The Bobby Bones Show: 25W - Most Memorable Conversations from 2025 PT1

Date: December 25, 2025
Podcast: 25 Whistles by Bobby Bones

Episode Overview

This special edition of "25 Whistles" hosted by Bobby Bones takes a retrospective look at some of the most engaging and memorable interviews from 2025. The episode spotlights conversations with top coaches and athletes, including Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire, Vanderbilt QB and Heisman finalist Diego Pavia, Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck, and Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes. Each segment dives into candid stories, leadership insights, and unique behind-the-scenes details from college sports' evolving landscape.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Joey McGuire – Texas Tech Head Football Coach

[03:45 – 06:27]

On Player Development and NFL Preparation

• McGuire emphasizes dual priorities for his players: "Number one, you're coming here to get a great education. 1B, you’re preparing yourself to be a pro… at what you do." – Joey McGuire [03:57]
• Details are given about instilling professionalism, teaching players how to watch film, and prioritizing health:

  "A lot of guys in the NFL are still in the NFL because they can stay healthy... we spent a lot of time with [them] on that." [04:46]

• McGuire sees team health habits as essential to players’ long-term careers.

Leadership & Team Culture

• McGuire distinguishes how player leadership shifts each year:

  "This is a player-led team... I can send out one text to my leadership group... it's going to get taken care of." [06:05]

• Reveals that three captains returned, but strong newcomers were also incorporated into the leadership structure.

2. Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt QB, 2025 Heisman Finalist

[06:27 – 25:21]

Academic and Athletic Balance at Vanderbilt

• On the challenge of transferring and academics:

  "I was taking 21 credits, working out two, three times a day... but it was all online, so that was cool." – Diego Pavia [07:17]

• On Vanderbilt’s student body:

  "You meet a lot of interesting kids... someone whose parents are high up or they own real estate in Nashville." [07:52]

Choosing Vanderbilt & the Transfer Process

• Describes following several coaches and players from New Mexico State to Vandy:

  "They took like four of our players... once Coach Kill went to Vanderbilt, that's when I was like, okay, I’m bought in." [08:44]

• Insisted on a fair, open quarterback competition:

  "I told 'em, I'll come if you promise me it's a 50-50 shot and the better person will play." [09:26]

Facilities: JUCO to SEC

• Contrasts his journey:
  • JUCO: "We worked out in a tent... squat racks on concrete... sounds like prison, I'll be honest." – Bobby Bones [12:29–12:55]
  • Vandy: "They're serving steak and chicken every day... desserts are great too. Chefs always cooking, snacks from wall to wall." [14:06]
• Includes a funny story: his sister stashing snacks in her bag during a Vandy visit. [14:49]

On Motivation and Mindset

• Regarding leadership:

  "I'm not going to go out without a fight... I want to win more than anything else in life. This is all I know." [11:30]

• Game-day hype:

  "I'm hyped, I'm jumping up and down... sometimes your energy is too high, you start to yawn and try to hide it." [11:59]

• High school setbacks and JUCO detour: Forced to play JV as a junior due to transfer rules, then missed half his senior season to injury. [16:00–17:16]
• Recruiting obstacles:

  "No one wanted a 5’10”, 5’11” quarterback... they didn't believe in me." [17:24]

• How he caught attention: Changed Twitter location from New Mexico to Tampa, Florida. "Once I switched, literally a week after I started getting offers." [18:52]

Mentoring & Coach Relationships

• Coach Jerry Kill had the biggest impact:

  "He's never lied to me... Once I stopped turning the ball over and got better in my reads, he put me back in the starting lineup.” [20:08]

College Football Games & Tech

• On stadium differences:

  "Auburn’s depth perception is different from Kentucky’s — just goes up higher on the walls." [21:30–21:49]

• On video games: Enjoys using video games for fun but sees limits in how well they simulate real football. [22:29]

NFL Aspirations

• "They can't tell the Heisman winner that he can't get drafted." [23:48]

• Notes that shorter QBs have succeeded: “I actually know more quarterbacks over six foot one who have played... less well than people under six foot.” [24:00]

Defensive Insights & Final Fun

• Asks defensive-minded Coach Lee a lot of questions:

  “We see NFL coverages all day... it’s just way different.” [24:20]

3. PJ Fleck – Minnesota Head Football Coach

[28:41 – 32:34]

On Analytics, AI, and the Human Element

• AI and analytics are critical, but:

  “Our product is people. Apple’s product is the iPhone... When you’re dealing in a world where the product is 18-22-year-olds, there’s still a sense of the human part of it.” – PJ Fleck [29:17]

• Football’s unpredictability means you must account for injuries, player intangibles, and the specific context of each game.

PJ Fleck’s Love of Music

• Praises the new Las Vegas Sphere:

  "It is the greatest entertainment spectacle in the world... You’re immersed in the experience... It's the only concert I’ve ever been to where I never looked at the stage." [31:44]

• Talks about taking his staff to see Bruce Springsteen, country acts, and connecting with other coaches at Kenny Chesney’s show.

4. Rick Barnes – Tennessee Head Basketball Coach

[32:39 – 47:24]

Reputation and Transition to Tennessee

• Bobby shares an anonymous SEC official’s praise:

  “Tremendous man on and off the court... Rick and I have a great relationship.” [33:42]

• On wardrobe switch after moving from Texas to Tennessee:

  “Once I... the colors change... I've always said, hey, come get what you want, getting ready to get a new wardrobe.” [34:35]

Building the Tennessee Program & Home Arena

• Tennessee has developed a thunderous fan base and one of the most intimidating home environments:

  “We’re the only programs in the country that sell out women’s softball, baseball, football, and basketball... I've had people tell me how hard it is to come in here and play." [35:30]

Loudest Arenas & Game Atmosphere

• Recalls legendary venues: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State), Reynolds Coliseum (NC State), and more. [36:45]
• Contrasts various SEC and Big 12 arena dynamics, noting a trend toward smaller but louder arenas.

On Referees and Game Management

• Shares a memory:

  “Timmy Higgins one night... comes by me, I just yelled out ‘Timmy’, he turns around, T’d me up... my foot was half an inch out of the box.” [39:00]

• Coach prefers referees who know when to manage vs. strictly enforce rules, and he expresses respect for officiating as a difficult and underappreciated profession. [41:00]

Locker Room Humor

• Hilarious anecdote: A fart machine was planted at a Texas press conference, targeting a reporter:

  "If you want me to get up, I'll walk in my locker and get that machine." [42:58]

Coaching Kevin Durant

• Durant’s work ethic and talent:

  "He’s the hardest worker... maybe the hardest worker we’ve ever coached... He just loves being in the gym and he still does even today.” [43:18]

• Recalls Durant’s game-changing performances and NBA readiness as a freshman.
• Favorite anecdote: A Kansas game where Durant was “unstoppable,” with coach Bill Self and Danny Manning in awe:

  “Danny [Manning] told me Bill looked at him and said, ‘Bill, that’s a bad mother—’ but he gave it to him any and every way you could.” [46:24]

Notable Quotes

• Joey McGuire:
  “Number one, you’re coming here to get a great education. 1B, you’re preparing yourself to be a pro.” [03:57]

• Diego Pavia:
  “Once Coach Kill went to Vanderbilt, that’s when I was like, okay, I’m bought in.” [08:53]
  “No one wanted a 5’10”, 5’11” quarterback… They didn’t believe in me.” [17:24]
  “They can’t tell the Heisman winner that he can’t get drafted.” [23:48]

• PJ Fleck:
  “Our product is people. Apple’s product is the iPhone… there’s still a sense of the human part of it.” [29:17]
  On the Vegas Sphere: “It is the greatest entertainment spectacle in the world… You’re immersed in the experience.” [31:44]

• Rick Barnes:
  “I've always said, hey come get what you want…it’s all here, getting ready to get a new wardrobe.” [34:35]
  “We’ve had people tell us this is as hard a place to play as anywhere in the country.” [35:30]
  On Kevin Durant: “He’s as hard a worker—maybe the hardest worker—we’ve ever coached… He just loves the game of basketball.” [43:18]
  “Danny [Manning] told me Bill [Self] looked at him and said, ‘Bill, that’s a bad mother—’ but he gave it to him any and every way you could.” [46:24]

Memorable Moments

• Diego Pavia hustling snacks out of Vanderbilt’s athlete lounge (and his sister stuffing her bag with treats) [14:49]
• PJ Fleck “fangirling” over Kenny Chesney and sharing a transcendent Vegas Sphere experience [31:44]
• Rick Barnes’ use of a fart machine during a press conference, and his willingness to “still do that stuff” [42:58]
• Humorous banter about playing JUCO football in a tent (Bobby: “Sounds like prison!”) [12:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Joey McGuire: 03:41 – 06:27
• Diego Pavia: 06:27 – 25:21
• PJ Fleck: 28:41 – 32:34
• Rick Barnes: 32:39 – 47:24

Conclusion

This “best of 2025” episode of 25 Whistles offers both hardcore and casual fans a fast, insightful tour through collegiate sports’ most human and humorous stories—from the grind of academic-athletic balance, through the evolution of coaching and analytics, to the larger-than-life personalities who shape the games. Whether you’re laughing about fart machines in pressers, craving Vandy’s endless protein shakes, or admiring the heart of a Heisman finalist, this roundup is rich with candid, unforgettable moments and genuine sports wisdom.