July 29, 2025 • 38 mins
Tom talks with Maggie Davis, Larry Vaught, and Cole Parke.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome in Leads Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises for a Tuesday,
and we are gonna be talking a good bit of
Kentucky football today because yesterday was the annual Kickoff Luncheon
and Mark Stoops also did his version of media Day.
He's going to have a medical procedure done on his face,
(00:23):
he said, and so nothing says it doesn't sound exanding serious,
but it will, you know, lead him not TV friendly,
shall we say. He said he didn't want to be
on TV with like a a scar or a patch
or you know, bandage something on his face on the
(00:46):
regular media day on Friday. So he did his Q
and A with reporters yesterday, and so we'll talk a
good bit about what he had to say in that
as well as at the Kickoff luncheon. Larry Vott will
join up from your sports Edge dot com, Maggie Davis
from BBN tonight, and Cole Park who is the new
(01:07):
writer for Katspause dot com here in kersh On left
and to be an sid in a school down in Florida.
And Cole Park is the new guy on the team
at the Cats Paws, so we'll get to know him
a little bit and get some thoughts on UK sports
wild Cat News of the Day presented by Giuseppes of
Lexington and one of the things Mark Stoops was asked
(01:29):
about yesterday was the issue of the money issue, player compensation.
Is he satisfied with out of this house settlement, the
commitment to Kentucky football and how that all looks, and
he gave a resounding yes to the media yesterday.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
It excites me because I feel like for the first time, yeah, well,
I just feel like we're going to be in a
position to.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Hopefully be on equal playing.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Ground with everybody, you know, and that that hasn't always happened.
And I'm not throwing any shade anywhere, just it's true, right,
I mean, I don't have to feel funny talking about
money anymore, right, I mean that's just part of part
of it, right, part of all college sports.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
And it's been a tough time.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But I don't like talking about that because it feels
like an excuse.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
It just is what it is. Man, it's gone.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
But I do feel like as we move forward with
the support of the administration, this this pad you know forever,
but you know, in particular, as we've got it, you know,
gone through this here this year and where we're going
in the future. I really feel like we could be
put in a position to be on really good round
and I haven't always felt that way, you know what
(02:50):
I mean, So that excites me.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Mark Stoops yesterday at his media day over at Kroger Field,
he talked about his challenge to the strength of conditioning
staff to get the team bigger, stronger, and more athletic,
and said they have really delivered. Talking about the coaches
in that area, he said that the report he has
(03:12):
gotten back is that there was one hundred percent participation,
and he said didn't think that had happened in his
thirteen years at Kentucky, meaning you know, you know, whether
it's guys out with you know, injuries or whatever it
might be, they've had one hundred percent participation. He said
there was a freshman that was laid a couple of
times early on, and he said he was told the
(03:36):
position group handled it. So that's something that was thought
good to hear, because, as we've talked on this show,
was so much roster turnover. Could you get We talked
about this with Adam Luckett yesterday. Could you get the
kind of leadership that you need from the player perspective,
and sounds like at least in that area that has
(03:58):
happened at the kickoff luncheon yesterday. A lot of the
same themes from coach Stoops, but interesting comment from bush
Hampon the offensive coordinator as he talked about the offensive line,
and he said this group quote is going to remind
us of the great offensive lines we've had here, So
that's a strong statement. A lot of new guys in
(04:21):
the mix there. Stoops said he thinks they have eight
different guys that could start, So that's the kind of
depth that they need. I don't know that they've always
had five they were really convinced should be starting and
in recent years and now to have what he says,
(04:42):
eight guys, maybe they'll be able to get into a
little bit of a rotation, have a little more depth
to utilize in that offensive line, keep guys fresher. So
all that good to hear, but it all comes down
to what happens between the white lines on Saturdays starting
on August thirtieth. So we will talk about all of
(05:05):
this with our guests as we move through the show today.
One other note, Ramel Bradley former Kentucky basketball star was
arrested last weekend in Lexington. Charges include trespassing, resisting arrest,
operating a motepad without a license, and marijuana possession. So
we'll see how that case moves forward. For Ramel links
(05:25):
to the stories that we talk about each day, he
can find those on the bud Light Leach Report page
at Tom leachky dot com. When we come back, Larry
Vaught will join the program. Opening segment of Wildcat News
always presented by Giuseppes of Lexington. If you haven't been
to Giuseppes recently, get to open table and make a
(05:46):
reservation to change that situation today. Get something on the
books so you can enjoy something like the sea bass
with lobster chili butter sauce, or the Ville Parmesan, one
of their appetizers which you could get as an entree,
the scallops with this fantastic risotto. It will knock your
socks off Giuseppes Lexington dot com. You can see the
(06:06):
whole menu and it is a really special true dining
experience at Giuseppes. We'll be right back with Larry Vault.
Be for we're coming to you each day courtesy of
our friends at Bobcat Enterprises, the title sponsor of our show,
and they have four locations around Kentucky. So when you
(06:26):
need to buy or rent heavy equipment for a job,
or you need a new zero turn more for your
home lawn, then get to Bobcat Enterprises. They will take
great care of you. Google them, they'll you'll find the
location that is closest to you of the four that
they have around Kentucky. Before we bring on Larry Vaught,
let me quickly turn to the man who's at the
(06:48):
controls in Louisville, Shannon, the dude throwing out the first
pitch at the Lexington Legends game tonight. Shannon, that's right.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
I'm bringing the heat right down the middle.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Okay, so you're a college pitch at Bellerman.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Right, that's right, Yeah, many many years ago, and we'll
see if I still got anything left.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Got to make sure you don't bounce it. If you miss,
miss high, throw it over the backstop if you have to,
but do not bounce it. Well that's the plan.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
That's you know, I don't want to pull a John
Wall or a Mariah Carrey or some of these really
awful historical first pitches, So, uh, just get it over
the plate.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
That's my goal.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
I think Steve Tresler's the online voice of the Legends
games now he can do a little bob Uker and
just say just a bit out.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
That's the thing.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
We throw a first pitch. You don't want it to
be remembered because it's always that nobody ever remembers the
good pitches. They always remember the bad ones.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
This is true. Well, good luck with that. Thank you.
Larry Vaught joins the program. Now Here on the Leach
Report ever throw out a first pitch, Larry, I did.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Actually, what time at a Legends game?
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Oh, and how to go?
Speaker 5 (07:51):
I got it to homeplate?
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Good for you, from the mound or in front of
the mound. Good for you. A boy A little practice
and it was not a given I would get it there,
but I did one of the coolest things in UH
in UH sports. I think you can always find this
video on YouTube. And you know, whatever your political persuasion,
(08:17):
hopefully you know there's a few things we can still
come together on. When after nine to eleven, when President
George W. Bush went to a game, I think it
was the Yankee Stadium and threw at the first pitch
number one. I mean, you know he's got you know,
a flak jacket on bulletproof vest, et cetera. And uh,
(08:39):
you know he he delivered and that is a if.
If you haven't seen that in a while, it's always
a cool piece of video to see that.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
He certainly did. He threw a big time pitch there,
didn't he?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yes, he did. All right, let's hear a little bit
from Mark Stoops yesterday and we'll get your take there.
This was Bark talking about the fact that, you know,
they've got to own the underachieving from last season when
they went four and eight, and he said he spent
a lot of time talking about, you know how it's
all about, you know, looking forward and not looking back.
(09:10):
But he said they did have to do a little
bit of looking into the rear view mirror in order
to get on the right path for this season.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
We didn't want to just move past it.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
We had to look at everything, turn over every stone,
every stone, and make sure that we were doing things
to the best of our ability. I feel like we've
done that. I love the addition I've also talked about,
you know, the turnover and roster you know, after you're
coming off a season like that. I feel like it
(09:42):
was needed in certain places, and that's a good thing.
You know, we needed to continue to develop the young
players in our program, and obviously we needed to attack
the portal like most people. Obviously, that's a higher number
than we've ever had here, but again, I felt like
it was necessary.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I felt very good about those changes.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
So you've seen a lot of Mark Stoops media sessions, Hilarry.
What was your take on what you heard and maybe
even saw from the coach yesterday.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
I think it was a very kind of determined message
that he had. You could tell it's kind of rejuvenated
Mark Stoops that that was talking. He didn't shy away
from what had happened last year. I felt tried to
sound as optimistic and all as he could about this season,
(10:37):
gave some information on different players. It sounded encouraging. I
think two things that he said one talk point, he
talk about the revenue sharing and the fact that he
had no complaints. Again, I think it's something he had
mentioned on a radio show recently that he had done.
But to hear him again say that hopefully makes you think, Okay,
(10:59):
he's pretty confident with what I thinks that going on,
and with the way they've been recruiting for twenty twenty six,
you kind of think maybe that is the case. Then
the other thing, And I don't know whether it be
more pressed about this team or it told me more
about what was wrong.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
With last year's team.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
When he brought up just the fact that gays were
showing up for workouts and practice, being on time and
everything like that, you would kind of expect that a
major college team. And the fact that he brought that
up talking about what a good thing it was that
they'd had such great percentage and attendance and everything and
all that this year. I don't know whether to take
it bore as a compliment for this year's scene or
(11:37):
more to tell you what was wrong with last year's scene.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
That's an interesting point. Yeah, I think that's good. One
of the things I liked hearing when he was getting
into that discussion was about the fact that whatever whoever
the freshman was that was late for a couple of
workouts early on. Stoop said the position he was told
(12:01):
the position group handled it, and that's what you'd like
to have happened as the coach, and not for you
to have to, you know, uh, do the handle every
piece of discipline, and you'd like players to be able
to take charge of some of that and that they
take some ownership of it and that it is significant
to them enough to want to do that. So I
(12:24):
liked hearing that, yes the.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Same year, and again it kind of made me think, well,
I assume that meant that wasn't going on exactly last
year and coaches were gonna.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Have to we're having to do that.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
So again, a little thing that could be turned out
to be a big factor for this team.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
If he said, if the season started today, that Calzada
would be the starting quarterback. I don't think that came
as a surprise to anybody. They they do go out
of their way to talk up Cutter Bowley, and part
of that is to make sure that you know, he
knows that they had they see a bright future ahead
for him and just to be patient, et cetera. But
(13:03):
we've frequently seen Kentucky have to turn to other quarterbacks,
and you know they he knows how important it is
to to do much better this season, whatever that the
numbers look like. And I think they're not gonna hesitate
to make changes at a lot of different positions if
think if something isn't going well.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Yeah, and Mark even said that just because it was
talking about just because the depth chart looked one way
today didn't mean that it looked that way when they got
ready to start the season. And I think that was
just his message to his players that don't be lilligagging
and think because you're listed somewhere right now that it's
going to stay that way. That these next couple of
weeks they probably need to get a lot of good
(13:46):
things down because the opener with Toledo is is don't
give me I don't think. Then after that you jump
right into sec play. So I think he wants guys,
he wants kind of keep them on edge this year
was not to kind of talk you heard last year,
and so overall again I thought it was just a
good message that he gave. But now again it's time.
(14:08):
They still got a month to get ready and they
got to go out, I think so and show us
all what they could do.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
One of their topic for you, Larry, apart from Kentucky football,
I saw where the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of
Fame has a new class of inductees to honor thirteen
of them on Saturday, September sixth down at the Historic
State Theater in e Town. And I won't go through
all the names, but just a few noteworthy ones that
(14:36):
are a couple of former Wildcats, Cookie Grammire from the
fifties and Odie Smith from the late fifties and was
on the nineteen sixty US Olympic team that's in the
Basketball Hall of Fame. So a couple of former Wildcats there.
Julius Berry player that if you're not familiar with, you
should look at his numbers for Dunbar High School playing
(14:58):
for coach st Roach and he was one of the
best ever in Kentucky. And then Nolan Barger, the legendary
coach at Tates Creek High School. Those were a few
of the names that caught my attention.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Yeah, it's kind of interesting with Odie Smith. He's in
the Naismith Hall of Fame and now he's going to
go into the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame. Thank you,
Thank you said have become a reverse order on those
kinds of things. But Odie probably when you look back
at what a former UK player accomplished, is probably even
(15:31):
among the older generation of UK fans probably underappreciated for
the NBA career that he had. He was an MVP
in an All Star Game one year, and in fact
that was what fifty years ago people tell me he
still got the car or sixty years ago he still
got the car that he got from me in MVP,
but he played in the same backcourt with Oscar Robertson.
It was pretty successful. So again, it's a really good group.
(15:53):
I hope that Basketball Hall of Fame and it's a
really good thing that they have going on. It's just
been kind of a hard sale find this to keep
the museum afloat, so I hope that continues.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I think it was a sixty six El Camino real.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Well yeah, I mean, and to still have a going
I think Odie still lives up in the Cincinnati area
and he was still occasionally seeing around UK basketball or something.
Just as nice a guy as you could ever see.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
You never find, absolutely, Larry, Thank you much as always,
all right, Tom Maggie Davis on deck from BBN tonight.
It is the Leach Report from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio.
Return Refresh and Refuel at Clark's Late Report, presented by
Bob Kat Enterprises and Maggie Davis joins us from BBN
tonight l e X eighteen. Maggie, your what were your
(16:43):
takeaways from what you heard from Coach Stoops yesterday?
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Big takeaway was how jovial he seemed. I mean, I
haven't seen Stoops that happy, go lucky in a while.
I mean I felt like he had tried to kind
of embrace that spirit down in Atlanta a couple of
weeks ago at SEC Media Days, but he was all
in on the optimism.
Speaker 7 (17:01):
Even at one point I felt like he was kind
of trying.
Speaker 6 (17:04):
To not complain but not super thrilled with where the
bye weeks fall in the schedule this year, And he
kind of interrupted himself halfway through and said, but we're excited,
We're optimistic, We're feeling good, like okay, we get it.
Speaker 7 (17:17):
We got it. So I think, you know, this is
the time of year where that is what's appropriate.
Speaker 6 (17:22):
But it was good to hear him have that optimism
in his voice at this point.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
We will continue talking about that and more with Maggie
when we come back from the bottom of the hour break.
Cole Park from the Cat's Pause, also coming up in
the second half of the show here on the Late Treport,
and Shufflebean Coffee is one of our partners here on
the show. They are owned by or Star. The company
was started by a group of Kentuckians more than a
(17:49):
decade ago, committed to excellence in making coffee starts with
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shufflebeant Us. You can order some of the products while
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you can pick it up at Central Kentucky Myers Stores
Official Coffee of ropp Arena in the KFC IM Center.
It's Shufflebean Coffee. Second half of our show for this Tuesday,
(18:13):
we're chatting with Maggie Davis. You can see her, Keith
Farmer and others for BBN Tonight weeknights at seven thirty
Eastern time on l e X eighteen here in Lexington,
bbntnight dot com. If you miss the show and we
lost our connection to Maggie, we'll get her back here
in just a second. While we are doing that, I
(18:37):
can tell you that Friday is Media Day, so you'll
get a lot of football content out of that. But
Saturday is the annual Fan Day so you can get
out and get a look at the catch. You be
able to watch practice and as well as meet players, coaches,
get autographs, et cetera. On Saturday out at fan Day.
Maggie Davis back with us. Now, Maggie, it is a
(19:01):
fan base. I think that has a little bit of
a show me attitude when it comes to this football
team after last season and really the two before that,
but the last season in particular, and I think it
sounds like Mark Stoops and his players because of him,
are going to, as he said yesterday, embrace the challenge
(19:23):
of what they're facing with the schedule and all of it.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
I mean, you have to, you don't have another option.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
And I think all these guys understand that, especially the
ones who have been here, They know what an SEC
schedule is like. Or transfers maybe from schools that were
either in the SEC or played.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
Against SEC schools quite a bit.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
I think the other sort of attitude they're at least
trying to embrace, and we've heard issues repeatedly now is
this quiet work mentality. And I think that's kind of
Stoop's spin on whether or not he's had a quiet
offseason personally, and the amount of media or appearances and whatnot.
You know, he says he's done this the same aunt
as he's always done. But the most important thing to
(20:03):
the people of this state, in his opinion, and I
tend to agree with him, is to put his head
down and make the football team better. And that he
says everyone.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
Should appreciate that, which I think for the most part,
fans do and should. So.
Speaker 6 (20:15):
I think that he's talked about a couple players in particular,
also really embracing that. Jamaryan Wilcox came up yesterday as
a guy in the running back room, one of only
really two returners who saw any time last year, and
Jason Patterson is the other, and he got hurt or
had some issue down the stretch where he didn't play
very much the last couple games of the season.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
It is freshman year, so I.
Speaker 6 (20:36):
Think Wilcox is going to be a guy that they
look to for some leadership in that room, even though
they brought into transfer running backs. But to hear the Wilcox,
the guy who has had his own instead of issues
here embraced that quiet work attitude I think is indicative
of something the team has probably talked about as a whole.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
He talked yesterday Stoops about on the defensive side, went
through you know, defensive line and ticked off a lot
of different names, uh guys and waits and uh bench presses,
et cetera. I think there's a probably a good bit
more certainty about, you know, who will be in the
(21:16):
rotation on that side of the ball as opposed to
on the offensive side. We know, you know, the quarterback
is they're going to start with his Calzada most likely.
But the running backs you mentioned will Cox, who's going
to take the lead there? There's there's four guys, dal
l McGregor, will Cox and Patterson. How will that shake out?
(21:39):
Will it be like when they had the three headed
monster of Boom Williams, Benny Stell and Jojo Camp a
few years ago? But still has only three spots? There's
four guys. We're talking about the wide receiver room. You know,
the big personalities and talented guys like Dame Key and
Barry and Brown are gone. Uh, there's a lot of
guys there, But who takes the lead? Bush Hampden at
(22:01):
the kickoff luncheon yesterday mentioned Kendrick Law was a guy
that they're really high on. So it's gonna be interesting
to see how that shakes out, how much better the
offensive line is going to be. Bush was very bullish
on that yesterday, So that's where a lot more I
think of the mystery is right.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
I think so too, and I think that'll be interesting
come Obviously Friday the media gets to watch practice, and
then Saturday everybody can watch practice. So I'll be interested
in what exactly we see, how much like what does
that practice actually look like, because there have been years
in the past world they might spend a big majority
of it stretching and warming up, and they're just kind
(22:39):
of getting.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
Into it and oh no, we're out of time for
the media section. Yes, you guys have to leave. So
I will be.
Speaker 6 (22:44):
Interested in how much we actually get to watch this year,
because obviously quarterback is what everyone always has questions about.
That's completely understandable. Offensive line too, But I think at
least for me personally, that's going to be harder for
me to pick up on in just one or two practices,
you know, maybe the total an hour over the first
two days of camp. I don't know that we'll have
(23:04):
a great grasp of that group, but the two other
groups on the offensive side of the ball that you mentioned,
I think are actually going to be probably the most
interesting for me to watch wide receiver at running back,
and I think for a lot of fans too.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
I mean, once they kind of put eyes on.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
Calzada and Bowlie for a couple of minutes on Fan Day,
I could totally see Big Glue Nation kind of veering
toward that running that groove, veering toward that wide receiver room.
Because there is a lot of mystery in those two
departments right now.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
And they can all be helped by how by a
much improved offensive line. Bush Hampden had some very, as
I said, bullish comments about that group yesterday. I went
back and looked at some numbers yesterday. If you look
at NFL drafts from twenty nineteen through twenty twenty two,
which covers the two ten win seasons for Kentucky, they
(23:51):
also was in the eight win season with Boden and
the five win COVID season. So talking about thirty three
wins over four years for Kentucky, well, they had six
offensive linemen drafted during that time, none sense, and they
do have a couple of guys that I think are
on the radar for the draft, and Josh Braun and
(24:12):
then Shias Pete and so things go really well, guys
like that could play themselves into being drafted. That that
would if a year from now you told me, you know,
two of those guys are going to be drafted at
some point by the NFL, that would make me feel
very good about how much better that offensive line is.
Speaker 7 (24:34):
Absolutely, I'm glad you brought that up.
Speaker 6 (24:35):
I have my own little research I want to do
because it reminded me when Stoops was going down the
roster yesterday. We talked about this with our talked about
this with you on our show last night, that he
kind of had a roster in front of him and
just started listing heights and weights and he wasn't even
necessarily saying everybody's name, but he's just like, listen to
what we have on the wall on the wall this year,
right like six seven three h five.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Three twenty five, A big athletic this that whatever.
Speaker 6 (24:59):
I would like to go back and see just measurables
from the last two or three offensive lines and see
if there is a drastic difference, because for Stoops to
directly bring that up yesterday, it seemed like something he'd
really been keeping an eye on, not necessarily just in
the off season, but to me, almost something they were
looking for specifically in the portal, whereas they were recruiting
guys to the line that they just wanted a different, bigger,
(25:22):
stronger body type. And that's easy to say, like, yeah,
I'd love big, strong guys on the offensive line. That
makes sense. But for him to go down the list
and give us specific heights, specific weights, and the change
that these guys have put how much weight they put
on over the past couple of months, to me, that
tells the story of where they thought.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
Some of the issues were coming from last year.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
So I'd like to go back and as you said,
like you went back and found those draft picks and
that's excellent just context.
Speaker 7 (25:48):
I'd like to now go back.
Speaker 6 (25:50):
It's on my agenda this week to go back and
find all those measurements for the guys who were the
starters or the main contributors on the big Blue Wall
last year and see how that compares to the numbers
we got from stoops yesterday, because I think that'll be
something to watch this year.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Let me shift over to basketball for one last question,
Mark Pope, the previous Monday, did a media session. Here's
what he said about what he likes about this upcoming
Kentucky team. His second, I thought.
Speaker 8 (26:14):
This team had a terrific chance to be to grow
into a great defensive team. We have a long way
to go on that, but I think we can get there.
I think we have a chance to have a really
dynamic backcourt, guys that are really capable of making multiple
moves to make plays in the back court. And I
think this team has a chance to really to really
(26:37):
pass the ball at an elite level. So I have
high hopes for this group. I think I think we
have a chance.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
What do you think about those comments from Mark Pope?
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Oh Man, I mean the defense you have to be
excited about because that was an issue that we saw
them wanting to get better.
Speaker 7 (26:52):
And it's their credit, they got a lot better on
the defensive side of.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
The ball last year, but they just didn't have a
ton of players who had that great defensive background even
coming in, Like the talking point wasn't.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
Kobe Braa's defense, right?
Speaker 6 (27:05):
We understand that this year there are guys on this
roster that come in with some real defensive pedigree behind them,
and so I'm excited to see how that plays out.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
And then, of course when he says the.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
Back court, it reminds me of another statement he made
during that same press conference talking about you know, obviously
he's been very positive optimistic about Jayalen Lowe at the
point guard position, but I believe the question was who
might be backing him up, and he was very optimistic
Pope was in terms of the options who.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Could play backup point guard. Obviously that's where.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
They were a little short staff last year, especially once
Kirk Criso went out with that injury, and so for
him to have more options, I believe he mentioned Dindell,
Colin Chandler, Jasper.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
Johnson and kind of on down the list.
Speaker 6 (27:44):
And it also said, you know, we've got some great
options at the two and the three, and I think
those positions are going to be just as and this
was a quote, get where you want to go as
our number one guy is going to be. So the
guys playing two and three, I want them to get
the ball and get where they want to go as
much as our point guard.
Speaker 7 (28:02):
Is going to.
Speaker 6 (28:02):
So to me, that's interesting and kind of telling into
the kind of offense they're going to be running again
this year.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
Maggie Davis phoebe in tonight. Thank you much.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
Thanks Tom.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
It is the Leads Report and we're coming to you
from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio. Make sure you sign
up for their new Loyalty Rewards program so you can
save money on Phillips and items in their stores. Return,
refresh and refuel at Clark's. We'll be right back with
Cole Park for the Cats Paws thirteen away from the
top of the hour on this Tuesday edition of The
Leach Report, presented by Bob Kat Enterprises. We welcome Cole
(28:33):
Park to the program from Catspaws dot com, newest member
of the team there, and Cole tell our listeners the
scouting report on Cole Park. How'd you get to where?
You are?
Speaker 9 (28:45):
Very happy to be here, Tom. I started out when
I got to college. I grew up in Richmond, not
far from here, home of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, and
I got the UK as a student, got started with
the Kentucky Colonel, the student newspaper there, and worked me
out pretty quickly.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
You know.
Speaker 9 (29:02):
It was a good time and good place, and I
just did the best I could, so I was an
assistant editor by the time I was still a freshman
and the sports editor going into my sophomore year, which
I held till the end of my senior year. And
I worked just as hard as I could there to
bring the best work. And when it came time for
Aaron to move on from the Cat's Pass for his
(29:24):
new opportunity, you know, he and I just kind of
talked about it, and I was lucky enough to be
able to meet with them and meet with Darryl Bird
and get started at Cat's Pass.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Well, congratulations on the new gig. I'm a Colonel alum
as well, so that's a nice fraternity to be a
part of. Yes, sir, let's talk a little bit about
a couple of stories you have up right now at
catspaus dot com. A cub from Mark Stoops media session yesterday.
What were some of the things that were most interesting
(29:55):
to you that you heard yesterday, either there or at
the kickoff Lenchend.
Speaker 9 (30:02):
Yeah, I mean the first one I wrote was probably
the most interesting to me. Obviously, there was a lot
of a bit of uproar, I guess on social media,
both positive and negative when it came out that that
report that suggested that Kentucky might be putting forty five
percent of its revenue sharing towards basketball, and you know,
more importantly than the specific percentage, just how is Kentucky
(30:24):
gonna be able to compete in the SEC and football
with so many other schools prioritizing the sport. So it
felt very significant to me that, you know, Mark Stoops
came out and not only said that the percentage is
good for football, but.
Speaker 10 (30:38):
That he's very very excited about it, that he feels like.
Speaker 9 (30:40):
Kentucky football can compete in the SEC with the money
it's being allotted in revenue sharing.
Speaker 10 (30:46):
You know, he talked about the cap, how the cap
on what.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
Can't be very beneficial to his program, and he talked
about how he's excited, he feels like he's got the
administration support and like he's going to be able to
do what he needs to do and a pivotal year
for Kentucky football and going forward. And then the second
one I talked about there, you know, just thought it
(31:10):
was interesting saying that if they were play a game
right now, obviously Zach comes out over the starter. Nothing
too shocking there, but just interesting, you know, as you
continue to look at the development of Cutter Bowlie. We'll
get to see both Zach and Cutter Friday and Saturday
for the open practices, but it's definitely a big storyline
going into this season, is you know, how is Cutter
(31:31):
going to develop his cutter you know, the future of
this program. How is Zach going to do after leaving
the SEC for the FCS and then having a great
season down there and coming back here, you know, just
seeing how it all kind of shakes out once once
the game start being played.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Through the Colonel You've obviously been around this program now
moving into this role with Cat's pause, So I'll see
if you get kind of the same feeling in listening
to Mark Stoops and the lead up to this season.
In recent years, he seemed a little beat down by
having to deal with the NIL issues. In particular, he
(32:08):
seems quite content with the money part of it now
for player compensation. As you touched on. He also doesn't
seem to be chasing that elusive evolution of his offense,
and he went to the NFL, brought in Liam Cohen,
worked great that first year, and Liam left and they
(32:29):
were kind of chasing the right answer there with the
OC and so now they've got two straight years with
the same OC for the first time since twenty twenty.
He just seems very comfortable and moving back to coaching
football the best way he knows how to do it,
and getting to focus pretty much exclusively on that, And
(32:52):
he seems to be in a really good place. And
I would think that would have to be good for
his team.
Speaker 10 (33:00):
Oh absolutely, I would agree one hundred percent.
Speaker 9 (33:02):
You know, this going into this season is probably some
of the most positive I've seen Stoops since I've been covering.
You know, like you said, there was always some some
frustrations with the Nile situation. You know, he said on
Monday that he doesn't like to make it an excuse,
but it was tough for a while there, and like
this more equal playing that they have, he said it's
(33:25):
one of the first times he's really felt like that.
Speaker 10 (33:27):
And that that's significant to him.
Speaker 9 (33:28):
And you know, I also agree to having that continuity
at offensive coordinator.
Speaker 10 (33:33):
I mean, I felt like every every single season.
Speaker 9 (33:35):
They were getting a new one, and you know, for
one reason, one reason or another, whether they left for
another opportunity or just didn't quite pan out. It was hard,
you know, to really establish a team, and when you're
changing the offense every single year, and then you you
get into a lot of things that we're talking you know,
culture and you know, not saying that that's even close
(33:59):
to the reason for that, but I'm sure it doesn't
necessarily help culture. When you're changing significant parts of the
program every single year, and you know you're bringing in
a new a new coach, you're going to say new
things and say have a different way of doing things.
Speaker 10 (34:12):
So it seems like going into this.
Speaker 9 (34:15):
Season, you know, both with players at media day and
coach himself have been very clear to say, you know,
we know what last season was. We're not trying to
hide from it. We're not trying to shy away from it.
You know, we want to get better from it and
learn from it. It seems like, you know, whether it
comes to building out a team, building out you know,
(34:37):
the financials of it all, building out the culture, it.
Speaker 10 (34:40):
Seems like there there really is a.
Speaker 9 (34:42):
Rejuvenated passion there to do the work that needs to
be done to hopefully get Consentuckut football backer.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
It needs to be.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
I think you are exactly on spot on on that
Cole appreciate the time we're running just a little short,
so we'll spend a one more time the next time
you're with us. But congrats on the new gig with
Cat's Paws.
Speaker 10 (35:05):
Absolutely, thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
That is Cole Park. You can read him at Katzpause
dot com. A couple of stories up right there now
on yesterday's UK football news from the media session. It
is the Leech Report, about six away from the top
of the hour. Our show each day is presented by
Bobcat Enterprises, and we'll be back with the final segment
of that show in just a moment. Stay in Wildcat
(35:30):
History presented by Kentucky Roadshow Sports Cards and Memorabilia. They're
on Romedy Road here in Lexington and at roadshowcards dot com.
Keep up on the website. You'll get details when they
have autograph signings, like they won with the one they
did with the Doron Lamb when he was in for
the TBT. A couple of birthdays today Steve Clevenger celebrating
(35:52):
a birthday today. He finished up with Kentucky basketball in
nineteen sixty eight, meaning he was a teammate of Mike
Pratt and Issel and Casey and that crew. He and
Mike I know we're good friends. Steve was also his
first varsity season was the Runts RUPs Runts year in
nineteen sixty six. So happy birthday Steve Clevenger, Kenny Rice
(36:15):
or a buddy from NBC before that WTVQ here in Lexington,
Kenny celebrating a birthday today. Corn Bread Hemp is one
of our great partners here on the Leech Report, and
you have these new infused Seltzers that you should try
if you haven't done it yet. Four delicious fruit flavors
and it's perfect for a light lift without the hangover
(36:39):
on a much too hot summer day. They also have
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you soak up every second of summer. And if you're
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get twenty percent off your first order at checkout if
you put in the code Tom So make sure you
do that. If you're a first timer at cornbreadhamp dot com.
This is the good life. Rest in peace. Ryan Sandberg
(37:22):
passed away yesterday in Major League Baseball. Legend with the Cubbies.
Had forgotten how long it was he was on the
He was the star of the eighty four team that
won the division title for the Cubs with the ninety
six wins. They had not won made it to the
postseason since nineteen forty five. They're leading the division now
(37:46):
the Reds are chasing the Cubbies. But Ryan Sandberg was
the star and he was the MVP in that eighty
four season. He passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer.
Do it for this edition of the Leach Report presented
by Bobcat Enterprises. Have yourself a fantastic day and we
(38:07):
will see you tomorrow here on the Leech Report.
Welcome in Leads Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises for a Tuesday,
and we are gonna be talking a good bit of
Kentucky football today because yesterday was the annual Kickoff Luncheon
and Mark Stoops also did his version of media Day.
He's going to have a medical procedure done on his face,
(00:23):
he said, and so nothing says it doesn't sound exanding serious,
but it will, you know, lead him not TV friendly,
shall we say. He said he didn't want to be
on TV with like a a scar or a patch
or you know, bandage something on his face on the
(00:46):
regular media day on Friday. So he did his Q
and A with reporters yesterday, and so we'll talk a
good bit about what he had to say in that
as well as at the Kickoff luncheon. Larry Vott will
join up from your sports Edge dot com, Maggie Davis
from BBN tonight, and Cole Park who is the new
(01:07):
writer for Katspause dot com here in kersh On left
and to be an sid in a school down in Florida.
And Cole Park is the new guy on the team
at the Cats Paws, so we'll get to know him
a little bit and get some thoughts on UK sports
wild Cat News of the Day presented by Giuseppes of
Lexington and one of the things Mark Stoops was asked
(01:29):
about yesterday was the issue of the money issue, player compensation.
Is he satisfied with out of this house settlement, the
commitment to Kentucky football and how that all looks, and
he gave a resounding yes to the media yesterday.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
It excites me because I feel like for the first time, yeah, well,
I just feel like we're going to be in a
position to.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Hopefully be on equal playing.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Ground with everybody, you know, and that that hasn't always happened.
And I'm not throwing any shade anywhere, just it's true, right,
I mean, I don't have to feel funny talking about
money anymore, right, I mean that's just part of part
of it, right, part of all college sports.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
And it's been a tough time.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But I don't like talking about that because it feels
like an excuse.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
It just is what it is. Man, it's gone.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
But I do feel like as we move forward with
the support of the administration, this this pad you know forever,
but you know, in particular, as we've got it, you know,
gone through this here this year and where we're going
in the future. I really feel like we could be
put in a position to be on really good round
and I haven't always felt that way, you know what
(02:50):
I mean, So that excites me.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Mark Stoops yesterday at his media day over at Kroger Field,
he talked about his challenge to the strength of conditioning
staff to get the team bigger, stronger, and more athletic,
and said they have really delivered. Talking about the coaches
in that area, he said that the report he has
(03:12):
gotten back is that there was one hundred percent participation,
and he said didn't think that had happened in his
thirteen years at Kentucky, meaning you know, you know, whether
it's guys out with you know, injuries or whatever it
might be, they've had one hundred percent participation. He said
there was a freshman that was laid a couple of
times early on, and he said he was told the
(03:36):
position group handled it. So that's something that was thought
good to hear, because, as we've talked on this show,
was so much roster turnover. Could you get We talked
about this with Adam Luckett yesterday. Could you get the
kind of leadership that you need from the player perspective,
and sounds like at least in that area that has
(03:58):
happened at the kickoff luncheon yesterday. A lot of the
same themes from coach Stoops, but interesting comment from bush
Hampon the offensive coordinator as he talked about the offensive line,
and he said this group quote is going to remind
us of the great offensive lines we've had here, So
that's a strong statement. A lot of new guys in
(04:21):
the mix there. Stoops said he thinks they have eight
different guys that could start, So that's the kind of
depth that they need. I don't know that they've always
had five they were really convinced should be starting and
in recent years and now to have what he says,
(04:42):
eight guys, maybe they'll be able to get into a
little bit of a rotation, have a little more depth
to utilize in that offensive line, keep guys fresher. So
all that good to hear, but it all comes down
to what happens between the white lines on Saturdays starting
on August thirtieth. So we will talk about all of
(05:05):
this with our guests as we move through the show today.
One other note, Ramel Bradley former Kentucky basketball star was
arrested last weekend in Lexington. Charges include trespassing, resisting arrest,
operating a motepad without a license, and marijuana possession. So
we'll see how that case moves forward. For Ramel links
(05:25):
to the stories that we talk about each day, he
can find those on the bud Light Leach Report page
at Tom leachky dot com. When we come back, Larry
Vaught will join the program. Opening segment of Wildcat News
always presented by Giuseppes of Lexington. If you haven't been
to Giuseppes recently, get to open table and make a
(05:46):
reservation to change that situation today. Get something on the
books so you can enjoy something like the sea bass
with lobster chili butter sauce, or the Ville Parmesan, one
of their appetizers which you could get as an entree,
the scallops with this fantastic risotto. It will knock your
socks off Giuseppes Lexington dot com. You can see the
(06:06):
whole menu and it is a really special true dining
experience at Giuseppes. We'll be right back with Larry Vault.
Be for we're coming to you each day courtesy of
our friends at Bobcat Enterprises, the title sponsor of our show,
and they have four locations around Kentucky. So when you
(06:26):
need to buy or rent heavy equipment for a job,
or you need a new zero turn more for your
home lawn, then get to Bobcat Enterprises. They will take
great care of you. Google them, they'll you'll find the
location that is closest to you of the four that
they have around Kentucky. Before we bring on Larry Vaught,
let me quickly turn to the man who's at the
(06:48):
controls in Louisville, Shannon, the dude throwing out the first
pitch at the Lexington Legends game tonight. Shannon, that's right.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
I'm bringing the heat right down the middle.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Okay, so you're a college pitch at Bellerman.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Right, that's right, Yeah, many many years ago, and we'll
see if I still got anything left.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Got to make sure you don't bounce it. If you miss,
miss high, throw it over the backstop if you have to,
but do not bounce it. Well that's the plan.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
That's you know, I don't want to pull a John
Wall or a Mariah Carrey or some of these really
awful historical first pitches, So, uh, just get it over
the plate.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
That's my goal.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
I think Steve Tresler's the online voice of the Legends
games now he can do a little bob Uker and
just say just a bit out.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
That's the thing.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
We throw a first pitch. You don't want it to
be remembered because it's always that nobody ever remembers the
good pitches. They always remember the bad ones.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
This is true. Well, good luck with that. Thank you.
Larry Vaught joins the program. Now Here on the Leach
Report ever throw out a first pitch, Larry, I did.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Actually, what time at a Legends game?
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Oh, and how to go?
Speaker 5 (07:51):
I got it to homeplate?
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Good for you, from the mound or in front of
the mound. Good for you. A boy A little practice
and it was not a given I would get it there,
but I did one of the coolest things in UH
in UH sports. I think you can always find this
video on YouTube. And you know, whatever your political persuasion,
(08:17):
hopefully you know there's a few things we can still
come together on. When after nine to eleven, when President
George W. Bush went to a game, I think it
was the Yankee Stadium and threw at the first pitch
number one. I mean, you know he's got you know,
a flak jacket on bulletproof vest, et cetera. And uh,
(08:39):
you know he he delivered and that is a if.
If you haven't seen that in a while, it's always
a cool piece of video to see that.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
He certainly did. He threw a big time pitch there,
didn't he?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yes, he did. All right, let's hear a little bit
from Mark Stoops yesterday and we'll get your take there.
This was Bark talking about the fact that, you know,
they've got to own the underachieving from last season when
they went four and eight, and he said he spent
a lot of time talking about, you know how it's
all about, you know, looking forward and not looking back.
(09:10):
But he said they did have to do a little
bit of looking into the rear view mirror in order
to get on the right path for this season.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
We didn't want to just move past it.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
We had to look at everything, turn over every stone,
every stone, and make sure that we were doing things
to the best of our ability. I feel like we've
done that. I love the addition I've also talked about,
you know, the turnover and roster you know, after you're
coming off a season like that. I feel like it
(09:42):
was needed in certain places, and that's a good thing.
You know, we needed to continue to develop the young
players in our program, and obviously we needed to attack
the portal like most people. Obviously, that's a higher number
than we've ever had here, but again, I felt like
it was necessary.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I felt very good about those changes.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
So you've seen a lot of Mark Stoops media sessions, Hilarry.
What was your take on what you heard and maybe
even saw from the coach yesterday.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
I think it was a very kind of determined message
that he had. You could tell it's kind of rejuvenated
Mark Stoops that that was talking. He didn't shy away
from what had happened last year. I felt tried to
sound as optimistic and all as he could about this season,
(10:37):
gave some information on different players. It sounded encouraging. I
think two things that he said one talk point, he
talk about the revenue sharing and the fact that he
had no complaints. Again, I think it's something he had
mentioned on a radio show recently that he had done.
But to hear him again say that hopefully makes you think, Okay,
(10:59):
he's pretty confident with what I thinks that going on,
and with the way they've been recruiting for twenty twenty six,
you kind of think maybe that is the case. Then
the other thing, And I don't know whether it be
more pressed about this team or it told me more
about what was wrong.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
With last year's team.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
When he brought up just the fact that gays were
showing up for workouts and practice, being on time and
everything like that, you would kind of expect that a
major college team. And the fact that he brought that
up talking about what a good thing it was that
they'd had such great percentage and attendance and everything and
all that this year. I don't know whether to take
it bore as a compliment for this year's scene or
(11:37):
more to tell you what was wrong with last year's scene.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
That's an interesting point. Yeah, I think that's good. One
of the things I liked hearing when he was getting
into that discussion was about the fact that whatever whoever
the freshman was that was late for a couple of
workouts early on. Stoop said the position he was told
(12:01):
the position group handled it, and that's what you'd like
to have happened as the coach, and not for you
to have to, you know, uh, do the handle every
piece of discipline, and you'd like players to be able
to take charge of some of that and that they
take some ownership of it and that it is significant
to them enough to want to do that. So I
(12:24):
liked hearing that, yes the.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Same year, and again it kind of made me think, well,
I assume that meant that wasn't going on exactly last
year and coaches were gonna.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Have to we're having to do that.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
So again, a little thing that could be turned out
to be a big factor for this team.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
If he said, if the season started today, that Calzada
would be the starting quarterback. I don't think that came
as a surprise to anybody. They they do go out
of their way to talk up Cutter Bowley, and part
of that is to make sure that you know, he
knows that they had they see a bright future ahead
for him and just to be patient, et cetera. But
(13:03):
we've frequently seen Kentucky have to turn to other quarterbacks,
and you know they he knows how important it is
to to do much better this season, whatever that the
numbers look like. And I think they're not gonna hesitate
to make changes at a lot of different positions if
think if something isn't going well.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Yeah, and Mark even said that just because it was
talking about just because the depth chart looked one way
today didn't mean that it looked that way when they got
ready to start the season. And I think that was
just his message to his players that don't be lilligagging
and think because you're listed somewhere right now that it's
going to stay that way. That these next couple of
weeks they probably need to get a lot of good
(13:46):
things down because the opener with Toledo is is don't
give me I don't think. Then after that you jump
right into sec play. So I think he wants guys,
he wants kind of keep them on edge this year
was not to kind of talk you heard last year,
and so overall again I thought it was just a
good message that he gave. But now again it's time.
(14:08):
They still got a month to get ready and they
got to go out, I think so and show us
all what they could do.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
One of their topic for you, Larry, apart from Kentucky football,
I saw where the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of
Fame has a new class of inductees to honor thirteen
of them on Saturday, September sixth down at the Historic
State Theater in e Town. And I won't go through
all the names, but just a few noteworthy ones that
(14:36):
are a couple of former Wildcats, Cookie Grammire from the
fifties and Odie Smith from the late fifties and was
on the nineteen sixty US Olympic team that's in the
Basketball Hall of Fame. So a couple of former Wildcats there.
Julius Berry player that if you're not familiar with, you
should look at his numbers for Dunbar High School playing
(14:58):
for coach st Roach and he was one of the
best ever in Kentucky. And then Nolan Barger, the legendary
coach at Tates Creek High School. Those were a few
of the names that caught my attention.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Yeah, it's kind of interesting with Odie Smith. He's in
the Naismith Hall of Fame and now he's going to
go into the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame. Thank you,
Thank you said have become a reverse order on those
kinds of things. But Odie probably when you look back
at what a former UK player accomplished, is probably even
(15:31):
among the older generation of UK fans probably underappreciated for
the NBA career that he had. He was an MVP
in an All Star Game one year, and in fact
that was what fifty years ago people tell me he
still got the car or sixty years ago he still
got the car that he got from me in MVP,
but he played in the same backcourt with Oscar Robertson.
It was pretty successful. So again, it's a really good group.
(15:53):
I hope that Basketball Hall of Fame and it's a
really good thing that they have going on. It's just
been kind of a hard sale find this to keep
the museum afloat, so I hope that continues.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I think it was a sixty six El Camino real.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Well yeah, I mean, and to still have a going
I think Odie still lives up in the Cincinnati area
and he was still occasionally seeing around UK basketball or something.
Just as nice a guy as you could ever see.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
You never find, absolutely, Larry, Thank you much as always,
all right, Tom Maggie Davis on deck from BBN tonight.
It is the Leach Report from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio.
Return Refresh and Refuel at Clark's Late Report, presented by
Bob Kat Enterprises and Maggie Davis joins us from BBN
tonight l e X eighteen. Maggie, your what were your
(16:43):
takeaways from what you heard from Coach Stoops yesterday?
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Big takeaway was how jovial he seemed. I mean, I
haven't seen Stoops that happy, go lucky in a while.
I mean I felt like he had tried to kind
of embrace that spirit down in Atlanta a couple of
weeks ago at SEC Media Days, but he was all
in on the optimism.
Speaker 7 (17:01):
Even at one point I felt like he was kind
of trying.
Speaker 6 (17:04):
To not complain but not super thrilled with where the
bye weeks fall in the schedule this year, And he
kind of interrupted himself halfway through and said, but we're excited,
We're optimistic, We're feeling good, like okay, we get it.
Speaker 7 (17:17):
We got it. So I think, you know, this is
the time of year where that is what's appropriate.
Speaker 6 (17:22):
But it was good to hear him have that optimism
in his voice at this point.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
We will continue talking about that and more with Maggie
when we come back from the bottom of the hour break.
Cole Park from the Cat's Pause, also coming up in
the second half of the show here on the Late Treport,
and Shufflebean Coffee is one of our partners here on
the show. They are owned by or Star. The company
was started by a group of Kentuckians more than a
(17:49):
decade ago, committed to excellence in making coffee starts with
the best coffee beans. You can read about it at
shufflebeant Us. You can order some of the products while
you're there. You can get Shufflebean Coffee through Amazon or
you can pick it up at Central Kentucky Myers Stores
Official Coffee of ropp Arena in the KFC IM Center.
It's Shufflebean Coffee. Second half of our show for this Tuesday,
(18:13):
we're chatting with Maggie Davis. You can see her, Keith
Farmer and others for BBN Tonight weeknights at seven thirty
Eastern time on l e X eighteen here in Lexington,
bbntnight dot com. If you miss the show and we
lost our connection to Maggie, we'll get her back here
in just a second. While we are doing that, I
(18:37):
can tell you that Friday is Media Day, so you'll
get a lot of football content out of that. But
Saturday is the annual Fan Day so you can get
out and get a look at the catch. You be
able to watch practice and as well as meet players, coaches,
get autographs, et cetera. On Saturday out at fan Day.
Maggie Davis back with us. Now, Maggie, it is a
(19:01):
fan base. I think that has a little bit of
a show me attitude when it comes to this football
team after last season and really the two before that,
but the last season in particular, and I think it
sounds like Mark Stoops and his players because of him,
are going to, as he said yesterday, embrace the challenge
(19:23):
of what they're facing with the schedule and all of it.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
I mean, you have to, you don't have another option.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
And I think all these guys understand that, especially the
ones who have been here, They know what an SEC
schedule is like. Or transfers maybe from schools that were
either in the SEC or played.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
Against SEC schools quite a bit.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
I think the other sort of attitude they're at least
trying to embrace, and we've heard issues repeatedly now is
this quiet work mentality. And I think that's kind of
Stoop's spin on whether or not he's had a quiet
offseason personally, and the amount of media or appearances and whatnot.
You know, he says he's done this the same aunt
as he's always done. But the most important thing to
(20:03):
the people of this state, in his opinion, and I
tend to agree with him, is to put his head
down and make the football team better. And that he
says everyone.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
Should appreciate that, which I think for the most part,
fans do and should. So.
Speaker 6 (20:15):
I think that he's talked about a couple players in particular,
also really embracing that. Jamaryan Wilcox came up yesterday as
a guy in the running back room, one of only
really two returners who saw any time last year, and
Jason Patterson is the other, and he got hurt or
had some issue down the stretch where he didn't play
very much the last couple games of the season.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
It is freshman year, so I.
Speaker 6 (20:36):
Think Wilcox is going to be a guy that they
look to for some leadership in that room, even though
they brought into transfer running backs. But to hear the Wilcox,
the guy who has had his own instead of issues
here embraced that quiet work attitude I think is indicative
of something the team has probably talked about as a whole.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
He talked yesterday Stoops about on the defensive side, went
through you know, defensive line and ticked off a lot
of different names, uh guys and waits and uh bench presses,
et cetera. I think there's a probably a good bit
more certainty about, you know, who will be in the
(21:16):
rotation on that side of the ball as opposed to
on the offensive side. We know, you know, the quarterback
is they're going to start with his Calzada most likely.
But the running backs you mentioned will Cox, who's going
to take the lead there? There's there's four guys, dal
l McGregor, will Cox and Patterson. How will that shake out?
(21:39):
Will it be like when they had the three headed
monster of Boom Williams, Benny Stell and Jojo Camp a
few years ago? But still has only three spots? There's
four guys. We're talking about the wide receiver room. You know,
the big personalities and talented guys like Dame Key and
Barry and Brown are gone. Uh, there's a lot of
guys there, But who takes the lead? Bush Hampden at
(22:01):
the kickoff luncheon yesterday mentioned Kendrick Law was a guy
that they're really high on. So it's gonna be interesting
to see how that shakes out, how much better the
offensive line is going to be. Bush was very bullish
on that yesterday, So that's where a lot more I
think of the mystery is right.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
I think so too, and I think that'll be interesting
come Obviously Friday the media gets to watch practice, and
then Saturday everybody can watch practice. So I'll be interested
in what exactly we see, how much like what does
that practice actually look like, because there have been years
in the past world they might spend a big majority
of it stretching and warming up, and they're just kind
(22:39):
of getting.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
Into it and oh no, we're out of time for
the media section. Yes, you guys have to leave. So
I will be.
Speaker 6 (22:44):
Interested in how much we actually get to watch this year,
because obviously quarterback is what everyone always has questions about.
That's completely understandable. Offensive line too, But I think at
least for me personally, that's going to be harder for
me to pick up on in just one or two practices,
you know, maybe the total an hour over the first
two days of camp. I don't know that we'll have
(23:04):
a great grasp of that group, but the two other
groups on the offensive side of the ball that you mentioned,
I think are actually going to be probably the most
interesting for me to watch wide receiver at running back,
and I think for a lot of fans too.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
I mean, once they kind of put eyes on.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
Calzada and Bowlie for a couple of minutes on Fan Day,
I could totally see Big Glue Nation kind of veering
toward that running that groove, veering toward that wide receiver room.
Because there is a lot of mystery in those two
departments right now.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
And they can all be helped by how by a
much improved offensive line. Bush Hampden had some very, as
I said, bullish comments about that group yesterday. I went
back and looked at some numbers yesterday. If you look
at NFL drafts from twenty nineteen through twenty twenty two,
which covers the two ten win seasons for Kentucky, they
(23:51):
also was in the eight win season with Boden and
the five win COVID season. So talking about thirty three
wins over four years for Kentucky, well, they had six
offensive linemen drafted during that time, none sense, and they
do have a couple of guys that I think are
on the radar for the draft, and Josh Braun and
(24:12):
then Shias Pete and so things go really well, guys
like that could play themselves into being drafted. That that
would if a year from now you told me, you know,
two of those guys are going to be drafted at
some point by the NFL, that would make me feel
very good about how much better that offensive line is.
Speaker 7 (24:34):
Absolutely, I'm glad you brought that up.
Speaker 6 (24:35):
I have my own little research I want to do
because it reminded me when Stoops was going down the
roster yesterday. We talked about this with our talked about
this with you on our show last night, that he
kind of had a roster in front of him and
just started listing heights and weights and he wasn't even
necessarily saying everybody's name, but he's just like, listen to
what we have on the wall on the wall this year,
right like six seven three h five.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Three twenty five, A big athletic this that whatever.
Speaker 6 (24:59):
I would like to go back and see just measurables
from the last two or three offensive lines and see
if there is a drastic difference, because for Stoops to
directly bring that up yesterday, it seemed like something he'd
really been keeping an eye on, not necessarily just in
the off season, but to me, almost something they were
looking for specifically in the portal, whereas they were recruiting
guys to the line that they just wanted a different, bigger,
(25:22):
stronger body type. And that's easy to say, like, yeah,
I'd love big, strong guys on the offensive line. That
makes sense. But for him to go down the list
and give us specific heights, specific weights, and the change
that these guys have put how much weight they put
on over the past couple of months, to me, that
tells the story of where they thought.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
Some of the issues were coming from last year.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
So I'd like to go back and as you said,
like you went back and found those draft picks and
that's excellent just context.
Speaker 7 (25:48):
I'd like to now go back.
Speaker 6 (25:50):
It's on my agenda this week to go back and
find all those measurements for the guys who were the
starters or the main contributors on the big Blue Wall
last year and see how that compares to the numbers
we got from stoops yesterday, because I think that'll be
something to watch this year.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Let me shift over to basketball for one last question,
Mark Pope, the previous Monday, did a media session. Here's
what he said about what he likes about this upcoming
Kentucky team. His second, I thought.
Speaker 8 (26:14):
This team had a terrific chance to be to grow
into a great defensive team. We have a long way
to go on that, but I think we can get there.
I think we have a chance to have a really
dynamic backcourt, guys that are really capable of making multiple
moves to make plays in the back court. And I
think this team has a chance to really to really
(26:37):
pass the ball at an elite level. So I have
high hopes for this group. I think I think we
have a chance.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
What do you think about those comments from Mark Pope?
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Oh Man, I mean the defense you have to be
excited about because that was an issue that we saw
them wanting to get better.
Speaker 7 (26:52):
And it's their credit, they got a lot better on
the defensive side of.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
The ball last year, but they just didn't have a
ton of players who had that great defensive background even
coming in, Like the talking point wasn't.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
Kobe Braa's defense, right?
Speaker 6 (27:05):
We understand that this year there are guys on this
roster that come in with some real defensive pedigree behind them,
and so I'm excited to see how that plays out.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
And then, of course when he says the.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
Back court, it reminds me of another statement he made
during that same press conference talking about you know, obviously
he's been very positive optimistic about Jayalen Lowe at the
point guard position, but I believe the question was who
might be backing him up, and he was very optimistic
Pope was in terms of the options who.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Could play backup point guard. Obviously that's where.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
They were a little short staff last year, especially once
Kirk Criso went out with that injury, and so for
him to have more options, I believe he mentioned Dindell,
Colin Chandler, Jasper.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
Johnson and kind of on down the list.
Speaker 6 (27:44):
And it also said, you know, we've got some great
options at the two and the three, and I think
those positions are going to be just as and this
was a quote, get where you want to go as
our number one guy is going to be. So the
guys playing two and three, I want them to get
the ball and get where they want to go as
much as our point guard.
Speaker 7 (28:02):
Is going to.
Speaker 6 (28:02):
So to me, that's interesting and kind of telling into
the kind of offense they're going to be running again
this year.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
Maggie Davis phoebe in tonight. Thank you much.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
Thanks Tom.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
It is the Leads Report and we're coming to you
from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio. Make sure you sign
up for their new Loyalty Rewards program so you can
save money on Phillips and items in their stores. Return,
refresh and refuel at Clark's. We'll be right back with
Cole Park for the Cats Paws thirteen away from the
top of the hour on this Tuesday edition of The
Leach Report, presented by Bob Kat Enterprises. We welcome Cole
(28:33):
Park to the program from Catspaws dot com, newest member
of the team there, and Cole tell our listeners the
scouting report on Cole Park. How'd you get to where?
You are?
Speaker 9 (28:45):
Very happy to be here, Tom. I started out when
I got to college. I grew up in Richmond, not
far from here, home of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, and
I got the UK as a student, got started with
the Kentucky Colonel, the student newspaper there, and worked me
out pretty quickly.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
You know.
Speaker 9 (29:02):
It was a good time and good place, and I
just did the best I could, so I was an
assistant editor by the time I was still a freshman
and the sports editor going into my sophomore year, which
I held till the end of my senior year. And
I worked just as hard as I could there to
bring the best work. And when it came time for
Aaron to move on from the Cat's Pass for his
(29:24):
new opportunity, you know, he and I just kind of
talked about it, and I was lucky enough to be
able to meet with them and meet with Darryl Bird
and get started at Cat's Pass.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Well, congratulations on the new gig. I'm a Colonel alum
as well, so that's a nice fraternity to be a
part of. Yes, sir, let's talk a little bit about
a couple of stories you have up right now at
catspaus dot com. A cub from Mark Stoops media session yesterday.
What were some of the things that were most interesting
(29:55):
to you that you heard yesterday, either there or at
the kickoff Lenchend.
Speaker 9 (30:02):
Yeah, I mean the first one I wrote was probably
the most interesting to me. Obviously, there was a lot
of a bit of uproar, I guess on social media,
both positive and negative when it came out that that
report that suggested that Kentucky might be putting forty five
percent of its revenue sharing towards basketball, and you know,
more importantly than the specific percentage, just how is Kentucky
(30:24):
gonna be able to compete in the SEC and football
with so many other schools prioritizing the sport. So it
felt very significant to me that, you know, Mark Stoops
came out and not only said that the percentage is
good for football, but.
Speaker 10 (30:38):
That he's very very excited about it, that he feels like.
Speaker 9 (30:40):
Kentucky football can compete in the SEC with the money
it's being allotted in revenue sharing.
Speaker 10 (30:46):
You know, he talked about the cap, how the cap
on what.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
Can't be very beneficial to his program, and he talked
about how he's excited, he feels like he's got the
administration support and like he's going to be able to
do what he needs to do and a pivotal year
for Kentucky football and going forward. And then the second
one I talked about there, you know, just thought it
(31:10):
was interesting saying that if they were play a game
right now, obviously Zach comes out over the starter. Nothing
too shocking there, but just interesting, you know, as you
continue to look at the development of Cutter Bowlie. We'll
get to see both Zach and Cutter Friday and Saturday
for the open practices, but it's definitely a big storyline
going into this season, is you know, how is Cutter
(31:31):
going to develop his cutter you know, the future of
this program. How is Zach going to do after leaving
the SEC for the FCS and then having a great
season down there and coming back here, you know, just
seeing how it all kind of shakes out once once
the game start being played.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
Through the Colonel You've obviously been around this program now
moving into this role with Cat's pause, So I'll see
if you get kind of the same feeling in listening
to Mark Stoops and the lead up to this season.
In recent years, he seemed a little beat down by
having to deal with the NIL issues. In particular, he
(32:08):
seems quite content with the money part of it now
for player compensation. As you touched on. He also doesn't
seem to be chasing that elusive evolution of his offense,
and he went to the NFL, brought in Liam Cohen,
worked great that first year, and Liam left and they
(32:29):
were kind of chasing the right answer there with the
OC and so now they've got two straight years with
the same OC for the first time since twenty twenty.
He just seems very comfortable and moving back to coaching
football the best way he knows how to do it,
and getting to focus pretty much exclusively on that, And
(32:52):
he seems to be in a really good place. And
I would think that would have to be good for
his team.
Speaker 10 (33:00):
Oh absolutely, I would agree one hundred percent.
Speaker 9 (33:02):
You know, this going into this season is probably some
of the most positive I've seen Stoops since I've been covering.
You know, like you said, there was always some some
frustrations with the Nile situation. You know, he said on
Monday that he doesn't like to make it an excuse,
but it was tough for a while there, and like
this more equal playing that they have, he said it's
(33:25):
one of the first times he's really felt like that.
Speaker 10 (33:27):
And that that's significant to him.
Speaker 9 (33:28):
And you know, I also agree to having that continuity
at offensive coordinator.
Speaker 10 (33:33):
I mean, I felt like every every single season.
Speaker 9 (33:35):
They were getting a new one, and you know, for
one reason, one reason or another, whether they left for
another opportunity or just didn't quite pan out. It was hard,
you know, to really establish a team, and when you're
changing the offense every single year, and then you you
get into a lot of things that we're talking you know,
culture and you know, not saying that that's even close
(33:59):
to the reason for that, but I'm sure it doesn't
necessarily help culture. When you're changing significant parts of the
program every single year, and you know you're bringing in
a new a new coach, you're going to say new
things and say have a different way of doing things.
Speaker 10 (34:12):
So it seems like going into this.
Speaker 9 (34:15):
Season, you know, both with players at media day and
coach himself have been very clear to say, you know,
we know what last season was. We're not trying to
hide from it. We're not trying to shy away from it.
You know, we want to get better from it and
learn from it. It seems like, you know, whether it
comes to building out a team, building out you know,
(34:37):
the financials of it all, building out the culture, it.
Speaker 10 (34:40):
Seems like there there really is a.
Speaker 9 (34:42):
Rejuvenated passion there to do the work that needs to
be done to hopefully get Consentuckut football backer.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
It needs to be.
Speaker 1 (34:51):
I think you are exactly on spot on on that
Cole appreciate the time we're running just a little short,
so we'll spend a one more time the next time
you're with us. But congrats on the new gig with
Cat's Paws.
Speaker 10 (35:05):
Absolutely, thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
That is Cole Park. You can read him at Katzpause
dot com. A couple of stories up right there now
on yesterday's UK football news from the media session. It
is the Leech Report, about six away from the top
of the hour. Our show each day is presented by
Bobcat Enterprises, and we'll be back with the final segment
of that show in just a moment. Stay in Wildcat
(35:30):
History presented by Kentucky Roadshow Sports Cards and Memorabilia. They're
on Romedy Road here in Lexington and at roadshowcards dot com.
Keep up on the website. You'll get details when they
have autograph signings, like they won with the one they
did with the Doron Lamb when he was in for
the TBT. A couple of birthdays today Steve Clevenger celebrating
(35:52):
a birthday today. He finished up with Kentucky basketball in
nineteen sixty eight, meaning he was a teammate of Mike
Pratt and Issel and Casey and that crew. He and
Mike I know we're good friends. Steve was also his
first varsity season was the Runts RUPs Runts year in
nineteen sixty six. So happy birthday Steve Clevenger, Kenny Rice
(36:15):
or a buddy from NBC before that WTVQ here in Lexington,
Kenny celebrating a birthday today. Corn Bread Hemp is one
of our great partners here on the Leech Report, and
you have these new infused Seltzers that you should try
if you haven't done it yet. Four delicious fruit flavors
and it's perfect for a light lift without the hangover
(36:39):
on a much too hot summer day. They also have
the organic full Spectrum gummies if you prefer those before
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(37:02):
you soak up every second of summer. And if you're
a first time customer at Cornbreadhamp dot com, you can
get twenty percent off your first order at checkout if
you put in the code Tom So make sure you
do that. If you're a first timer at cornbreadhamp dot com.
This is the good life. Rest in peace. Ryan Sandberg
(37:22):
passed away yesterday in Major League Baseball. Legend with the Cubbies.
Had forgotten how long it was he was on the
He was the star of the eighty four team that
won the division title for the Cubs with the ninety
six wins. They had not won made it to the
postseason since nineteen forty five. They're leading the division now
(37:46):
the Reds are chasing the Cubbies. But Ryan Sandberg was
the star and he was the MVP in that eighty
four season. He passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer.
Do it for this edition of the Leach Report presented
by Bobcat Enterprises. Have yourself a fantastic day and we
(38:07):
will see you tomorrow here on the Leech Report.
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