Friday, May 1, 2026

The Man Behind USC’s Comeback

USC general manager Chad Bowden joins the show for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a national powerhouse football program.

Chad shares how he made the decision to leave Notre Dame and join Lincoln Riley at USC in just 24 hours, and why he believes California is home to the best high school football talent in the country.

He opens up about how the role of a college football GM has evolved, what most fans and media don’t understand about NIL (name, image, and likeness), and the pressure that comes with building not just a roster, but a culture. From his daily routine, to what it’s like working alongside Lincoln Riley, to USC’s transition to the Big Ten—this conversation is packed with insight from one of the sharpest minds in college football.

From NIL realities and roster construction to culture-building and USC’s Big Ten transition, Bowden offers an unfiltered look at the GM role reshaping the sport from the inside out.

This episode of Next Up is presented by Teamworks.

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