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Will Stein
Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back. It is hour number two, Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Here at the KS Bar and Grill, we are getting ready to have Will Stein on. He's actually on the phone with a recruit at this moment. And so I said let's not, let's not in that conversation early.
Co-host/Analyst
Yeah, he gets a pass on that, right?
Matt Jones
And so as soon as he, they're gonna, they're gonna text us as soon as he is ready, we've got it. Okay, here we go. We've got him. Everybody join me in welcoming Will Stein, the new coach of the University of Kentucky Foul. Scott, clap for that.
Will Stein
Thank you, Will.
Matt Jones
Thank you very much for the time. And just tell me what, what the last couple days have been like.
Will Stein
Well, I'd be remiss. I just told a guy, a recruit that's 30 minutes down the road, can't say his name, but that I would give him a little shout out. So.
Matt Jones
Shout out to 30 minutes away. We'll look at the map and see where that is. But yeah, go ahead.
Will Stein
It's one of the best in the country. But I, I'm, man, I'm just floored to have this opportunity. It's a dream come true. And today's kind of like the first day, you know, like yesterday was like true, like the wedding, the reception, you know, now, now we're paying bills today. You know, we picked out our house, we've moved in and we're ready to rock.
Matt Jones
You already have your house. My goodness.
Will Stein
As a metaphor, you know.
Matt Jones
Oh, okay. Got it.
Will Stein
You know, like, I'm really working. I'm not just shaking hands and kissing babies. They were trying to get some stuff done.
Matt Jones
I got you. I wasn't good at the metaphor there. All right, so I, I listened to you yesterday and I think a lot of the initial questions people had were probably answered then. So if it was good with you. Well, I wanted to ask you some stuff. Fans kind of wanted to hear just about the, about your coaching, your philosophy.
Will Stein
Are you good with that, I'm good with whatever, brother.
Matt Jones
All right, let's do it. So a lot of people explain what your offensive style is. A lot of us have watched your YouTube videos, but also some of the games. If you were explaining to a Kentucky fan how will Stein coaches offense, what would it be?
Will Stein
I would say it's aggressive, it's multiple. In terms of our formations, our personnel groupings, our tempos, it's built around the quarterback. You know, when we're at our best, we have an elite quarterback. And that's what I'm excited about here at Kentucky with our quarterback tradition. Think about Jerry Lorenzen, Tim Couch, Dusty Bonner, I mean, Andre Woodson, Mike Hartline. There's been so many elite quarterbacks that have come through these walls. So it's really built around the quarterback. And each year it looks a little bit different. The schematics are a lot of the same each year, but the way that we get to the plays that we like can be different within each year, within each game. But I mean, it's exciting, you know, I like making sure our donors and our fans are watching exciting product. On the field. I like on the ball, vertically. I like different variations of the run game, whether that's inside zone, outside zone, power and counter. And it's getting our best players the ball as many times as we can.
Matt Jones
I've noticed in watching, you know, everybody talks about your three quarterbacks with Bo Nix, Dylan Gabriel and Dante Moore, but they're very different. And I feel like I've seen you sort of adjust your offense is based on who you have. Is that a fair characterization?
Will Stein
Yeah, of course. You know, Bo is probably the most elite processor I've ever been around. His ability to take a play and then change it at the line of scrimmage. Based on the look, was. Was elite. To use a word that I like, it was elite. And he's mobile too. You know, the guy was big, six two and a half, six three, you know, 215, can run, can throw, you know, Dylan was obviously a smaller guy, a lefty as well, but fearless, you know, and extremely accurate. And his ability to maneuver inside the pocket was unlike anybody I've really ever coached. And then Dante Moore is, I think, a great combination of both. Like extremely intelligent, high football iq, probably the most accurate guy I've ever been around. I know Bo had the statistics, but Dante's accuracy, short, deep, intermediate, his ability to throw on time and the tight windows is why he'll be a first round draft pick. So they're all different in their own ways. But the common thing about all those guys is they work. They work their ass off and they don't stry away from work. They're in the first in the building, they're last to leave. And that's what makes them, I think, all special.
Matt Jones
So what are you seeing as your mindset for the quarterback next year? I'm sure you've met with Cutter. Is he. Are you expecting to go with him? Are you going to bring folks in? What are you thinking about the quarterback position?
Will Stein
Yeah, I did meet with Cutter and met with him today, actually, and we had a great conversation. And what I urged him and what I'm urging all of our guys is just compete, compete. No matter who's out there, no matter if you're the 1, 2, 3, whatever you think you are. We'll go throughout whole spring ball without a depth chart. There's not going to be a depth chart. We're going to have a blue squad and a white squad. Those will change weekly. And what it's going to allow us to do, Matt, is to develop our roster. The old guys and the young guys, that way. I don't you guys have all seen spring football or fall camp. Hey, the ones are out there where the ones are going against the twos. Well, how do we actually know if two can't play with the one? Like, let's. Let's blend them all together, let's develop the roster, let's keep the guys engaged and not worry about where I'm at and when we can do that. We're all going to get better. The quarterbacks are going to get better. A guy like Cutter is going to continue to improve. So I just urge him to compete and to trust this process and to know that I don't think there's a better guy that's going to be his head coach than me to coach the quarterbacks and to be around him every single day.
Matt Jones
But you do hope you do want him to be a part of the program?
Will Stein
100%. I want all these guys to be part of the program. I mean, if you turn on the tape, I mean, there's some elite characteristics from a lot of guys on the squad. I think we just got to continue to push them and continue to create accountability within the team and toughness and. And be great in all three phases.
Matt Jones
When did you, you. You talked about how this was a dream job. Was there a time in the last year or two you thought that's a job that maybe could come open, that might be a Job that I would. That would want. I mean, that the turnaround was very quick on this. So when did it start clicking for you? This could be a possibility.
Will Stein
You know, I've always just tried to be where my feet are, and this is always a job that I circled as a place that I would love to coach and would crawl back to. I would take the Oregon Trail from Oregon all the way here and get on a horse and buggy, whatever they needed to do. And you just never know. You don't know. And you know, again, I just try to do a great job at Oregon and before that, try to do a great job at utsa. And these opportunities, you know, can come your way, and when they do, you just jump right on it.
Matt Jones
Let's talk about. I really liked your answer yesterday about nil. You said, basically, this is the way it is. We've got to go forward and we're gonna, we're gonna make it work. So do you think Kentucky has the institutional setup and the nil capability to compete in the sec?
Will Stein
Yeah, of course. I wouldn't have came here, but I didn't think that we could compete. You know, that that was not the end all, be all. It is, I think on a lot of coaches radar, like, gotta have this, gotta have this. We have it. And Mitch and Mark have set up a great plan, but that's why I'm hiring a general manager to help us through this and somebody who I trust fully and that's been in our system out at Oregon and knows the landscape of college football. And you just got to be adaptable, you know, you got to be able to change with the times. It is what it is, like I said yesterday. And I think we have all the infrastructure, we have people here. I mean, there's a lot of people that want to help our program that are really excited about me being here. People that before that I had known that want to be involved in football again. So I'm excited about, excited about the opportunity. And you know, it's not about paying the most for players. It's not. I know that might be the thought, but at Oregon, we were sometimes the third, the fourth highest bidder on players that we got that were recruited by Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, you name it. They came out there because they wanted to get developed, they wanted to play at the highest level. That is what we're going to do here. So you don't have to be the highest bidder. There's still like old school recruiting, this, there's still relationships. They're still showing people that we know how to make you a better football player, which in turn is going to make you play in the National Football League, and then you're going to make a lot of money there, too.
Matt Jones
Is it fair to say that a program like Kentucky, which is not necessarily a traditional power, it might be in today's era, a little easier or more possible to build because of these new rules, a la Indiana, Vandy, etc.
Will Stein
You took the words right out of my mouth. I mean, we played IU this year and I mean, to be quite frank, they got after our ass. You know, they're pretty damn good. They're playing in the Big Ten championship this week. Ohio State, they're a college football playoff team. Vanderbilt, same way. So, of course, I mean, there's more parity in college football now than there ever has been. And there's great players all over. I mean, our state has great players. It's our job to keep these guys home, to build it through the state of Kentucky and in the surrounding areas. And big blue nation, the UK emblem, it's a worldwide brand. The blue and the white. I mean, who wouldn't want to put these colors on? Who wouldn't want to play for me in this offense? Who would want to play for our future defensive coordinator who's in the works right now? Like, it's going to be incredible and I can't wait to get guys into this program and to do it the right way.
Matt Jones
I love that confidence, Will. Who wouldn't want to play for me right now? You? I love that confidence. What gives you that confidence to say, kind of, who wouldn't want to play for me right now?
Will Stein
Shoot, man, I've. I've won at the highest level as a coordinator. I've won a lot of championships in my life.
You know, you got to believe in yourself. You know, why not believe in yourself? I've. I've been bet against for a long time, but I've proved those people wrong and, and want to continue to do that here in Kentucky.
Matt Jones
You mentioned recruiting. Obviously, the state of Kentucky will be a central part of that. What other regions of the country do you think are kind of how you zone in, or do you not do that? What's. How do you. What's your philosophy in that regard?
Will Stein
You know, I think it obviously starts in state, it starts locally, and then you build your way out. But, you know, like I mentioned, there's kids all over the country that would die to come to Lexington, into Kentucky, go to the school, be around this program. Play for bbn and you just got to tap into it and you can't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. I would love to win the state of Kentucky, which we'll do. And then obviously I think there's been a lot of good recruits from the state of Ohio, but we're kind of centrally located now. We're obviously in the south, but we're close to the Midwest. We're close to the east coast. You know, we can get here easily, easily. Kids from Florida and Georgia and Alabama. So the thing is, do they fit us? Yeah, they fit us. You got to start there. If they fit us schematically, character wise, if their families believe in this, then you can go, go damn Alaska and get the best player. It doesn't matter. We'll go wherever it takes to sign the best players that can make us the best program possible.
Matt Jones
We are like six hours away from everywhere. So you mentioned we're going to win the state in recruiting. Love it. The biggest competition for that's right down the road. And you used to wear that uniform, so. So my question for you is what's that's going to be like and are we going to be able to get you to throw an L's down at some point?
Will Stein
Well, listen, the first uniform ever put on was a Kentucky uniform. I was probably, I don't know, a day old and my parents had me in that. So listen, I got it. So much respect for Jeff Brahm. He was, you know, my first quarterback coach at Louisville and he's a Trinity guy. I've known Jeff, you know, more than half my life. So the Braum family, I mean, you know, Oscar Braum was my quarterback coach at Trinity. So to say I don't love and respect Jeff as a person would be an understatement. I think he's, he's a hell of a ball coach. But it is my job to out recruit him and to beat him every single, every single time we play so nice. I'm looking forward to, to, I'm looking.
Matt Jones
Forward to Hell's down.
Will Stein
Yeah, do whatever we gotta do.
Matt Jones
Yes, yes.
Will Stein
Like it is what it is, man. I'm the head coach of the University of Kentucky and there are bitter in state rivals. So the key is man like winning with class, losing with class and, and being a great representation of the state of Kentucky and this, this whole university.
Matt Jones
I want to do a little balance here. So, so you're a very smart guy. Tell me looking as you walk in today. I thought what you said about Mark Stoops. Really kind and correct yesterday on the. At the press conference about what he's done. But you walk in here today, tell me one or two things you think are really where you need it to be and have really, like, made it to where we can be very successful. And what are one or two things that you think need to be improved that you're gonna like, try to make a priority to fix?
Will Stein
Yeah, I mean, I think it's. It's evident that the facilities are in place. Like, you know, walking into the craft center and seeing Kroger Field and just, you know how, like, cool this place is, man. Like, we got unbelievable facilities. Recruit to. The people here are first class. The onboarding.
For me was like lights out. It's like I blinked and, you know, you're hired, you're here. And I think that shows great organization from top down, you know, from Mitch, from our president. Like, everybody's aligned here. Everybody wants to win. Everybody is determined to win and do whatever that takes. And to me, that's. That's what gives me great confidence that we are going to get it done is the alignment factor, like I mentioned, from our president down. So I love that. I love, like I mentioned, the facilities. I love a lot of players on this roster. So it's set up, man, and we just got to go to work. So the improvement is on me to get better on play on the field. And how do you do that? You. You hire the right coaches, which, like I mentioned, we're in the process of doing right now.
Matt Jones
You want to give any hints on that, by the way? I mean, you mentioned defensive coordinator. Are these. Is this a name we might know?
Will Stein
We'll see. It's. It's still in the works. We're still kind of going through some hoops and trying to see what's going on there, but hopefully within the next week or two, we'll have everything sorted out. So. And you got to start with the coordinators first. You know, that's where I'm going to start. I'm not going to be fast through this process. I'm not. I heard John Sumrall say, you know, he's lost a lot of friends in this. I'm going to lose friends in this because there's a lot of really good coaches out there, a lot of them. But it's about getting the right fit, the right fit for Kentucky, right fit for these players, and not necessarily guys that I might know I've worked with before. So that's number one priority for me. And that's really where you think about improvement, is just.
We gotta play better. You know, we gotta play better. They hired me to win games, and that's what I'm ready to do.
Co-host/Caller
Hey, Will, Drew Franklin here.
Will Stein
I know.
Co-host/Caller
I know you can't mention the potential hire you're making, but what kind of defense look like? You know, we know you want to score a lot of points, but do you have an aggressive defensive style or more of a bend? Don't break. What kind of qualities are you looking for on that side of the ball?
Will Stein
I'm looking for a unit that plays four to six seconds, point A to point B with relentless effort, ball excellence. Guys that can take the ball away, that can defend the run, stop the pass. I'm not a bend. Don't break, guy. Like, I like team. When teams pressure me, like, that's when I'm like, okay, all right. This guy's aggressive. I like it. But they're also smart, gap sound. And, you know, like I mentioned, it's about the unit playing as one. That's the most important thing. On defense, I'm playing at three. Four schemes. Four. Three schemes cover two schemes, one high defense. It's the teams that play the best as a unit on defense is what really you gives me the most fit as an offensive guy. So, you know, but. But that coach has got to, man, a lot from those kids. You know, they gotta fly around on the ball. And I'm excited to. To get that position hired because that's a really important one for me. As you guys know, you.
Matt Jones
Your mom was on this show. We. We sent somebody.
Will Stein
How did that happen, man?
Matt Jones
So we.
Will Stein
Like some.
Matt Jones
We sent somebody to. Yeah, so we sent somebody to her cake store when we. When we hired you or when they hired you so that we could, you know, just see the cakes. And then she was there, and we just put her on the phone, and she was great. Your mom has become a star. I mean, I don't know if she's told you how many cakes she sold, but I've heard it's a ton. What do you think about mom getting her all her own, like, media presence?
Will Stein
I mean, it's. It's wild. It's really. It's kind of funny to me, to be honest. Now, the cakes are phenomenal. There is no doubt about that. They are the best cakes you will ever have in your life. You know, sissy cakes. I'll give a shout out to them. Blakey as well. My mom, they. They've been doing it now for years, and just really kind of during COVID started to make it like a business. Said, you know, why don't we do this? So I'm really proud of them and their success. And you know, they're just kind of a small bakery now, so don't they need as many orders as they can? But there's about.
Matt Jones
Well, they ordered $2,000 to be grinding.
Will Stein
I don't think you're going to see me playing games. You'll be baking cakes on.
Matt Jones
Yeah, they ordered like $2,000 worth of cakes in like 20 minutes. So I think she's going to be. I think she's going to be working. All right. So the other thing I got to ask you about, I mean, I've lived in Louisville for a long time. You're part of that whole Trinity mafia now. There's just trinity people everywhere. Everybody's like Wilson. Everyone in the city claims to know you. Is it true?
Will Stein
Well, if you've lived in Louisville long enough, you know, everybody does know everybody. It's a place where you say, hey, where'd you go to school? And they say, I want the Holy Spirit grade school. I went to St Agnes. They don't even say they're college. They either say they're grade school or their high school. So it is very tight knit. And you know, I had some buddies up here yesterday that are, you know, Louisville fans that were not in red, so they were in blue. So it's. The tide is turning, you know. So I think the more that we can get in the city of Louisville, the better for the Wildcats.
Matt Jones
Well, listen, I, I really appreciate you taking the time and, and being on and last thing I'll ask you is this. You know, I think one of the things Oregon did so well, I think Oregon is. Oregon is a marketing like genius of a program for years. Fan experience is through off the charts. Are. Is your hope to bring some of that here? Because I'll just say on a personal level, I think that's something that's needs a little bit of work.
Will Stein
Yeah, listen, I'd love to. Anything that Mitch and I and the president, everybody determines that needs improvement. Like we'll look at it. We evaluate everything every single year. And if fan experience is something that they believe needs work and I believe, well, then let's do whatever it takes. It's whatever it takes to win football games. Whatever it takes to give big blue nation the best experience on Saturdays. Listen, when I came to Commonwealth Stadium, I guess I gotta call it Kroger Field right back as a kid, I mean I Had the most fun of my life. Right. Like the tailgate scene, you know, I can't wait to do the catwalk. I can't wait to do all this stuff that is really, really cool to UK Athletics. But shoot, I mean, they shot fireworks off in the stadium yesterday.
Matt Jones
That looked great yesterday.
Will Stein
A lot of fireworks. Yeah. Hopefully we're getting a lot of that on on Saturdays, but whatever it takes. You know, Oregon has done a great job in that. I think Kentucky has as well, and we'll just continue to push forward.
Matt Jones
All right. Hey, Will, thank you very much. Will Stein, new coach of Kentucky. I'll let you back to go get some more recruits. We appreciate it.
Will Stein
Yes, sir. All right. Thanks, Matt. Appreciate you guys.
Matt Jones
All right, Will Stein. Looking forward to. To meeting him in person soon.
Co-host/Analyst
Love it. When he want to talk about the Catwalk and going to Kroger Field.
Will Stein
He.
Co-host/Analyst
You can tell he means it. It's sincere. He loves it. Grew up loving the cats. And you can just. You can just hear it in his voice.
Matt Jones
You like that defensive answer. I could tell in your face. I did fist bump, no bend, but don't break.
Co-host/Caller
Well, I brought that with me to the show not even knowing if I'd get to ask a question. And you nodded to me right after he mentioned the coordinators was perfect. I love his answer. We're gonna have an aggressive defense out there. Flying over the field, forcing turnovers. That was my second favorite part. He kind of committed to the L's down.
Co-host/Analyst
He did.
Co-host/Caller
It wasn't a full commitment, but it wasn't a. He didn't shy away from it. He said, I'll do whatever.
Matt Jones
I have to do it in person. We might have to go. All right, man. Yep, here we go. All right, we will take a break. We went long, so we'll have to do a short segment. Coming back then take your calls. 859-280-2287.
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Matt Jones
This is where mindset comes in.
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Matt Jones
Techie Sports radio. Clayton and Croom was founded on a simple idea. All leather goods should last a lifetime. Bags, belts, wallets and more. And the best part? It's right here in Kentucky, right in Louisville, on Shelby Street. Claytonandkroom.com C R U M E.com as we get ready for Christmas. You can do it. Claytonandkroom.com Once you look at it, you'll get something. It's in Shelby street, in Nulu or online. Clayton and croom.com quality leather goods. Built to last. We talked about the defense thing. I know that made Drew really excited. No bend, don't break. But be aggressive. Thought the answer on Cutter kind of interesting. Sounded like, I don't know, sound like he wants him here. But it also sounds like a guy who might be bringing somebody in to compete with him. That's how I. That's just how I heard it. I'm not saying that's true, but that's how I heard it. Did you hear that?
Co-host/Analyst
Yeah. I think you're being fair. He didn't really commit. He said he met with Cutter this morning, which I think is good. But there's gonna be schools come after Cutter. So I guess he's got to be ready in case he's got to make a move with somebody else.
Matt Jones
But I, I mean, that's how I heard that.
Co-host/Analyst
Yeah, I heard it too.
Co-host/Caller
It was kind of the same way yesterday, but he had not even met Cutter yet. So he was pretty kind of a political answer yesterday. I say this loving Cutter and hope he's the quarterback.
Will Stein
I will.
Co-host/Caller
Stein should bring someone. It's his first head coaching job. I mean, this season going to have a lot of eyeballs on him. And if he has someone, we don't know his connections, who he's recruited, if he has someone he knows he likes, let him play it out. That's nothing against Cutter. I'm just saying it's his first year on the job.
Matt Jones
If you're going to have to bake the cake, you should get to pick the ingredients.
Co-host/Analyst
Yep. Especially if it's an orange juice cake from Sissy Cakes.
Matt Jones
Yeah. You can't make orange juice cake with apple juice. I don't know what I'm talking about. We will take a break. Have to come right back. This is Kentucky Sports Radio.
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Will Stein
Here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back. Techie Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774-5254. Seems like most people very excited about the interview. Who, who's the recruit, by the way? It's 30 minutes away. Is that the kid from Danville?
Co-host/Analyst
Probably Seneca driver. Boyle county. Just about 30 minutes down the road. I would say that's probably a strong.
Matt Jones
See a junior.
Co-host/Analyst
He's a junior. And they play tonight. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night, yeah, they play tomorrow.
Matt Jones
Yeah. So let's talk a little scheduling. First of all, some folks here from Clinton county are going to the game Kentucky women's volleyball plays tonight against Wofford here in Lexington. That game is on SEC Plus. We'll have it on here tonight if you would like to come. But also it's. It's right down the road. Seven o' clock tonight. Tomorrow we are in Glasgow at Ashley Furniture.
Co-host/Analyst
Correct.
Matt Jones
Is that right? We'd love to have you come see us right before on the way to Nashville. So we are at Ashley Furniture in Glasgow tomorrow. Been a while since we've been in Glasgow, so. So come say hi. Lots of friends down there. Then tomorrow night we have going on at the exact same time Kentucky, Gonzaga and UK Volleyball, they found a way to have the game at the same time, which I don't. I don't know why we do that to them. So the UK volleyball game, I'm assume they beat Wofford. That will knock on wood. That will be at the arena here at the bar. We'll have both of them on so you can actually watch both games here. We will have a watch party for both volleyball and basketball at the same time. Plus tomorrow and Saturday are the high school football championships. If you're in town for that, who'd you say is coming? Raceland's coming today.
Co-host/Analyst
Raceland's coming tonight.
Matt Jones
Yeah, Raceland's coming tonight. So they'll be here during the volleyball game. But all if you're in town for the games, we'd love to have you. I think the Owensboro stations doing a show here they are. So all of you coming into town for the games, we'd love to have you come on here for pre or post game for the games.
Co-host/Caller
We'll.
Matt Jones
We'll preview those games tomorrow. With your intelligence.
Co-host/Analyst
I'm ready to go. It's gonna be a busy night tomorrow night with all. With all those games going on at the same time. It'll be fun place to be.
Matt Jones
A high school game tomorrow night. Volleyball and Kentucky, Gonzaga, all will be going on at the same time. And we will have those. Those here. All right, who's up first? Shannon.
Will Stein
Let's go to Sean.
Matt Jones
Sean, go ahead. Sean.
Hey guys, what's going on?
Co-host/Caller
I.
Will Stein
Two things real quick. Just first with basketball. For me, it starts with Aberdeen. He's been ill equipped to be point guard. He's a shoot first guy. Doesn't get anyone involved. Everyone looks confused because our point guard's just calling his own number. And secondly, this j. My deal stinks to high heaven. And I think we need to get Pablo Tori on the case. He can stay into it. Y' all have a great day.
Matt Jones
Thank you very much. Let's talk about.
Quickly on basketball. Why are we not good? Because we're not good right now. I mean, part of it is we don't have our point guard. We don't have Jalen Lowe. I think that's huge. Obviously part of it is that Diabate doesn't, but more just we're not good. Can we get good or did we just pick a lot of six men right now?
Co-host/Caller
I'm. I'm still worried about like internal things, like, do these guys like each other? Like we talked about it yesterday, but there's like moments where guys, wide Open on the wing, doesn't even look at them. Not a lot of high fiving each other. I, you know, I hate going back to way before the Louisville game, but something still I think is off with their just general chemistry. And then of course you get to the basketball where it doesn't look like they have a shooter on the team. For an offense that requires shooters, Pope wants 30 threes a game to go 1 for 13 against North Carolina. And Brandon Garrison, you're one.
Matt Jones
I mean, Brandon Garrison.
Rebounding.
Co-host/Caller
I know you talk about how the games changed a little bit and they had 20 guys were just glued to the floor. They weren't moving. There was no effort whatsoever. I don't know if it's Pope getting them ready before the game, but it's like sometimes guys just seem like they don't even want to be there at times in these bit when it. The lights come on and it's big physical opponents.
Matt Jones
I mean, how do you not get up for North Carolina at home?
Co-host/Caller
I mean the.
Matt Jones
What the one consistent thing in college basketball is Home court advantage matters more in college basketball than any other sport in the world. Home court advantage is it. Minnesota beats Indiana by 10 last night because it's on their home court. Arkansas runs Louisville off the floor because it's on their home court. And yet we could not defend home court. And in the last five or six minutes, I did not watch the game, but I did watch the last five or six minutes. They, it didn't look like we, we. They had the juice. We didn't. How's that possible?
Co-host/Analyst
I don't get it. Because like you heard Drew say, the crowd was on fire then. They were. The crowd did their part.
Will Stein
That was great.
Co-host/Analyst
But you guys, you guys hit on a man. Lack of a solid, strong, true point guard. Jalen Lowe's the answer. I mean, get him back, I think.
Matt Jones
But do you think Jalen Lowe. Listen, I, I said before the season I thought he was the most important player by far. I think that's ended up being correct. But let's just assume he comes back and let's assume he's really good. Is it going to be enough?
Co-host/Analyst
I think that's a huge step in the right direction just to get the offense flowing more efficiently. But then the second thing is, where's our shooters? Man? These guys are supposed to be shooting the lights out all summer long. They are non existent.
Matt Jones
I mean it's, it's brutal. 1 of 13 and it's Brandon Garrett.
Co-host/Caller
They were getting open looks.
Matt Jones
Yeah, they were getting bricks I heard a criticism from the folks at field of 68 and it seems right to me. Mark Stu, or excuse me, Mark Stoops. Mark Pope last year realized we did not have enough athletes, we did not have enough defense. Did he go too far just in the other direction? Is it the case Mark Pope wants to play Mark Pope basketball but he found a way to recruit no one that can shoot because he was so worried about trying to make it better defensively?
Co-host/Caller
Yeah, I think it's a combination of that. People keep saying overcorrected, he overcorrected. What do you need to do about physicality? But also we know who he targeted and he targeted some shooters and when he missed on them, he ended up going get a defender. Like we talked about the Wilkerson that, you know, we joke about Ryan with, he's lighting it up for Indiana, making like four threes a game, shooting 40%. Well, when they didn't get him, we end up with Aberdeen who's fine. That's not a shooter, that's like a completely different player. So it's like when he got to his fallback plan on a lot of these guys, they didn't have the shooting that I think he went out to get. Same with Diabate wasn't the first pick.
Matt Jones
This might not be true in a year or two years, but I think it's true now. I don't think we're going to be that good if our best scorer is Colin Chandler. I just don't think we're. I mean right now he's our. Is he our best scorer?
Co-host/Analyst
And he only had, he only had two threes.
Matt Jones
I mean I. I just don't think we can. I think College Hill needs to be your third best score. But if he's your best scorer, I just. We're not going to be very good. I mean we have a chance to go 06 in these non conference games against good teams. You know, mark Pope has a 500 record against power four teams right now he's actually under 514 and 15. Now that's bad. That's bad. And I, and I gotta say I don't understand Mark's reaction to the. Like, I don't, I don't know. Something. You know, this may end up being one of the great bluegrass conspiracies of what of all time. What happened in the Louisville. What happened in that locker room? What happened?
Co-host/Analyst
I don't know. There's definitely some issues, things going on and I think that a third thing to look at these two second year Guys, Garrison, Ortega, Trent, Noah have not stepped up.
Matt Jones
Well, that's. I mean, most disappointing player on the team is probably Garrison, but he's right there is with him, Ortega. And those are two guys that came back. I mean, those are the two dudes. You know, you. You think those. Mark Pope said, people get a lot better with me in their second year.
Co-host/Analyst
Yep.
Matt Jones
Chandler has, but the rest of them.
Co-host/Caller
Haven'T, you know, and a lot of fans thought he took a risk and bringing Garrison back in the first place and. But you needed him to take a jump forward. He's gone a little bit backwards.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Co-host/Caller
OA at least played with some energy. He might have turned a corner even though it was in a loss. But it was one game. But the oa, that was at unc, they need more of that because he didn't play like that at Louisville or Michigan State.
Matt Jones
Kentucky families are struggling to access what should be basic essentials. Housing and child care. Not luxuries, not extras essentials. And the Kentucky Chamber is focused on improving access. Go to opportunity starts here.com and learn more about what the Kentucky Chamber is doing doing to help with housing and child care. The state is only better when people have access to houses and their children can be taken care of for work. Go to Opportunity starts here dot com. Who's up next? Shannon.
Commercial Announcer
Tyler.
Matt Jones
Tyler, go ahead, Tyler.
Will Stein
Hey, Matt. Ron, Shane, and Drew. Matt, I'm glad your dad's doing all right. And I feel like a trader a little bit because I was looking forward to basketball during football season. Now I'm looking forward to football season during basketball.
Matt Jones
I know what you mean. Like, all of a sudden, I mean, everybody during football was like, well, Mark Pope, here we go. Let's get started. And now people are like, well, I can't wait for Will in the football season. Like, things have flipped in that regard.
Will Stein
And the last thing is, you guys were talking about the cut man earlier, and I feel like you remember that stuff scene during the office whenever Dwight is trying to buy Andy's car, and he's like, sell me the car. Sell it. Say right now. One, two, three, sell it. That's how I feel. Like, that's how. And Cutler got all his jobs anywhere he's gone. He's like, hire me. One, two, three, say, I'm hired. I'm hired.
Matt Jones
He's. Listen, Al, I appreciate the call. Alan was a legend in this town. TV wise. What do we think about what he was wearing at the press conference? I'm a hoodie guy. But what we think you guys know.
Co-host/Analyst
How I feel about Alan color. I love the man, but I even giggled when I saw the picture of him a little bit.
That's my boy right there.
Co-host/Caller
But that's how he looks at all the games that Rob like.
Matt Jones
But he and Larry Vaught have just taken. We're gonna let our hair just have its. Have its day. Right?
Will Stein
Like, they basically turned into Jeff Bridges.
Commercial Announcer
And the Big Lebowski.
Will Stein
Like, they become the Dude. Like, Alan Cutler just needed a white Russian in his hand at that press conference.
Matt Jones
Become the bit. The dude in the Big Lebowski. Both Vaught and Cutler. I like how when cut again, so I'm only hearing it because I'm driving. I like when Cutler comes on there and he. And like, he does his own show. Yeah, stop.
Will Stein
Yeah, about him.
Matt Jones
He talked for, like, a minute and a half. He's like, al. You know, people been saying. You know, people say I talk, but it's like, it's just so out. He was like he was doing a talk show when he asked his question.
Co-host/Caller
I'm actually looking forward to that day. I might just wear a robe to a game one day.
Matt Jones
Just slippers.
Will Stein
Yeah.
Co-host/Caller
Cup of coffee.
Co-host/Analyst
That's me. When you get 70 years old, you just not carrying. Wear a robe. And you have.
Matt Jones
You've been like that since I've known you.
Co-host/Analyst
I'm ready to go.
Matt Jones
The only difference is your hair doesn't grow out that much. But everything else I'm gonna work on.
Co-host/Analyst
It look just like my twin brothers, Larry Vaught and Alan Color.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I like Larry Vaught's question, too. He's like, Larry Vaught, Danville. Just the town representing. I'm representing all of Danville. What up, Boyle County? Like, he's. He's ready to go. 859-2280-2287. We'll take a break. Be right back here at KSBAR.
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Matt Jones
This is where mindset comes in.
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Come for the Black Friday seasonal savings. Stay for the award winning reporting for a limited time access to the Washington Post is just 99 cents. That's unlimited access to all of the posts for only 99 cents every four weeks. That's a great deal for the first year. After that it'll cost $12 every four weeks. You can cancel anytime. But don't wait. This Black Friday seasonal offer won't be here for long. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart and grab this deal before it's gone. That's washingtonpost.com iheart bring incredible sound into.
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Matt Jones
Sports Radio.
In the interest of fairness, UK has sent me this thing to say. Mitch has talked to the media six times in five months and gives the dates. Let me just in the interest of fairness, they're including the four dates that they do those Champions Blue LLC meetings. So he's talked media day for football and then yesterday they're including those dates of the Champions Blue. I would respectfully disagree that that counts since no one goes to those except one or two people. And it's you know, it's not a press conference. It's literally them walking outside of a meeting. But to be fair I guess they're counting those so it does not change my position. But I do think in the act of spirit of fairness I will note.
Co-host/Analyst
That that is media invited to these.
Matt Jones
Club Blue and I think they're, I think they're invited. I don't know what the announce. I think they're during our show. So usually I obviously, obviously don't end up there. But that's the board meeting where that group of people meet and I, I think maybe a couple people go. But I also that's not in my opinion the same as a press conference where working press can ask questions.
Co-host/Caller
So this is when he's been asked 19 times.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't gotcha. Just reading the. The information. 859280, 2287 Louisville beat. Or excuse me, Arkansas beat Louisville.
Co-host/Analyst
Yeah, they were up 20 in the first half. They were running.
Matt Jones
This is such a distinctly Cal season. Like they lose their first two games against good teams. They almost get beat by Samford and Winthrop. Winthrop, they should have lost. They were down 5 with 80 seconds left and won. So almost lose to bad teams, lose their first game, two games against good teams and then all of a sudden play Louisville and absolutely wipe them off the court. First of all, he owns Louisville.
Co-host/Caller
Yeah.
Matt Jones
One thing that's true is Cal Perry owns Loaf.
Co-host/Analyst
No doubt.
Matt Jones
But this is, you know, this is Cal. This is what he does. Last year, remember, they were terrible. And then they go on a run at the end make the tournament. I mean, it's cat, that's cow.
Co-host/Caller
That was my big takeaway though. I think Cal might hate Louisville more than me, which is saying something.
Matt Jones
He owns, I mean, pummels every time he plays Louisville. Katie paid. Louisville fans, I don't think got mad about Cal winning. They got mad at Kenny Payne being on the sideline. Kenny Payne just sitting over there grinning while they're killing them.
Co-host/Analyst
Cal's got a Reed Shepherd, Rob Dylan Ham situation too. He's got a freshman off the bench that's maybe his best player.
Matt Jones
By the way, I know we've talked about this. Reed Shepherd's like really good. Yeah, he is like he's leading the NBA in three point percentage.
Co-host/Caller
He. I mean, it's been a week or two, but he outplayed stuff on prime time. It's just weird watching like Kevin Durant go up, bump chest with reach up my brain still that kid we watched in the 13th region tournament, like on my TV with Kevin Durant still hasn't.
Matt Jones
If you only saw opening night. Yeah, you'd be like, well, he can't. But you give him credit, man. He has jumped. He had his first two games were both bad. And then since then he's been great.
Co-host/Analyst
And unfortunately, most people only have watched.
Matt Jones
Only seen those. Those first couple. So a lot of people saw him get staff. That was a high profile game. Cowboy DraftKings. Go to DraftKings.com promo code KSR. Get your first bet. Bet $5. If you win, you get 200 in bonus bets from DraftKings Cowboys lines tonight for Cover Zero listeners. You know, we it's the loser leaves town matchup. I don't see a line which Makes.
Co-host/Caller
Troy, it's a field goal favorite.
Matt Jones
Troy, it's a three point favorite. Who you got?
Co-host/Analyst
Cowboys. I don't like the Cowboys. I matter of fact I can't stand the Cowboys but they've been hot. I don't know why.
Matt Jones
So anti Cowboys.
Co-host/Analyst
So I grew up a Washington now Commanders fan and you just grew up hating the Cowboys but you don't care now. I don't care but I still hate the Cowboys.
Matt Jones
So you your love for the Commanders hasn't continued but you still hate the Cowboys?
Co-host/Analyst
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Matt Jones
Interesting. So your hate was greater than your love?
Co-host/Analyst
Absolutely.
Matt Jones
Yeah. All right, good to know. So you got the.
Co-host/Analyst
But I'm picking them tonight.
Matt Jones
All right, what do you got?
Co-host/Caller
I like the Cowboys getting points since adding Quinn and Williams and getting some guys healthy on defense. They finally started getting some stops and that offense has been one of the best in the NFL with Pickens joining the fold. So I'll say they cover the three.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm going to say I'm taking the Lions. And thank you to all of our Cover Zero listeners that we got the numbers for the year today. It's been great.
Co-host/Analyst
Great.
Matt Jones
Very. Those of you that listen, send us, send me comments and references. I really appreciate it. We, we've, I think we've gotten our vibe down and I hope you guys are are enjoying it. Subscribe on online NFL Cover 0. A lot of you sent me your little Spotify wraps where like KSR was 1 and then cover 0 or the pre show like that means a lot. I found to be in the top 0.5% of KSR listeners on Spotify. You know how many listener listen minutes you'd have to have listened for the year?
Co-host/Caller
Can't even guess.
Matt Jones
Take a guess. 26,000 minutes. That would put you in the top 5.0 that's on podcast. If you listen live. You wouldn't, you wouldn't be on there. Who's next? Shannon?
Commercial Announcer
Clint.
Matt Jones
Clint. Go ahead Clint.
Will Stein
Hey fellas. Thanks for taking my call.
Co-host/Analyst
Matt.
Will Stein
I really appreciate that last question that you asked Coach Stein about marketing. We've all been kind of critical of how UK has handled the stuff, social media, promoting the team. The program. And Oregon is, is a brand now, their football program. And yes, they have Nike, they have Phil Knight, they've won a lot of football games. But I'm really intrigued to see if there is a change in how they promote the team moving forward under Coach Stein. What do you feel like they need to do? What are some.
Matt Jones
Well, I mean you mentioned. Okay so Oregon obviously Nike is a big part of. Of it, the money. I'm not gonna act like that doesn't matter. But it's not just that. You know, their uniforms are. Are always exciting. And Oregon has like a cool vibe. You go to those games. I watched some of college game day Saturday and there's just. It's a whole. It's 6am out there and they got people everywhere. They. They created the tradition of I think, is it shout or whatever they play where they do the thing. Like Oregon just has the marketing thing down. And I think Drew, any of that stuff he's able to bring here or even just recognizing the importance of it.
Co-host/Caller
Will be good for us just changing it up. I don't care what you change it to. Just work some other stuff in from time to time. One thing that's I've complained about forever, we have an amazing lineup of like vintage and throwbacks. And I'll give Louisville credit. They bring theirs out all the time. Why don't we dig into our locker? That stuff is so in right now. Go into the closet, pull out some. Some of the stuff from the past. Oregon does that too. I mean, it's that fans really like that kind of stuff.
Matt Jones
Kentucky Skin Cancer center is telling you they can get a skin travel skin care set for Christmas. Go to kentucky skin cancer center.com it is includes products selected by Dr. Skaggs including enzyme Facial Cleaner with Papaya Replenishing Cream, Hydrate Refresh Hylic Aces Serum. Those words just mean your skin will look better. It's made mine glow. Go to kentucky skin cancer center.com Ryan Busy day, but a fun day thanks to Will.
Co-host/Analyst
Gonna be a really busy fun weekend too around here. So looking forward to it.
Matt Jones
I am too. It should be a lot of fun. And everybody, we hope to see you tomorrow in Glasgow and all you folks who are here today, great to see you, Clinton County. Enjoy the volleyball game tonight. Those two girls look like they'll be playing for him at some point.
Co-host/Analyst
Go for it.
Matt Jones
Go for it.
Co-host/Analyst
Yeah.
Matt Jones
That's your ex. That's your response? That.
Co-host/Analyst
Go for it. Yeah. Go for it.
Matt Jones
Go for it. Enough. We'll see you later. This has been Kentucky Sports Radio.
Will Stein
So motivational.
Co-host/Analyst
Go for it.
Matt Jones
Thank you, guys.
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Matt Jones
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Matt Jones
The holidays are overwhelming, but I'm tackling this season with PayPal and making the most of my money.
Will Stein
Getting 5% cash back when I pay in 4.
Matt Jones
No fees, no interest. I used it to get this portable spa with jets. Now the bubbles can cling to my sculpted but pruny body.
Will Stein
Make the most of your money this holiday with PayPal.
Matt Jones
Save the offer in the app ends.
Will Stein
1231 see paypal.com promo terms. Points can be redeemed for cash and more. Paying for subject to terms and approval.
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Main Theme:
This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) is centered on an in-depth interview with Will Stein, the newly appointed head football coach at the University of Kentucky. Matt Jones and the KSR crew dive into Stein’s coaching philosophy, plans for the program, approach to recruiting, NIL, and a range of topics relevant to Kentucky sports, with spirited discussion and reaction from the hosts.
[03:42] Will Stein is introduced as UK’s new head football coach
Quote:
"I’m just floored to have this opportunity. It’s a dream come true. ... Yesterday was like the wedding, the reception... now we’re paying bills today."
— Will Stein [04:06]
Quote:
"It’s aggressive, it’s multiple ... It’s built around the quarterback. And each year it looks a little bit different."
— Will Stein [05:15]
Quote:
"There's not going to be a depth chart... We're going to have a blue squad and a white squad. Those will change weekly... It's going to allow us to develop our roster."
— Will Stein [07:52]
Quote:
"It’s not about paying the most for players... At Oregon, we were sometimes the third, the fourth highest bidder ... They came out there because they wanted to get developed ... That is what we’re going to do here."
— Will Stein [10:22]
Quote:
"There’s more parity in college football now than there ever has been. ... Great players all over. It’s our job to keep these guys home, to build it through the state of Kentucky."
— Will Stein [12:01]
Good-natured but competitive about the Louisville rivalry, acknowledging Jeff Brohm (Louisville’s coach) as a mentor and friend but asserts,
"It is my job to out recruit him and to beat him every single time we play." [14:49]
Hosts tease about the “L’s Down” gesture, Will says:
"Like it is what it is, man. I’m the head coach of the University of Kentucky ... The key is, man, winning with class, losing with class, and being a great representation of the state of Kentucky." [15:34]
Quote:
"I'm not a bend, don't break guy. ... I like when teams pressure me ... that's when I'm like, okay, this guy's aggressive."
— Will Stein [18:32]
The tone is lively, candid, occasionally irreverent, and deeply rooted in Kentucky sports culture. Will Stein comes off as upbeat, competitive, and transparent, with the hosts offering genuine conversation, gentle ribbing, and community engagement throughout.
For UK fans, this episode offers a detailed first look at Will Stein’s vision—a blend of modern competitiveness, local roots, and old-school passion for Kentucky football.