Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: November 3, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into a pivotal moment in Kentucky sports – the aftermath of Kentucky football’s slugfest victory at Auburn, its implications for Coach Mark Stoops’ future, and the complex emotions among fans facing a critical Florida game. The crew also recaps a wild NFL experience and discusses big wins for UK volleyball and NBA debuts for former Cats. The tone is lively, sometimes irreverent, filled with inside jokes and passionate sports debate.

Key Discussion Points

1. Kentucky Football’s Win at Auburn & Stoops’ Future

• The Game: Kentucky defeated Auburn 10-3, breaking a long winless SEC streak on the road in Alabama. The game was described as a classic “Mark Stoops win”: defensively tough, low scoring, and upset as an 11.5-point underdog.

  • “We've only beat Auburn or Alabama on the road four times in the history of the program. You have to enjoy that it happened, right?” – Matt Jones (05:41)

• Stoops’ Emotional Moment: Mark Stoops shared a visibly emotional postgame interview, reflecting the pressure and pride around his tenure.

  • “You could hear the crack in his voice. And I don't know how you don't have a little bit of sympathy for Mark Stoops after hearing how much he loves Kentucky.” – Shannon (05:56)
  • “Even if it's the last really good moment he has, it was nice to get to see it, right?” – Matt Jones (06:11)

• Fanbase Division Over Stoops’ Status:

  • Discussion over whether fans should ever root for their team to lose, versus those wanting a coaching change.
    • “You got to root for your team to win. I just don't get it.” – Ryan Lemond (04:19)
    • “Wanting them to lose is not a good look if you're a supporter of the team.” – Drew Franklin (05:15)

• Scenarios for Stoops’ Future:

  • The crew walks through various win/loss scenarios and their implications for Stoops’ job security and fan sentiment:
    • Beat Florida & finish 6-6: bowl game, likely Stoops stays.
    • Lose out: Stoops almost certainly gone.
    • Win one more but not bowl eligible: “nightmare scenario” for administration (11:41).
    • $37M buyout an enormous hurdle to firing Stoops after a bowl (10:17, 27:44).

• Notable Quote on Administrative Dynamics:

  • “That’s the three in some ways. I mean, there’ll be other voices, too, but those are the main voices.” (On Stoops, Barnhart, and major donor’s visible embrace after the win) – Matt Jones (12:29)
  • “This was a highly visible vote of confidence.” – Ryan Lemond (13:09)

• Polls and Fan Divides:

  • Dramatic shift in percentage of fans wanting a coaching change if the team turns around to 6-6 and ends on a high note (23:37).

Timestamps

• Stoops’ emotional postgame & fan reactions: 05:15 – 06:20
• Win/loss hypothetical scenarios & job status: 07:22 – 12:59
• Visible support from AD and donor: 12:59 – 14:49

2. The Fascination with How Fans "Fan"

• Matt reflects on debates over fans rooting for losses to trigger coaching changes, and how attitudes differ by age.
  • “Younger people were just randomly screaming fire Stoops at me… With the older people it was like, how do you think the basketball team is good?” – Matt Jones (24:02)
  • “I want to believe our fan base is loyal enough and smart enough that they would flip.” – Ryan Lemond, on whether fans would be satisfied with a late-season bowl bid (23:49)

Timestamps

• Fan behavior/philosophy: 04:57 – 05:14; 23:17 – 25:35

3. NIL Spending & Roster Construction

• Critical look at UK’s use (and perceived misuse) of NIL funds, with several high-paid players not producing or on the field.

  • “You got four and a half, five million not even playing.” – Matt Jones (29:18)
  • “When you get that money and you use it wrong...but we have used money inefficiently. Is that fair?” – Matt Jones (29:13)

• Discussion of whether NIL should be performance-based, and why UK isn’t alone in these issues.

Timestamps

• NIL/running backs/offensive struggles: 28:09 – 30:53

4. Bears vs. Bengals: Best Football Game Matt’s Ever Seen

• Matt shares his firsthand experience of the “wildest thing I’ve ever seen,” as the Chicago Bears staged a comeback win over the Bengals, breaking his personal 0-7 streak.

  • “If I was a Bengals fan, I would want to fire Zach Taylor… The Bears at one point brought on their backup quarterback as a wide receiver, and no one on the Bengals noticed…” – Matt Jones (31:05)
  • “I took a victory selfie at 41. I took a scoreboard picture at 41-27… Then I take a sadness pick. There's a picture out there of me with my thumbs down. And a sad face.” – Matt Jones (33:17)

• Discussion of atmospheres at top regular season games, fan behavior, and sports bar culture.

Timestamps

• Sports joy and heartbreak at Bears/Bengals: 31:05 – 37:26

5. UK Sports Roundup: Volleyball, NBA Debuts, Women’s Hoops

• Volleyball’s Big Win: UK volleyball swept #2 Texas, now poised to win a ninth straight SEC title. Heavy praise for coach Craig Skinner.

  • “What a victory. And how cool to have like a full Ks bar watching it… That’s a really cool thing.” – Matt Jones (41:03)
  • “Congrats to Craig Skinner, best coach on campus.” – Matt Jones (42:10)

• NBA milestones: Kobe Bray and Amari Williams scored first NBA points, against the odds (39:51).

• Women’s Basketball: Season opens tonight vs. Morehead State. New coach Kenny Brooks starts with fan giveaways (vinyl record magnet, rally towel, etc.), noting community-oriented promotions.

  • “They're having days all year, which I think is kind of cool. I don't know. Are you all. I like giveaways.” – Matt Jones (44:19)

Timestamps

• UK pros/NBA debuts: 39:51 – 40:14
• Volleyball sweep over Texas: 40:16 – 41:46
• Women’s basketball/fan giveaways: 42:16 – 45:36

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On rooting for the team vs. wanting change:

  • “I just can't believe there are people online after that that like actively rooted for us to lose because they want Mark Stoops to be gone.” – Ryan Lemond (04:19)
  • “We've only beat Auburn or Alabama on the road four times in the history of the program. You have to enjoy that it happened, right?” – Matt Jones (05:41)

• On Fiesta of Fan Suffering:

  • “I want to believe our fan base is loyal enough and smart enough that they would flip.” – Ryan Lemond (23:49)
  • “Younger people were just randomly screaming fire Stoops at me. Now again, this before we won. But like that was all anybody said to me.” – Matt Jones (24:02)

• On NIL Drama:

  • “You got four and a half, five million not even playing.” – Matt Jones (29:18)

• On Sports Bar Culture:

  • “Bengals fans were not in the building. They all left. When (the Bears) ran the interception back, there was like a minute where it looked like the Bears were up 48-27 and everyone left.” – Matt Jones (32:24)
  • "Holy Grail (bar) is a great place… it’s a good mix of people having fun but also being relatively calm." – Matt Jones (38:05)

• On Historic Volleyball Win:

  • “Take a bow, Craig Skinner. UK Volleyball is the best team on campus, period.” – Matt Jones (42:10)

Episode Structure & Timeline

• 00:00 – 01:06: Ads, show open
• 01:06 – 16:05: Auburn win, Stoops debate, fan drama, future scenarios, administration dynamics
• 16:05 – 17:05: Ads
• 17:05 – 26:02: More on Stoops, fanbase loyalty, youth/age divides, ramifications of next games
• 26:02 – 30:53: Further fan discussion, NIL controversy, coaching buyout logistics
• 31:05 – 38:17: Bears vs. Bengals, NFL best games, atmosphere, bar scenes
• 38:46 – 42:16: UK volleyball, NBA firsts, start of women’s basketball season, promotions
• 42:16 – 46:18: Extended and humorous digression on game giveaways, goat yoga, and more (caps episode tone)

Conclusion

This episode captures Kentucky sports at a crossroads, wrestling with loyalty and change while appreciating landmark wins in football and volleyball. The crew’s banter, impassioned arguments, and self-deprecating humor offer a vivid snapshot of the Bluegrass sports psyche—one where every win or loss feels like it might tip the world on its axis.

For listeners who missed it: Expect lively debate on Stoops’ fate, laughter over fan peculiarities, and celebration of under-the-radar UK athletic success, all steeped in the fun, family-style ribbing that makes KSR beloved across generations.