KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) – Hour 2

Episode Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Matt Jones and the KSR Crew

Episode Overview

This lively episode centers around the big news of Will Stein becoming the new University of Kentucky football coach. The KSR team dives into reactions from fans and insiders, speaks live with Coach Stein’s family at their Louisville bakery, discusses the transition from Mark Stoops, and shares a mix of emotional, insightful, and lighthearted moments as Big Blue Nation gears up for a new football era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Reporting from Sissy Cakes – Will Stein’s Family Bakery

• [04:12–18:04]
  • Jay (Caller/Correspondent) is posted outside “Sissy Cakes,” the bakery co-owned by Will Stein’s mother, Debbie, and her sister, Blakey.
  • Jay samples the famous orange juice cake, declaring it:
    • “Absolutely incredible... it is so moist. I'm not kidding. It is phenomenal.” [06:19]
  • KSR urges listeners to support the bakery, joking that a bite of the cake might “decide what the Will Stein era is going to be like at Kentucky.” [05:26–06:33]
  • The KSR community effect is immediately felt, with more fans reportedly visiting the bakery.
  • Debbie Stein comes on air:
    • She is introduced as a proud, emotional UK fan and “KSR listener,” exclaiming:
      • “It's hard to even put into words. I mean, my heart is racing right now so fast. It's so flipping exciting...I'm verklempt.” [12:44]
    • Shares stories about her deep UK fandom, including having a laminated DeMarcus Cousins poster in her sons’ room. [13:52]
    • Explains her family’s ties to UK sports, and talks about how Will’s time playing at Louisville was bittersweet:
      • “At some of the UofL games, I know that I maybe sometimes said, Go Cats accidentally.” [15:01]
  • Blakey (Debbie’s sister and baker) assures Matt the orange cake will be ready for him and the flood of KSR fans:
    • “We're excited to feed the masses.” [17:49]

2. Mark Stoops’ Transition and Community Reaction

• [08:37–11:16]
  • KSR team discusses Stoops’ decision to remain in Lexington:
    • “He loves Kentucky, he loves the university, he loves the football program. And I genuinely believe it has hurt him that he wasn't as successful as he should have been the last couple years.” —Shannon [09:17]
  • The panel discusses whether Stoops would (or should) attend UK basketball/football games, pondering fan reactions and Stoops’ ongoing legacy.
  • Positive change noted in how fans view Stoops, especially after he agreed to amend his buyout terms:
    • “I've been a little surprised just how positive the online...reception to him has been.” —Matt Jones [11:04]

3. Will Stein’s Hiring and its Ripple Effect

• [16:39–23:56]
  • Insights into the hiring process and fan excitement:
    • Debbie Stein reveals Will is arriving in Lexington later that day, sparking speculation he’ll attend the basketball game.
  • The team jokes about Louiseville fans’ mixed feelings, comparing the situation to if a beloved UK player became Louisville’s coach:
    • “It'd be almost like Jared Polson becoming the coach of Louisville.” —Matt Jones [27:33]
  • Speculation about Will Stein’s staff, including possible Trinity High “mafia” connections, and chatter about Charlie Strong or other ex-UL ties.
  • Community pokes fun at the ‘Trinity Mafia’ and the evolving local football landscape.
  • Multiple mentions of tracking Will’s flight from Oregon, bringing levity and involving listeners in real time:
    • “There can't be too many flights, Shannon. From Eugene to Clark County, Indiana...It's a private plane, so there you go.” —Matt Jones [22:18]

4. KSR Listener Engagement and Show Energy

• [23:56–28:00]
  • Fans call in praising the episode, suggesting it should be “best of” or saved for Christmas reruns.
  • Matt Jones reflects on why “chaos” and unplanned moments make for memorable shows:
    • “You get so excited about these big shows and you want to go well, and then you come in, it starts...Maybe that's part of the beauty of it all.” [24:46]
  • Nostalgic references made to classic KSR moments (e.g., Charles Ramsey show, Ryan’s hair plugs as a past correspondent moment).

5. Team Dynamics and Player/Staff Controversy

• [29:09–31:05]
  • The group discusses recent former player comments regarding Vince Marrow and past assistant coaches—a brewing online debate about whether some UK assistants supported or hurt players' NFL prospects.
  • Mixed feelings and anecdotes are shared, acknowledging both the good and the messiness behind the scenes:
    • “Fans should hear how they [players] spoke about Kentucky. They're just raving about their time otherwise.” —Hawk [33:31]
  • Discussion about Vince Marrow’s “boss move” tweet during the Louisville game, with panelists saying it’s all part of the intense UK/UL rivalry.
    • “You're up 41-nothing, go for it.” —Howard [32:22]

6. Mitch Barnhart’s Legacy and the Will Stein Hire

• [36:14–38:52]
  • The panel speculates whether this will be Mitch Barnhart’s final major hire, with the sense that landing Stein and Pope could cement his legacy:
    • “I do wonder if, like, this is a way for Mitch to leave and say, I've left this in the hand of two of your own, two young, rising, potential stars...” —Matt Jones [36:28]
  • Matt evaluates Barnhart’s “2 out of 3” record on major hires and how the new football coach fits this pattern.

7. Recruiting News and SEC/ACC Basketball Chatter

• [42:59–44:50]
  • Breaking News: Four-star QB recruit, Ronnie “Nana” Panataski, now commits to Kentucky officially after the Stein hire.
    • “He was down to Kentucky and Oregon...Sounds like William was quick to get that done.” —Hawk [43:41]
  • Quick analysis of SEC/ACC hoops challenge, with the crew picking Duke and Tennessee in key games.
  • Jokes about rooting for Louisville or Duke based on what helps UK’s basketball schedule.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My heart is racing right now so fast. It's so flipping exciting...I'm for clumped.”
  —Debbie Stein [12:44]

• “At some of the [Louisville] games, I maybe sometimes said, ‘Go Cats!’ accidentally.”
  —Debbie Stein [15:01]

• “The orange cake is the world famous cake.”
  —Debbie Stein [16:16]

• “Fans should hear how they spoke about Kentucky. They're just raving about their time otherwise.”
  —Hawk [33:31]

• “You get so excited about these big shows...maybe that's part of the beauty of it all.”
  —Matt Jones [24:46]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment |
|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| 04:12–18:04 | Live from Sissy Cakes: Interviews with Debbie & Blakey Stein, orange cake tasting, KSR fans descend on bakery |
| 08:37–11:16 | Stoops’ staying in Lexington and fan reception |
| 16:39–23:56 | Will Stein’s flight, hire details, and ripple effect, “Trinity Mafia” chat |
| 23:56–28:00 | Listener praise for episode, chaos of live shows |
| 29:09–31:05 | Vince Marrow/player controversy and staff dynamics |
| 36:14–38:52 | Mitch Barnhart’s tenure and legacy discussion |
| 42:59–44:50 | Breaking recruiting news and basketball predictions |

Episode Tone & Style

This episode is energetic, good-natured, and occasionally chaotic (in classic KSR style). The hosts are candid, emotional, and humorous—never taking themselves too seriously, yet giving proper respect to the genuine excitement and significance of the moment for Kentucky fans.

Takeaways

• The KSR crew provided a “heart of BBN” perspective on what Will Stein’s hiring means, mixing personal stories, food, insider scoops, and cultural context.
• Hearing from Debbie Stein—a true fan-turned-coach’s-mom—humanized the moment and energized the fanbase.
• The team balanced football news, recruiting, and even some hoops banter, while capturing the joyful chaos and connectivity that defines Kentucky sports fandom.

For Kentucky fans, this will go down as an instant-classic, best-of KSR episode—emotional, funny, informative, and full of that unique Big Blue spirit.