Inside Carolina: A UNC athletics podcast

Inside Carolina football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins host Tommy Ashley for an extensive rundown of North Carolina's most recent football commitments from late June until today's show. Callahan breaks down each player and what went down for the Tar Heels and Bill Belichick's staff to secure a commitment from each high school standout. Callahan also discusses what's left for the Heels in the 2026 class as well as answers viewer questions.

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While summer may keep campus quiet in Chapel Hill, the "Shoe Circuit" went full-throttle this past week as AAU tournaments began in earnest. Coaches from around the country are now back on the road for this live period to evaluate the best of the best in the class of '26 and beyond. North Carolina had its staff out and about watching offered and targeted players, and IC will continue its coverage this coming week. Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to look back at the staff's movements last week, and to discuss more of the coming season...

Last season, North Carolina's tight end room was three-deep, versatile and proven. Heading into 2025, this room is quite the opposite, with lightly used Jake Johnson heading the room, joined by three transfers - Jordan Owens, Conner Cox and Shamar Easter. Inside Carolina's Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss the room superlatives and what to expect when the season opens on Labor Day.

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Carolina fans remember Greg Ellis as an anchor of Mack Brown's best defenses in Chapel Hill in the mid-to-late nineties. Ellis went on to a 12-year All-Pro career in the NFL, and has been even busier since he hung up the cleats. Last month, the National Football Foundation announced that Ellis was on the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. He joined Joey Powell to talk ball, being successful in the League, molding young minds, and how he's helping combat the social stigma around mental health issues. 

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Gone is one of the nation’s best in Omarion Hampton, but as Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples explains, North Carolina’s stable of running backs has the tools and talent to be productive and efficient in Bill Belichick’s first season in Chapel Hill. Staples discusses the superlatives of the room with Davion Gause taking an ‘alpha’ role and Michigan transfer Benjamin Hall joining Caleb Hood and Charleston French pushing for snaps as well.

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Quality depth and enough puzzle pieces highlight North Carolina’s offensive line room as Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to break down the returners and newcomers at perhaps the most important position for success this season in Chapel Hill. Superlatives highlight the discussion and Staples offers his take on every member of the room with some expectations across the board.

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North Carolina’s move into the new world order took another big step forward on July 1st with the announcement that Steve Newmark would succeed Bubba Cunningham as Athletic Director in the summer of 2026. Newmark comes to Chapel Hill with an extensive background in NASCAR and the financial side of athletics and will spend the next year on campus learning the basics of administration on a college campus and digging into basketball and football revenue before assuming AD position. Inside Carolina’s Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss Newmark, Cunningham’s legacy and the impact this move will have o...

With North Carolina’s summer camp sessions complete, coach Bill Robinson -- author of Carolina Basketball School --- joins host Tommy Ashley again to now recap this year’s sessions. Robinson discusses why things are different under head coach Hubert Davis, recounts stories from the past two weeks in Chapel Hill, and details what was learned after seeing the 2025-26 Tar Heel players in action.

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While the headlines may not be heavy, the lack of above-the-fold news has created a bit of entertainment around the UNC Basketball program in the form of summer intrigue. Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to dive into the newly-released non-conference schedule, recap the two UNC players (Drake Powell and RJ Davis) who have seen their NBA careers begin, and share some thoughts on the summer camp scrimmages thus far. The show also takes some popular questions from the live audience that have been bubbling up of late. 

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Inside Carolina football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins host Tommy Ashley to provide insight on the recent run of commitments for Bill Belichick and his North Carolina staff. From Burgess to Woods, Callahan dishes on the June commits as well as the massive scoop posted on IC’s Tar Pit Premium message board and more on this edition.

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Summers in Chapel Hill are legendary and Carolina Basketball’s famed camps are a big part of the lore.  In his book, Carolina Basketball School - History, Stories and Drills, Bill Robinson highlights the key figures responsible for the two weeks in June that many Tar Heel fans hold dear and tells the tales that live in the history of the Carolina Family.  Robinson joins host Tommy Ashley to share the ‘why’ and ‘how’ this book came to fruition and a few of the stories within its pages. 

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Bill Belichick’s pledge to build the North Carolina football program from the inside out starts with the defensive tackles and this position room is one of the thinnest, if not the thinnest, in the Kenan Football Center. Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss the superlatives in the room and the three newest editions - CJ Mims, Isaiah Johnson and D’Antre Robinson. Staples also goes in-depth on the defensive tackle position and how Belichick and staff have moved pieces around in the past to field a successful unit despite any personnel shortcomings.

For a few years now, the Coast to Coast podcast has held Fathers' Day up as a watermark by which fans should safely be able to evaluate the roster, as it usually falls after the comings and goings of players have subsided. On this episode of the show, the guys run down a pretty wide array of happenings around Carolina basketball. While none of these developments are necessarily headline-worthy, they are likely of interest and consequence for the coming season and good for a June discussion.

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Inside Carolina's expert football analyst Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to hand out superlatives to members of North Carolina's edge rusher room. The alpha, the breakout, the time to show and prove and much more from a Tar Heel position group that has two young returner in Tyler Thompson and Jaybron Harvey joined by four transfer portal pick ups.

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When North Carolina hired Bill Belichick last December, it signaled a shift that the powers that be on campus were serious about winning big at nearly any costs. After Hubert Davis and his Tar Heel team struggled last season, missing a big and necessary piece, those powers pushed the chips in on hoops. The results? A 14 million dollar roster for the '25-'26 North Carolina Tar Heels with an eye on a return to elite company on the court. Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss the rationale and reasons behind the move and the new...

College athletics took another step into the new world with the final approval of House vs. NCAA in a culmination of years of court battles over athlete compensation and 'amateurism'. Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes has been on the forefront of the coverage of House and other landmark court decisions and joins host Tommy Ashley for a discussion of how this approval shapes the new era of college athletics.

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At noon on Friday, North Carolina's quest to return college baseball's mecca begins in Boshamer Stadium as the Tar Heels host Arizona in a three-game series - winner to the College World Series. Inside Carolina's Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley spoke with head coach Scott Forbes about the juggling act of preparing for the series while preparing for the future - the NCAA transfer portal is active and rolling in the middle of the most high stakes time of year for coaches and teams.

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What the transfer portal taketh, the transfer portal giveth and in North Carolina’s linebacker room, the in’s and out’s of the new world order are on full display. Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples and host Tommy Ashley break down the specifics with five new faces in the room and one young Tar Heel that stuck around to be a part of the revolution under Bill Belichick. The alpha, the breakout and the ‘time to prove’ players and more in this edition of Scouting the Room.

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North Carolina’s postseason run continues in Boshamer Stadium this weekend with the Arizona Wildcats coming in after winning the Eugene regional - notably without having to play host Oregon. Inside Carolina’s Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley break down the matchup from both sides as Carolina’s pitching staff will face a hot ‘Zona offense featuring power bats at the top of the order. Nugent and Ashley discuss Carolina’s success last weekend and how the Heels can continue to playing winning baseball in their run to Omaha.

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The addition of Montenegrin Luka Bogavac gave Hubert Davis yet another piece for next season's roster, and puts UNC one step closer to being a finished product heading into the summer. Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan join Joey Powell to take a little deeper look at Bogavac's addition to the squad, his game, and how this fills a glaring need on the court. Additionally, the three take some listener questions from online submissions that run the gamut of roster discussion to potential usage and strategy. 

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North Carolina continues to build its roster for the coming season and has reached into the Adriatic League for the latest addition. Luka Bogavac of Serbia & Montenegro by way of KK Mega Basket is bringing his sharp-shooting 6'5" frame to Chapel Hill. Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan join Joey Powell to break down what Bogavac's commitment means for the coming year. 

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Inside Carolina's Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss his process for his annual player scouting reports and the duo discusses the defensive back room in this episode. Superlatives include the room Alpha, this year's breakout player, which Tar Heel is on the clock to prove it on the field and which young player will make an impact on the field this season. Finally, Staples compares the talent and coaching for the Tar Heels to other DB rooms across the conference.

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For the sixth time in eight years, North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Boshamer Stadium will host an NCAA Regional and welcome in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Holy Cross with play opening on Friday.  Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent break down the regional top to bottom, highlighting not only the Tar Heels but also the Sooners, Cornhuskers and Crusaders and what each team will bring to the table.  Carolina opens the tournament against Holy Cross at noon on Friday with Oklahoma and Nebraska scheduled for a 5pm start.  

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After a long and grueling college baseball season, North Carolina readies for the NCAA Tournament with its season goals ahead of them.  Head coach Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent to discuss the aftermath of an ACC tournament title and how his team has moved on from the impressive weekend.  Pitching decisions, mental approaches, focused preparation and fan support highlight the discussion.  The Tar Heels play Holy Cross at noon on Friday while Oklahoma and Nebraska tangle in Friday’s second game, with all games this weekend in Boshamer Stadium.  

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The regular season concluded with a series win at Florida State and now North Carolina enters the postseason as the #3 seed in the ACC Tournament.  The Heels face either Notre Dame/Boston College/Virginia at 7pm on Friday night.  Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent spoke with Diamond Heel head coach Scott Forbes to discuss his team’s regular season journey, lessons from Tallahassee and ‘go time’ aka the NCAA Tournament.  The tourney selection show in Monday, May 26th at noon.

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The bustling activity of the Transfer Portal has turned to a quiet whisper around UNC basketball. Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran joined Joey Powell to reset the table on the Tar Heels' current two international targets and Drake Powell's breakout measurables at the NBA Combine. The panel then spends some time discussing the first non-scholastic evaluation period of the summer, and what the entire high school recruiting process for college coaches may look like in the future. Give a listen and share your thoughts below about where prep recruiting may be in 2/5/10 years. 

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The North Carolina Tar Heels basketball and football seasons are done, and the Class of 2025 has graduated. Even though baseball and many Olympic sports play on, Inside Carolina's Press Coverage crew of producer John Bauman, Evan Rogers and Jeremiah Holloway wanted to convene to give out some 'superlatives' from the season. The crew discusses the best game, the most valuable Tar Heel, the most improved player and the most surprising moment from the 2024-25 season. Players and moments from the UNC men's basketball team, football team, women's basketball team and women's soccer team were selected. To close, Evan shares...

The spring transfer portal has been anything but slow for Bill Belichick and North Carolina as recent linebacker additions - led by Boise State transfer Andrew Simpson - have helped fill the needs of that position room.  Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to scout Simpson, FSU transfer Timir Hickman-Collins and Oklahoma State transfer Jonathan Agumadu and discuss what each will bring to the table this season in Chapel Hill.  

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The North Carolina Baseball program has been steeped in talent over the years with countless ALL-ACC and All-American players dotting the rosters.  Toss in the 12 College World Series appearances and you have a program that rivals any in the country.  Former Tar Heel Brian Moran was not one of the most talented but his personal work and drive in his three years at UNC and now 17 years in professional baseball embodies what the program strives to be.  Moran joined host Tommy Ashley on this edition to talk about him time at Carolina and his years of play in the pro...

Bill Belichick and his coaching staff have addressed critical needs in the spring portal window and adhered to their ‘build from the inside out’ approach.  Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to scout the three recent offensive line additions - Jordan Hall, Jakai Moore and Will O’Steen - and how the three will impact the OL room on the practice field and once the season starts. 

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Jenny Levy started from the bottom. Handed the keys to a brand new program, Levy’s dedication, will and ability built a power house at North Carolina. Eight ACC Championships, Three National Titles, 20 straight NCAA Tournament bids including this season’s overall #1 seed, the Women’s Lacrosse program can match trophies and accolades with just about anyone - she’s taken Carolina to the next level in all areas.  Inside Carolina’s Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley spoke with Levy on building from the ground up, coaching and culture and what separates this 2025 team and has them on the brink of an...

The North Carolina Tar Heels close their home season this week with Campbell coming into Boshamer on Tuesday night and the North Carolina State Wolfpack in town for a three game series this weekend.  Assistant Coach Jesse Wierzbicki joins Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley for this week’s show to talk all things Diamond Heel offense - from approaches at the plate, scouting opposing pitchers, swing changes and any and all other things involving putting bat to ball in the game of baseball.

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While the spring semester comes to an end and the transfer portal has closed, ins and outs for Carolina Basketball have seemingly stopped. Players are now focusing on exams and NBA aspirations, while the coaching staff continues to work in quiet to fill out the roster for next season.  Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to lay out the recent player updates for UNC hoops, some foreign flavor on the recruiting trail, and more. 

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Bill Belichick and staff recently landed three defensive lineman to continue to bolster that side of the trench and adhere to their mantra since they’ve arrived in Chapel Hill - build from the inside out.  Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss and analyze the most recent three - Joseph Mupoyi, Isaiah Johnson and D’Antre Robinson.  Staples also offers his opinion on the ‘portal trade’ aspect of the last three weeks comparing what the Tar Heels lost to the spring portal to the aforementioned gains.

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Inside Carolina football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins host Tommy Ashley for this week's Noon Dish. With the transfer portal officially closed for college football, what's next for the North Carolina Tar Heels as the coaching staff continue to fill roster spots. Callahan takes questions from the Tar Pit Premium message boards about a host of topics including what areas of need have been and still need to be addressed, scholarship numbers, in-state high school recruiting and more.

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The North Carolina Diamond Heels notched their sixth straight ACC series wins with the 6-0 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday. Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley this week to discuss his team's dominant pitching and an offense continuing to search for consistent success. With no series this weekend due to exams, Forbes and Ashley discuss the pitching plan and how his staff plans to keep his team honed in on the program goals including securing a hosting position in the NCAA Tournament.

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North Carolina freshman Drake Powell announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft on Wednesday afternoon confirming what many that follow the Tar Heel program believed would ultimately happen. Inside Carolina’s Sherrell McMillan joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss Powell’s decision to make the jump after one season in Chapel Hill. McMillan and Ashley also discuss what’s next for Hubert Davis and the Heels as the 2025-26 roster construction continues to take place.

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Inside Carolina's football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins host Tommy Ashley for a rundown of the latest North Carolina recruiting and how Bill Belichick and staff continue to navigate the transfer portal. The Heels continue to add skill position players but with the defections of Amare Campbell and Beau Atkinson as well as the limited depth along the interior defensive line, there is work to be done to shore up the defensive front seven.

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With defections to the portal already thinning North Carolina’s linebacker room, the news that starter Amare Campbell has hit the portal has placed a premium on transfer portal work to rebuild the position. Inside Carolina’s Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley to discuss Campbell’s decision to enter the portal for a second time and how a recent commitment (Mikai GBayor) and a big time target (Andrew Simpson) can potentially help ease the loss of a solid piece of the defensive depth chart.

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North Carolina’s trip to Blackburg to face Virginia Tech never lacks for excitement on the baseball diamond and this past weekend’s event added to the lore that is Tar Heel/Hokie baseball these days. Sunday’s win moved the Heels into fifth place in the league standings and closer the the important double bye in the ACC Tournament. Head coach Scott Forbes discussed the series, the chaos that ensured at the end of Saturday’s game and the importance of staying focused and getting a big series win on the road with Inside Carolina’s Grace Nugent and Tommy As...