The Rise Of Zac Cornelius: 7 Essential Facts About Pardon My Take's Secret Weapon

Zac Cornelius has quietly become one of the most recognizable and beloved personalities within the sprawling Barstool Sports universe, transitioning from an off-camera producer to a key voice on the massively popular Pardon My Take (PMT) podcast. As of late 2025, Zac’s role has never been more prominent, especially following shifts in the PMT team dynamic, cementing his status as the show's "secret weapon" and a source of reliable, often hilariously nervous, content.

His unique blend of genuine politeness, deadpan delivery, and willingness to participate in absurd bits has made him a favorite of hosts Dan Katz ("Big Cat") and PFT Commenter. From his legendary McDonald's order to his ambitious (and sometimes disastrous) attempts to impress the hosts, Zac's contributions are now an essential part of the PMT and The Yak experience, driving topical authority and fresh, unique content for the Barstool ecosystem.

Zac Cornelius: Professional Biography and Profile

Zac Cornelius is best known as a producer and on-air personality for Barstool Sports, primarily associated with the Pardon My Take podcast and the popular live stream show, The Yak. His public persona is characterized by his earnest, slightly anxious demeanor, which Big Cat has expertly leveraged for comedic effect. While many of his personal details—such as his exact age, birthdate, and college—are kept private, his professional origin story is a celebrated piece of Barstool lore.

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• Full Name: Zac Cornelius
• Known Aliases: Zac, Zach, Zac from PMT, The Cream Team Member
• Primary Roles: Producer for Pardon My Take, On-Air Personality, General Barstool Sports Producer
• Associated Shows: Pardon My Take (PMT), The Yak
• Barstool Crew: Member of the "Cream Team" (Big Cat’s production and content group)
• Notable Characteristics: Hilariously straight-laced, polite, known for his "wild" fast-food preferences, and a willingness to be the butt of a joke.
• Current Status (2025): A full-time, highly visible contributor to PMT, with his responsibilities and on-air time increasing significantly following the departure of former producer Jake Marsh.

The Unexpected Origin Story: From Jon Gruden to Barstool

Zac’s pathway to becoming a staple on one of the biggest sports podcasts in the world is anything but conventional. It’s a story rooted in an awkward job interview that has since become a classic piece of Barstool Sports history, showcasing how Big Cat has an eye for unique talent.

The Infamous Jon Gruden Interview

The entire Barstool journey for Zac began with an application for a completely different job: a role working for former NFL Coach Jon Gruden in Florida. Zac, who was described as one of the most nervous people Big Cat had ever seen, interviewed for the position. The interview was a famous fumble, with Zac struggling to answer basic football questions, such as identifying the signal for a personal foul.

He did not get the job. However, his unique personality and palpable nervousness made an impression on Big Cat, who was involved in the hiring process. Recognizing the potential for a great on-air character, Big Cat saw an opportunity to bring Zac into the Barstool fold. This initial moment of failure became the foundation for a successful comedy career.

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Joining The Yak and The Cream Team

Following the Gruden interview, Zac was hired by Barstool Sports and quickly found his footing on The Yak, Big Cat's popular live stream show. His role on The Yak served as a proving ground, where his straight-laced persona contrasted perfectly with the show’s chaotic energy. He soon became an integral part of the "Cream Team," the informal name for Big Cat's inner circle of producers and content creators.

His success on The Yak led to a more consistent presence on Pardon My Take, where he works alongside other key members like Hank (the main producer), Max, and Memes. With the departure of Jake Marsh in 2024 to pursue a career in sports broadcasting, Zac’s importance to the PMT team has only grown, as he fills the void with his distinctive brand of content.

The Most Iconic Zac Cornelius Bits and Recurring Entities

Zac’s appeal lies in his ability to generate content simply by being himself. The hosts, Big Cat and PFT Commenter, have masterfully woven his personal eccentricities into recurring segments and running jokes that have become foundational elements of the PMT and The Yak experience. These bits provide a constant source of fresh, unique material.

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1. The Legendary McDonald's Order

Perhaps Zac’s most famous contribution to the Barstool lexicon is his "wild" McDonald's order, which has been discussed in detail on the podcast and even presented to celebrity guests like Baker Mayfield and Alex Caruso.

• The Order: A highly specific, multi-part meal that often includes 10 Chicken McNuggets for breakfast, a double cheeseburger and fries for lunch, and another double cheeseburger, fries, and 10 McNuggets for dinner.
• The Impact: The sheer volume and consistency of his fast-food intake became such a talking point that fans began referring to it as the "Zac Meal," a testament to its legend. The bit is a perfect example of his ability to generate content from a mundane personal detail.

2. Vanny Woodhead and The Studio Upgrades

Zac is frequently tasked with ambitious projects to improve the PMT studio or participate in major Barstool events like "Grit Week." In 2025, his work on the PMT booth became a source of great entertainment.

• Vanny Woodhead's Return: Zac was involved in the "Grit Week 2025 Recap" content, which featured the return of the fan-favorite character Vanny Woodhead.
• Countdown Clocks: In an attempt to improve the studio, Zac introduced new countdown clocks, a move that was both appreciated and mocked by the hosts, highlighting his earnest but often over-the-top efforts to impress.

3. The "Zac Cooks Dinner" Segments

In a recent and ongoing bit, Zac has taken on the challenge of cooking meals for the PMT crew. These segments often feature high stakes and high anxiety for Zac, whose culinary skills are put to the test for Big Cat and PFT Commenter. This content, which includes a "Chill Week Recap in Lake Tahoe" segment, provides a slice of life outside the typical sports commentary.

4. The Quest for Love: Dating Segments

Playing on his polite and sometimes awkward persona, PMT has dedicated time to finding Zac a date. These segments, such as "We Find Zac a Date," are a recurring theme that keeps the audience invested in his personal life and generates relatable, non-sports content for the show.

Zac’s Enduring Appeal and Future at Barstool Sports

Zac Cornelius represents a unique type of Barstool personality: the earnest, slightly-out-of-his-depth producer who is always willing to commit to the bit. His presence provides a crucial grounding element to the show’s often satirical and over-the-top nature. The hosts, particularly Big Cat, have consistently praised his dedication and recognized the comedic gold in his reactions and attempts to navigate the absurd world of Barstool.

His stock among the fanbase is at an all-time high, with many listeners advocating for his continued and expanded role, especially in the wake of other personnel changes. Zac has solidified his place not just as a producer but as a core member of the PMT family, a testament to his genuine character and the power of a great origin story. His continued involvement in major events like "Grit Week" and his increasingly public-facing role suggest that Zac Cornelius is poised to be a dominant force in Barstool Sports content for years to come.