Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Drew Franklin (filling in for Matt Jones), Ryan Lemon, Shannon the Dude, Mario Maitland

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with Drew Franklin hosting in Matt Jones’ absence, coming to listeners live from KS Bar & Grill. The crew dives deep into major UK basketball and football stories, most notably the bombshell SEC basketball news of Bruce Pearl stepping down at Auburn, as well as updates and lively speculation about Kentucky football’s upcoming South Carolina matchup. The episode features the characteristic mix of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and listener calls that make KSR a staple for Wildcats fans.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major SEC Basketball Shock: Bruce Pearl Resigns

[06:24]

• Bruce Pearl, longtime Auburn coach, unexpectedly steps down on the first day of practice after 11 seasons.
• His son, Stephen Pearl, is promoted to head coach with a five-year contract despite lacking head coaching experience. The hosts are incredulous at the "national search" Auburn claims to have conducted.

Ryan Lemon:

"There were some rumblings that Pearl was maybe considering running for a political office in the future... I guess he decided the time is now." [07:03]

Drew Franklin:

"With all the rumors of Bruce in the Senate run lately, even though he denied it last week... he's taken on a new role at Auburn—Ambassador. I think he even said, 'I'm becoming a senator for Auburn.'" [07:29]

• Discussion centers on the optics of the transition and whether Auburn truly had time or intent to consider other candidates.
• Notable skepticism about Auburn awarding Stephen Pearl a five-year deal and the likelihood of success given his lack of top bench experience.

Shannon the Dude:

"It kind of feels like he backed Auburn into a corner, you know, quitting with what, I guess a month and a half before the season starts. And if you're Auburn, how do you do a national coaching search that soon?" [08:58]

• They reflect on Bruce Pearl’s polarizing but impactful career, both regionally and within UK rivalries.
• Anecdotes include Ryan Lemon covering Pearl at USI and Drew’s grudging admiration during Kentucky's past coaching searches.
• The episode gets personal and playful about a “bar in Nashville” story between Drew Franklin and Stephen Pearl, ultimately dispelled as overblown.

The Nepotism and "Will it Work?" Angle

[12:23]

• The crew debates whether Stephen Pearl’s heavy involvement as lead assistant gives him much of a shot.
• Consideration of how much Bruce will be involved as "ambassador," possibly even in recruiting, and how the new NCAA 30-day transfer portal rule for coaching changes might spell more instability for Auburn's current roster.

2. Kentucky Basketball: Practice Tips Off, Legends Drop In

[15:08]

• UK basketball practice officially began, with high energy in the gym as seen in social media snippets.
• Rondo and Tayshawn Prince spotted watching practice in Rupp Arena—a moment of "legend meets next generation."
• Segue into how today's recruits might not know UK legends by sight, making a case for mandatory Wildcats history education.

Drew Franklin:

"It should be mandatory viewing when you become a Kentucky Wildcat that you sit down and watch the five threes against North Carolina." [15:58]

3. Kentucky Football: QB Update and South Carolina Preview

[19:28]

• Cutter Bowley officially named QB1 for his first road & SEC start at South Carolina, following an injury to Calzada.
• Ryan and Drew discuss the challenge of South Carolina’s raucous night environment—particularly the effect of "Sandstorm" and the fan intensity.

Ryan Lemon:

"South Carolina is the best [game atmosphere]. I mean, I hate to say that, but that night, the way the Sandstorm and the white towels...you could tell the team was just feeding off that a little bit." [21:36]

• Ryan calls for a simple gameplan to allow Cutter to focus, given the Gamecocks’ weak rush defense.
• Parallels drawn to past close contests with South Carolina and the importance of this week for UK’s season momentum.

4. Listener Calls: Takes, Nostalgia, and Some Lightheartedness

[23:25]

• Flood of calls about coaching, UK legends, and some ribbing.
• Topics include whether nepotism sets a precedent for Brad Calipari at Arkansas, memories of Tayshawn’s legendary game, and fan anxiety about Mark Stoops' relationship with the UK fanbase.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller (Nathan): "Do you guys think there's any way [Stoops] can win the fan base back over?" [27:00]
• Drew Franklin: "It starts—winning Saturday will go a long way...but also worried that if they don’t look good Saturday, it's going to get real hard to win them back." [27:44]

5. NFL Talk & Betting Laments

[29:56]

• Brief interlude on NFL woes—discussion of bad beats, DraftKings misfortunes, the state of the Titans and Packers, and how it all makes UK football’s own struggles hit closer to home.
• A comedic rundown of recent “meltdowns” from Ryan Lemon and family betting experiences.

6. College Football Coaching Carousel: Billy Napier & Florida

[43:58]

• A Florida caller asks about the rapid trigger on firing Billy Napier; the hosts agree the Gators' patience has worn thin, but discuss pros/cons of firing mid-season.
• It’s noted that DJ Lagway, the Gators’ star, isn’t practicing—a sign of Gator turmoil beyond coaching.

7. Reed Sheppard: Big NBA Responsibility for a Wildcat

[47:05]

• Former Cat Reed Sheppard, now with the Houston Rockets, is upgraded to starting point guard after Fred Van Vleet's ACL injury, meaning he'll be next to Kevin Durant on a contender.
• The crew reflects on his rookie challenges and expresses high hopes for the Kentucky alum, with only minor concern about defense and shooting.

8. More Bruce Pearl & Auburn Reflections

[35:08], [36:53]

• Callers and hosts reminisce about Bruce Pearl’s SEC legacy, share funny or weird fan interactions, and tell stories from their own Kentucky and regional sports upbringings.

Ryan Lemon:

"There’s a group...they would buy Kentucky Wesleyan home season tickets right behind the opposing bench just so they could yell at Bruce Pearl when he came in." [38:24]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "You know, Matt is in South Africa on day two of his big time safari with nine women and zero cell phones in his pocket. We hope he's doing well." – Drew Franklin [28:12]
• "It kind of feels like he backed Auburn into a corner..." – Shannon the Dude [08:58]
• "I think it should be mandatory viewing... the five threes against North Carolina." – Drew Franklin [15:58]
• "South Carolina is the best [atmosphere]. I mean, I hate to say that, but that night...you could tell the team was just feeding off that a little bit." – Ryan Lemon [21:36]

Key Timestamps for Segments

• [06:24] Bruce Pearl steps down at Auburn; Stephen Pearl gets 5-year deal
• [12:23] Debating Stephen Pearl’s potential and nepotism in the SEC
• [14:00] Portal opens for Auburn players—possible roster shakeup
• [15:08] UK Basketball practice begins; Rondo & Tayshawn drop by
• [19:28] Kentucky football QB update – a new era with Cutter Bowley
• [21:36] Gamecock stadium atmosphere, "Sandstorm," and crowd impact
• [23:29] Listener calls begin – takes & nostalgia
• [29:56] NFL “bad beat” stories and Kentucky sports betting woes
• [43:58] Florida coaching drama, Napier hot seat
• [47:05] Reed Sheppard gets called to start—big NBA opportunity

Tone & Style

The conversation is loose, humorous, and candid, with hosts ready to poke fun at themselves and each other—typical of the KSR brand. The episode is upbeat but honest when tackling Kentucky’s challenges, and always weaving in personal angles and fan connections.

Wrap-Up

This episode encapsulates why KSR remains must-listen radio for the Commonwealth’s sports fans: a lively mix of breaking news, thoughtful analysis, nostalgia, and the blend of local color and national significance that keeps fans engaged—even in the midst of drama, change, and disappointment.