KSR Podcast Summary: Hour 1 – October 6, 2025

Podcast: KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Shannon The Dude
Date: October 6, 2025
Location: Live from Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY (UK Basketball Media Day)
Main Theme:
An introspective hour navigating UK Football’s turmoil amid swirling rumors about the future of the program, juxtaposed with the energy and quirks of UK Basketball Media Day.

Episode Overview

The KSR crew broadcasts from the floor of Memorial Coliseum for UK Basketball Media Day, but the real headline is the state of UK Football. The hosts candidly dissect the aftermath of a difficult football season, address coaching rumors, and manage fan expectations for potential changes in the program. All of this unfolds amid the unique constraint of being on site but without actual access to players or coaches for interviews.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Awkwardness and Setting of the Show (00:35–02:46)

• Matt sets the tone—broadcasting from Memorial Coliseum without player/coach access feels “awkward” but also significant given the gravity of current UK sports headlines.
• Ryan Lemond’s absence and the noticeable proximity to the Athletic Director’s office adds to the day’s tension.
• “There have been times... they've stood outside the gates with weapons to keep us out. So we are here, but we don't get to talk to anyone.” —Matt Jones (01:47)

2. Basketball Media Day Anticipation (02:47–03:29)

• Matt and Shannon reminisce about past media days, noting how team turnover has made these days about meeting new faces.
• News: Zvonimir Ivišić (nicknamed “Yellow Vic”) is now eligible to play.
• The excitement of seeing new players is tempered by the reality that football still dominates the headlines.

3. UK Football State of Affairs & Coaching Rumor Breakdown (04:00–10:26)

A. Rumors About Mark Stoops Wanting Out (04:03–06:41)

• Alan Cutler's Friday report: Mark Stoops asked to be let go; Matt clarifies it was more nuanced, calling it “not the same as going and saying I want out.”
• Matt’s verdict: Stoops did not ask to be bought out, but discussions about buyouts aren't unheard of after tough seasons.
• “Mark Stoops did not go and say buy me out.” —Matt Jones (05:59)

B. Coaching Staff Future (06:41–10:26)

• No imminent changes expected; speculation about staff shakeup is deemed unfounded for now.
• Social media disinformation and fan gullibility are lampooned (“Kentucky Butt News”), along with the ease of generating fake “news” on X/Twitter.
• “All you have to do... just put like Kentucky and something relating to news in your bio.” —Matt Jones (07:25)
• Bush Hamdan, the offensive coordinator (OC), is expected to last the season unless performances dramatically worsen.

4. Fan Frustration, Program Trajectory, and What Constitutes “Unacceptable” (11:19–15:10)

• Bemoaning recent postgame shows: “It wasn’t a bundle of joy in terms of what people’s thoughts were.” —Matt
• Record projection debate:
  • 3-9: Unacceptable, necessitates change (“That's about as close as you can get to having an Oakland [basketball upset] moment.” —Shannon, 11:56)
  • 4-8: Almost certainly demands change.
  • 5-7: Uncertainty—the “worst” result, as it muddies the waters about whether change is necessary.
  • 6-6: “Hard” to justify firing a bowl-eligible coach.
• The Athletic publishes a significant article forecasting a likely separation between Stoops and UK.

5. Attendance and Fan Engagement Woes (21:02–22:16)

• Anticipated drop-off for the upcoming Tennessee Tech game (“There might be 43 people at that game.” —Matt, 13:13)
• Big games (Texas, Tennessee, Florida) will still draw, but the “statement” crowd size will be at the lesser match-ups.

6. Fan Calls & Emotional Temperature Check (22:19–24:07)

• Caller Adam captures fan ambivalence: “If they were to go 5 and 7 this year, I would be excited for this season... but it still would not get me excited for the future of the program.”
• Conversation stresses not cheering against the team, even when changes may be needed.

7. Lighter Side: Super Bowl Halftime Banter & Denim Uniforms (24:07–30:19)

Super Bowl Halftime Show Reaction (24:12–26:53)

• Bad Bunny named as headliner; hosts joke about feeling “officially old” as modern pop culture outpaces them.
• Notable Quote: “I’ve accepted that I’m gonna be the person at the Super Bowl going, I don’t know this one.” —Matt Jones (25:03)
• Metallica and the changing nature of halftime entertainment discussed.

Return of the Denim Uniforms (28:25–30:19)

• Mark Pope announces denim uniforms for multiple games.
• Some nostalgia and generational quirks—“It’s really like programmed for people in their 40s.” —Matt (29:35)
• Louisville’s willingness to experiment with uniforms cited as a potential model.

8. Recruiting Sighting & Whimsical Interludes (37:06–38:12)

• Star recruit Darren Rippey Jr. briefly walks through; Matt humorously predicts his commitment based on a fleeting glance.
• Billy (KSR staffer) in khakis becomes comedic scapegoat for recruitment worries.

9. KSR “Truth” Call & Origin of Denim Uniforms (40:41–43:03)

• “The Truth” caller offers a wild theory: denim uniforms originated from a Henderson, KY jeans manufacturer connected to Rick Pitino through Walter McCarty’s brother.
• Hosts are skeptical but entertained, fact-checking on the fly.

10. Coaching Candidates & Future Direction (43:09–44:19)

• Caller asks about coaching possibilities if a change is made; Brian Hartline (Ohio State OC) is identified as a potential top candidate due to UK staff connections.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All you have to do... just put like Kentucky and something relating to the word news in your bio. Right? And then people are like, well, yeah.” —Matt Jones (07:25)
• “I'm a big believer. You don't go to schools where people are wearing khaki pants.” —Matt (37:54)
• “We are so unsmart.” —Matt, on UK’s recent game management issues (32:30)
• “If it's 3 and 9, it's obvious and I think, I think most of us believe that's the direction we're heading.” —Matt (13:20)
• "If you get a limo now, you're basically going, I have $40." —Matt, on blue check marks and perceived credibility (08:04)
• “That’s not. Cheering against them is not something I'll ever do.” —Matt, rebuking the idea of rooting against UK for change (23:44)
• "Six and six would be hard to [fire him]." —Shannon (12:20)
• "Attendance can’t send a statement, because Texas and Tennessee will be crowded... the statement crowd is Tennessee Tech." —Matt (21:07)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:35–02:46 — Show roll call, setting, and awkwardness
• 02:47–03:29 — Basketball Media Day, new faces, returners
• 04:03–06:41 — Stoops buyout rumor, media spin, clarity
• 06:41–10:26 — Joke news, OC rumors, staff expectations
• 11:19–15:10 — Post-mortem on season, fan base mood
• 21:02–22:16 — Game attendance predictions
• 22:19–24:07 — Caller Adam on 5–7 record, fan perspective
• 24:07–26:53 — Super Bowl halftime show generational gap
• 28:25–30:19 — Denim uniform nostalgia, Kentucky branding
• 37:06–38:12 — Recruiting interlude, staff banter
• 40:41–43:03 — “Truth” caller, denim uniform origin story
• 43:09–44:19 — Future coaching candidates
• Throughout — Satire, side conversations, generational asides

Tone and Style

The show oscillates between frank, sometimes biting, sports analysis and the quirky, inside-joke-laden camaraderie that defines KSR. Hosts are candid with opinions, prone to gentle ribbing of fans, media, and even themselves. The looming sense of a potential coaching regime change is tempered by familiar UK basketball nostalgia and lighthearted, sometimes downright goofy, tangents.

This episode is an essential listen for UK fans invested in the current football crisis, media narratives, and the evolving culture of Kentucky athletics. The in-depth, honest discussion—punctuated with KSR’s trademark humor—offers both context and catharsis during a period of uncertainty for Big Blue Nation.