Jason “Puck” Puckett, former KJR host and Washington State head football coach Jake Dickert debut their Coug’s Corner podcast that will air throughout the college football season. Jake will join Puck on five different appearances throughout the season. In between those visits, other Cougar coaches and players will join Puck, courtesy of the Cougar Collective and Flatstick Pub. They open talking about youth sports, coaching, and the changing landscape of college football. They also touch on the challenges and rewards of the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era in college sports. In this conversation, Coach Dickert discusses various topics related to Washington State football, including recruiting strategies, building a strong team culture, the challenges of coaching in a changing landscape, and the upcoming season. He emphasizes the importance of investing in high school recruits and developing a strong regional presence. Coach Dickert also highlights the significance of team culture and connectedness, as well as the X-factor that certain players bring to the game, including John Mateer. He expresses excitement for the upcoming season and the competitiveness of the team. Finally, he discusses the challenges of playing Mountain West teams and the honor of hosting Texas Tech and honoring former coach Mike Leach.
Rundown
00:00 It’s the debut of the Coug’s Corner podcast with Jake Dickert
06:23 Coaching your own kids and what led him to coaching
11:32 The Changing Landscape of College Football
16:47 The Challenges and Rewards of the NIL Era
18:45 Supporting Washington State University Athletes in the NIL Era
26:03 Fostering a Positive and Competitive Team Culture
31:49 The Impact of the X-Factor in Players
36:35 Challenges of Playing Mountain West Teams
39:15 Hosting Texas Tech and Honoring Mike Leach