Episode 15 - Don’t call me coach

In this episode, we get to know Utah’s new football general manager - Joe D’Orazio. A former center, Joe talks about how he was hired to work with the offensive line under Norm Chow, only to have former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham tell him he’d be working with then defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake. But what felt like a mistake turned out to be a life-changing opportunity. We discuss what he’s learned coaching college football, and why he is undaunted by the ever-changing landscape, including the transfer portal and NIL money. He talks about his mentors, like NFL coach Andy Reid, and why he and Morgan Scalley remained close friends through the years. He explains his love of statistics, analytics and why he says, “The plays don’t matter.” He also says he doesn’t want to be called coach because coaching is what he does, not who he is. This is a fascinating conversation with a man who could reshape football at the U.

Sports are more than just games. Competition is a classroom for the human experience. While scoreboards declare winners and losers, the real value of athletics is the lessons that transcend any field of play. Lessons like perseverance, leadership, and resilience. And coaches are the people responsible for teaching these principles to athletes and fans alike. Have you ever wondered what shaped the philosophy or leadership style of your favorite coaches? A new podcast from KSL - Coach’s Book Club - asks coaches and athletes to share how their favorite books educated, changed or inspired them.  Hosts David James and Amy Donaldson are veteran journalists who’ve covered everything from Olympic triumphs to high school heartbreaks. Each month, they'll introduce you to a coach and get their book club pick. Then, we'll read the book together and discuss the characters, themes and lessons. And we want to hear your take, too. This isn't just a podcast to listen to, it's a community. So join the coach's book club!