It's gonna be May, WKU Summer update

This week, Devin Stewart is joined by “Mad” Matt McCay, resident writer and analyst, and Gemonee Brown, WKU Alumni, Former Defensive Lineman, and Business Tycoon, as we bring you the longest-running podcast following WKU athletics. 

On the latest episode, we update WKU fans on Baseball, Softball, Lady Topper and Men’s Basketball updates, and Football talk with Gemonee Brown.

 

Episode Transcript

Devin Stewart (00:02):
Welcome into another redout podcast my name is Devin. We got Matt in. We got G money, brown, former hilltopper, defensive lineman. How's it going? Guys?

GeMonee Brown (00:12):
Good, good.

Matthew McCay (00:13):
Pretty good man.

Devin Stewart (00:14):
Good. Good! Alright! Let's we'll get into this here in just a second G. Money for the people who don't know you. You wanna do a little introduction real quick.

GeMonee Brown (00:25):
Yeah. So G. Money, brown
play deficit tackle for Western in a 2014 and 2015 season. So 2 years.
it's my first 2 years in Junior college, graduated
undergrad of 2,015, and got my Mba. In 2,017 and
part of first

(00:46):
Conference championship team at 2015 and had a great time.

Devin Stewart (00:51):
And so, hey, that
I was. I was there like Van Walter, so I was there from O. 6 to 11,
so I missed you by a few years, but hey, that's alright. Course, Matt was able to fill in some of those Gap years, so I guess he got to get to work with you, one on one there. So Matt.

Matthew McCay (01:10):
I was like a like a semester.
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (01:15):
It's the account.

Devin Stewart (01:15):
All good. That's right. It still counts.

Matthew McCay (01:18):
Yeah, we're.

Devin Stewart (01:20):
So we've got a lot to update here. Matt. I'll let you just take over as far as updates go, because it's a long list of stuff to talk about.

Matthew McCay (01:30):
Yes, sir. So yeah, I'm just gonna run straight through. It's been a month since we talk. So just gonna kind of hit some of the highlights. If I miss something whenever you'll point it out, because I was trying to put the list together, but just we'll just run straight through it, and then we can comment on it. So
Just randomly starting here, not picking any favorites or whatever. Katie, I send Barger from the track team, also known from her time as a volleyball player. She she keeps setting and resetting school records in the high jump. She's actually third in the Ncaa. This season, as far as I know. She may have dropped down a spot or 2 as far as that personal record. But she keeps like resetting the bar. So she's a legitimate

(02:15):
national title contender in the high jump. And then, Katie Craig and golf. First of all our our
women's and men's golf teams have been much improve. But individually, Katie Craig finished in the top 5 like a billion times this year, and so had a really nice season. She didn't end up winning the individual Conference, U.S.A. Crown, but has had a really good season.

(02:38):
And then Luke Fuller
somewhat came out of nowhere in men's golf.
And for the first time since 2,006
we won the individual Crown for for the conference. So he actually finished first place and won the
the Conference, U.S.A. Championship individually.

(03:00):
and then, of course, some updates on men's and women's basketball. Obviously. Some of our main mainstream sports but just to kind of give you all an update on what's been going on
the lady toppers. Have been have been working. They have

(03:21):
signed.
I'll need to update that. I've got it at 6. They've got 7 players. That they have signed. They're all forwards
taller than 6 feet tall, so they're obviously got a theme. They're trying to get bigger, trying to compete with Liberty and Mtsu. So this is definitely a as long as this stays kind of where it's at. Then these players actually show up.

(03:45):
We're gonna have one of the tallest things we've had in recent memory. Problem is, Alexis Mead is in the portal and not sure about Teresa Faustino, if she has any eligibility I've been trying to figure out if she has any eligibility. If anybody knows, let us know but
I don't know what guards are. Gonna bring the ball down the court, but we'll see about that one but they've been doing some work and have definitely brought in some size.

(04:12):
So interested to see how the lady toppers pan out next year. And we'll continue to update. We've got a roster tracker that we are tracking daily as much as we can. What's going on with the lady tops as well as basketball and football. So men's basketball. Obviously the major news since

(04:34):
we had had the podcast was Hank Plona has been hired as men's basketball coach. If you've been living under a rock, or maybe you maybe you don't follow wk, that might be the only reason that you don't know but he has been hired as the men's basketball coach. He was an assistant on the team and has a really nice resume. Resume in the Junco ranks. Had a 87% winning percentage

(05:01):
as a Juno coach. So
obviously. Hopefully, he has the pedigree to continue doing what coach let's did in just one year. And it gives us some continuity, and as you look at the roster tracker, you can kind of see that. It's really helped. In the year of or in the in the timeframe or the time period of

(05:22):
nil transfer portal and all that crazy stuff.
we have potentially right now 9 returning scholarship players.
and then 3 walk ons that we believe all plan on being on the team.
And then we have signed the tops. Have signed
3 players as well, only 3 players are in the transfer portal. Bj, mirrible just entered within the last couple of days, and then Dante Allen and Brandon Newman are in the the portal. They do have eligibility, and we don't know, as far as I know, we don't know of any place that they've landed, or if they're gonna stay or what. So it's possible that we could have 11 scholarship players return

(06:09):
and the balcon. So we'll see. It seems like somebody has to go there. But it is interesting to to know that there's gonna be some continuity with the basketball program. It's already past the time that they can get into the portal. Actually, it's it ends, I think, tonight. So unless they announce like within the next few hours

(06:31):
on May first we're
we're pretty good. So sitting pretty there. So
other than that. Oh, yeah. The
the softball team. You know. Obviously, we're in the spring. Both diamond topper squads are having really nice season. Debu softball is 29 and 18 overall right now 14 and 7 in Conference, U.S.A. And sitting. In second place.

(06:59):
so they're having a heck of a year. They had 800 and something people at the softball complex. They had the whole stands filled up, and then they had the parking garage with people like hanging out on each level. It was crazy.

Devin Stewart (07:12):
But is pretty wild.

Matthew McCay (07:13):
Yeah. So that was when they played Uk. Unfortunately, Uk trounstom. But anyway, whatever they run rolled them. But hey, go tops! We had some fans there, but anyway, and Uk, of course, is the top 25 team. So it wasn't a shocker that they had a good game, but really having a nice year and sitting, in second place, looking like a real contender to win Conference U.S.A. Championship. And then, the baseball team

(07:41):
has had an incredible year 31 and 14 overall
13 and 5, and Conference, U.S.A. They they have a winning record against the top. 100 top 100 in the Rpi. Just a really good season sitting in first or second place, depend on how you look at it.
percentage wise they're in first, but they have one more lost in second.

(08:02):
whatever. But
I mean it. It's been an incredible season. They had some really nice moments. They
seems like every week or 2 they're setting some kind of new
press it in that hasn't happened in 20 years, or ever, or whatever. And so we believe, as far as we know, that it was the first when they beat Dallas Baptist. It was the first ever series. Win against the top 10 opponent in program history. You know, we haven't been near the top

(08:35):
in baseball, in commerce, U.S.A. And it's been a while since we were near the top.
even when we're in the sunbell. So just an incredible time like overall, you see, all these accomplishments and everything on the hill. It's it's been a long time since everything was
pretty good to great, and so just a Testament to

(08:57):
wk overall right now. How well we're doing
so.

Devin Stewart (09:00):
So do you? So do you think that? I think, or at least in my opinion, I think we got spared a rebuilding year in basketball this past year with coach bloods.
Is this a rebuilding year, or
what do you think the chances are? Insurance Guy? Having a rebuilding year, or just jumping right in there and going back into it again.

Matthew McCay (09:21):
Well, you know, losing the coaches hot liability.
no
Sorry. That was terrible.

Devin Stewart (09:31):
Like a good neighbor. Matt's there.

Matthew McCay (09:37):
Lord, but it, hey? By the way, safeguard kind of sounds like State Farm on the phone. So everybody thinks I say, State farm. I'm like no safeguard.

Devin Stewart (09:46):
Oh, okay, and you are wearing the red shirt. But that's a state farm. So yeah.

Matthew McCay (09:50):
That's true. Yeah. But anyway.

Devin Stewart (09:52):
Play for him.

Matthew McCay (09:56):
But anyway no, I mean honestly like
you have the same. A lot of the same staff, you know. Let's may take a one or 2 staff members, or whatever still, but most likely it seems like most of them are staying
and you know, Plona was like a huge part, if you kinda observed what was going on on the bench and everything.

(10:17):
I mean. He was seriously involved, and the players clearly love him because
it's been. You keep waiting for everybody to just announce they're leaving.
and nobody's done anything. They're all pretty rock solid except the guys that kind of make sense to shop and and some of them that you think like this guy. Probably

(10:37):
I was not gonna stick around, and it seems like people are.

Devin Stewart (10:40):
Good.

Matthew McCay (10:42):
I mean, I think like why, the heck, can they not, you know, add a couple of pieces they need, and let's let's run it back and see if we can make a run.

Devin Stewart (10:51):
It'd be nice Jean. Money. What do you think about basketball? Do you watch any basketball this past year?

GeMonee Brown (10:56):
Did. I did.
You know also great season going to the tournament.
The
I I think postpona do really well
of.
and it's one of those things
when I, when
going back here.
going back to football to talk about basketball

(11:16):
when Jeff Brom left Coast Brom to suspect on his name. When Coast Brom left I was really hoping that they would have hired Nicole or Tyson Hilton.
cause when you're in those systems, you know
you usually hire people who align with you and believe in the same things

(11:37):
in a
if I didn't know coach, you know, looks very well.
or cost plona. But
the the fact that he was his guy
I think he's gonna keep a lot of the same stuff going.
There will be some tweaks, I believe you know, obviously cause everybody's their own person. But
he's a part of that staff, for a reason.

(11:58):
and he's gonna have some assigned things in place that that they had good says, you know our first time determine what was it? 1010, 11 years.

Matthew McCay (12:08):
Yeah. 11 seasons.

GeMonee Brown (12:10):
Yeah. So I think it's gonna do. Well.
because he comes from that that coaching tree, you know. He he see all the time, and I'm not comparing looks to Nick saving when I say this. But all all those guys who leave saving, you know, they never got their own style. But you know a lot of time. Those guys go places and and they're successful.
That's cause they're from that tree, you know. You take the good and you keep it, and some things that's not really your style. You tweak it

(12:36):
so yeah, but they do. Well.

Devin Stewart (12:38):
So you brought up Nick Sabin, which actually reminded me of another story. With John Cali uk going to Arkansas.
Okay? So here's the. This is the fun part for me. So not a big Uk fan. Not a real Dallas cowboys fan either.
but the

(13:00):
so John Cal Perry goes to Arkansas, and then Kenny Payne goes to Arkansas, and then they had a in a L. Booster who stepped up and said, If any kids are gonna go to Uk.
Think about going to Arkansas, and I'll match your NIL,
okay, that donor is Jerry Jones.

(13:22):
This is funny for me, because my dad is both a Uk fan and a Dallas cowboys fan.

GeMonee Brown (13:29):
Oh!

Devin Stewart (13:29):
So so the Dallas cowboys have now turned north, Vader for my father. And he's like, Okay, and I'm like, Yeah, Okay.
you boys just screwing everything up for you over there, isn't he?
But, anyway.

GeMonee Brown (13:43):
Like 5 years.

Devin Stewart (13:45):
Yeah. Oh, my gosh, yeah, I didn't realize Jerry Jones was an Arkansas razorback.

GeMonee Brown (13:49):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (13:50):
Back. Yeah, back in the day he played football there, I had no idea
but
So anyway, yeah, that was just the quick aside. I I had heard that story a few weeks back, and I just thought it was really funny as far as Coach Polona, as far as Coach Pona goes. I feel like, I've heard some people make some analogies between and this doesn't necessarily apply for some things, but like Patrino Brom, and then let's Plona.

(14:17):
because you know Patrino and Brom, he brought in Brom. And then Brom took over and basically football hit the gas and
went crazy there for a couple of years after he left, which everybody knew he would.
So maybe we can expect something like that in basketball. I'm hoping so.
Matt, what were you gonna say?

Matthew McCay (14:38):
Well, I was gonna make a stupid comment about Mike Sanford Bro.
The ditchy money was coming up.

Devin Stewart (14:44):
Overall. Are you willing.

Matthew McCay (14:46):
Hey, Chris? Oh, my gosh! I do! Was
but Tyler.

Devin Stewart (14:51):
Go!

Matthew McCay (14:52):
Goes.

GeMonee Brown (14:53):
I'll help.

Devin Stewart (14:53):
Especially if it was a very cool guy.

GeMonee Brown (14:56):
I got the
get pretty close to him, but he he was a good guy. It just didn't work out here, you know, but.

Devin Stewart (15:02):
School, and
and and we we we joke, and we cause
coach Sanford was there
first or second year. Taggart, is that right man?

Matthew McCay (15:12):
Yeah, it was

GeMonee Brown (15:14):
Oh!

Matthew McCay (15:15):
This one was here. When was that

Devin Stewart (15:17):
Oh, good Lord! Now you're throwing out names!

Matthew McCay (15:20):
Lose it.
I think it was 2,011.

Devin Stewart (15:24):
I think it was. I think it was 8 or 9. But I can I I'm not gonna double check you, but I'll check it anyway.

Matthew McCay (15:31):
Tigers first year was 10. So it it was. I'm pretty sure it was
11. It's gonna be.
Table.

Devin Stewart (15:38):
Yeah, you could be writing.

Matthew McCay (15:39):
Anyway. But this guy like here, here's my thing like
he was.
I could have guessed that it might have gone the way it did not like that. He's a bad guy, or anything like that. He he was a nice man, good Christian man, all that, but like it was kind of a
I don't know. Like little bit of an airhead in some ways like he. He look up at the

(16:01):
at the sky, and kind of have this blank look on his face and be like
perfect bay weather dude.
He's from Cali or whatever. And so we make all these jokes in the equipment room about like he
surfing on the back of sharks. Bro, and you know, whatever
is.

Devin Stewart (16:22):
So I'll tell you money. Yeah, go ahead, Bud.

GeMonee Brown (16:25):
Yeah, I'll tell you one of the things I think
the Sanford struggle the brawn culture was so strong.
You know, when Sanford came in. Let's say I mean, I mean amongst the players.
and the way that Brom coax us led us.

(16:46):
Brown did not run a tight ship from the aspect that
he wasn't gonna hound you right.
He treated us so well, gave us such leeway that you didn't want to disappoint him.
and so he he didn't have to have on those, you know, a tightly shown us, because he he he expected us in his words to police each other.

(17:11):
and and we did
and that style. I don't think.
Santa, for it was used to.
and I think that's kind of what caused some problems, because I mean man when I tell you
Prom is the best, most laid back.
But but but you're gonna run through a wall form kind of coach, I mean, he's.

Devin Stewart (17:32):
Me!

GeMonee Brown (17:33):
There's those videos. You guys remember that video Lsc, when he throws the chair, you know. He's he's get all like that. Sounds like, where did this come from? This? Because he's not always that way. I mean, he's a calm ground like Hey, you give me like the beer coach

(17:53):
always like for a game, but
you know I hadn't seen that out of him before. So you know, he's he's one of those guys
he's he's not a tight, a, a a tight rope kind of guy. So you know, I I I think that was part of problems that Sanford wanted that tight rope and a a those guys were like man. We just came from back to back championships.

(18:15):
We normally want to change.

Devin Stewart (18:17):
It. It is very hard to go from a loose leash to a tight leash.
you know, and the and and from what we've heard from other former players the locker room.
you know. It affected the locker room, so to speak, with.

GeMonee Brown (18:32):
Yeah, oh, yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely.

Devin Stewart (18:34):
Oh, nice!

Matthew McCay (18:35):
Me think
Taggart to Patrino, too, because Tiger was kinda he was blamed dude. And then Patrino.

Devin Stewart (18:44):
Well, that was your favorite coach, Matt.

Matthew McCay (18:46):
Oh, yeah.
what time I am Dylan
DC. Gd.

GeMonee Brown (18:55):
So, hey? Listen so I mean.

Matthew McCay (18:57):
I don't wanna play.

GeMonee Brown (18:59):
I I'm sure we get into this. But man Patrino is a big reason. He's probably the main reason why
I I I came to Western, because, you know, I at the time I had the other Conference U.S.A. Schools in play
you know, you know, be before it's incident in Arkansas. He was the guy, I mean, you know he he! He had a beast at Arkansas.

Devin Stewart (19:18):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (19:19):
I was like man
again came from Mississippi.
Your view on Kentucky is like, do they have electricity.

Devin Stewart (19:27):
Bengal.

GeMonee Brown (19:30):
But I was like, you know what? I don't care. I'm going here because it's by Patrino, and we go win some games, and I, you know I I I was a mid year Guy, so I I didn't get to play from only play for go to Brom. But
he's the reason. And all of you guys remember this or what now? But he signed like 13 of us, you go, guys, that midyear, which was not a common thing for people to do like. He said. 13 of us that midyear Katrina.

Devin Stewart (19:56):
Wow!
I mean, that's that's pretty impressive, I I
I'm sure, as a coach he was really intelligent as far as things go, but I haven't. I didn't hear of him being very personable.
So you know I I can't speak to that but
I mean hey.

(20:16):
we're glad you came to Western. It was, obviously you did really well under Brahm, and everything did. Now, did did he recruit you from Juco? Or how did that work.

GeMonee Brown (20:26):
Yeah. So
Oh, gosh!
But anyways, yeah, I I I was recruited from from Junior college. I don't know how much you guys know about Junior college, which.
let me tell you, coming to Kentucky.
I was surprised at how little during college meetings here.

(20:49):
junior college in Mississippi
is literally just a miniature
university.
It's a big deal in Mississippi and and and those States that play football, especially like
we have 4 dorms
full capital. I mean a full. I mean, it's it's literally a miniature university, and

(21:10):
it is extremely talented. Throughout your go.
we were in a 4, 3 defense. When I played
and my other 3 tech my
my other defense to tackle and and ends
one side to Auburn, one side of Arizona State, and one side of South Carolina, and I was the

(21:33):
lowest recruited, based on conference, you know, at at that time. But
man like, when I came to Kentucky.
That's all I learned about. I'm like
drink. Coach isn't really a popular thing here.
and so.

Devin Stewart (21:47):
Well, I'm.

GeMonee Brown (21:48):
I was really weird.

Devin Stewart (21:49):
I don't know if it was. I don't know if it's just not popular. It's just not. I don't know if it's just. I don't know. I really.
I don't think we had a lot of players when I was at Western that we're in that went to Geos.
and if it was, it was just like cool. You went to a Juno.
I mean, maybe that was just my stance. I you know I didn't. But
the only the only experience I have with the Juco is last year. It's you on Netflix. So.

GeMonee Brown (22:15):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (22:15):
Really different situation, I'm sure, but.

GeMonee Brown (22:17):
Well, no what let me tell you. I didn't watch much of it, because I'm like, I don't want to relive that
what I did was
I watched some of I I I had a I had a housekeeping team that was on there, so I got pretty involved, and I saw him on there. But
that's one of the theory that that's one of West. That's one of the reality shows I could tell you it is not scripted. Nothing that I saw in there was fake.

Devin Stewart (22:41):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (22:42):
Everything in there is legit like
it's legit.

Devin Stewart (22:46):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (22:48):
Did. That jiggle last night was different.

Devin Stewart (22:51):
I like the coach
For the first few seasons. The guy that was at Independence was the one that kind of lost me.

GeMonee Brown (22:59):
Yeah. He's he was interesting.

Devin Stewart (23:02):
He was very yeah. Interesting is a good way to put it. Bless his heart!
but yeah, I mean, go ahead, man.

Matthew McCay (23:14):
Well, I was. Gonna say, I mean.
do you mind like one thing, that the kind of a question that I had was obviously like
you're as a as a Juno player like your goal is
the pro. Usually, I would think, is to find somewhere to go in either D one or Fcs. Or whatever to find somewhere else to play further. So like, what was that like? In terms of kind of the recruiting process, and like

(23:42):
your feelings about. Obviously you, you've stayed attached to Wku like, do you?
Do you feel an attachment to the the junior college that you went to as well and like What's what was that like? As far as loyalty and interest, and wku, and all that.

GeMonee Brown (23:58):
Yeah. So so to answer to answer that, you know, Kenny, take you back so
I always hear a lot of people say that.
Oh, wk, you don't recruit kids from Bowling Green in Southern Kentucky?
Let me tell you, it's the same way wrong from Hattiesburg, because did the University Southern miss. You know I was the first team. I'll say, Guy man, and

(24:19):
that they would not recruit me. I want to go to Southern miss so bad
it would not recruit me.
And so from there I ended up going to Junior college
and you know.
it's a really fun time. It's really different.
My eyes were open when I came to a university, you know. W.

(24:39):
When I went to to a Wk. U.
my first year.
It's funny, I guess. Now we we got a couple of guys there now, but my first year after college
I was I was offered by Baylor browse.
and they pulled out at the last minute, because, you, you may not remember this night with this kid Andrew Billings had committed unexpectedly.

(25:08):
Everybody thought he was gonna go to Texas, you know. He's a top 2, 3D tackle in the country, and he committed, and I got pulled.
So I spent another year enjoying college, and
had interest from the conference. Usas still have interest for Southern Miss somehow.
but had had interest in the in the conference. Usas

(25:29):
And you know, at the end of the day I was like Man I I wanna play for Patrino. He's a big name, right?
And and and actually the head coach now at liberty.
His deficit coordinator was my high school deficit line coach.

Devin Stewart (25:45):
Wow, small world.

GeMonee Brown (25:47):
Yeah. And and and they were at Delta State.
and they really want me to come. And I love. I love my ducal line coach, but I was like, man.
I wanna see if I can make it d one. Right? You you, you know that's what I wanna do. I love you to death. So it's really interesting, though. Last season, when they came here I had to see my coach in many years, so it was good to see him. But
as it's kind of how evolved. And and really it came down to I came on a visit.

(26:12):
I was.
I was.
I couldn't believe that I was sitting in front of Bobby Patrino, and that he wanted me
because again he he was a big name, you know. He he did this thing, and his support staff coach hoach done by a Deli Coast man. I I mean, they're amazing. I'm like
I'll come into this place

(26:33):
can't believe I'm coming to Kentucky, but I'm coming.

Matthew McCay (26:37):
There you go, so like.

Devin Stewart (26:38):
I owe.

Matthew McCay (26:39):
You go ahead.

Devin Stewart (26:39):
Couldn't help.
No, I was gonna say something stupid. Go ahead.

Matthew McCay (26:45):
I'll bring the say, you bring Wisconsin. I'll bring the.
I'll bring the risk, anyway. So
I guess I was gonna ask like. Obviously, you love Debbie to you. Now, what was the moment that you realize, like, okay, this is the place that I'm supposed to be. This is home. This is like I love this place. When when was that moment for you? Was it like immediate? Was it like like it took a little bit, and you were kinda like having troubles.

(27:12):
When was that kinda clicking?

GeMonee Brown (27:15):
So
obviously, you know, alumni sports, you know, playing football, you know, for that aspect. I love it. But
when it really became sentimental, and it really meant a lot is after my senior year.
You know, like most guys try in a fail route doesn't work out.

(27:35):
I was planning to ring the ball over in the West Coast. It was really fun, but you made no money, and it was bad for your body.
And the the actual. Now the new Dean of the Business College Evelyn Thrasher.
She reached out to me. She texted me
out the blue, and was like you have thought about coming back.

(27:56):
And she helped me in more ways. The one get back and and and and and get into grad school.
And there was other people in the business college
that assisted me in different ways, you know, and and that
that was the moment, because for a lot of athletes. Once you're done plan.

(28:18):
you feel less than you. You lose your identity, like, you know. You know, I've been playing football since third fourth grade, so I've always been identified as an athlete.
and for me to lose that, and people to still care and still want to see me succeed, even though I couldn't make tackles.
That that was a turning point where I'm like, you know what I love this place.

(28:40):
And Evelyn Thrasher started that and others, Ca, you know, carried it, you know, throughout, but
that that was the moment like oh, they still care, even though I don't have eligibility, even though I can't
make plays and do well, they they genuinely care. And and that was the point for me.

Devin Stewart (29:00):
That's really cool, that really is
I was gonna actually say, did it become sentimental when you had your wedding pictures on the football field?

GeMonee Brown (29:11):
No, so so
it's it's it
so.
my
my wife now, girlfriend at the time. You know, we we met via social media.
and she had this thing she was like, you know. Oh, I'm I'm not gonna be an athlete, you know. You know, you guys are, you know, just all these things. You know what people think about athletes. And so anyways, long story short.

(29:38):
the
I was like, hey, listen
you it it won't back up.
I I I always use a football fan in general sports fan, but football in particular.
So you know, I'm trying man like give me a chance here. So I said, Hey, how about this?
I take it on a football field? Have you ever, like actually been out on the field and seen the facilities.

(30:02):
So I took her to the field, showed her facilities and stuff and
that's kind of where it all started.
and like you know her, her. Her wanting to see what that was like is what lay it to, you know us continuing on and about a month later
I brought it back out to the field to ask her to be my girlfriend.

(30:22):
The.

Devin Stewart (30:23):
Move.

GeMonee Brown (30:24):
Yeah, 2, I guess I guess what? 2 years later, you know, I propose there and
and and we got married we got married in a horrible club as well. So yeah.

Matthew McCay (30:36):
You kind of ties in at this point.

Devin Stewart (30:39):
There we go. There we go. Yeah.
that's nice.

Matthew McCay (30:42):
That's interesting. The
the the timing of it's like you. You made it through your career. And then then that moment where you were done, and there was no.
there was no advantage to the people that were helping you right.

GeMonee Brown (30:56):
Is, that.

Matthew McCay (30:57):
Yeah, that's that's cool. To hear that.

Devin Stewart (30:58):
And they pulled him back in.
No, I that's great. I was actually gonna ask, how has your relationship been with the Administration as a former athlete.
You know. How has that been? Some people, I'll say some people some athletes, have gone and said, Well, the only time they call me is when they want money.

Matthew McCay (31:19):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (31:20):
That's that's just paraphrasing what was said. But you know, how do you feel? As far as that goes, I mean, and I mean Ad. Sports side. Not necessarily the faculty.

GeMonee Brown (31:31):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I like Todd a lot. I think Todd's great.

Devin Stewart (31:39):
He's my cousin. So yeah.

GeMonee Brown (31:42):
Here's the problem, right? I I get where guys are coming from.
Every time I see Todd, you know, even after I was playing, you know he spoke. He was always. He was always very friendly.
Ransdell, even after he left President Ramsay, you know he was always. He was always great.
the and and and and and also I. I absolutely love Kaboni right? So love. Good morning. Wake it up. Want to get that out there, I think, though, like for Todd, the hard part.

(32:10):
you know, each year there's
20 to 30 new guys every year, just in football.

Devin Stewart (32:17):
Written.

GeMonee Brown (32:19):
He's got basketball. You've got softball.
You've got golf.
There's so many sports
to tie it to. One person, I think is hard.

Devin Stewart (32:31):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (32:32):
Because how can you expect Todd to keep up with
literally hundreds.

Devin Stewart (32:38):
Oh, yeah.

GeMonee Brown (32:39):
2223 year olds.
we're working on some stuff, you know, on the alumni side to try to keep guys involved. Girls, you know, you know.
our former athletes.
My relationship. Personally, it's been solid. Has been, I mean, you know, it's you know. I don't have to number, you know. I I I don't call them or anything I see them. It's all good but

(33:04):
that's a lot of pressure to put on one person.

Devin Stewart (33:07):
Yeah. Oh, yeah, of course.

GeMonee Brown (33:09):
Could we do better?
I, I I we definitely could how exactly I don't know, but it definitely could be better because
it
you don't want that first call to be, hey?
So we're having this fundraiser, hey? We're.

Devin Stewart (33:26):
New lockers, G. Money.

GeMonee Brown (33:28):
It's a good
Hello!
That's all. We're stuff.
I get where guys are coming. One guy.
I don't think he made me saying this
the on the elder teammate of mine, you know. Once we broke the cheese and he he! He! He! He! Came back. He came back last year for a game, and

(33:52):
He just got like man.
I don't really know anybody right. I mean he. I'm sorry he knows.

Devin Stewart (33:57):
In that.

GeMonee Brown (33:58):
But but but he's not really.
He's not really involved, and it's one of those things
I think he could have reached out.
I think Admin could have reached out.
There's no reason that he should have been scrambling last minute to find the ticket and and pay for, but for the things he did.

(34:18):
the the recognition he brought to the University. I, I think, goes hand in hand that
you know both sides should have had some kind of way to reach each other a lot easier.

Devin Stewart (34:32):
Dion Yeler is one of my favorite tidings from that era
he was I've always loved, I loved watching him play, I mean I love watching him with the chiefs. Now. I'd be fine if he started over Travis Kelsey, but that's a separate matter. But but go ahead, Matt. Sorry.

Matthew McCay (34:50):
No, he! He's one of my favorite, like stories of anybody like he was a try out walk on, man like he. He just showed up, filled out the papers to to like, be eligible to try out, and then just tried out. Made the team. He started out. I think it was a receiver.
and I was watching this kid, and this was, I only saw him, I think, for one semester.

(35:14):
But I was watching him. I'm like this guy could be okay.
you know, like he's got this big big build and everything or whatever.
I told a few people I was like, I like this, the older kid, whatever seems like. There's something there. And he ended up, like, you know, they're moving the tight end.
And then he ends up playing some, and he does well, and then he ends up having a great year and going to the Nfl. And it's like

(35:38):
this, do came
from just trying out one day.
you know, like in his in a gym shorts on the football like he was just trying. It's amazing that he.

Devin Stewart (35:49):
It's a Cinderella story. It really is.

Matthew McCay (35:51):
Tires to get to the Nfl. Incredible.

GeMonee Brown (35:54):
So sorry. Here's the thing, though. Right
I didn't realize the deal was a walk on.
I had no idea until, like.

Devin Stewart (36:01):
Be either.

GeMonee Brown (36:02):
He's telling me this. I was like, you're a Waco.

Matthew McCay (36:05):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (36:05):
And and and we are shared a story, because, you know, all season
we don't play basketball. And Preston, I'm I'll be basketball. Yeah. By the way, like it was my first love.
High school. I was really solid, but I was too short to be Shaquille O'neal in college. So that was a workout.

(36:26):
Oh, boy.

Matthew McCay (36:27):
You both, brother.

GeMonee Brown (36:28):
We're in Preston playing basketball, and Dion's a beast in basketball dude.
and
I got I got mad and watching how good he was.
and not mad because he was so good. But I would. I went up to, and I asked him if you remember this.
I went up to him like I stopped the game. I'm like, dear.

(36:48):
If you brought this much confidence to the football field
you'd be unstoppable because on the core he had swagger. He had confidence. I'm like dude. You need to bring that to football.
and you know.

Matthew McCay (37:01):
And from that moment forward Dion Yoder was Dion Yilder.

GeMonee Brown (37:05):
He? He brought it, but I mean dude he was. I couldn't believe what. Listen. He could have stood up for us back in the day, let me tell you. He he could go
careless.

Devin Stewart (37:15):
I was. Gonna say, this is, if this was a movie. That was the moment that Dion kicked in like Matt, said he. Just
you know.

GeMonee Brown (37:21):
That kind of credit. I won't take that kind of credit, but we did have that conversation. I told them that man and I asked them last year I said, Do you remember that? Oh, yeah, I remember that conversation.
Yeah.

Matthew McCay (37:34):
It.

Devin Stewart (37:37):
So
with the I guess you're you're kind of in the era of pre nil. What are your thoughts on the nil?
Clear.

GeMonee Brown (37:49):
I love the NIL.
Hate the portal.

Devin Stewart (37:54):
Yeah, I can see that.

GeMonee Brown (37:57):
And I will elaborate on that. I have no problem with with guys making money, you know.
if if there's money to be made got good guys should make it especially, you know, cost of living. I remember
it's cause I mean, I got pale, Grant. So you know. You know that's pretty nice. We we got that back. But

(38:19):
you know, you know, guys should be paid the part. I don't like
when our staff, our administration. However, you want to put it, our staff
finds a talent that the
bit guys overlooked.
I don't like that. They get to say, Oh, now I want you, because, you know, you're actually proving yourself.

Devin Stewart (38:42):
Yeah, I don't.

GeMonee Brown (38:43):
I I I don't like that aspect what I do like, though.
and one thing that's always bothered me, you know. I tell people.
You're one
coach away from seeing the potential
between group of 5 and Power 5.
Yeah. Won't go away.

(39:03):
And I I I always you know I should get mad at people say, Oh, you know you're you know you're in conversation. Say, you know, you know.
You know you. You're not in the power of. I don't like us.
I may not be there.
but I'm just as good as those guys. Let me tell you one thing I do like.

Matthew McCay (39:20):
Were.
You almost were right, you you you almost went to Baylor.

GeMonee Brown (39:24):
Bill.

Matthew McCay (39:24):
Is just
how it played out.

GeMonee Brown (39:27):
And so and so for me, I I'm gonna say, I like about the transfer. Bo, you know, you know the portal, but
it's showing. You know, for me, it's showing Western fans, football fans across the country.
The there are really good players, you know. I want to talk about Western. We've had guys go to the sec, to the Big 12, to the Big 10,

(39:49):
you know.
and they've succeeded.

Devin Stewart (39:53):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (39:54):
And so
that tells you right there, like there's Tally you're you're you're literally just one coach away from seeing like man. Wait a minute. This guy, right?
So
love the Nla for this aspect. I do think the
the the the guys are at the minimum cost of living.

(40:14):
I hate the portal because
we found talent so, and and somebody else.
yeah, get the plug it. I'm really grateful that it wasn't around when we were around. Well, you know, when I was in school.
2,015 no sorry. 2,014.

(40:36):
I'll let conference U.S.A. And and and tackles for loss.
and
I would say, with that I would have definitely got them plucked.
But I'm just glad that I you know that wasn't there, because
the relationships you, Bill, the community you build is so much greater than going for a year to play wherever it is right. It's it's

(41:03):
you find home. You you stick with home.

Devin Stewart (41:06):
Yeah. And I will say, like, there are aspects of the Nio that I that I like. I mean, like, when I was at Western. I remember when older athlete he was like a junior senior when I was a freshman. He was telling me stories of summer workouts, and he's like, you know they go to the football coach, and they said, Hey, coach, we're hungry. We don't have any food

(41:26):
we're out of, you know. We're out of meal dollars. Yadda! Yadda! Yadda! And the coach literally went to. This is highly illegal, you know, but he went to his cabinet and he pulled food out.
and he gave them food.
which is not the Ncaa's against that.
And I'm like, Yeah, that's messed up. But
and but you know, there's other aspects where, like

(41:48):
I've heard stories of like Uk's punter would do tutorial videos, and it would get several 1,000 views, and the Ncaa. Stepped in and said, you gotta take that down.
You're getting compensation from that. And that's crazy. Yeah, exactly.

GeMonee Brown (42:01):
Crazy. Yeah, that's crazy.

Devin Stewart (42:03):
but you know there are aspects of it that are good
and, like the portal for me, is an issue. When we had Dennis Edwards on the podcast.
This past year, and he was talking about Alabama.
Oh, yeah. Matt loves his booty, by the way, loves his booty.

Matthew McCay (42:21):
Good God, hey? Come on out of context. Okay.

Devin Stewart (42:25):
So, anyway. Yeah, I don't.

Matthew McCay (42:28):
You just knew when Dennis was in the game. That's all I'm saying.

Devin Stewart (42:32):
You love that.

Matthew McCay (42:33):
Line.
There's somebody. Then there's Dennis, and there's somebody else like, you know. He's in the game.

Devin Stewart (42:39):
Yeah. So we were talking to Dennis, and he was talking about Alabama called.
and they said, Well, you know, we like how you play. We'd like to get you down here. Yada Yada Yada, but you're going to be number 2.
You're gonna be the number 2. You're not gonna be the starter, and he was like, well, no, I'm not doing that.

GeMonee Brown (42:58):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (42:59):
And it was just one of those that you go, you know. Well, thank God, you didn't do that. But how many kids would do that nowadays within. Il, they're gonna be like, hey, here's a chunk of cash. Can you do this? And they'll be like, well, you know, I need the money
so.

Matthew McCay (43:14):
Honestly.

Devin Stewart (43:15):
You just think.

Matthew McCay (43:16):
Credit to Alabama for actually telling him
you're competing to be the backup. Not like, hey? We think you're the next like
top 5 pick from Alabama, you know, and then he goes, and then he doesn't even have a prayer of even seeing the field like they at least told him, cause, like some of these other schools are, gonna do whatever the prep they need to to get these kids in, and then they end up finding out like. Oh, I had no chance from the very beginning.

GeMonee Brown (43:42):
And we were.

Matthew McCay (43:43):
Do you see any of that from from your experience? G. Money at all.

GeMonee Brown (43:47):
You know, end of the December.

Matthew McCay (43:49):
Rooting, stuff.

GeMonee Brown (43:50):
No, no, yeah,
not on my team, on on our team. But I I've seen where guys went elsewhere.
and they didn't play at all. And you know the master works feel like, you know, going from plan and not plan. That's
that's the beast.
Yeah, that's the beast.

Devin Stewart (44:12):
I I honestly feel bad for players.
And just say hypothetically like, let's say you came to Western, and then you went back to like Southern miss, because that's where you wanted to play. And then you set the binge
like, yeah, you're in the Jersey. But this isn't Rudy, you know it's this is not a feel good story, you know. We need to. You know you want to get on the field, make some tackles and get your name out there, so you can go pro.

(44:38):
I mean, cause I think that's I think that's most college athletes. Dreams is to go pro, make some money and go pro
Of course, I guess
we really haven't had a chance to talk Jacques Evans going to Baylor.
you know. I wish him all the best, and that's how we've always.

Matthew McCay (44:54):
Oh, yeah.

Devin Stewart (44:54):
Had our stance on the podcast
you know, with with Jock Wes Evans going to Baylor. But I'm hoping he's not one of those players that sits.
I'm hoping he gets the play, and he actually does. Well.

GeMonee Brown (45:06):
Agree. I agree with that.
I don't wanna jump
yeah topics too far, but I don't. I wanna go.

Matthew McCay (45:13):
Worked.

GeMonee Brown (45:14):
I don't.

Devin Stewart (45:15):
Fine.

GeMonee Brown (45:17):
Obama comment.
one of the things I'm really happy to see
and I hate. I can't go to the Alabama versus Western game, because I'll be I'll be at a wedding. But

Devin Stewart (45:30):
I need a.

GeMonee Brown (45:30):
Isn't it better?
I know people wanna get married, so I'm not checking together.

Devin Stewart (45:35):
So thank you.

GeMonee Brown (45:36):
But this
oh.
2 of our staff members when I was there, are now at Alabama, coach Coach Ellis and and Coach Shep.
and you know, it kind of goes back to earlier, though, I was saying, you know, you're one person away from being at that next level. And obviously Bama is the.

(45:57):
you know, creaming a crop.
and kosher is the same coach he was at at Wku that he is today. I mean, he's got some. Yeah. Oh, gosh.

Matthew McCay (46:09):
Me and Ellis. They're both good dudes. I like them.

GeMonee Brown (46:12):
Of them.
It it it, you know. Also, you know what years comes experience. But the end of day did. They're the same guys
we were getting coach right. We were getting coached by by by Alabama level coaches right.

Devin Stewart (46:26):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (46:27):
You know, you know that you know Alabama live Washington, you know, because of that staff is Washington. But at the end of the day, man.
there's a very thin line from one, you know, level to the next
very thin line. So yeah, I just want
throw that out there.
That's a great.

Matthew McCay (46:46):
Point.

Devin Stewart (46:47):
That is, that's that's a good point, I think. I think Western is overlooked because it is a directional school, whereas you know, like you said. We've got good talent. I mean, we've win championships. I think Western does really. Well.
But Matt, go ahead. Sorry.

Matthew McCay (47:03):
No, I just I I agree that that's a that's a good point. I think. I mean, it's of course it's money, you know. I mean, obviously.

GeMonee Brown (47:10):
Having the fun.

Matthew McCay (47:12):
I mean, you can bring in the most, the most elite, and you know, when it's super competitive football, basketball basket weaving, whatever it is when you have more resources, you're gonna be able to bring in the very best. And it's a like you said it's a razor's edge. I mean, you're gonna have good players on every team, you know, really good players on most teams. But the the depth is where it comes in, and the power 5. Is that just everybody is

(47:39):
little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, whatever. And it's very rare that there's just a terrible player on the power. 5, team Versus group of 5.

Devin Stewart (47:47):
I think. G. Money looked confused with the basket weaving, the competitive basket weaving. I want to see that
is, that on the oacho is that on us. P. And 8.

Matthew McCay (47:55):
Yeah, I think so. It's I mean, Espn plus has everything now, so that you probably find.

Devin Stewart (48:00):
And they do multiple games at the same time. It's pretty wild.
Yeah. G money. We were talking about A, we were talking about scheduling of a episode of a game, and there was like girls and boys were on Espn plus.
and I was just having the biggest brain fart, and I could not get it through my head that it's a streaming, and that there's multiple games on at the same time. And so I was just like, well, how's this on the Espn plus? There's this and it Matt's like dude, it's espn plus, and I'm just like, Oh, my gosh!

(48:31):
And then it was like, oh, it's been a long day.

Matthew McCay (48:34):
I was like.

Devin Stewart (48:34):
10 min before.

Matthew McCay (48:35):
Figured it out like dude.

Devin Stewart (48:37):
Yeah, there's.

Matthew McCay (48:38):
Is not hard.

Devin Stewart (48:39):
Oh, my God, it's yeah. It was. It was a long day, is all I'm gonna say.

Matthew McCay (48:43):
Oh, man!
Well, dev! We kind of touched on it a little bit. On like the current state of Wk. Football, you know. Donut!
Transferring to Baylor, Kendrick, Simpkins.
and I know we were. We were gonna try to kind of talk on the current state and kind of how we feel about proper football, because obviously we wanna keep winning and keep seeing it. So.

(49:08):
I guess. Let's talk about. I mean how we feel. I also don't. That's a big loss.
Gmail on the d line. I'm sure
one guy like that makes a difference for the whole rest of the day line. The rest of the defense right.

GeMonee Brown (49:22):
Oh, yeah, no, definitely.
you know, especially if he's a leader and want to get us, you know.
They look to him to, to
to to lead them forth. So somebody's gonna have to step up and
take that over.

Devin Stewart (49:37):
That's what. Yeah. That was my thing was, I was, gonna say that the you know, a lot of the secretary guys are calling out things, and you know, linebackers are calling out things, too. So they're also the
they're also, you know, doing leadership roles with, you know, defensive stuff.
I did see that some others that are in the portal.

(50:00):
I'm sorry Blue Smith is
I haven't heard if he's going to withdraw from there. So that's a big hit on the wide receiver

Matthew McCay (50:12):
Yeah, I've got the roster tracker pulled up. Do you want me to.

Devin Stewart (50:14):
You go right ahead, you shoot.

Matthew McCay (50:16):
But in.
yeah.

Devin Stewart (50:18):
Oh, Tali Allen! Sorry Tolete Allen was another defensive guy. I was watching there.

Matthew McCay (50:23):
Yeah, yeah, let's see.
okay.
okay, so there are 41 guys listed there no longer on the on the roster. That's crazy.
That's a different world. But some some major names Low Zappy, I'm just kidding. He hadn't done anything but trend zappy. I just saw that.

(50:48):
Let's see, Mark good is a big one. Offensive line.
that obviously don't.
Bronson Barron was backup quarterback. Blue Smith is in there.
Zav Kpers was a power. 5. Transfer receiver
Aaron.

Devin Stewart (51:08):
Oh.
do you say West Dorsey yet.

Matthew McCay (51:11):
He's in there. Yeah, he's definitely a big one. That's one that
He's actually one, I think. He went.
Where did he go?

Devin Stewart (51:20):
South central Florida.

Matthew McCay (51:22):
Yeah, he's actually one that I think really could do. Well, he, Jim money. I think you probably met him. He is huge, like he was way bigger than any of alignment we had when we.

GeMonee Brown (51:33):
You know Liz.

Matthew McCay (51:34):
Wes Dorsey.
do you ever meet him?

GeMonee Brown (51:38):
I I I don't believe I did.

Matthew McCay (51:40):
Hands are like like, I'm I'm big Guy, whatever, but his hands are like
3 or 4 inches longer than mine. I mean, it was like he. He like.

Devin Stewart (51:47):
It ain't just in Matt.

Matthew McCay (51:48):
Lives.

Devin Stewart (51:49):
Matt picks up features evidently like.

Matthew McCay (51:52):
Gosh.

Devin Stewart (51:52):
Words was a booty. Now Dorsey's hands.
somebody else is gonna be their legs.

Matthew McCay (51:58):
I have less features. Okay.

GeMonee Brown (52:01):
Matt, Matt.

Matthew McCay (52:02):
It's made.

GeMonee Brown (52:02):
Feel if it makes you feel like it, if it makes you feel any better.
We we all knew that. We all know that Dennis is is a large individual.
I see it like that. We
so you're not the only person that knows.
I'm gonna say.

Matthew McCay (52:17):
Saying, man like.

Devin Stewart (52:19):
Hey, Matt, do you remember doing.

Matthew McCay (52:20):
Is what it is.

Devin Stewart (52:22):
A.

Matthew McCay (52:23):
Who.

Devin Stewart (52:24):
I don't
you know. Name. So Darius Boffman
they used to call him beyonce, because he had a big booty, too. So yeah, that's yeah.

Matthew McCay (52:37):
Yeah, but.

Devin Stewart (52:38):
The biggest hit for me personally is Tom Hillard or Australian.
When I have to go get another Australian.

Matthew McCay (52:46):
Brutal.

Devin Stewart (52:47):
It's almost like a good luck charm. At this point I feel like.

Matthew McCay (52:51):
Go with.

Devin Stewart (52:52):
Course. Senior wise.

Matthew McCay (52:53):
There is a story behind that, anyway.

Devin Stewart (52:56):
Yeah. Yeah, Craig. Craig Burt's leaving, of course, Corely was drafted Number 65 overall, which is always
that's awesome to see
fiance. Davis graduated Davy on Urban, Poindexter, Corey, Munson, Austin Reed, Marquis Step Bryson, Washington, Rome, Weber, Dion Williams and

(53:19):
I can't say the last one
Tacola Tacola
to golf, Williams.

GeMonee Brown (53:27):
It was really.

Devin Stewart (53:29):
Oh, I'm I'm bad with names. I'm sorry, so.

Matthew McCay (53:31):
To Colby. I don't know, man, that's a tough.

Devin Stewart (53:33):
Is it? Taco is? He's a dB. But anyway.

Matthew McCay (53:36):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (53:38):
I'm bad with names that I can't pronounce them unless I practice about 15 times before the show.

Matthew McCay (53:44):
Do you mind? Who do you think is the like? The key to replace? I guess, like there's a lot of there's a lot of big names.

Devin Stewart (53:51):
I think it is.

Matthew McCay (53:52):
You go to start.

Devin Stewart (53:53):
Zobs.

GeMonee Brown (53:54):
Well.

Devin Stewart (53:55):
In my opinion you gotta start at the top. But what do you think, Giooney?

GeMonee Brown (53:59):
Well, you know
you know every team, unless you're the O. 607 Chicago bears at the end of the day. The the first day.

Devin Stewart (54:07):
Letters.
Yeah, that's what I was. Gonna say, Bill Baker, yeah, the quarterback.

GeMonee Brown (54:11):
So
we've got to figure out between Mr. Vale camp and Mr. Philly. Who's gonna be the guy.

Matthew McCay (54:19):
Because.

GeMonee Brown (54:20):
Because your quarterback is the one who should guide and lead your team, and
no matter how good your defense is
linebackers, what you know, or or you know, great wall receivers.
whatever quarterback can lead that locker room. Is this what it comes back to? Right?

(54:40):
your quarterback can elevate
other people, not just on offense.
a. And that's where I would give, you know, a guy like Dally credit man. Dowdy was the absolute best leader.
I mean he was. He was he, he was the guy. And and and and so for us.
I mean, first thing is quarterback. You gotta find a guy who's gonna lead the thing because

(55:04):
there.
there's not many teams who could be led by a defense. You've got the O. 607 bears that that did it with rich Grossman. You've got those Baltimore raven teams.

Matthew McCay (55:15):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (55:16):
Outside of that.
your quarterback has to leave.

Matthew McCay (55:20):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (55:21):
I agree.

Matthew McCay (55:23):
I mean, and it's interesting, Brandon, cause like I was. I was a quarterback manager, so I knew him pretty well, and.

Devin Stewart (55:29):
Yeah, it was. You. Both were there for 15 years.

Matthew McCay (55:32):
He was a weirdo. He was a weird little kid man, I mean, when he first came to Western.
He was, I mean, he was kind of odd, anyway, but like he, he really really grew into it.
You probably got some stories, whatever, but he's a little odd, but anyway, he would. He would like make drill bit noises when he was like back in like when he was dropping back in the pocket. You'd be like

(56:01):
seriously like every time, you know, and he always felt like great mechanics and all that stuff. But it was like this guy is weird, and people people get.

Devin Stewart (56:09):
No, maybe he wasn't. Maybe he wasn't making those sounds with his mouth. Maybe it was like.

Matthew McCay (56:14):
Yeah, he was just a machine. Yeah, my mistake. But I mean, he had amazing feet from like the very beginning. He had been a bunch of camps and stuff. And he really had great feet.
And it was like, Okay, this, this kids got a little something for sure. But he like one thing that people underestimate like people are like, why don't you guarantee start? Well, Pamp, because he did that ball game one time, and it's like. Well, there's more to it, though.

(56:39):
you know.

Devin Stewart (56:40):
Like sassy do I mean.

Matthew McCay (56:41):
Local boy. We're gonna have fans in the stands.

Devin Stewart (56:44):
Easy Money.

Matthew McCay (56:45):
Wasn't the landing cards.

Devin Stewart (56:47):
He's talking about his feet. Now see what I'm saying.
Thanks.

Matthew McCay (56:51):
Anyway. So I'm just moving on from your bull crap, demo. Okay.

Devin Stewart (56:57):
Oh, I got it. Yeah.

Matthew McCay (56:58):
Anyway. No, seriously, though, like I think people maybe. Do you mind? Maybe you could help us out? Maybe help me out, because, like I try to explain to people, you know, there's more to it than just what you see in a game. Or that happened in like one moment.
because, like any. Most of the players on the team could come in one time and do something crazy like you see something in practice. But it's like a consistent thing throughout, so like the fact that Velc was third on the Dev chart. He didn't win the ball game job.

(57:26):
I'm not saying the kid is any kind of issue. But, like sometimes you, the especially quarterbacks, like, there's a component of just leadership and presence
and practice habits and all that stuff that comes into play that I don't think people really understand.

GeMonee Brown (57:44):
No, no, and and
most fans don't understand.
One of the things that's been so fun now been on the other side. Now
I'm gonna preface this by saying
I was a really smart football player, really like
when I was in football. I was really smart. I

(58:07):
you know, N. Not to stereotypical defense of Lyman. Like I I was a football
bye.
loved it! Details I I I knew the office of players. I knew the defense supplies knew all the signals, all I mean, you know, formations, I mean I I was engulfed in it.
and

(58:27):
in a
you know, people don't. So so, so. One of the funnest things, though, is seeing now now been a fan.
Some of the conversations that I say or things I say
isn't necessarily fan talk so
it is. It is a, you know, extremely simple.
You know, if I call somebody a 3 technique.

Devin Stewart (58:50):
Yup!

GeMonee Brown (58:51):
Murphy's like.
Just a you know it was a 3. Take as a
it's. There's a tackle that usually play on the outside shoulder to guard on either side, you know.
like sorry that that needs to tackle. But
but anyways, to answer your question. I I it's really hard for fans to see the things outside of just results.

(59:13):
because that's all you know is results.
Oh, what a defense! You know that that quarterback got scored on. Well, yeah, that, but he's supposed to have a, you know. Help over the top.
or, you know, just linebacker read, you know, went to the wrong hole.
Well, you got coach. Ho! Who's saying? No matter what you
you go to your gap, no matter what.
And the other person, you know, I never forget. I can't shoot it out. I'm not trying to get too far off here. But

(59:40):
logic in 2014. Man
it it was it Anthony Dixon or Kenneth Dixon did the run back there.

Matthew McCay (59:48):
Kenneth Kenneth, Dixon, yeah.

GeMonee Brown (59:49):
Conviction. Man. He got us like 65 plus yards. Oh, you know, score touchdown!
And I knew when he scored I knew it was on me. I knew it.
It wasn't a linebacker on dB's. I had my assignment, and I did what I I didn't do my assignment.
and I knew it failed to get. But this might be bad. He came right where I supposed to be at.

(01:00:14):
and and and that next day and film I I you know I call him, and and I deserved it. But you know, you know for me, when when things break down or when things go well.
I'm looking at
who
who messed up.
who who was not in the right position. And and it's and it's really interesting, because

(01:00:39):
I know a lot of times, you know. Coaches get flak like Oh, you know, you know. Why do you call that defense? Listen, the the defense of work.
If G. Money Brown is where he's supposed to be at.

Devin Stewart (01:00:49):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (01:00:49):
But but but you want to be a superhero
and do his own thing.

Devin Stewart (01:00:55):
Yeah.

GeMonee Brown (01:00:56):
Or you know, whatever it is, I mean, there's always something that happens. And so anyways, that's a long way to say.
man, there is so much that goes into those decisions outside of just a ball game. And man, I hope
Bill Bill kind of what we saw in a ball game, you know. So I I I hope he's that guy.
If he's not that guy, I hope that finally, you know, leads us to a great season.

(01:01:21):
But yeah, Matt, there's so much more that goes into, you know, thin, just one good ball game, you know. It's so many of the things like you have to leave. You have to have a presence.
You have to be
that guy, not and not just on the field, but off the field.
So yeah.

Devin Stewart (01:01:39):
Yeah, yeah. Let me see, I was trying to think of my numbers back from high school. So you got 0 1, 2, 3, 4, I 4,
5
and let's see that that when you get on the tidy and I always forget the number.

GeMonee Brown (01:01:55):
So.

Devin Stewart (01:01:56):
It's.

GeMonee Brown (01:01:57):
So so you got hit up a 0 right. As I said.

Devin Stewart (01:02:01):
Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah.
Inside shoulders, one.

GeMonee Brown (01:02:06):
The shade of the the, the the shade of the center is the pure, you know. I'm sorry the the shoulder centers is either shade, shade, or
one. Do you get the inside? 2? I is it inside shorter guards.

Devin Stewart (01:02:18):
Okay, okay, you do, too. I, okay.

GeMonee Brown (01:02:20):
2 was head up over guard. The 3 outside just keeps going all the way out to about.

Devin Stewart (01:02:25):
Yeah, I had to.

GeMonee Brown (01:02:26):
Yeah.

Devin Stewart (01:02:27):
Yeah. See, when I was in high school they did 4 for the inside shoulder of the.

GeMonee Brown (01:02:31):
Tackle.

Devin Stewart (01:02:31):
Tackle, and then 4 was straight. So it was all like even, and I think 6 was the tight end.
and I think it was 7 was inside shoulder, and 9 was outside shoulder. Of course I never had to deal with that. I was a big old boy, so.

Matthew McCay (01:02:45):
Way, outside, yeah.

Devin Stewart (01:02:46):
Yeah, so I was never. I never had worry about outside. They were like, no, no scoot in scoot in. You won't be like 5 at late at the most.

GeMonee Brown (01:02:54):
So so I I'll tell you something
2015 you talk about, you know again, you know. Kinda understand? What's all going on 2015 against Marshall. You know we were the better team. We we knew we're gonna beat them all that good stuff and head to the college championship.
I I have one of my best games because

(01:03:15):
I realized when they were running the ball.
They I I don't remember which way now, but I. It's time, I realize if it's a city, they're going one way. If it's a state is going the other way.

Devin Stewart (01:03:29):
Smart.

GeMonee Brown (01:03:30):
Alright, buddy.
And I'm like, Man, this is like, you guys got it. This is too simple, like, you guys can't run.
It's it is.

Devin Stewart (01:03:38):
Special, though.

Matthew McCay (01:03:41):
Yeah, God bless them, you know.

GeMonee Brown (01:03:43):
Yeah. But I mean just what it's. It's one of those things like, gosh, this is, this is so, you know, I'm like, Hey, guys. Let's
they call the city. It's going this way. They call the State is going this way.
and we we beat the crap out of it in that game.

Matthew McCay (01:03:58):
because of g money. Brown, that's right.

Devin Stewart (01:04:00):
Also same.

GeMonee Brown (01:04:01):
Because of that, but it definitely helped.

Matthew McCay (01:04:04):
With you coming on. Now we know what impact you had on the on the program for real. You know, Dion, Elder
Blowouts of Marshall, I mean.

Devin Stewart (01:04:13):
That's what it is. Yeah, he he was the brain. He was the brain of the defense right there.

Matthew McCay (01:04:17):
Couple of things you mentioned made me think couple of thoughts. One I went to that. I think it was. It was 2,015 when we played logic at Logtech and got murdered.

GeMonee Brown (01:04:26):
14 went further.
15. We came here and barely beat them when they came here. 15 they this one. I had Jeff Driscoll.

Matthew McCay (01:04:34):
Yeah.
we went to that game, my wife and I. We just got married
and we went down to Rustin. This is that 59 to 10 debacle.

GeMonee Brown (01:04:45):
Man.

Matthew McCay (01:04:46):
But anyway, and then.

Devin Stewart (01:04:48):
Oh, honey, that game blew

Matthew McCay (01:04:50):
Yeah, that was terrible. But I mean we went to the zoom.
so I don't know.

GeMonee Brown (01:04:55):
Who's a zoo arresting.

Matthew McCay (01:04:57):
No, it was a bit. It was a stupid trip. Listen me and my wife.

Devin Stewart (01:05:01):
Awful, too. That's awesome.

Matthew McCay (01:05:02):
Trips in Illinois.

Devin Stewart (01:05:03):
Parking lot.

Matthew McCay (01:05:05):
Go see the tops like this one was a dumb one. We went down to Jackson.
stayed in the right by Jackson state, didn't realize that we were like.
I mean, there were. Yeah, it was. It was rough part of town, apparently. I didn't know like it had good reviews. I don't know. I just
at the hotel, so, anyway,

(01:05:25):
Then we went to the Jackson Zoo, and then we went over to Ruston and then came back, and it was just it was stupid. We went to. Went to Lsu in the rain game.
drove down there.
That was crazy.

Devin Stewart (01:05:40):
But.

Matthew McCay (01:05:40):
I still think we could have beat them if we we didn't have the rain.

Devin Stewart (01:05:43):
So my favorite.

GeMonee Brown (01:05:44):
It was not literally flooding the field and screw up. Listen! I fully believe.

Matthew McCay (01:05:49):
Dude. It was a river flowing through the stadium. It was crazy.

GeMonee Brown (01:05:53):
No, listen. If if that doesn't happen, we I believe we win. I do.

Devin Stewart (01:05:59):
Yeah.

Matthew McCay (01:05:59):
Do, too.
for real.

Devin Stewart (01:06:01):
Yeah, yeah.

Matthew McCay (01:06:02):
I ruined everything we could have done because they had no like. If we could have opened up a little office, they would have struggled to keep up with us.

GeMonee Brown (01:06:10):
Oh, yeah.

Matthew McCay (01:06:10):
So.

GeMonee Brown (01:06:11):
100%.

Devin Stewart (01:06:12):
Yeah, the the my, one of my worst we were in the middle of the worst part of the town was when we played Arkansas State. It was the year Matt threw up the double birds to the crowd.

Matthew McCay (01:06:26):
I really did. Man almost got kicked out.

Devin Stewart (01:06:28):
It really is. Yeah. Security tried to kick you out. But
I had talked to the head trainer, Danny at the time.
and I was like, Hey, can I go grab some taco bell? It's like, right there in the parking lot. He's like, yeah, sure. So I'm standing there. Order my food back up
waiting, and
the
they call out the order, you know. 101. We'll just say

(01:06:49):
Guy walks up, takes it, walks out
minute or 2 later Guy walks up with a receipt and goes, hey, I got order 101. Where's my food?
And I'm like, Dang. Somebody literally just stole this dude's food, but right there it just took off with it and didn't blink an eye or nothing. And I was like.
I'm in Memphis. I am in Memphis right now. That's I guess this is how I got introduced to Memphis. So yeah,

(01:07:14):
lot of fun. That was a that was a very quick fast walk back to the hotel.
Got my food. You're not bothering me. Leave me alone.

Matthew McCay (01:07:24):
Very weird.

Devin Stewart (01:07:25):
But hey, Jimmy, it's been fun, Buddy, a great episode. We're gonna have to have you back on again to talk some more get some more stories out of you from your time at Western, and but we will be back in the next month or so we'll try and come back and cover some more stuff, some more updates, and some more transfer news
again. G. Money. It's been great, Matt, whatever but but anyway, guys we will be back. We're gonna do another episode later this month, and then, you know, try and keep like at least once a month until football season starts back up, and then we'll be back to the weekly episode.

(01:08:05):
But check back with us we will be check the towel rack, do all that good stuff. They'll be posting articles and everything else.
and
that's all I've got. You got anything else, man.

Matthew McCay (01:08:19):
Not really it's just make sure you stay tuned into the tower we're updating the roster trackers. Literally, every time news comes out. We're updating and reposting and all that stuff. To make sure you give it a follow subscribe and all that kind of stuff. And we're here to be your resource on wku.

GeMonee Brown (01:08:38):
Yeah, do they?
And while we're still recording, I just wanna give you this. But
your your your support
the way you keep up with information about everything hilltopers do is is awesome. Really you are.
You are amazing. Even before I, you know, knew you that. Well.

(01:09:01):
he, he's back when I was a player, and I know we had a small stint together.
You are in in my management, and many of my teammates. You are Wester's number one fans. So I just want to tell you that really.

Devin Stewart (01:09:15):
Definitely. Definitely.
I have said for years.

Matthew McCay (01:09:19):
That's what I'm trying to say. Thanks.

Devin Stewart (01:09:21):
So I've said for years that Matt has snorted the the western cocaine for years.

GeMonee Brown (01:09:27):
I don't.

Devin Stewart (01:09:27):
Completely goes crazy during games.

Matthew McCay (01:09:29):
Dude. I I swear I'm a hundred percent
hunter.

Devin Stewart (01:09:34):
I wasn't.

Matthew McCay (01:09:34):
Sober. Sober. Yeah.

Devin Stewart (01:09:35):
It's all natural.

Matthew McCay (01:09:36):
All this over. It really was man. I know I don't drink, I don't, whatever, but I just like.
since I was
one and a half.
We were going to games. My whole family is going to Western, I just.
I believe, renting it. And I'm freaking competitive, too, like I'm
I don't. I don't like to just sit like we went to the conference tournament with Tower.

(01:09:58):
and my dad was at the the table, or whatever. Then I made it like 3 min into the girls game. I was like, Dad, I gotta go.
I gotta get in the stands and start cheering, because, you know, because, like I didn't want to be like screaming from the from the media row, or whatever. And I was like dude. I can't. I can't stand it.

GeMonee Brown (01:10:17):
Love, to.

Devin Stewart (01:10:17):
Just sit there and you have a reaction. Yeah.
But yeah, hey, check, back tow rack. They will be updating on recruiting stuff, transfer stuff, portal stuff, all that good stuff. And we will talk to you all next time. So as always guys go tops.

Matthew McCay (01:10:33):
Bill Tops.