By Margaret Schell 

C hris Marler (’10) has loved watching college football since childhood, listening to the voices of the commentators and analysts. Today, Marler interviews analysts and players for media outlets including ESPN Baton Rouge, LouisianaSports.net and several popular podcasts that cover SEC football. 

Marler earned his bachelor's in Liberal Studies and played Bobcat baseball for three years at Georgia College & State University, but college football was his passion. 

On Saturdays, he would leave baseball practice, sprinting in full spikes to his apartment at The Village at West Campus, through the parking lot and intramural field, up three flights of stairs and into his living room so he could turn on a game. 

Georgia College Baseball Head Coach Chris Calciano made a lasting impression on Marler. 

“I didn't realize at the time because I was 19. So, I knew everything,” he jokes. “But Coach Calciano taught me to work hard and go about your day-to-day business with an edge and a focus toward getting better.” 

“Ten years later, there were lessons I didn't realize I had learned from our coach that I would use later,” he said. “They were very valuable. I'll carry them with me forever.” 

Marler is in his ninth year covering SEC football. 

“It’s fun interviewing players and coaches and getting the good post-game and on-the-field stuff,” he said. 

During the season, Marler posts SEC football team’s playoff projections, reactions, rankings and predictions. He produces social media content, creating and editing videos and graphics. 

“The offseason is fun, because I get to talk with players and coaches about big-picture things,” he said. “There are many changes happening in college football. There's always something happening because we're so close to LSU. So, we get to cover a lot of breaking news.” 

Before covering SEC football, Marler traveled the Southeast performing stand-up comedy. 

“That's the fun part about writing, because it's cool to do new material,” Marler said. “I really enjoyed the more relaxed, comedic type of writing.” 

During Media Days, Marler interviewed Brian Kelly, LSU’s football coach who is from Massachusetts. Since everyone was asking football-related questions, Marler tried something different. 

“Hey Brian,” Marler said. “In your best southern accent, what’s the best food you've had since you've moved to Louisiana?” 

“Then [Kelly] did this whole thing where he goes into crawfish and other Southern food. It became viral on social media,” Marler said. 

Marler said some of his most memorable moments include a recent interview with Paul Finebaum, ESPN sportswriter and broadcaster. Marler also recalls interviewing famed quarterback Tim Tebow and running back Emmitt Smith. 

“I have so much fun every single day, talking about college football,” he said. “This is what I would talk about the most when I was four years old, in college getting beer with my friends at The Brick or hanging around with my co-workers. Now, I get paid to do it for a living. I'm very fortunate.” 

“For nearly a decade now, I’ve interviewed people who I looked up to my whole life,” Marler said. “Getting invited to do their shows is one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.”