Beyond The Game Podcast

This episode is a little different (and personal). I’m joined by my brother, Billy Coble, an Army veteran, to talk about the parallels between athletes leaving the game and service members coming home; losing the brotherhood, losing the mission, and learning how to adjust to “normal” life again.
Billy shares:
Why he joined the Army at 18 and started in field artillery
Getting out… then 9/11 happening, and why he felt called to return
Transitioning into medical service and deploying to Afghanistan
What deployment really feels like: the dead stop → full sprint moments
The adrenaline crash after the chaos, and why sleep can be a struggle for many vets
The reality of treating patients in a war zone (including hostile forces) and how you mentally process that
This is Part 1; and we’ll be doing Part 2 next, diving deeper into the medical side of Billy’s career, the differences between military vs civilian medicine, and the long-term physical + psychological impact of 20+ years of service.
🙌 Sponsor: Dazzle Sports
Big thanks to Dazzle Sports for sponsoring Beyond the Game.Check them out: dazzle-sports.com (collectibles, cards, autographs, and memorabilia)
 

Cory Giger returns to Beyond the Game with Justin for a no-fluff conversation about the current state of college football, and the Penn State reset.
In this episode, we break down:
The Penn State coaching search aftermath and what the Matt Campbell hire means in context
Why “just coaching football” is basically gone in today’s college game
The CEO vs. ball coach debate (and how it impacts development, recruiting, and culture)
How the transfer portal is changing roster building (older, experienced players vs. chasing stars)
Loyalty, NIL money, and the business decisions programs have to make
Why the NCAA has created a “wild west” with unclear rules—and what could happen next
Cory also plugs where you can catch him year-round with daily radio, postgame coverage, and more.
Follow Cory Giger
Daily radio show in Central PA: 96.1 FM (Altoona) + online streaming
Postgame Penn State show (seasonal)
Tuesday Steelers show
Sponsor: Dazzle SportsSports memorabilia, collectibles, and autographs: dazzle-sports.com

On this episode of Beyond the Game, Justin sits down with former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Jon Kolb (4x Super Bowl champion) and his son Caleb Kolb for a wide-ranging conversation about football, family, and life after the game.
Jon and Caleb share what makes Pittsburgh different; from the brotherhood inside the locker room to the lifelong bond between the city and its players. The conversation also dives into Adventures in Training with a Purpose (ATP), an organization founded to support veterans, first responders, and individuals living with chronic illness through training, purpose, and community.
 
🎟️ The Curtain Call (Super Bowl X – 50th Reunion Fundraiser)Tickets & info: curtaincallpgh.comSponsorship inquiries: curtaincall@adventurestraining.org
Learn more about ATP: adventurestraining.org
 
Special thanks to our sponsor Dazzle Sports for supporting the podcast.Shop sports memorabilia, collectibles, and autographed items at:
dazzle-sports.com

What happens when the word “pro” gets thrown on a team… but the reality doesn’t match the label?
In this episode, we peel back the curtain on semi-pro, arena, and developmental football—from the glory days of packed practices and ESPN spotlights to today’s grind: players traveling cross-country, chasing a shot, and sometimes walking into situations held together with duct tape.
We talk about:
How some “semi-pro” teams built advantages through jobs, sponsors, and housing
The shift in football culture: commitment, practice turnout, and player expectations
The difference between levels of talent (and how background/support changes outcomes)
Arena football’s learning curve: smaller field, faster game, and “the wall is undefeated”
The real meaning of “developmental leagues” and why film + coaching matter
The harsh truth about “fit,” roster politics, and opportunity in football
The ugly side: unpaid staff, unstable teams, housing horror stories, and broken promises
The bigger question: How much pain are you willing to take to chase the dream?
This kicks off a mini-series where we’ll bring on players, coaches, and commissioners to explore the wins, the warnings, and the realities behind the dream.
Sponsored by:
Nieri Creative – Full-service media studio in Central PA (video production, content creation, real estate photography) Website: niericreative.com
Dazzle Sports – Sports memorabilia, Autographs, collectibles, custom framing and more.Website: dazzle-sports.com
🎧 Subscribe for the upcoming mini-series episodes; and if you’ve lived this life (player, coach, parent, fan), you’ll want to hear what’s coming next.

This season on Beyond the Game, we sat down with athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, creators, and storytellers to uncover the grit, humor, heartbreak, resilience, and real-life lessons behind the moments that shape a career.
From chasing dreams and overcoming setbacks to family legacies, unbelievable stories, and hard-earned wisdom. These are the conversations that defined our year.
Thank you to everyone who tuned in, supported, shared, and championed these voices. And a huge thank-you to our sponsor, Dazzle Sports Marketing, for fueling the stories that move the sports world forward. Now, here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from the season.
Enjoy the recap, and we’ll see you next year.
 
Sponsored by Dazzle Sports - for all of your sports memorabilia, autographs & collectibles: dazzle-sports.com
 

In episode 36 of Beyond the Game, former MLB outfielder Travis Snider gets real about the highs, lows, and everything in between. From being a top prospect dominating in 2008–2009… to facing injury, struggle, and the moment his identity shattered after being sent down — Travis opens up about the part of the game fans don’t see. Now co-founder of 3A Athletics, Travis is helping rebuild youth sports culture from the ground up — focusing on emotional awareness, healthier coaching environments, and the long-term impact sports have on identity.
We dig into: 
- The pressure of being labeled a “can’t-miss” prospect 
- How early success can mask deeper issues
- Identity crises athletes face during slumps, injuries, or retirement 
- Why youth sports culture is broken — and how 3A Athletics is fixing it
-The role parents and coaches really play in shaping mindset 
- Complex PTSD, self-worth, and rebuilding life after baseball 
- Why achievement doesn’t define fulfillment 
- Leadership, culture, and what organizations must change
-  PLUS personal stories from Justin on coaching, ownership, and losing identity on the business side of sports This episode is a deep, honest look at the human side of sports — far beyond statistics, drafts, and highlight reels.
Sponsored by Dazzle Sports: for all of your sports memorabilia, autographs & collectibles: dazzle-sports.com

In this episode of Beyond the Game Podcast, Justin is joined by longtime Central PA sports voice Crey Giger to break down the biggest shift in Penn State football in years: moving on from James Franklin and the search for PSU’s next head coach.
They dive into what today’s top programs really need — a true CEO-style leader — and why NIL, recruiting, player development, and locker-room culture played a massive role in Penn State’s plateau. Justin and Cory lay out the core issues, the risks of change, and the traits the next coach must have to elevate the program.
They also explore realistic coaching candidates, why PSU is now a top-tier job, and how the transfer portal and modern expectations complicate every decision.
🎧 Sponsored by Dazzle Sports — use code BTG for 20% off.
0:00 – “Coach or CEO?” — The opening debate on what modern college football coaching really requires1:30 – Justin introduces Cory Giger + sponsor shoutout6:00 – Justin explains his long-standing concerns with James Franklin11:00 – The core issue: why player development and adjustments never hit championship level15:00 – NIL + culture: the moment the program’s momentum started slipping17:00 – Cory’s bold take: why firing Franklin was necessary18:45 – The uncomfortable truth — the next coach might not be better22:10 – Is Penn State truly a top-tier job? Cory breaks it down25:40 – Transfer portal realities and how it reshapes coaching decisions30:10 – Cory’s top candidates and who actually fits PSU’s needs36:00 – The “fit” factor: why personality and leadership style matter more than ever38:00 – Final thoughts: risk, reward, and the future of Penn State football

In this episode of Beyond the Game, Justin sits down with longtime friend, autograph expert, and legendary “grapher” Jeremy Posey — a man whose 28 years in the autograph world span mall signings, private shows, TTM collecting, flight-tracking chasers, and encounters with some of the biggest names in sports. Jeremy shares incredible stories from the early days of autograph collecting, how the culture shifted with social media, why modern signatures have lost their quality, and what it was like chasing legends like Derek Jeter, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sandy Koufax, and more. You’ll hear the wild Pete Rose “Sh*t King” story, the chase for elusive signatures, the ethics of graphing, and how today’s card companies and athletes have transformed the business. If you love sports, memorabilia, collecting, or behind-the-scenes stories from the good old days of sports culture — this is a must-watch episode.

In this episode of Beyond the Game Podcast, former MLB player and author Chad Hermansen joins Justin to share his journey from being a first-round draft pick with the Pittsburgh Pirates to discovering his true calling as a mental performance coach. Chad opens up about the challenges of transitioning positions, battling “the yips,” and learning the power of mindset both on and off the field. He also dives into his new book, The Parent’s Edge, which helps parents better support their young athletes by managing their own emotions and expectations. Tune in for a powerful conversation on resilience, growth, and the mental game behind success in sports and life.

Former Penn State and NFL player Keith Conlin joins Justin on Beyond the Game to talk about life on and off the field — from growing up in Philadelphia and playing under Joe Paterno to navigating injury, the business side of the NFL, and his life in media and podcasting today.
Keith shares never-before-heard stories from Penn State’s glory days, thoughts on Bill O’Brien and James Franklin, and an inside look at how college football has evolved through NIL and the transfer portal era.