Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, KY

Episode Overview

On a rainy Wednesday in Lexington, Matt Jones and the KSR crew gather for their daily installment of Kentucky Sports Radio. This episode focuses on the state of UK football—particularly growing fan frustration with coach Mark Stoops—and builds excitement for the upcoming UK basketball season under Mark Pope. The crew also discusses restaurant solo dining challenges, memorable interactions with fans, football coaching hot seats in the SEC, and UK basketball nostalgia. Listeners contribute live reactions, and the hosts debate the program’s future direction, delivering their blend of insight, humor, and Kentucky-centric banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Lonely Dining" Challenge for Ryan

• [03:58–07:41]
  • Matt teases Ryan Lemond about his upcoming challenge of eating solo at different restaurants.
  • Ryan says he’s solicited tips from his brother, a frequent solo diner, such as sitting in front of a TV to make the experience less awkward.
  • Matt and Drew insist on choosing the restaurant locations for Ryan, ensuring he gets good meals for a week and extra mentions for advertisers.
  • The team and audience discuss the value of alone time and whether eating out solo is truly a challenge or just a new experience.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Everybody needs a little me time every once in a while. Like you said yesterday, being lonely all the time, that's not helpful." – Drew ([05:32])

2. Media Basketball Press Conference Antics

• [06:13–08:11]
  • Ryan is semi-formally dressed for a media basketball practice. The crew jokes about him shifting back to “reporter mode” and daring him to ask a question at the Coach Pope press conference.
  • Playful banter about introductions and whether Coach Pope will remember past interactions with Ryan.
  • Matt suggests engaging listeners to crowdsource potential press conference questions for Ryan to ask.
• Notable Quote:
  • "It's a great chance. You can be the voice of the fans." – Matt ([07:10])

3. UK Football: Auburn Preview & The “Loser Leaves Town” Bowl

• [08:27–11:00]
  • Matt describes the upcoming Auburn game as Kentucky’s best SEC win opportunity and possibly a “loser leaves town” contest for the coaches.
  • The crew discusses fear over Auburn’s improvement after a quarterback change, but also how matchups may favor Kentucky compared to tougher teams like Tennessee or Texas.
  • Betting lines are scrutinized; Ryan sheepishly admits to betting on Tennessee against Kentucky (and winning $9).
  • Discussion shifts to the “hot seat” status of both coaches, with local writer Nick Rouse dubbing it the “Hot Seat Bowl,” but Matt prefers “Loser Leaves Town.”

4. UK Football Fan Base Sentiment: Time for a Change?

• [11:00–13:30, 16:14–16:51, 21:14–24:36]
  • Matt polls the live audience and listeners about wanting a football coaching change; consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of moving on.
  • Discussion of Mitch Barnhart’s likely patience with Stoops, contrasted with fan apathy and broken spirits following recent losses (notably to Tennessee and Texas).
  • Drew recounts the difference in fan reactions after Texas (anger, vocal frustration) versus Tennessee (quiet resignation).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “You get free food for a week ... I’m not gonna send you to dumps.” – Matt, re: Ryan’s “punishment” ([05:01])
  • "The postgame show after Tennessee game, the fans that called in weren't really mad or angry. They sounded broken." – Ryan ([13:19])
  • "Whatever decision you could make in the last year and a half, they've made the wrong one." – Matt ([15:47])
• Timestamps to Note:
  • Text Poll of listeners: [21:14–24:36] reveals near-universal desire for a coaching change (about 98% of respondents texting "Yes").

5. Basketball Season Optimism, Roster Breakdown, and Georgetown Nostalgia

• [32:04–37:54, 44:53–49:43]
  • Callers and hosts express excitement for UK basketball, with comparisons—cautious ones—to some of Kentucky’s most loaded teams (1975, 1996, 2015).
  • The group debates whether the current Pope-led squad has enough "stars" to win big, or if it’s more akin to deep, balanced teams like 2003 or those led by Tubby Smith.
  • Anticipation for the Georgetown exhibition (referencing the infamous 1984 Final Four loss) and Ed Cooley’s current tenure as coach.
  • Fun banter about past Georgetown players: Ewing, Iverson, Mourning, Mutombo, Otto Porter Jr., etc.
• Notable Quote:
  • "This is going to be fun, exciting every game. I think it's going to build all year." – Matt ([50:33])

6. Survival Gifts & Matt’s “Life Skills”

• [24:48–27:38]
  • Matt receives a thoughtful listener gift bag of survival gear as a thank you for Reds-Cubs tickets—he jokes about his lack of survival skills and love of atlases (printed road maps), leading to a light segment on tech versus old-school navigation.

7. SEC Coaching Carousel: Brian Kelly’s Fallout

• [27:42–28:54]
  • Discussion of Brian Kelly’s firing at LSU, his soured reputation with both fans and players, and LSU & Auburn’s potential pursuit of Jon Sumrall (candidate for UK, LSU, or Auburn should Stoops depart).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Solo Dining Strategy:
  "He said, get you a table right in front of a big screen TV. And he said you won’t even notice the fact you’re by yourself if you’re watching a game." – Ryan ([05:58])
• Fan Apathy on Football:
  "The fans that called in weren't really mad or angry. They sounded broken." – Ryan ([13:19])
• Overwhelming Poll on Stoops' Future:
  "Find me a no ... I’ve never seen anything like that. … There’s no question you can ask humanity and get this many yeses." – Matt ([21:31], [22:41])
• On Coaching Search Excitement:
  “This is going to be a great year. I think it's going to be a big few months, by the way, just for Kentucky fans because we have a coaching search. You know, people get into that.” – Matt ([51:18])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 03:58–07:41: Ryan’s upcoming solo dining challenge, strategies, and playful crew ribbing.
• 08:27–11:00: Auburn preview and “Loser Leaves Town” bowl context.
• 11:00–13:30, 21:14–24:36: Fan sentiment on football staff—live poll and reaction.
• 13:55–16:51: Discussion of "the moment" that broke the fan base’s trust in Stoops.
• 24:48–27:38: Matt’s survival kit and love for atlases.
• 27:42–28:54: Brian Kelly’s LSU exit and SEC coaching market.
• 32:04–37:54: UK basketball roster, talent analysis, and historical comps.
• 44:53–49:43: Georgetown preview, nostalgia, and favorite Hoya players.

General Takeaways

• UK Football: The fan base is united in its fatigue and desire for change at head coach, with apathy overwhelming anger as the prevailing mood. Even modest success down the stretch may not reverse the prevailing sentiment.
• UK Basketball: Optimism is high for Mark Pope’s squad—depth and chemistry draw comparisons with some of Kentucky’s best teams, but a true superstar may be needed for a title run.
• Community: The show thrives on interactive elements—live restaurant diners, text polls, and callers—all shaping the conversation and banter.
• KSR’s Tone: Irreverent, self-deprecating, loyal to the Kentucky fan experience. The hosts blend candor about the state of UK athletics with humor, listener engagement, and a sense of community nostalgia.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode offered a pulse check on Kentucky football’s hot-seat turmoil, a healthy dose of basketball anticipation, and the usual blend of KSR humor and camaraderie. Internal polls show a nearly unanimous appetite for change in football, while fans (and hosts) gear up for a potentially thrilling basketball campaign. If you’re looking for insight, laughs, and the real-time voice of the UK faithful, this hour is quintessential KSR.