Kevin McGiven, Offensive Coordinator for the Utah Utes, explains why adaptability has become one of the most important skills in modern college football. From learning new systems and processing the game faster to navigating coaching changes, quarterback development, and the transfer portal era, McGiven shares lessons from decades of coaching at the highest levels of the sport. Former Division 1 quarterback Marcus McMaryion also reflects on his own experience learning under McGiven and how adaptability helped shape his college football career.
Kevin McGiven, Offensive Coordinator for the Utah Utes, joins Athlete Country Club to discuss why adaptability has become one of the most important skills in modern college sports.
McGiven shares insights from decades of coaching experience, breaking down how quarterbacks must learn to process the game faster, adapt to new offensive systems, and navigate the constant changes that come with today’s transfer portal era. The conversation covers quarterback development, football IQ, learning different coaching “languages,” surviving coaching changes, and what separates quarterbacks who can simply throw the ball from those who can truly command an offense.
Former Division 1 quarterback Marcus McMaryion also reflects on his journey playing under McGiven at Oregon State before transferring to Fresno State, where he became one of the most successful quarterbacks in program history. Together, they discuss the mental side of playing quarterback, preparation, processing speed, leadership, recruiting, and why the players who last the longest are often the most adaptable.