Cole McDonald Episode is now live!
Houston Roughnecks QB Cole McDonald Interview is now live! Available on Google Podcast, Spotify, Spreaker, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio
Or watch the full episode below:
This week Gareth interviews Cole McDonald about the upcoming XFL season with the Houston Roughnecks. Cole who is currently in the middle of camp and discussed with Gareth about learning the Roughneck playbook and making sure he works hard on the field to improve everyday. They also discussed about having a head coach with the experience of Wade Phillips and how much of an advantage that is. Cole Said,
He has been amazing. As you said he has a ton of experience, lot of life lived. It is pretty awesome to listen to his stories he has and the knowledge he has acquired, the players he’s coached and the philosophy that he brings. It has been a great privilege to work with him and excited to continue to play for him.
They also discussed the strength of the rosters that has been brought into the XFL and the fact it will be worldwide from the very first game and Gareth asked “What can the Roughnecks to to become the team of choice for international fans.” Cole said,
As you said it is a new league and with that comes new fans. Being globally marketed and have other countries watch our games is a huge opportunity. I think for us, everyone is going to have their own team, favourite players but for us and our game it will be a fun game to watch. We will be throwing the ball 50, 60 times a game. Throwing the ball downfield, screens and a lot of passes. Will be fun to watch, guys making plays, some crazy catches. The defences will be coming in hard and we will be a fun team to watch.
They also discussed his playing style and how he has improved from his time in college at Hawaii, as well how the QB room is at Houston. Cole discussed what he brings to that QB room and his leadership style. Cole said,
I have a very particular leadership style. I think leadership comes in all shapes and forms. Some are quiet leaders, vocal leaders as well as others that lead by example. My style of leadership is to first earn their respect. Show them that I am working hard, that I care, that I am personable and that I want to get to know them outside of football. Then when I get on the field it is about making plays as that is how you really earn respect.
Gareth brought up that Cole was very well known for working extremely hard and how that encourages his team mates and challenge guys. They discussed his College season winning a bowl game. The evolution of his game. They discussed how he felt finding out he was going to play in Texas and in Houston. Cole said,
Texas is a huge football state and I know in the UK and England is huge for Soccer and in the states is Football. As you said Texas is a huge football state as well as the rest of the United States as well. So it is a blessing. Houston is a hard working town and they support their teams. I know when the XFL was there in 2020 and they had 25,000 to 30,000 to watch the games and that was Covid times. I think it is going to be a loud stadium and an awesome environment to play in.
A discussion in relation to which teams he is looking to play against due to his time in the XFL circuits and his friendship with Bryan Scott. They also discussed the opening game. Single season tickets are still available at XFL.com with prices being as low as $24 and season tickets being available for as low as $100.
We at the Franchise tag wish Cole and the rest of the Roughnecks an incredible season.