2026-06-16 KSR - Hour 2

Summary

---

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2 Recap

Date: June 16, 2026
Hosts: Big Cat, PFT Commentator, Shannon (filling in for Matt Jones, who is on vacation)
Special Guest: Will Stein, Kentucky Football Head Coach

---

Episode Overview

This lively episode of KSR (guest-hosted by Barstool's "Pardon My Take" team) brings a blend of Kentucky sports discussion, interviews, and classic banter. The main highlight is a spirited conversation with new Kentucky football coach Will Stein, delving into his philosophy, recruiting, building team culture, and the perennial “football vs. basketball school” debate. The hosts also field calls from listeners on topics ranging from Kentucky basketball’s coaching expectations to the character of small-town Kentucky life.

---

Key Topics and Discussion Highlights

1. Interview with Will Stein, Kentucky Football Head Coach

[03:09 – 20:57]

Background & Early Impressions

• Will Stein acknowledges his history as a listener:

  “Long time listener. I consider myself an ‘awl’. Love you, love PFT, love Henry…” (Will Stein – 03:27)

• On becoming Kentucky’s head coach while finishing the season as Oregon’s offensive coordinator:

  “…was going through the playoff run with them while also being the head coach of Kentucky, which is something I don't recommend any new head coach to do.” (04:18)

On “Bleeding Blue”

• Addressing his Louisville playing days and Kentucky fandom:

  “I bleed blue for sure.” (05:20)
  “My dad played here in the early 80s...I grew up coming to Commonwealth Stadium every Saturday…” (05:30)

Recruiting Philosophy & Building the Program

• Stein emphasizes aggressive recruitment and relationship-building:

  “…you gotta wake them up in the morning, you gotta put them to bed at night, like you gotta constantly recruit.” (06:16)
  “We’re fishing with the big fish, and not sitting back and waiting.” (06:16)

“Feed the Studs” – Coaching Mantra

• Explaining his philosophy:

  “Players win games...That’s our job is to get our best players the ball as many times as possible...It's a mindset more than anything.” (07:43)

Program Culture, Energy & Traditions

• On potential game day atmosphere improvements (walkout music, “Purge Siren” on third downs, etc.):

  “I got a couple ideas for a walkout song…third down, I’m thinking like the Purge Siren. You guys know that one? Kind of creepy, you know, something different.” (10:21)

Humorous Segment: The “Tickle” Question

• The hosts ask if Stein would call the police if tickled for five minutes by an intruder:

  “I mean, I don't know if it'd be like an initial call. I think I'd have to report that person. Be a little creepy.” (11:19)
  – Eventually pivots to “no cops being called”:
  “No cops being called.” (11:55)

Group Chats and Coaching Culture

• Discusses rumors about the “special” SEC coaches’ group chat:

  “I've heard about some chats that, that are out there. You know, I may have seen a few chats myself, but, yeah, I think there's some...guys have a good time, you know.” (15:49)

Lake Travis High School & Coaching Journey

• On his time in Texas high school football (with future stars Hudson Card and Garrett Wilson):

  “It was, like, crazy, you know, designing plays and things for Garrett, who absolutely dominated high school competition.” (18:13)
  – Grateful for diverse coaching experiences and building culture.

Football vs. Basketball School

• Stein dodges narrow framing:

  “I want this to be the most elite program in the country...Why can't we be good at both?…I’m fired up to watch Kentucky basketball play. But I know one thing. We play our first game September 5th…So I’m fired up about Big Blue Nation being there and having an awesome season.” (14:28)

2. Call-in Segment: Kentucky Basketball’s Hot Seat & Coaching Speculation

[24:22 – 34:32]

Mark Pope on the Hot Seat

• Madison asks if UK basketball coach Mark Pope is already on the hot seat.

  “Mark Pope is 100 on the hot seat...A bald coach, you can be a great bald coach, but you have to kind of win right away...I think people look at the bald and they say, hey Mark Pope, you gotta grow that hair up.” (26:35 – Big Cat)

• PFT: “If you're the coach at Kentucky, you're always on the hot seat.” (27:04)

Potential Successor – Nate Oats?

• Hosts lay out a possible succession plan:

  “Let’s say, hypothetically, Big Cat, things don’t go well this year…He [AD J. Bat] hired Nate Oats…Do you think Nate Oats would be the very first call?” (32:28 – PFT)

• Big Cat: “I think so too…We might have a family member of Nate Oats interning at Barstool HQ this year…we have our hands everywhere in terms of the coaching carousel.” (33:20)
• PFT (bold prediction): “Nate Oats is going to be the next head coach at Kentucky...Hear me now, believe me later.” (34:13)

3. Callers Share Their Kentucky Perspectives

[34:49 – End]

Highlights:

Life in Kentucky

• Matt from Hindman describes gardening barefoot, meditation, Appalachian living:

  “My garden is like my paradise. I take such good care of it...Have you ever just took your shoes off and...walk around in the grass?” (37:20 – Caller)

Kentucky vs. Louisville, NIL Arms Race

• Discussion about Louisville’s NIL spending and local rivalries:

  “I mean, they're getting a ton of NIL money. Like, they're paying, like, 25, 30 million dollars, we're hearing, for the basketball team for Louisville.” (29:58 – Shannon)
  “If they don't win a national title with this much money they've spent, then…I think if Louisville doesn’t win a Natty in the next two years, I think you shut down the whole program.” (30:31 – Big Cat)

Additional Callers

• Peanut: Recalls prison basketball, nickname origins.
• Austin: Calls for faith in Will Stein, predicts a playoff game at Kentucky next season.
• Thomas: Laments KSR co-hosts’ allegedly poor travel arrangements.
• Po: Reminisces about Kentucky’s tradition-rich hoops history and Calipari’s legacy.

---

Notable Quotes

Will Stein:

• “Players win games...That's our job is to get our best players the ball as many times as possible...It's a mindset.” (07:43)
• “I want this to be the most elite program in the country...Why can't we be good at both [football and basketball]?” (14:28)
• “No cops being called.” (11:55 – On the infamous tickle question)

Big Cat:

• “Mark Pope is 100 on the Hot seat…You got to establish it [winning] right away.” (26:35)
• “We had Coach Cal on the hot seat before anyone else…He left. Did it take seven years after we put him on the hot seat? Initially, yes. We were never wrong. We're just early.” (31:23)

PFT Commentator:

• “If you're the coach at Kentucky, you're always on the hot seat.” (27:04)
• “Nate Oats is going to be the next head coach at Kentucky...Hear me now, believe me later, it's going to happen.” (34:14)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:09] – Interview with Will Stein begins
• [05:20] – Stein: “I bleed blue for sure.”
• [06:16] – Recruiting and “fishing with the big fish”
• [07:43] – “Feed the Studs” mantra explained
• [10:21] – Game day tradition brainstorming (“Purge Siren”)
• [11:04] – “Tickle Intruder” question
• [15:14] – SEC coaches’ group chat rumors
• [18:13] – Coaching at Lake Travis High School
• [24:22] – Madison: Mark Pope hot seat question
• [26:35] – “Grow your hair out” comments on Mark Pope
• [32:28] – J Bat, Nate Oats coaching speculation
• [34:49] – Matt from Hindman on Kentucky/Appalachian living
• [45:23+] – Final round of listener calls, NIL topics, closing banter

---

Moments of Humor & Personality

• The show’s signature banter about feeding “studs” (players vs. takeout food), ice cream breaks, and the “tickle question” add levity.
• Inside jokes: Shirtless third-down traditions, calling coaches “soft”, and Kentucky’s hairline-based hot seat.
• Will Stein gamely handles playful ribbing and questions about game day, culture, and even personal pranks.

---

Conclusion

This episode deftly balances candid sports analysis, behind-the-scenes program insights, and personality-driven humor. Will Stein impresses as energetic and relatable, the hosts provide sharp takes on Kentucky's basketball future, and listeners’ calls anchor the show in the state's distinctive sports culture. The episode closes with playful teases about future coaching changes and fond words from the guest hosts about Kentucky and its fandom.

---

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

That feeling when you check your bank account and your paycheck's days away. And of course, your calendar's all good news. With Chase Secure Banking, your direct deposit hits your bank account up to two days faster. So when your friends are like and your bills go, you have the peace your deposit brings. And the best part? There's no monthly Service fee for 17 to 24 year olds thanks to Chase Secure Banking.

[Big Cat]

For Chase Secure Checking, only eligible direct deposits may be credited up to two business days early, depending on when the payer submits the transaction.

[Commercial Narrator]

Member FDIC Cash Flow Crunch on Deck Small Business line of credit gives your business immediate access to funds up to $200,000 right when you need it, cover seasonal dips, manage payroll, restock inventory or tackle unexpected expenses without missing a beat. With flexible draws, transparent pricing and control over repayment, get funded quickly and confidently. Apply [e-mail] funds could be available as soon as tomorrow depending on certain loan attributes. Your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All loans an amount subject to lender approval. When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufact plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of

[Pharmaceutical Ad Voice]

getting the job done.

[Commercial Narrator]

Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[IBM AI Representative]

The thing about AI for business, it may not automatically fit the way your business works. At IBM we've seen this firsthand. But by embedding AI across hr, IT and procurement processes, we've reduced cost by millions, slashed repetitive tasks and freed thousands of hours for strategic work. Now we're helping companies get smarter by putting AI where it actually pays off, deep in the work that moves the business. Let's create Smarter Business IBM looking for

[Big Cat]

a mortgage bank to help you make your next major mortgage move? Whether it's a refi or home purchase, Regardless of whether it's your first one or one of many, consider our friends at Stockton Mortgage. But don't just take our word for it. Stockton mortgage has over 70,000 5 star reviews and counting. Just like this review from Joshua who says this about his experience with Stockton. They were super professional, always answered my questions I had and streamlined the process. I could not ask for better people to help me and my family get our first house. I feel blessed to be able to go through them. Be like Joshua or the 69,999 others just like him. And get started with Stockton Mortgage today by going to Stockton.com and get started. I've even used Stockton Mortgage myself on my own home loan for your home loan needs. Stockton.com and click Get Started Stockton Mortgage NMLS 8259 Equal Housing Lender nmlsconsumeraccess.org this

[Shannon]

is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Safe Summer Driving Tour. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Big Cat]

All right, we're back. It is pardon my take takeover for KSR and Matt Jones on vacation. We now welcome on a very very special guest. It is head football coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, Will Stein. Coach, can you hear us big cat?

[Will Stein]

I got you man. I am long time listener. I consider myself an awl. Love you. Love pft. Love Henry. I'm fired up to talk to you guys.

[Big Cat]

I love that I, I did not know that but I love to hear that. So how I mean that now I like that's, that's the best thing you could ever done.

[PFT Commentator]

Completely disarmed us.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, like we're just going to, we're just going to keep praise on you.

[PFT Commentator]

Flattery will get you everywhere.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, you have the, you have the best, easiest interview ever set up right now. Not that it was going to be hard before that, but how, how's, how's everything going? You, you, you got the job at Kentucky a few months ago. You got spring ball done, training camp coming up. How are we feeling? Top 25 recruiting class, which is the first time in a long time or maybe ever at Kentucky football feels like things are going in the right direction. But how's everything going from your perspective?

[Will Stein]

Yeah, so far so good. I thought we had a really good spring. We got, you know, 44 new people into our program in January, which was absolute craziness. You know, I was the offensive coordinator at Oregon before and was going through the playoff run with them while also being the head coach of Kentucky, which is something I don't recommend any new head coach to do. But was was fortunate enough to have three unbelievable seasons with Dan out there at Oregon and now coming back home to my home state in Kentucky where my dad played, which is really special to me and building this thing, you know, in a different way, which is, it's been really fun, really exciting and our guys have bought in and have done a great job so far.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, I mean this is, it's an interesting situation that you're in as a guy that did play quarterback at Louisville and now you're at Kentucky. Now you've said that you wanted to play at Kentucky when you were growing up. That was a school that you want to play football for. Just so that we can look put Big Blue Nation at ease. Do you bleed blue or do you bleed red?

[Will Stein]

I. I bleed blue for sure.

[Big Cat]

1.

[PFT Commentator]

We should prove it.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

And then.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, we should prove that.

[IBM AI Representative]

Yeah. There's no doubt.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, definitely got to prove that.

[Caller]

But no.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, man. My dad played here in the early 80s and I grew up coming to Commonwealth Stadium like every Saturday that the Cats played here and would go to Rub arena on those like Tuesday night like 9pm tips. And yeah, I grew up a die hard Kentucky fan and wanted to come here up until about three months before my senior year was done in high school and ended up going to Louisville, which, you know, I can't say anything, you know, bad about my experience there. It was obviously really good, but it did feel so much at home to put the Kentucky colors back on in December. So fired up about this opportunity.

[PFT Commentator]

So you mentioned, like it's a unique way to build a team that you're going to have an opportunity to do what is, what's going to be different about how you're going to build this Kentucky team than maybe what they've seen in the past.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, I mean, I think we're just aggressive in recruiting. You know, like, I think if you want to like get these great players, like you just, you got to wake them up in the morning, you got to put them to bed at night, like you gotta constantly recruit. It is truly the lifeblood of our program. And the best teams I've been on, whether that's little league or high school football or college football, now had the best players. And so how do you do that? You got to be ultra aggressive. You have to develop real relationships with these players in the, in the age of nil and portal, where money does matter, it still goes back to just building these relationships with the players, with their families, with their agents, now with their coaches, everybody in their circle to where when they come on your campus two, three, four, five times, they feel at home. And then really the deal comes in after that. So we're, we're fishing with the big fish, you know, and, and not sitting back and waiting.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, the. So as you know, coach and people are listening. Maybe don't know. Our program, we, we judge acronyms, we judge sayings. You could tell a lot about a coach depending sayings are, you know, this is the. The Matt E. I'm a Bears fan. Matt Eber Flutes had had the hits which I knew right away. So stupid because I. I'm pretty sure the tea in it was. Was the ball which made no sense. But you have a saying that I have to say. I'm gonna tip my cap. I believe in it. It's feed the studs. Can you explain to us what feed the studs means on a day to day basis?

[Will Stein]

Yeah, for sure. I mean ultimately it means like players win games. You know, we have great scheme. I pride myself on having a great offense, great defense, great special teams now and everybody runs inside zone and four verticals. But it looks a lot better when you got good players doing it. So that's our job is to get our best players the ball as many times as possible. So it's not just like wide outs and running backs to me it's like we got a big left tackle named Lance Hurd. I'm so fired up to have on our team. And how do we get him out in space? You know, how do we get our defense. Defense playing relentless on that side of the ball with great pressure packages and allowing the best rushers to rush the passer and not just clicking out in coverage every single time. So it's really just a mantra. It's a mindset more than anything like get our guys the ball, get our players in positions to make plays.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, because you, I mean we do do something similar here at Barstool HQ in Chicago where on Sundays we feed our studs and that's just us getting like probably about thousand dollars worth of takeout and eat throughout all of NFL Sunday. So we're in on feed the stud.

[PFT Commentator]

Ice cream machine. Do you have an ice cream machine?

[Will Stein]

We don't. I just got like a margarita machine at home though, which is pretty, pretty legit. I definitely recommend that.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Stein]

But no, I mean what's the, what's the order for the guys? Is it like we just going straight like Buffalo Wild wings?

[Big Cat]

It's every, it's, it's basically, you know, if you're, if you are coaching a football game and you're. And you're talking about like leaning on them and the run game wearing them down. That's what we do with our food game. So it's like somewhere around 11 noon, kickoff central time, 11:30, they'll probably be wings, just like 100 wings. Then around 1 o' clock there'll be Some type of cheesesteak or something like that, sandwiches. Then we'll hit them with the pizza when they're not expecting it. That's about 2 o', clock, 2:30. And then we'll come over the top around 5 o' clock with some Chinese food. And that's pretty much every Sunday.

[PFT Commentator]

There's also one important step before the fourth quarter. The. The opening games on NFL Sunday. You know, you, you might put your fours up. I go to the ice cream machine. That's when I restock. That's when I get some dairy in me for health, for energy. And you burn that fat off in the fourth quarter? Yeah. When everybody else feeling down, I get an energy boost right there.

[Will Stein]

Is it like a fourth quarter song? Is like, jump around. Do we have anything going on?

[Big Cat]

No, I got two cranks. I. I just got. We just came in in possession of two different cranks. One from MLS team and then one from the. Brad waves. The. The sirens. So we're gonna start doing sirens.

[PFT Commentator]

We're gonna start cranking. Does Kentucky have anything like that before the game?

[Will Stein]

Well, that's what I'm in the mix of working through with our marketing team is like, how do we get this thing, like, rocking? So I got, I got a couple ideas for a walkout song, you know? You know, third down, I'm thinking like the Purge Siren. You guys know that one?

[Big Cat]

Like, oh, yeah, I like that.

[Will Stein]

Kind of creepy, you know, something different. So, you know, whenever people ask me that, I just like word vomit, what I'm thinking. And then our marketing team is probably right now just like going crazy, like pissed off that I'm just putting all this stuff out there. It's kind of funny, Coach.

[PFT Commentator]

We ask every guest that we have on our show and on Kentucky Sports Radio this question. If somebody broke into your house in the middle of the night and you were asleep and they held you down and tickled you for hours. No, no.

[Big Cat]

Five minutes.

[PFT Commentator]

Five minutes.

[Big Cat]

Five minutes.

[PFT Commentator]

And then left. Would you call the police?

[Big Cat]

Would you report it didn't do any other any harm or anything else.

[Will Stein]

Just tickle.

[Big Cat]

Just tickled you five minutes. Got up and left. Just walked away. Would you call the police?

[Will Stein]

I mean, I don't know if it'd be like an initial call. I think I'd have to report that person. Be a little creepy.

[PFT Commentator]

But listen, I just want to jump in and do some PR101 for you here. Can you imagine the headlines that would come out the next day?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

After you filed that police report, Kentucky head football coach held down and tickled the night, no injuries. Called the cops.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Will Stein]

That'd be a little soft, wouldn't it?

[Big Cat]

Yeah, I think you can't call.

[Will Stein]

Okay, all right. Yeah, I can. I can pivot. I can pivot. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Will Stein]

You got a growth, growth mindset right now. And I'll fix that thought. Yeah, for sure.

[PFT Commentator]

I love that.

[Will Stein]

No cops being called.

[PFT Commentator]

I think. I think your mentality should be like, if somebody breaks in our. We don't. We don't feel pressure. We apply it. You gotta tickle that guy first.

[Will Stein]

Tickle back.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, take it back.

[Big Cat]

Coach, are you. Are you going to continue this tradition, which I was just made aware of today, of Dan Lanning taking off his shirt before third down period? Every single week, every single practice that you guys did that, Are you gonna. Are you gonna start doing that? What is that? Why do you do that?

[Will Stein]

You know, I think it just. It started when it was cold outside, and, you know, it's kind of his deal of like, hey, it doesn't matter. I'm taking my shirt off. Like, you guys can act cold and have your hands in your pocket. I', not, you know, I'm like, I'm not the guy that's like, how tough can I be? And, like, brave the weather. I'm like, if it's cold out, I'mma put a jacket on. You know, if it's raining, I come put a rain jacket on. I. You can call me soft, you can call me the tickle guy, whatever. But, like, yeah, you know, I let Dan do that. I. I feel like if I do that and that goes on social media, I mean, that's. That's like. It's such like, a. A copycat deal. And it was good because one of our managers, kind of a heavier set kid, he was awesome. Mitch. Shout out Mitch. He'd rip off his shirt, too. So it's like Dan versus Mitch and this, like, shirt off contest on third down period. And it was. It was a lot of fun.

[Big Cat]

I do love that also, by the way, Coach, you don't have to tell us that, you know, you're a little soft. You literally just told us two minutes ago you'd call the cops if you got tickled for five minutes. Come on. That's crazy.

[Will Stein]

I mean, what do I think?

[Caller]

Golly.

[PFT Commentator]

Also, shout out Mitch. Catching some strays on Kentucky sports radio this morning.

[Big Cat]

No, I mean, but that. Actually, you needed. You needed to say that part because it was obviously like, part of the whole. Whole thing, but. Yeah, that's. That's very funny. That he would take off his shirt like that. I think he was just trying to show off his tattoos.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, he does have a lot of tattoos. I mean, not just his wife's, his face. But, you know, he would, like, he'd get some tattoos for, like, recruits. You know, they commit. He's like, I'm getting a tat of your name. And so he's got, like, names plastered all across his body of just, like, decor and more and all this stuff. It's hilarious.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Coach Kentucky, is it a football school or is it a basketball school?

[Will Stein]

All right, I'm gonna ask you this first. Pft. Jmu, Women's lacrosse school or football school?

[PFT Commentator]

Everything school. And you know that because you got to see it firsthand the second half.

[Will Stein]

You. And then I'm gonna ask you, Big cat, Wisconsin women's hockey school or football school?

[Big Cat]

Oh, women's hockey. We have a dynasty going.

[Caller]

We're the.

[Big Cat]

We're the greatest to ever do it. It's not even close.

[Will Stein]

Yeah, yeah. No, listen, I. I'm. I'm in the mindset. Like, I'm obviously the football coach. I want this to be the most elite program in the country, so that's my mindset. And I'm the biggest Kentucky basketball fan, too. Like, talking about growing up a UK basketball fan used to go to Tubby Smith basketball camp and play against, like, Tayshawn Prince and Keith Bogans and all these great players. And we come to UK football camp and see great players as well. Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, just to name a few. So I'm in the mindset, especially with our new athletic director, Jay Bat. Like, why can't we be good at both? You know? So I'm fired up to watch Kentucky basketball play. But I know one thing. We play our first game September 5th. I think it's, like, 79 days out if I'm right. So I'm fired. About. Fired up about Big Blue Nation being there and. And having an awesome season.

[PFT Commentator]

Have you heard about the SEC coaches group chat that goes down?

[Will Stein]

Yeah, I'm in it.

[PFT Commentator]

You're in it?

[Big Cat]

No, no, no. We're not talking about that one. We're talking about the one with Lane and Kirby.

[PFT Commentator]

The one where things get a little special one.

[Will Stein]

Oh, I have. Okay. Different chat. Yes.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

And you're talking about the one with the commissioner, and it's like, just a way to immediately let every coach know official SEC news. Yeah, we're talking about where there's. There's gifts and there's images and some questionable emojis. That get tossed out every now and again.

[Will Stein]

I've heard about some chats that, that are out there. You know, I may have seen a few chats myself, but, yeah, I think there's some, you know, guys have a good time, you know.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Will Stein]

You're gonna have any group chats? I mean, it's like, it's like the group chats with my buddies back home. I mean, it can get a little bit outrageous, you know?

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

You're gonna have to earn your stripes though, because we asked Lane when we were there's no doubt in Baton Rouge. He said he wouldn't let a first year head coach. We, as we. As far as we know right now, it's. It's Sark, Kirby, Lane, and then Drinkwitz.

[PFT Commentator]

I think drink is in it. Yeah, I think he can. He confirmed that to us.

[Will Stein]

So do you have to go, like, do yoga with him first? Like, are you guys in a chat now? So you guys.

[Big Cat]

We are.

[PFT Commentator]

We are in a group chat. It's a different group chat. Not to brag, but yeah. I would actually highly recommend doing yoga early in the morning with Lane Kiffin. It's a great way to wake up.

[Will Stein]

How was it? Was it like the intense cardio yoga or is it just like stretch?

[Big Cat]

It was crossfit. We had weights.

[Will Stein]

Oh, damn.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. And Lane looked at Zach and said, he doesn't have any fast twitch muscle. I was like, you didn't have to have us come to yoga to figure that out, Lane. We could have just told you on the phone.

[PFT Commentator]

Then they screamed at us.

[Will Stein]

How, like, is it amazing? Like a. Like a five pound weight? Feels like 45 pounds in your hand, you know?

[Big Cat]

Well, yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Well, here's the trick. So they told us to get like, I think they said get some 20 pound weights. And we went back to the weight rack and. And the 15 pounders looked exactly like the 20 pounder. So we said, yeah, we'll just grab those.

[Big Cat]

I yelled to the boys. I was like, hey, don't grab 20s.

[Will Stein]

No, no, absolutely not. And then how good it feels when you open up that door when it's all done. I mean.

[Big Cat]

Oh, the best. The best. Sounds like you're high.

[Will Stein]

That is like one of the best feelings. I've done it before. Like, I know. Pfd. You lived in Austin, right? I lived in Austin, did that, like core power yoga. My girlfriend at the time, now wife, like, we would go, I think we got like a month subscription or something or membership. And I felt like I was literally just going to pass out every single Time. I even just started it. And then there's people to my left on the right doing, like, headstands and some crazy stuff. I'm like, how is this possible?

[PFT Commentator]

And then, yeah, you walk outside into the Austin heat, and you get no relief whatsoever from the heat that you were just with a second ago. I. I was looking at your. Your resume. It is kind of interesting because you went from Texas, you were there with Coach Strong, and then you went to coach at Lake Travis High School. What was that like? Because some would say that Lake Travis is, you know, they. They kind of run their football program more like a. A college program than a lot of schools across the country. But what was it like coaching in high school then?

[Will Stein]

It was awesome. You know, I. I'd been in college football for five years as, like, a quality control and just really wanted to. To get my hands on calling plays. And so the Lake Travis job opened up, and I spent one year with Tom Herman in his first season at Texas. And then I was like, you know what? Let me go. I want to try this myself. So I interviewed for it and got the job, and a kid named Hudson Card was my quarterback. And then I had some receiver named Garrett Wilson, if you guys know him. He was my wide out. And so, I mean, it was, like, crazy, you know, designing plays and things for Garrett, who absolutely dominated high school competition.

[PFT Commentator]

And we.

[Will Stein]

We had a blast. You know, I learned a lot. Learned how to call plays. I learned how to, you know, be in a program like Lake Travis that had six state championships up to that point and really, you know, engross myself into their culture and try to lead a group of men that had been in that program coaching for, you know, 15 years. So I enjoyed it. I loved it. It allowed me to stay in Austin for two more years and end up getting married during that time. And so I would never take it back. Being a high school coach in Texas, it was awesome.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, I. I did not realize that you. That you worked for Coach Herman when you were at Texas, too, as a quality control guy. How instrumental were you in terms of hanging up the Longhorn football hydration charts above every urinal?

[Will Stein]

I don't know if I was really responsible for those, but it's funny how that hydration chart, like, got throughout all of college football. Like, you could go on facilities across America, and they have these, like, you know, intense hydration charts and basically call you every name in the book as. As dehydrated as you become. So it's funny, man. I think you guys should get One in your office, you know.

[Big Cat]

Oh, we have one.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, we hung it up. It was. It was just all. We were all bad guys. Yeah, we were the. The last one on the list.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

And I remember the. The second to lowest was blatant disregard for your teammates. You were headed to Area 51. What was Area 51 for? Having dark urine.

[Will Stein]

It was like the, you know, where the injured guys would go that were trying to get back on the field and, you know, they made it to where it was like complete hell going to Area 51. Like, if you had a sprained ankle, you'd go over there and do like a thousand bicep curls. You know, like, you couldn't even feel your arms any. So it was kind of the spot that would make you not want to be injured to get back on the field as fast as possible.

[PFT Commentator]

Gotcha.

[Big Cat]

Coach, we. We really appreciate you joining us. Now that we know that you're a listener, we'll have to have you on. Pardon my take as well, anytime you're in Chicago. But best of luck. We are rooting for you. That's literally all it takes is if you say that you like us, we are now going to be rooting for you forever. So thank you so much for joining us. And, you know, let's go. Let's go win the SEC this year.

[Will Stein]

Let's do it. Why not? Why not us? I appreciate you, Big Cat. Pft. Thanks for having me on.

[Big Cat]

Thanks. Thanks so much, coach. All right, we're going to take a break. We'll be back right after this.

[Commercial Narrator]

Kentucky Sports Radio On Deck is built to back small businesses like yours. Whether you're buying equipment, expanding your team, or bridging cash flow gaps, On Deck's loans up to $400,000 help make it happen fast. Rated A Plus by the Better Business Bureau and earning thousands of five star Trustpilot reviews, on Deck delivers funding you can count on. Apply in [e-mail] depending on certain loan attributes, your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All loans, an amount subject to lender approval.

[IBM AI Representative]

The thing about AI for business, it may not automatically fit the way your business works. At IBM, we've seen this firsthand. But by embedding AI across hr, IT and procurement processes, we've reduced costs by millions, slash repetitive tasks, and freed thousands of hours for strategic work. Now we're helping companies get smarter by putting AI where it actually pays off, deep in the work that moves the business. Let's create smarter business IBM if you're

[Shannon]

a QuickBooks customer looking to grow your

[Will Stein]

business without the growing pains you need the Intuit ERP upgrade to Intuit Enterprise Suite in a matter of hours. It's the AI native ERP from the makers of QuickBooks. Learn more [e-mail] ERP being there for

[Pharmaceutical Ad Voice]

those we love can be so hard for people with chronic migraine 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more. Botox Unabotulinum Toxinae prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine. It's not for those with 14 or fewer headache days a month. It Prevents on average 8 to 9 headache days a month versus 6 to 7 for placebo. Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Botox effects may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as trouble swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be signs of a life threatening condition. Those with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Side effects may include allergic reactions like rash, breathing problems, dizziness, neck and injection side pain and headache. Don't receive Botox if there's a skin infection. Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions like als, Myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton syndrome and medicines like botulinum toxins which may increase the risk of serious side effects. Why wait? Ask your doctor about Botox. Visit botoxchronicmigraine.com or call 1-844botox

[Big Cat]

all right, we're back. Kentucky Sports Radio. We got a quick ad. Shannon's helping us today. Shannon.

[Shannon]

Yes sir. Commonwealth Causes creating a better Kentucky by shining a spotlight on local charities and inspiring generosity across the state. Each you can join the fun while giving back. We got the Queen of Hearts raffle going on. You can also get in on the next ultimate Bourbon Collection raffle that's going to be on June 25th. And your ticket gives you the shot at $20,000 worth of bourbon and a share of the 10,000 Queen of Hearts pot. To date, Commonwealth Causes has donated nearly 650,000 to non profits right here in Kentucky. You can grab your tickets [e-mail] you can follow at kycause on social media. You can also download the app to play win and support with Commonwealth Causes. Back to you guys.

[Big Cat]

All right, we have a couple minutes here. Let's take a call real quick and then we will if we get cut off, we will come back with more calls after our next break. But let's go back to the phone lines.

[Shannon]

All right, let's go to Madison. Hey, Madison.

[Big Cat]

Madison.

[Caller]

Hey. Hey, guys. How you doing today?

[Big Cat]

Great, Madison. I was good until you called because I thought it was the chance of a really hot chick like Madison is one of those names that go either way.

[Shannon]

I know the feeling.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Caller]

You're wrong. You're wrong. I'll tell you that right now.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Yeah. I got two things for you. One is, would you consider. Would you still consider Mark Pope on the hot seat this year? Or if y' all changed your minds on that? And two.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Caller]

Well, go ahead.

[Big Cat]

No, no, give us that second one.

[Caller]

And then two. Do you think Knicks fans are happy now than they were 53 years ago when they won the title? What y' all's opinion on that?

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[PFT Commentator]

That's a good question.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, good question. Yeah, I think they're definitely happier. Thank you very much, Madison.

[PFT Commentator]

I think people are just maybe happier in general.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Now, it probably depends on who you're. Who you're talking about.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. No, in general, I would say societally.

[Caller]

No.

[PFT Commentator]

You think. You think that we're happier now as a society?

[Big Cat]

No, no.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[IBM AI Representative]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Happier in the past. But be the fact that it was 53 years and all this pent up, you know, in the. In the team was incredible and an incredible run. And also, like, what, in 70 and 73, how many games could you actually watch on TV?

[PFT Commentator]

So you know what? I might. I might actually disagree with my initial reaction, because when they won in 73, how long had it been since they had won before? Just a year or 2. Right.

[Big Cat]

3. 3 years.

[PFT Commentator]

So there you go. And now it's been so long. They might be happier now.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, no, they're definitely happier now. Yeah, I think so. And then the. Mark Pope is 100 on the Hot seat, and I. I'll tell you the fix right now. He needs to grow his hair out. I think. I think a bald coach. Listen, a bald coach, you can be a great bald coach, but you have to kind of win right away. You got to establish it right away. Like, Dan Hurley is a. Is. Is a bald guy who's great at coaching, but if he had gone a couple more years where things didn't go well at UConn, people would start asking questions. You got a great hairline, like Ben McCollum at Iowa. He's. He's got almost male pattern baldness right now. What'd he do? First year comes out and wins. So now everyone's like, hey, you know what? The bald thing that's not a big deal. I think people look at the bald and they say, hey, Mark Pope, you got to grow that hair up.

[PFT Commentator]

Well, especially because he's bald by choice.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[PFT Commentator]

Is the thing. It's like now if he, he could also grow the beard out, which would be a good. I know he did have that for a little bit, but, yeah, I would like to see him change something up. And plus, I think if you're the coach at Kentucky, you're always on the hot seat.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Always. Perpetual hot seat. And you got to be built for that. Now, I. I'm reading the tea leaves a little bit. I'm connecting the dots. I've got a theory, big cat, on what might happen next at the University of Kentucky.

[Big Cat]

Oh, tell me.

[PFT Commentator]

I'm gonna tell you after the break. Oh, tell you after the break.

[Big Cat]

Oh.

[PFT Commentator]

Because the more I look into this, the more I'm convinced that I'm right. And the more good friend of ours, a very good friend of ours, might not be very happy with what I'm about to say.

[Big Cat]

Okay, that's a hell of a teaser. Pardon my take, KSR Mark Pope, please grow out your hair. It will give you at least a year or two more on your hot seat. Your mild seat. Right now. I'm gonna say hot seat, but we're gonna come back. Last half hour Kentucky Sports Radio back right after this. TJ Smith, personal injury attorney.

[PFT Commentator]

Call tj.

[Shannon]

He'll make him pay. Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Big Cat]

All right, we're back, Kentucky Sports Radio. We got another ad from Shannon here who shout out Shannon for helping us out every year. I feel like Matt Jones goes to wherever he goes.

[PFT Commentator]

Davos.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, he goes to Davos or, or Aspen. And he's like, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna let my hardcore fans be mad at this program that that pardon my take puts on. And he leaves Shannon the front lines and he's like, shannon, you deal with it.

[Caller]

Thank you.

[Shannon]

Absolutely. I think he's in Ecuador. I got a text from him a couple of days ago. He's in Ecuador.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[PFT Commentator]

I mean, Julian Assange. Yeah. They're staying at the embassy there.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Okay, so you got an ad for it.

[Shannon]

Yes. This segment sponsored by our friends at Cornbread Hemp. They've got their new non alcohol, their first non infused drink. Cornbread Hemp Sprints Spritz Relaxing functional mocktail. Craft it with botanicals like lemon balm and passion flower to help you kick back and Unwind without the alcohol and no hangover. And you can get it at Liquor Barns, Cox's Evergreen Liquors, Total Wine Fresh market locations across Kentucky. Just go to cornbread hemp dot com. You can sign up with promo code KSR there and get 20% off your order. It's at cornbread hemp dot com. Back to you guys.

[Big Cat]

Shannon, can you describe to me the. The upgrades of Keeneland?

[Shannon]

I haven't been to Keeneland. I'm not a Lexington guy. I live in Louisville, so. Oh, I haven't. I haven't been there to even give you an update on that.

[Big Cat]

Got it.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Is it tough living in Louisville, being a. A Kentucky fan?

[Shannon]

A little bit, yeah. Because all the other guys are in Lexington. You know, they get to enjoy all the stuff that Lexington has to offer. And then I feel left out in Louisville just here by myself, you know,

[PFT Commentator]

like the Bloods and the Crips. Do you guys ever get together and say, hey, let's put us out of economy, Common enemy for a day?

[Shannon]

Yeah. Yeah, we have to do that sometimes. We. You know.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

It's just. That's. That's how it rolls.

[Big Cat]

Did you guys get Papa John back?

[Shannon]

Oh, you said you guys. I mean, the University of Louisville.

[Big Cat]

Sorry. Yeah, the city of Louisville. My bad. You're right. You're right. See you. You already confused me.

[IBM AI Representative]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

Don't let me in with those guys. Yeah, I think they did, because, I mean, they're getting a ton of nil money. Like, they're paying, like, 25, 30 million dollars, we're hearing, for the basketball team for Louisville.

[Big Cat]

I remember I. I'm. I'm a little bit involved with nil at Wisconsin, and Chucky Hepburn was a Badger. And then I. I thought he was coming back to Wisconsin, and then I got a call from one of my guys, like, yeah, he's going to Louisville. I was like, what do you, like, were he competitive? He's like, louisville's just dropping bags everywhere.

[Shannon]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's crazy. If they don't win a national title with this much money they've spent, then.

[Caller]

Ah.

[Big Cat]

I mean, I love, like, I love what you're doing, Shannon.

[Caller]

They have to win an ADD here.

[Commercial Narrator]

If.

[Big Cat]

If Louisville doesn't win a Natty in the next two years, I think you shut down the whole program.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

I think there's no point in having basketball at Louisville anymore because it'll be that big of a disappointment. That's what they're thinking at Louisville.

[PFT Commentator]

I mean, Kentucky should have reached out to Papa John. When they made him Persona non grata around that university.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

UK should have been like, hey, we'll take you in. We'll take your money. Yeah, it's green. It's not red or blue.

[Big Cat]

Should have. All right, pfd. You got. You got your. Yeah, I gotta connect the dot.

[PFT Commentator]

I got a theory here. So, yeah. Mark Pope firmly on the hot seat. You know, it's no secret that at Kentucky, you have a very high bar for success.

[Big Cat]

By the way, we should just say for people listening right now that might be upset about that, we take no pleasure in putting Mark Pope on the hot.

[PFT Commentator]

Great guy.

[Big Cat]

That's not something we want to do. We take the hot seat very, very seriously. And just so you know, like, if you're like, these guys don't know ball. We had Coach Cal on the hot seat before anyone else. And what ended up happening, he left. Did it take seven years after we put him on the hot seat? Initially, yes. We were never wrong. We're just early.

[PFT Commentator]

We had him there in 2016. We put him on the hot seat.

[Big Cat]

So Mark Pope on the hot seat.

[PFT Commentator]

And honestly, it's a compliment. He should. He should be thanking us because that's the expectation.

[Caller]

It.

[PFT Commentator]

I would be more concerned for Kentucky if Mark Pope wasn't on the hot seat right now.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

I would say that is a problem for the state.

[Big Cat]

That means you guys have gotten soft.

[PFT Commentator]

Exactly.

[Big Cat]

Like I'm talking Coach Will Stein calling the cops after being tickled for five minutes soft.

[PFT Commentator]

So Mark Pope on the hot seat. Let's just say, hypothetically, Big Cat things go. Don't go well this year. That's not what I'm rooting for. That's not what you're rooting for. That's not what Shannon's rooting for. That's not. Well, Shannon's a Louisville guy, so maybe that's not what the entire state of Kentucky is rooting for. You want. You want success for Mark Pope if it doesn't go your way? This year, he got that new athletic director, J Bat.

[Big Cat]

Jbat.

[PFT Commentator]

And J Bat gets results.

[Big Cat]

He does.

[PFT Commentator]

And one of the results that J Bat got previously in his career was when he was the deputy AD at the University of Alabama. Oh, when he hired Nate Oates be the head coach at Alabama. Do you think Nate Oates would be the very first call that J Bat would make week if he had to fire Mark Pope? I think so.

[Big Cat]

I think so, too. And by the way, we are. We are more than qualified to be having this conversation. I gave you our resume when it comes to our hot seat. And, and, and with Coach Cal, we also might have a family member of NATO's interning at Barstool HQ this year. So we, we, we have our, our hands everywhere in terms of the coaching carousel and what's going on. I think you're right.

[PFT Commentator]

I think that the first call, the very first call would be to Nate Oats.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Hey, let me ask you another question, Big Cat.

[Big Cat]

Well, no. The first call is always to Brad Stevens. Make him say no.

[PFT Commentator]

He has to say no.

[Big Cat]

So it's the second call, second goal.

[PFT Commentator]

Maybe they, maybe they patch in Nate Oats with Brad Stevens.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Hey, Brad just said no. Brad, you said no, right?

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Hey, hey, Coach Oats, real quick. We're just gonna get the formality out of the way. We have Brad on the call. He's gonna say no. That he's gonna hang up.

[PFT Commentator]

Yep.

[Caller]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

So let me ask you a follow up question here, Big Cat. What do the best race horses in the world eat?

[Big Cat]

Oh, oats.

[PFT Commentator]

Oats.

[Big Cat]

Oats. I actually don't know.

[PFT Commentator]

I think they eat. I'm pretty sure they might eat.

[Caller]

Maybe.

[PFT Commentator]

Probably drink some water.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Salt lick maybe. I don't know. But they. The bottom line is steroids.

[Big Cat]

If you're maybe by a guy with

[PFT Commentator]

white hair, a good horse. Yeah. I, I do think that Nate Oats is prob. I'm gonna say, you know what? Natos is going to be the next head coach at Kentucky.

[Big Cat]

Calling it right now.

[PFT Commentator]

Calling it right now.

[Big Cat]

2026.

[PFT Commentator]

Remember, hear me now, believe me later, it's going to happen.

[Big Cat]

And listen, we hope that Mark Pope does a great job. We hope that he, he. Mark Pope is. Gets off the hot seat, wins titles then walks off into the sunset. My job is done. Then they do NATO's. But yeah, it's going to be NATO.

[PFT Commentator]

It's going to be NATO. And listen, Nate Oats, he gets results. JBat knows that.

[Big Cat]

So we have the phone lines open. We want to talk to the callers some more. But also if you'd like to congratulate Nate Oats on taking the head coaching job of Kentucky, we will also accept. Congratulations on that. Shannon. Who do we have on?

[Shannon]

Let's go to Matt.

[Big Cat]

Matt.

[Caller]

Hey guys. It's an honor to be getting to talk to you guys. I'm a big fan. Huge fan.

[Big Cat]

Thank you, Matt.

[Caller]

I'm barefooted out my garden. Just got done meditating in beautiful Hyman Kentuck a holler and I, I got two questions. Do you know why they call it a Holler.

[Big Cat]

I don't.

[Caller]

No, no, you can holler all you want. Nobody gonna hear you.

[Big Cat]

Oh, I like that.

[Caller]

That's good.

[PFT Commentator]

That's good.

[Big Cat]

Okay. And.

[Caller]

And the second, the second one is which. Before we got Milan, you know, we were unranked. Can you name the five teams that started the season off unranked and won a national championship?

[Big Cat]

Oh, boy.

[PFT Commentator]

Oh, I don't. I don't know that I could give me a.

[Big Cat]

Give me a couple, like year, like decades.

[PFT Commentator]

There's probably gonna be some of the 80s.

[Caller]

Okay. Okay. Yeah. Two in the 80s. You got. I'll give you one. Villanova.

[Big Cat]

Yep. Villanova.

[Caller]

Yep.

[PFT Commentator]

NC State.

[Caller]

Kansas.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Caller]

Oh, Kansas.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Caller]

Syracuse.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Caller]

The.

[Big Cat]

The Carmel.

[Caller]

Florida.

[Big Cat]

Yep.

[Caller]

Yep. Florida. The first year when they did the back to back.

[Big Cat]

Yep.

[Caller]

You know, in 11 and Yukon.

[Big Cat]

Oh, Kevin Ollie. Or was it. Was it Dan Hurley's Yukon in 2023?

[Caller]

No, no, it was. It was at Ollie's.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, the Ollie year. All right. So Matt, did you. Now you said. Is it Hindman or Hyman Hindman?

[Caller]

H I N D A M. Hineman, Kentucky. Downtown Kentucky.

[Big Cat]

What's. What's going on there? So you're.

[Shannon]

So.

[Big Cat]

You're barefoot in your. Do you ever step on like a fire ants or anything? You worried about that?

[Caller]

That. No. My garden is like my. It's my paradise. I take such good care of it. I can walk around in this thing barefoot. I teal all day long barefooted. I love it. I love it. Have you ever. Have you ever just took your shoes off and. And just. Just walk around in the grass?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Does feel good. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Best gets you grounded to start the day.

[PFT Commentator]

Do you. What do you grow out there?

[Caller]

There? Yeah. Oh, I got sweet potatoes. I got Yukons. I. I got romaine lettuce. I've got onions. I just picked about eight heads of onions. I've got cabbage green green beans. I've got peas. I mean I've got anything. All kinds of tomatoes. We. I've. I was raised to grow a garden.

[Big Cat]

I love that.

[Caller]

That.

[Big Cat]

I love that. So. So Hindman only has 700 people. Like, have you lived there your whole life?

[Caller]

No, I grew up in Hazard. Hazard, Kentucky.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Caller]

But. But we've always had this pro. It's. This is like my. My parents home place and I built a house beside them. And. And it's just. It's. It's a secluded. I can just do whatever I want and nobody bothers me. And I love it. I love it.

[Big Cat]

I. I love it. I'm looking at it right Now, Hyman right now, and it's. It looks like a perfect little Appalachian town.

[PFT Commentator]

Sounds beautiful. Tell me about the gingerbread festival y' all got there.

[Caller]

Yeah, well, you know, we had a couple floods here. We're getting back to normal now, but it really. It really wiped us out there for a while. I. I was actually trapped in. Up in my holler for seven days. Couldn't get out when we had that flood. But. But the gingerbread's awesome. Gingerbread's out. The blooming onions, the gingerbread. Oh, so good. We usually have some good music, the bluegrass music. You know, everybody's friendly. It's nice.

[PFT Commentator]

Love that.

[Big Cat]

Love that. Well, thank you so much, Matt, for the call. Great talking to you. And sounds like you got that garden. It sounds like paradise.

[PFT Commentator]

Like you said, it does. Have fun in the holler.

[Caller]

All right, Thank y'. All.

[Big Cat]

All right. Thanks, Matt. All right, we're gonna take our last break. When we come back, we'll try to rip through the last of the phone calls. Kentucky sports Radio back right after this. Cash flow crunch on deck. Small business line of credit gives your business immediate access to funds up to $200,000 right when you need it. Cover seasonal dips, manage payroll, restock, tackle unexpected expenses without missing a beat. With flexible draws, transparent pricing, and control over repayment, get funded quickly and confidently. Apply [e-mail] funds could be available as soon as tomorrow. Depending on certain loan attributes, your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All owns an amount subject to lender approval.

[IBM AI Representative]

The thing about AI for business, it may not automatically fit the way your business works. At IBM, we've seen this firsthand. But by embedding AI across hr, IT and procurement processes, we've reduced costs by millions, slash repetitive tasks, and freed thousands of hours for strategic work. Now we're helping companies get smarter by putting AI where it actually pays off, deep in the work that moves the business. Let's create smarter business. IBM.

[Will Stein]

If data management is slowing down your business, you need the Intuit erp. If one entity is here and one here and one here and one here, you need the Intuit erp. If scaling your business feels like starting, starting, starting, starting over, you need the Intuit erp. Intuit Enterprise suite is the AI native ERP solution that consolidates, migrates, and automates all in one place. Learn [e-mail] ERP being there for those

[Pharmaceutical Ad Voice]

we love can be so hard. For people with chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month each lasting four hours or more. Botox Unabatulinum toxinae prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine. It's not for those with 14 or fewer headache days a month. It prevents on average eight to nine headache days a month versus six to seven for placebo. Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Botox effects may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as trouble swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be signs of a life threatening condition. Those with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Side effects may include allergic reactions like rash, breathing problems, dizziness, neck and injection side pain and headache. Don't receive Botox if there's a skin infection. Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions like als, Myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton syndrome and medicines like botulin vitamin toxins which may increase the risk of serious side effects. Why wait? Ask your doctor about Botox. Visit botoxchronicmigraine.com or call 1-844botox all right, we're back.

[Big Cat]

Kentucky Sports Radio Shannon has one last read and then we'll try to rip through as many calls as we can get.

[Shannon]

Yeah, pft. Maybe you want some new sunglasses. You can get them in Kentucky at Shady Rays. Basically these are the same quality as those expensive sunglasses that you can get anywhere else but for the fraction of the cost. And if you lose or break them, every pair is backed by their broken or lost protection plan that they have. So make sure you check them [e-mail] use the promo code KSR. When you do that, you're going to save 30% off all polarized sunglasses. They have over 300,000 five star reviews at Shady Rays in Louisville and in Lexington and [e-mail] back to you guys.

[Big Cat]

All right, let's get back to the phone calls, as many as we can get to in the last five minutes here.

[Shannon]

Let's go to Mike. Go ahead Mike.

[Big Cat]

Mike.

[Caller]

Well finally get to talk to you guys. I'm sure whatever. Self aggrandized anything vacation Matt Jones, very befitting that he's entrusted this radio show to two despondent Yankees. I also have a bone to pick with you, Shannon. And I thought you weren't much of a liberal, but it seems like you've embraced their natural casting off of the natural order. You would think that phone calls would go in the chronological order but I've been on hold.

[Shannon]

No, we usually take hours. Yeah, well you see we take calls Based on the most entertaining callers. And you were like the last one, so that's why you're on at the end of the show.

[Caller]

Oh, yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Respondents. One of them. Ten dollar words. I know who you're calling a Yankee. I'm from Northern Virginia, the heart of the South.

[Big Cat]

You gotcha.

[Shannon]

Anyway, let's go to Peanut. Hey, Peanut.

[Caller]

How's it going, guys?

[PFT Commentator]

Hey, Peanut.

[Big Cat]

Hey, what's up, Peanut?

[Caller]

I must be less interesting than that guy.

[Shannon]

Well, you've only been on hold for like 10 minutes, so.

[Caller]

Yeah, you're right, you're right.

[Big Cat]

What's up, Peanut?

[Caller]

No, but anyway, I was gonna tell you guys, you know, JPAT or JPAT, right? You said one letter word name. They called me when I went to prison and uh, I was a little short, chubby fella and they wouldn't pick me to play basketball. But one time I got the ball first and made the shot so I could pick team. And then I was balling out. So they called me tmap. And my name's really.

[Shannon]

You gotta work on your phone connection there, Peanut.

[PFT Commentator]

Tmac. But you already got Peanut. Peanut is also just one letter and then the name.

[Caller]

Yeah, yeah. It could be P, hyphen, N, U T or P, E, A, N U T sometimes.

[PFT Commentator]

Why they call you Peanut?

[Caller]

When high school, I had a little Honda Civic, it was brown and they said it was the Peanut. And then after I blew it up, my buddy said, your Peanut now. I said, it'll never last. It's been 35 years.

[Big Cat]

So I love it. I love it. What's on your mind, Peanut?

[Caller]

I'm happy about the new ad. And I think you're. You could be right about the hair on Pope. If he would grow his hair out, maybe he would get another year or two.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah, you're right. Listen, the, the hair is a big deal. It's. You can't be like shaving your head like that. Yeah, it's disrespectful already. Yeah. All right, so he's good. All right, let's go to the next call. Thank you, Peanut.

[Shannon]

All right, let's go to Austin.

[Big Cat]

Austin, what's up, man?

[Caller]

Hey, man. Austin here from Lexington, Kentucky. I just want to know your guys thoughts on Kentucky hosting a college football game. Not this season, but next season. I'm that bought in on Will Stein.

[Big Cat]

Oh, a playoff game you're talking about?

[Caller]

Oh, yeah, 100.

[PFT Commentator]

Listen, I'm in.

[Big Cat]

I. I'm in. Yeah. I mean, the SEC and the Big Ten feel like they're always going to get Four, maybe five teams in, especially if they expand the playoffs some more. So it's not like you have to win the sec. You just got to be really. You know, you got to be good enough in the sec. I'm in. I like it.

[PFT Commentator]

I'm in. On just for the. The sheer fact that he likes us.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

So, yeah, I. I'd say national championship within five years.

[Big Cat]

Yes. All right, thank you, Austin.

[Shannon]

All right, let's go to Thomas.

[Big Cat]

Thomas.

[Caller]

Hey there. I just got two quick questions I want your opinion on first. Now that Matt's got a big mansion in a fancy neighborhood, you think he's gonna finally spend some money on his co host when they go on the road trips, get a real bed.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commentator]

Yeah. Are they sharing beds? Are they sharing beds?

[Shannon]

Hey, we have to sleep in, like, Airbnbs, and I end up, like, in the kids bed.

[Caller]

Oh, my.

[Shannon]

The prince's bed.

[Big Cat]

Our guys never do that.

[Caller]

We.

[Big Cat]

We take care of our guys. Matt Jones. Oh, man, that is sad. And you're living in your. Your big mansion all by yourself, and you're. You're making your guys shack up together. That's sad.

[PFT Commentator]

It is sad. And you know what? He'd probably be happier if he was hanging with you guys. Is that why he breaks in the middle of the night and tickles you, Shannon?

[Shannon]

Well, we weren't going to talk about that, but, yeah, maybe that's the reason, I think. Yeah. Something. Let's go to Po. Next.

[Big Cat]

Po.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. First time listening to y', all, and I have no problems with you. You were put on a good show. But I see why jumped out last year because, yeah, some of the things you say you started out talking about. And we love all Cal Perry's boys, and they were cats, but it's Kentucky and Calipera could have never recruited like that on any other stage.

[Big Cat]

Wow.

[Caller]

For instance, let me. Let me just give you an example here. Yeah, some. Some teams, let's say Ran Rondo at point, Rex Chapman at the 2, Jamal Maximus at the 3. If you count on Kip at the 4, he signed with Kentucky. If not, Kenny Walker. And then Dan is what, the five? And then there's so many people you can put in there, too. Reserves Tony Dill, Jody Meeks, you could go way. And the old school players that I didn't really see, but they were great players. We would stomp those guys because they stayed for a while. And I would take experience over potential any day of the week. All those freshmen. And do you know how many times we were ranked in top one or two or four under Cal and underachieved a lot.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Thank you guys for the call and thank you guys for today.

[Big Cat]

I appreciate you very much. I. I would push back a little, saying that Cal is. He's done pretty well everywhere he's gone, so he might be able to recruit everywhere. But, yeah, Kentucky, listen, they're a blue blood for a reason. I want them to be good again. College basketball is better when Kentucky's good, but yeah, so. So that's our show. Thank you everyone for tuning in, especially people who don't know who we are. We love doing this. I think we've done it like eight of the last nine years. And we love talking to the great people of Kentucky. We love your state. I said at the start, Keeneland is my favorite place in the whole world to watch a horse race. And Lexington's an incredible place. And thank you guys for listening and calling in. And shout out Andy.

[PFT Commentator]

Shout out Andy. And shout out Po. I like that compliment from Poe. He's like, I didn't know who you guys were. I got no problems with you except

[Big Cat]

for the like that we got jumped

[PFT Commentator]

last year, but I had no problems.

[Big Cat]

No problems with you. But thank you again to Matt, Shannon, everyone, and we'll see you next year. And listen, I don't want to say we told you so, but when we talk next year might be pope on the mega hot seat.

[PFT Commentator]

We might have NATO. It's on the program.

[Big Cat]

You might have NATO's. All right. Thank you, everyone. Have a great day.

[Commercial Narrator]

Ondeck is built to back small businesses like yours. Whether you're buying equipment, expanding your team, or bridging cash flow gaps, Ondeck's loans up to $400,000 help make it happen fast. Rated A by the Better Business Bureau and earning thousands of five star Trustpilot reviews, OnDeck delivers funding you can count on. Apply in [e-mail] depending on certain loan attributes, your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All loans, an amount subject to lender approval.

[Big Cat]

Did you ever notice how you spend spend hours shopping online only to pause at checkout because you wonder if you

[IBM AI Representative]

trust it enough to hit buy now.

[Big Cat]

Agentic Commerce is testing that moment more than ever. That's where PayPal comes in. With 25 years of checkouts, 400 million consumer accounts globally, and the benefit of fraud protection. So no matter where a purchase starts,

[IBM AI Representative]

it ends with trust.

[Big Cat]

Built for payments growth and agentic. PayPal open built for all business visit

[IBM AI Representative]

paypalopen.com hey Imani here.

[PFT Commentator]

As I told y' all before, Bemzelics

[Big Cat]

made a difference for me.

[PFT Commentator]

After years of painful symptoms searching for

[Big Cat]

the right treatment, I can finally start

[Pharmaceutical Ad Voice]

to say I'm back to fewer HS symptoms.

[Big Cat]

If you're still looking for a treatment that works for you, it might be

[PFT Commentator]

a good idea to ask your dermatologist about Bimzelics.

[Commercial Narrator]

Visit bimzelics.com to learn more.

[Pharmaceutical Ad Voice]

That's bim z e l x.com if

[PFT Commentator]

you want all of your data in

[Big Cat]

one place, if you want a single home for all of your entities, if you want to spend more time working and less time searching, you need the Intuit erp. I know because I'm Damon John and I run my growing business on Intuit Enterprise Suite, the AI Native erp. That that's powerful, painless, and proven. Learn more at intuit.com erp.