As the kids say: Some personal news …
Why do they say that? I’m not sure, actually. Especially when the news is usually professional and not personal. But I digress …
At risk of burying the lede: The Inside Zone is closing for business.
I am taking a full-time job writing about college sports elsewhere.
These past three-plus seasons have been a blast. I’d be lying to you if I said that I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when I launched this venture back on Aug. 1, 2023, but it has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. We — and by we, I mean both me and you, because none of this is possible without your support — traveled the country, had plenty of fun banter and produced strong stories.
We even won awards. Seriously, we won a first-place prize (and a fancy football with our name on it) from the Football Writers Association of America, and two other writing honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association.
I wasn’t even sure this joint would be eligible for such honors when we launched, but thanks to your support, we made our presence felt in the college sports media landscape and beyond.
You had my back when a health scare sidelined me during Notre Dame’s run to the national title game in 2024-25. We managed to cover two Rose Bowls, two men’s Final Fours, one CFP national championship and plenty of other big events in-between.
It was going to take something special for me to give this up, and I consider myself lucky to be in that position. I hope that you will continue to follow my written work — again: I will still be writing about college sports, just at a new address — but make no mistake: I am not in the position to be offered a prime gig without the success of The Inside Zone, and that success is not possible without all of you.
My podcasts aren’t going anywhere: The Independent with Pete Sampson and The Podcast of Northern Aggression with Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises will proceed as scheduled.
What’s this all mean for you here? All paid subscriptions have been paused. Monthly subscribers will no longer be charged. If you are an annual subscriber who signed up on or after Aug. 1, 2026, email me your confirmation and you will be refunded for the rest of the subscription year.
Thanks again for allowing this site to exist. To end this with yet another cliché: It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.
Huge congrats, Matt! Please keep us all posted on your next gig.
Long time reader, first time caller. Can't wait to see what's next!