you know I care about BW and I hope they do at the end of the day. I'll and as long as they're you know, we have that same kind of passion there, then I'm gonna make sure that we're working, you know, together for that. Because, you know, I'm the first point of contact. It's no, it's really no different than recruiting a student athlete as a GA. And that's where another thing I felt could have done way better, but you know, as a GA, you got so many responsibilities.

SPEAKER_01 24:51

So like just now different direction as a GA.

SPEAKER_02 24:55

Exactly. So with this, now I can feel I'm doing I do much better recruiting just because it I get a lot more personal interactions with uh students for sure.

SPEAKER_01 25:06

Yeah, that that's awesome. Uh and I I've always said if you if

Job Search To Transfer Admissions

SPEAKER_01 25:11

you like the job that you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life. You know what I mean? And ever every every day being different, like that's one thing that I like about doing comedy, doing stand-up, is that there's there's no two shows that are exactly the same. I might do the same material and it hits differently at this venue where it than it does at this one, and you gotta gotta pivot yourself and be able to get out of that. You learn a lot about yourself. I tell people all the time uh I've learned more and had more fun on shows where I bombed doing the same material that killed the next town over at the last show, just because it's like, all right, I mean it's not gonna work for everybody, like it's not for everybody, you know, and that's kind of like picking that right school, you know, and not ever it's not gonna be for everybody. But having somebody that enjoys it and loves it being the first point of contact, it's gotta be a huge help to anybody in looking and picking an institution at where they want to go to. We've had a lot of BW people on here. Like, I feel like uh everybody that's listen to the show, if if you don't know enough about BW, you definitely gotta hit Andrew up here too, as well, because I'm sure he has more to say. But we've had a lot of BW alum on, a lot of people that are still working there at the college, too, as well. So the information's out there, folks. Go ahead and make sure we definitely, definitely check out BW for sure. I want to transition a little bit here for you, Andrew, because now you're currently living in Lakewood, which is a suburb of Cleveland. What are some of your favorite things to do in Lakewood and also Cleveland? We ask everybody from Cleveland what's their favorite thing. You're not gonna be you're not gonna get out of that question here. So what are some of your favorite things there at Cleveland?

SPEAKER_02 26:58

Yeah, yeah. And trying to, I mean, can we keep does it have to be professional or do we is this well?

SPEAKER_01 27:05

That's up to you, man. I don't know, I'm not afraid of anything.

SPEAKER_02 27:07

I'm I'm a comedian, so I don't guess off with the the one thing that I do like for sure as I moved over here, especially living in this area, like just a lot of things are walkable distance. I mean, I'm on Detroit F, just off of Detroit F, so I mean it seems like that's where a lot of you know things to do are. But even then, like it's still folks that are, you know, I'm 26, almost 27, and you know, folks in their you know, mid-20s, late 20s, early 30s, kind of that demographic there. Just starting out there, and you know, that's what I liked. Everything's walkable distance. I mean, the beaches and you know, the waters and Romas. And I mean, the bar scene for sure is a you know a nice one, especially in Detroit, or like I say, where it's walkable, it's you know, that's good. I mean, let's save some money on some of those Uber charges. But yeah, I mean, um Cleveland Bagel Shop is a good spot that I like to look at for you know breakfast options. Granted, a little pricier than what you would imagine. I mean, I'm sure uh New York bodega is probably gonna be cheaper and better, but I mean if it's you know walkable for me, that's fine. I'll go there once a week. And I'll be honest, even though you know when we do, you know, go out, like Mary Arts is a great spot if you still want to get lunch or dinner. I think it's got some of the best food, especially in Lakewood. But you know, I still gotta try some other places out for sure.

SPEAKER_01 28:51

Okay. Yeah, the bar scenes up in Cleveland. I I I frequented a lot doing shows up that way. I can tell everybody, you know, the bar scene up in Cleveland is phenomenal. It's always top-notch. You can't go wrong with any of those up there for sure. Have not had the bagel shop, I've heard good things about it. But Lakewood is one of those where, you know, having had a lot of shows there, I have I've had a few up in that area, so I know I'm a little familiar with the area, but um you can't go wrong. I feel like Cleveland does get a bad rap up in that area, but it's phenomenal every time I've been there. I've had nothing but great experiences up that way. So it's it's awesome for sure. And being a big sports fan yourself in college and the and pro sports. I know you're from Indiana now over in Ohio. What are some of your favorite favorite sports teams? So are we still back in Indiana teams?

SPEAKER_00 29:46

Or see the Notre Dame size right there.

SPEAKER_02 29:50

And there's one behind me as well. I mean, that's you know, the first thing to you know point out. I mean, Notre Dame and football for sure is my you know true number one passion there. Just like I said, you know, being born there originally, but growing up, I mean, that's I one of my first memories is you know, watching the Brady Quinn, Jeff Samarja, Notre Dame teams. So that's memory that I always hold with me, and that's you know, one thing that I'll stay true to till the day that I croak. But everything, yeah, I mean, Chicago sports pretty much everything else. Yeah, but Bull Sox, you know, you name it there. Yeah, the Bears are, you know, kind of the even though the culture in Indiana, I mean, where I'm from in Northwest Indiana, the Bears are still probably the more popular one. And first Penn Call Jersey was a prime or lacquer jersey, but you know, my favorite football player of all time is Drew Brees. So I were number nine, that's why I played quarterback as well. So, you know, I there was definitely a lot of times watching you know the Saints, you know, when they were on TV and they had their you know right moments as well. So I pay a lot of tribute to that guy. Uh Drew Brees just for you know the number nine, similar names playing the same position and just you know who I modeled my game after just because uh at the end of the day, it wasn't I don't have a rocket Josh Allen arm or can move like you know, Lamar or anything.

Life In Lakewood And Cleveland

SPEAKER_02 31:27

That's just naturally how the position was. So yeah, I mean Chicago sports, I mean so socks, bowls, all that stuff, but yeah watched a lot of Saints and a lot of bears.

SPEAKER_00 31:39

So you're more you're more white socks than cubs in there in Chicago. You're you're a Sox fan versus versus the Cubbies.

SPEAKER_02 31:46

Oh yeah, first Major League Baseball game, our elementary school back then I don't think they do this anymore, but back then if you got perfect attendance, you would get free socks for the family. And it was the year after they won the World Series, so that's when you know the hype was pretty big, and even then, like that 05 to probably 2010 range, like was a good time to be a you know, a white socks fan. I mean, Mark Burley, like Jermaine Dye is my favorite baseball player of all time. You know, Paul Conurco, you know, all those kinds of guys, those were fun. But obviously, you know, since then we're not you know having a lot of good times. That's where the Cubs kind of took over from there, which you know, for this, you know, for the City of Chicago, that's you know, cool and all, but it's I don't like them, you know. I didn't cheer I didn't cheer for them when they won the World Series. It was I was actually cheering for a Cleveland's team, to be honest.

SPEAKER_01 32:49

But I gotcha. I mean, I I get it with the the rough baseball fandom. I I grew up around the Pittsburgh area. I'm a Pittsburgh sports fan, through or through Steelers, Pirates, pens. Pirates fan is is a tough one. Yeah, it's rough seasons. We're we're putting it together this year, I think, a little bit. We're we're having a decent decent go of it this year, but yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, Paul Steam is just lights out, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 33:20

But yeah, people. My brother, he actually has probably the more unique fandom than really me. I mean, his favorite baseball team is the Colorado Rockies. Our uncle just happened to live in Colorado at one point in time and then just brought back some Rocky stuff, and he was he was hooked then. His favorite baseball player all the time is Detroit Cholowitzki. Okay. And he is a uh he's a Jags fan when it comes to the NFL. Maurice Jones Drew just gravitated towards that when he was younger. Um so he he's the one that deals with a lot more uh you know sadness and anger when it comes to uh you know sports. Maybe they're not now with the the Jags, if it they're not uh you know they're doing all right.

SPEAKER_00 34:10

One year older.

SPEAKER_01 34:11

Yeah, they're not doing terrible. I get that too as well, being younger and kind of gravitating towards a team. I do root for the Buccaneers, Tampa Bay, because when I was younger, they still had those creamsickle orange jerseys. And just as

Teams, Fandom, And Sports Memories

SPEAKER_01 34:27

a you know, three, four, five-year-old, I was like, those are sweet. And like I just kind of like gravitated to that. The only time I don't root for them is when they're playing Pittsburgh. That's that's the only time. And then and for then, I really just kind of root for offense at that point in time because both of my favorite teams are playing each other. So like I just yeah, I just root for for a good game and a good offensive game to just see both teams light it up. But yeah, people are like, how did you become a Tampa Bay fan? It's like, well, I grew up in West Virginia, there's no pro sports teams, so you kind of have to venture it out, yeah. You have to figure it out.

SPEAKER_02 35:01

Yeah, at least there's you know the Mountaineers. I mean, I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 35:06

They disappoint me every year, too. Like they they I I love my Mountaineers to death. Yeah, that was the school I was planning on going to. Had had an offer there from them too, as well. But you know, always a Mountaineer fan through and through. They are our pro sports team. Baseball team's not going terrible. We're we're in the the Trino Waha, so we're we're we've made it to the World Series. But yeah, I mean, I'm just a huge sports fan. I I could probably go days and days talking talking sports with with anyone. So that that being said, and talking about college football there, do you have kind of a prediction of what you're thinking about for the for next season's national championship game?

SPEAKER_02 35:52

The tough one necessarily, you know, but you know Yeah, it's it's tough to talk about in June. I mean, obviously with what's going on right now with the you know, Texas Tech, I mean, that causes a lot of parody. And who knows how you know the NCAA is gonna deal with that, because I mean that's a you know solid team regardless. But hopefully they do the right thing, that just means they ban them from the playoff. But I mean I'm not gonna say really too much really about uh Notre Dame, because I mean yes, they should be good, but just being uh you know a fan of them, I I'm very familiar with what can happen, especially like last year as an example. I mean yeah, they dropped the ball, you know, those first two games, even though they lost by combining four points at the beginning, but and then rolled off you know ten games after that, but that's just how it is. So I I mean if they do their job, they should be in, but um like I said, I'll hold hesitancy, but you know you know, the usual suspects, Oregon, Ohio State, or Oregon for sure, as long as the coordinator changes work out. Miami's gonna be tough for sure. But wouldn't be surprised if those you know, those dang long horries are also probably in the mix too, just with what they've done in the portal. So that's college football, it's kind of a wait and see, you know, type of scenario.

SPEAKER_01 37:29

This transfer portal now it does make it hard in June to try to predict that that this was a thousand percent a Johnny question here to kind of start to round out there near the end of the show when we were coming up with the outline for everything here. This this is a thousand percent Johnny.

SPEAKER_02 37:48

Yeah, and I mean it you never know, like shoot, Jeremiah Smith. I mean, he could hurt himself in fall camp for all we know, and that throws everything out. So, like that's a part, like you see everything, like you go on ESPN on three or the athletic, whatever you do, fills free fill steals, you know, magazine. And somebody will have you know their playoff predictions already, but it's just college football that even though the NIL has changed a lot of things at the end of the day, that's the beauty of it. There's so much you know, parity, even though you got your blue bloods. I mean, something's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_01 38:25

I mean, I mean, for example, hell, look at Alabama, they were dominant until this NIL kind of put them kind of back in their place a little bit, kind of humbled them a little bit. They're they're not the powerhouses that they used to be. Still good. I mean, they're not they're not like terrible, they're not losing every game, but you know, see Alabama go down like that would that was a real shock to me as somebody that was like, uh, who's Alabama playing in the championship this year? You know what I mean? That's kind of how it was there for a while. And I I think yeah, you know, it just it leveled the playing field. And I uh and I like that for college football.

SPEAKER_02 39:05

Yeah, and I was even gonna you know throw all the way back to 2007 when I mean, you know, West Virginia was almost you know a BCS game if you know Pat McAfee um uh could make some kicks, but you know, that's why he's punning. That's why he done it in the NFL. Even you know, South Florida, you know, they were less than 10 years into you know being a D1 team and they're number two in the country at one point. I mean, it's just stuff like that. That I even remember when you know Kansas and Missouri when Chase Daniel and Jeremy Backlit were there. I mean, that was the top 10 matchup uh on Saturday night ABC. Like it's stuff like that that makes college football, you know, arguably uh better than the NFL. So even with the NIL changes, uh you know, people have money in regardless of the the school that they went to. I mean, somebody's gonna throw something in there, so it can happen. And you know, that's you know, back to you know, my original answer. I mean, it's just there's gonna be parody, and it'll be interesting to see come what late November, early December when they start uh selecting who's in the playwright.

SPEAKER_01 40:22

Really start getting that playoff bracket uh put together. Yeah. I I get excited around this time because I know college

College Football Predictions In The NIL Era

SPEAKER_01 40:29

football is right around the corner. Like I I love college football. My wife knows every Saturday after about 12 o'clock, like, all right, she's she's lost me for a little bit because I'm gonna be permanently planted in front of the TV watching some college football. Uh so she has to get she has to get to me early if she needs anything done around the house. I was like, You got me till 12, and then after that, it's it's college football season.

SPEAKER_02 40:53

Yeah, which I obviously didn't get that opportunity to really watch so much of that for shoot six years. Right. I mean, because even then, like Notre Dame, for the most part, 3:30, Easter in every Saturday. Um, and I wouldn't be able to watch most of that uh just because I was actually on the team playing head coaching. Uh but if there was night games, then you know obviously I can you know catch those. But you know, when I was taking that break from being a GA to you know working with the high school team Normandy, you know, that was fun because that was you know the nerd aims run to the national championship, watch every single game, which I had not done in years, and maybe ever, honestly, just because you know being around actively involved in sports. But even then, like last year, I'd still be able to watch a good amount of college football. So I definitely have missed that just because I've been watching a lot of NFL for six years, for you know, the six years as a coach and player.

SPEAKER_01 42:01

Right. Yeah, that's that's it's always good. Like, I mean, I I have a a career too as well where I can, you know, watch you know, some college football Mountaineers typically 12 o'clock, one o'clock Eastern start time, and they're typically early games. You know the you know the pit game's gonna be a prime time. You're they're gonna put that game on in prime time. That's the one that it's it sometimes gets tough to with being a comedian. Most of most of the gigs are at night. So, you know, you sometimes some of those games, you know, but it is what it is, you know. But love college football. Excited for it to come around. But Andrew, we are running down here near the end of the episode here. I do gotta get this last segment in here, otherwise, Fitti will kill me if not, and that is the Fast Pitty Five. Five, excuse me, random questions from the wonderful manager of the podcast, Johnny Fittipalconi. These are kind of rapid fire for the new listeners out there, but you can elaborate if you need to. Andrew, these have nothing to do pretty much with what we've been talking about for the better part of uh almost an hour now. So if you are ready, we'll get started with the fast fitting five. Let's do it. All right. Question number one the best lunch meat is uh chick turkey. Turkey. All right. Question number two is surfing or skiing harder, in your opinion?

SPEAKER_02 43:27

I've never done either of them, so until I try one of them, I'll have the answer. But as for right now, neither, just because I haven't tried them.

SPEAKER_01 43:36

I I've I've tried surfing once. I gotta say, that's the toughest thing I've ever tried. I never I never stood up once without falling flat on my face. So I'm gonna I'm I'll go with surfing on that one. Question number three if you could go back and play football at either the University of Hawaii or Coastal Carolina University, which would you pick? Question number four What's the worst time on a Saturday for a football game to kick off?

SPEAKER_02 44:25

Worst time. Even though people loved it, you know, the sick host for sure, but Pac-12 and you know, after dark, probably not. If you're a fan of those, then on the East Coast, not the ideal time. So I'd probably say that. But the true, I mean, I guess another answer is there's really not a bad time for it as long as there's somebody that you root for.

SPEAKER_01 44:49

Yeah, you're not wrong, but yeah, the Pac-12 after dark, that's just way too late for me to get into a football game. Last question here your best uh football movie of all time is Friday night lights. That's a good choice. That's a that's a solid choice. I I'd go remember the Titans just showing my age a little bit more.

SPEAKER_02 45:11

Uh yeah, I mean that's you know another type one.

SPEAKER_01 45:13

That that's a that's a 1A, 1B kind of for me with those two movies there. So it's it's a it's a coin flip. I I love both movies. Sure. But that was the fast 55. He threw some sports questions in. I feel like he took it easy on you. You're coworkers now at BW, so he's kind of got to take it a little easier on you.

SPEAKER_02 45:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:33

But yeah, so like I said, we are running down here near the end of the episode. I do give every guest this opportunity at the end of the episode. Andrew, if there's anything you want to get out there, anything you want to promote, whether it's a BW or even if it's just a good message for folks, I'm gonna give you about a minute and the floor is yours.

SPEAKER_02 45:55

You know, life's of really just about you know, making connections, uh and asking questions. That's something I've definitely learned, you know, along my time, you know, being a student athlete is just you know building great relationships with you know the friends that I currently have and in the past as well. But the one thing that you know I always feel that I do need to continue to work on, I've done much better, but just ask questions. I mean, it's the old you know, Ted Lasso type thing, be curious, but you know, rings true. I mean, if you're not being curious and asking questions for people, I don't think you're improving or you know, growing as a person. So that's just the thing is as long as you got a you know great sports uh support system around you and you're finding new things to you know challenge your knowledge, I think you'll be in a good spot. But that's really all I have, and then hopefully if there's any folks that have kids that are at the college level, start looking in the BW. If you're even if you're in Colorado. I mean, my first freshman roommate, he's from Denver, Colorado. So BW will always have a home for somebody, even if you're not from Ohio.

SPEAKER_01 47:15

Awesome. I I I do love it when guests have a good message at the end of the show. And that quote and that scene from Ted Lasso, the Be Curious When He's Playing Darks, is by far my favorite scene out of that entire series for sure,

Fast Five And Final Message

SPEAKER_01 47:29

because it just rings so true. But on that note, that is going to do it for this week's episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. I want to thank my guest, Andrew Zimmerman, for joining. This was a lot of fun to get to sit and talk a little bit of sports and to learn a little bit more about you and more about BW. And as always, if you enjoyed the show, be a friend. Tell a friend. If you didn't, tell them anyways, they might like it just because you didn't. That's gonna do it for me, and I will see y'all next week.