In this special Dear Dan episode of THE Varsity Voices Podcast, Joe sits down with Dan for a mailbag-style conversation inspired by the classic Dear Abby format — but built for the world of high school sports.

This episode dives deep into the questions parents, players, coaches, and fans are actually asking about today’s high school football landscape — from recruiting and development, to transfers, culture, pressure, and the changing realities of the modern game.

We cover topics including:

• What stats really matter in high school football (and which ones don’t)

• When you truly know who a team is during a season

• Development vs. talent and fundamentals vs. system

• Recruiting myths parents and players believe

• Starting roles, development paths, and long-term growth

• Transfers and the evolution of high school football culture

• Rule changes, playoffs, and the future of the sport in Illinois

• How perspective changes when you’re inside the game

• Real advice for young athletes navigating today’s pressure-filled environment

Dear Dan isn’t about hot takes — it’s about honest conversation, real perspective, and meaningful insight into the world of high school sports.

If you’re a parent trying to navigate recruiting, a player chasing development, a coach building culture, or a fan who cares about the future of high school football — this episode is for you.

#HighSchoolFootball #HighSchoolRecruiting #StudentAthleteDevelopment #IllinoisHighSchoolSports#YouthSports #VarsityVoices #FootballPodcast

In this episode of THE Varsity Voices, we sit down with James White, former Super Bowl–winning running back with the New England Patriots and longtime college assistant coach, to discuss his new role as head football coach at Benet Academy.

James shares why Benet was the right opportunity for his first head coaching job, how his NFL experience under a championship culture shapes his coaching philosophy, and what he believes truly matters when developing high school athletes — both on and off the field.

We also dive into:

• How NFL habits and accountability translate to high school football

• What players and parents misunderstand most about the athlete development process

• Lessons from coaching at the University of Illinois and playing for Bill Belichick

• Building culture, leadership, and discipline in today’s game

• Competing in the Chicago Catholic League and the evolving high school football landscape

Whether you’re a student-athlete, parent, coach, or high school football fan, this episode offers real insight from someone who’s lived the journey — from high school, to college, to the NFL, and now back to shaping the next generation.

🎧 Subscribe to THE Varsity Voices for in-depth conversations on high school sports, recruiting, leadership, and the issues shaping the game today.

#highschoolsports #highschoolfootball #chicagocatholicleague #benetacademy #jameswhite

High school sports are changing — and not slowly.

In this episode of THEVarsity Voices, we dive into the recently passed Illinois High School Association bylaw that allows student-athletes to participate in limited non-school events during their season. On the surface, the rule sounds flexible and athlete-friendly. But when viewed through the lens of football, recruiting, and the growing influence of club and travel sports, the implications run much deeper.

We discuss what this rule could mean for high school sports and Friday night football, team culture, and competitive balance — especially when exposure events, showcases, and recruiting opportunities begin to overlap with the high school season. We also explore the financial realities behind club sports, why these programs continue to grow, and whether they are complementing high school athletics or quietly competing with them.

This episode tackles the uncomfortable questions:

• Do elite players now face pressure to protect themselves for exposure events?

• Are club and travel teams reshaping the priorities of high school sports?

• Is this a necessary evolution — or a slippery slope?

This is not about blaming athletes or families for chasing opportunity. It’s about understanding how incentives change behavior — and what we risk losing if team commitment and community take a back seat to individual exposure.

If you care about the future of high school football, this is a conversation worth hearing.

#HighSchoolFootball #IHSA #ClubSports #FootballRecruiting #YouthSports #VarsityVoices