From South Central to Champion: Jamelle Holieway’s Untold Journey to NCAA Glory

The Proven Entrepreneur

Don Williams

Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Careers, Business

5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What does it take to go from sixth on the depth chart to leading your team to a national championship as a true freshman? In this unforgettable episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, host Don Williams sits down with 1985 NCAA National Champion quarterback Jamelle Holieway—a man whose story is as powerful off the field as it is on it.

Raised in South Central Los Angeles and thrust into the spotlight at the University of Oklahoma, Jamelle shares the moment he was unexpectedly called to replace Troy Aikman, how he handled the pressure of 80,000 roaring fans at Owen Field, and what it was like to practice against a defense stacked with legends like Tony Casillas, Brian Bosworth, and Ricky Dixon.

But this episode goes far beyond football.

Jamelle opens up about:

His deep respect for legendary coach Barry Switzer and a handshake that changed his life
The lessons he learned about humility, identity, and responsibility after the game
His spiritual journey and the wisdom he wishes he could share with his 18-year-old self
His upcoming book From South Central to the 1985 National Championship, co-created with Jeff Evans

Whether you're a sports fan, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating your own path to purpose, this episode is packed with inspiration, authenticity, and life-changing insight.

Tune in now to hear how Jamelle Holieway turned pressure into purpose—and why his story still echoes through the halls of Oklahoma football and beyond.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Are you an entrepreneur looking for more free time, more money, or just looking for that success blueprint?
0:11.6	The proven entrepreneur is the podcast for you.
0:14.6	Host Don Williams and his guests share real success stories from proven entrepreneurs.
0:19.7	Here's your host, Don Williams.
0:28.2	Hey, Don Williams here with today's episode of the Proven Entrepreneur Show. I have an
0:33.5	unbelievable guest, one of my favorite people on planet Earth. I don't know about other
0:38.6	planets, but on planet Earth, one of my favorite people. I have 1985 National Championship
0:45.6	quarterback Jamel Holloway and actually just championship person ever since then. So Jamel,
0:53.9	welcome to the show. Thank you. Thank you for having me.
0:56.7	I appreciate being here. I am thrilled to have you. And so I'm going to ask you a couple questions.
1:02.0	All right. So your book is getting ready to come out from South Central to the 1985 National Championship.
1:07.8	Okay. It's a great story. Show us your... Yes, it is... It's a great story. Okay. And had the pleasure
1:14.3	of working with Jeff Evans and you on your book. And so I'm so excited. We know that you were
1:20.2	born and raised in South Central, okay, part L.A. Yes. Made it to Norman, Oklahoma. Great story in the
1:27.1	book about how all that happens.
1:29.1	Okay.
1:29.8	And so I just want to jump right in.
1:32.5	I know that you were six on the debt chart.
1:35.9	Troy Aikman was the starting quarterback.
1:39.2	He's injured.
1:41.5	I want to know what was going through your mind.
1:46.6	Troy went down and it didn't look like he'd be able to continue the game.
	...

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