2025-12-02- LEACH REPORT

Tom talks with Jones Angell, Larry Vaught, and Jeff Drummond.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
It is the Leach Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises. Game
Day edition is the Cats and Mark Pope will take
on North Carolina tonight at Rupp Arena. And our show
is always presented by Bobcat Enterprises and we will lead
off with scattering report on the tar Heels from their
radio play by play voice Jones. Angel Larry Vaudell joined

(00:23):
us and we'll talk about the new era coming for
Kentucky football and we'll talk about that and the hoops
matchup with Jeff Drummond to wrap up things on this Tuesday.
Wildcat News of the Day always presented by just Sepies
of Lexington and Will Stein is officially the new head
coach for Kentucky football. The announcement from UK came late

(00:44):
last night. Stein's thirty six year old offensive coordinator at Oregon,
or has been for the last three years. He was
the quarterback that led Louisville Trinity High School to three
straight state championships and then went on to be a
walk on QB who became a starter at U of L.

(01:05):
His dad played at Kentucky for Jerry Clayburn In the
early eighties. Oregon was ranked at the top twenty five
in points per game and yards per game in each
of the three seasons that Stein has been the OC
for coach Dan Lanning. ESPN's reporting that Stein will stay
with Oregon through the Ducks playoff run. But if you

(01:28):
remember this was the case when Liam Cohen was hired
as the OC a few years back for the first time,
and he stayed with the Rams through their postseason run,
but was also able to find time to work on
his new role that was coming at Kentucky, and that's
what he landed. Will Levis, So will Stein the new

(01:49):
head football coach for the Cats. I would expect you
will see him announced at the game tonight, if the
Wildcats or if you're going to watch the Wildcats take
on North Carolina. So I don't know if the news
conference will come today or when that will happen, but.

Speaker 2 (02:08):
It'll all play out pretty quickly.

Speaker 1 (02:09):
I don't know that you've seen many coaching searches play
out more quickly than this one, especially when it was
in a case of just promoting somebody from within men's
basketball taking on North Carolina tonight. Tar Hills rank sixteenth
with a record of six and one. It's the sec
ACC Challenge. It is a late one and nine to thirty.
Tip Coverage will start at eight Eastern on the UK

(02:31):
Sports Network with a pregame. Mark Pope on his radio
show last night said that Mohammed di Abate and Jalen
Lowe are making progress but quote not sure that they'll
be available for the game tonight, so it looks like
Kentucky will be shorthanded again. Tar Hill's only loss was
a lopsided one to Michigan State seventy four to fifty eight,

(02:53):
so they can commiserate with the Wildcats about how good
Michigan State's playing right now. Links to the stories that
we talk about, you can find them on the bud
Light Leach Report page at tow Leachky dot com. When
we come back, Jones Angel will join the program, Levought
a little later, Jeff Drummond after that. It's the Leach Report,
and our opening segment's always presented by just Seppies of Lexington,

(03:16):
and they have their own barrel pickbourbon that's on the
way to the restaurant.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
You can buy it and take it home.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
They're working on a Russell Reserve barrel Pick two and
they have gift cards for the holidays. If you have
somebody that's hard to buy for, go to Juseppes Lexington
dot com and you can find out how to get
the gift cards. They'll mail them out, they'll email them
to you. Makes it really easy. We'll be right back
on the Leach Report Radio Network. Welcome back into the
Tuesday edition of our show, presented by Bombcan Enterprises.

Speaker 2 (03:45):
And it is a game day for Kentucky.

Speaker 1 (03:47):
Men's basketball in the sec ACC Challenge, a late one
at rob Arena between Kentucky and North Carolina. Jones Angel
joins us to preview the matchup. He's the radio play
by play voice for the tar Heels. Jones, You and
I were chatting before we started this interview that both
teams can attest to how good Michigan State is. Thanksgiving Night,
the tar Hills roughed up a little bit by the Spartans.

(04:09):
Kentucky got it even worse up at the Garden. Was
what stood out to you about that game that wasn't
as good for the tar Hills as previous games.

Speaker 3 (04:18):
Yeah, Tom, and first, great to be with you and
looking forward to getting to Rough It's been a long
time since the tar Hills have been there. So looking
forward to being there. It's always such a terrific atmosphere,
and especially when two teams and programs like this get together.
But a couple of things that Carolina didn't handle very
well in that game against Michigan State. One was the
Spartans physicality I thought really ruled the day. You know,

(04:40):
they were really consistent, really worked hard to get the
ball in the paint, really worked hard to be successful
on the glass. And these are things that Carolina has
been pretty good at so far here early in the year,
but Michigan State was doing it at a different level.
And Tom Carolina was there for most of the game,
but the last seven or eight minutes I thought Michigan

(05:02):
State finally kind of wore the heels down with that physicality,
and eventually a lead that had been sitting around three
to five for most of the second half swelled to twelve,
and then it got to sixteen by the end of
the day. And so that was number one with Carolina
didn't handle that real well. And then number two, the
Tarios just bogged down offensively. They're very good in transition.

(05:26):
Their half court stuff has worked great against Navy and
North Carolina Central, but a little different when you're playing
Michigan State and then Kentucky of course tonight, and so
they'll want to continue to improve in that regard. They
didn't shoot very well from the outside, which always hurts,
and so a couple of things that they certainly have
on their list to improve on.

Speaker 1 (05:46):
They have one of the best young players in the country,
a freshman that Kentucky tried to recruit, Caleb Wilson projected
lottery pick. And it looks like from the numbers I
see he has been as good as advertised.

Speaker 3 (05:58):
He's been terrific to I will say these last two
games Saint Bonaventure and Michigan State in Fort Myers, in
the Thanksgiving event that Carolina played in, they were very,
very physical with Caleb Wilson. They doubled him a lot.
They just made him work harder than he's had to
work before with the physicality, and that's something he's gonna

(06:20):
have to get used to. Even tom Izzo in his
postgame invoked the old Jordan rules from the Pistons about
you know, just make him work hammer them. They're not
gonna call every foul and so, you know, just keep
being physical with him. But Caleb has been terrific and Tom,
the thing is, and you know this from being around
great players through the years, Caleb Wilson's really physically talented,

(06:42):
but he also wants to be good.

Speaker 2 (06:44):
He works really hard to be good.

Speaker 3 (06:47):
He's a smart basketball player, so does he makes the
right play. He's a willing passer if need be. And
when you have that combination of a guy who's just
has the physical god given talent, but then also has
that desire, that work ethic, that knowledge of the game,
that's a pretty that's a pretty fun player to cover.
And so Caleb's been all that and more and more

(07:09):
so far. Now there's some more film album on him.
Now people have seen him play more, and so teams
are adjusting. And now he has to adjust because he
will get as much attention as the other team can
give him. I'm guessing tonight against Kentucky and every game
the rest of the way for the Heels, he's.

Speaker 1 (07:26):
Averaging right at twenty a game. What stands out about
his offensive game.

Speaker 3 (07:31):
It's his relentless effort to get to the rim. Tom,
I don't have the numbers right in front of me,
but going into that Michigan State game, Yeah, so he
had something like twenty four or twenty five dunks already
on the season. And you know, Tom, guys like you
and me don't get experiences. But when you see somebody
who's six' ten and super athletic and they're out there,
playing and you, think, gous why don't they just dunk

(07:53):
it every? Time like IF i could dunk it every,
TIME i would dunk it every. Time you think, That,
Well Caleb wilson tries to do. That he just dunk
it every. Time and whether that's in, transition whether that's
off an offensive, rebound whether that's in the half, court
on a, drive whatever it, is he attacks the rim.
Relentlessly and so that that's been by far the most

(08:14):
impressive thing about him to this point is his desire
and ability to get to the. Rim now he can.
Shoot he's shown a nice little turnaround jump shot in the.
Post he, said plenty of elbow. Jumpers he can get
to the free throw, line where he's right around seventy
percent on the. Year he is in an ok three point.
Shooter he hasn't shot great so far this, season BUT
i do think that's a part of his game that

(08:35):
he does. Have but right now it's been that relentless
effort at the ten that's been so impressive about.

Speaker 1 (08:42):
Him Beyond, wilson what else stands out When carolina is playing.

Speaker 3 (08:46):
Well Henry vasar is a transferred From arizona and he's
been really good so far for The tarios at seven
feet And Tom kentucky And carolina didn't play last. Year
but last Year carolina was, small and that's it's not
something that The tarios are very. Often when you think
About carolina, basketball they traditionally have a pretty good big.
Man and so that was really an effort For carolina

(09:09):
this offseason to improve size in general and positional. Size
and you bring in a seven footer Like Henry vasar
From arizona and he's played every bit of. That he's
already three or four double doubles on the, Year he's rebounded,
well he can step out and hit the. Three so
he's somebody you have to guard all over the. Court
Jared stevenson somebody you're familiar with from THE. Sec The

(09:31):
alabama Transfer jared is starting at the small forward position For.
Carolina so The heels go in that front court six,
ten six, ten seven feet and that size has been
important for them here early in the. Season you, know
the injury To Seth trimble has Hurt. Carolina tremble the
really the one player who was a holdover from the

(09:52):
last several, years a terrific, defender great athleticism in the back.
Court it'll still be a few more weeks before he,
returns and SO i Think carolina is still trying to
figure out the best combination in that backcourt without. Him
Luca bogovats is a. Junior he's been playing In serbia
the last several, years a really skilled. Player Kain evans

(10:13):
From Colorado state has had some up and down. Moments
a couple freshmen involved as, well but that size in
the front, Court tom has been the real dominant factor
For carolina so.

Speaker 1 (10:24):
Far anything you mentioned the physicality For Michigan state that
game or any, others any any when they've had any,
problems there's there been any common theme to what caused them.

Speaker 3 (10:34):
Issues, yeah you, Know carolina has had some droughts, offensively
and you have these three or four minute droughts where you,
know you don't have a field maybe you have two
free throws but no field, goals or you, know no
points for three. Minutes or whatever it might. Be AND
i think that's Hurt, carolina and some of that has
continued to Be they need to get better in the half.

(10:55):
Court they are excellent when they can get out and,
run and they're very good at. Transition they're good at
making the right, play they're good at, finishing but they
have struggled some when it gets tough in the half.
Court and SO i think those you can withstand those
three or four minute offensive droughts Against radford or Against
North Carolina, central but when it happens Against Michigan, state

(11:17):
or Against kansas or Against, kentucky you pay a little
bit of a larger. Price and SO i would say
that has been an area That carolina wants to continue
to work on and clean. Up you're always going to
have a few moments where things don't go as, smoothly
but when you have several three or four minute, droughts
those are tough to.

Speaker 1 (11:34):
Overcome Tylo Jones, angels the radio play by play voice
for the UN c Tar heels Playing Kentucky tonight down And.
Rup and you, know for you AND i and broadcast,
crews you look forward to these kinds of. Games there's
a you, know hopefully about forty of these over the
course of the, season but not all of them are
the level Of kentucky And North.

Speaker 2 (11:54):
Carolina so these are.

Speaker 3 (11:55):
Fun, Absolutely and you know what was that tom of
these two teams had something like an eight game home
and home remember in the two thousands and in the
early twenty, tens and then you, know they've been fortunate
enough to see each other a bunch in THAT Cbs
Sports classic Around christmas. Time but it's just different playing
on on. Campus it's just so much fun to play
it rop and then when The wildcats come to The Smith,

(12:16):
center it's it's just a different energy and a different,
feel and you.

Speaker 2 (12:20):
Always look forward to.

Speaker 3 (12:21):
Those That's carolina just finished a home and home With
kansas and those were great to get to go and
play At Allen Field, house and then The jayhawks coming
to The Smith center this. Year of, course The tario
s duke twice a. Season but when you get these
really elite programs and you get them at one of
those teams home, gyms it just feels a little more more.
Special it's always great to Play kentucky, wherever but especially

(12:42):
when it's at one of their home. Gyms so really
looking forward to it and always enjoy these, matchups.

Speaker 1 (12:47):
Well Said, Jones thank you so much full.

Speaker 2 (12:49):
Time Thanks.

Speaker 3 (12:50):
Tom always great to see and looking forward to the game.

Speaker 4 (12:52):
Tonight it's a.

Speaker 1 (12:53):
Late one, tonight nine thirty tip off and that means.
Pregame we'll start at eight on THE uk radio. Network
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Speaker 2 (13:03):
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Speaker 1 (13:04):
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(13:25):
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Cooffee it's The Leach. Report we'll be right. Back twenty
five passed the top of the. Hour The leech report
is coming to here from The Clark's Pumpin' shop. Studio,

(13:47):
return refresh and refuel At clarks as we Welcome Larry
vaught into the program from Your Sports edge dot com
And voughtsviews dot. Com, So larrywee last talked a week
ago on this, show and a good bit has happened since.

Speaker 2 (14:04):
Then what do you think about the new football coach
for The?

Speaker 4 (14:07):
Cats interesting Hire Tom. It it reminds me a little
bit of going back to The How mommy hire when
you go strict kind of go to the offensive side of,
it and some people wondered what WAS. C. M newton
did when he Brought How mommy in and the offense certainly.
WORKED i think now bringing In Will, STEIN i think

(14:29):
it's a good swing and a good hire By Mitch.
Ball are you going to do something a little? DIFFERENT
i think in the day's, world going for a guy
that is known for his offensive, Creativity i'm sure he
hadn't been a head coach. Hip he's got to be
a head coach the first time, somewhere so why not At?
Kentucky and he certainly understands The bluegrass state with his,
background and and so THE i like the. Hire glad

(14:53):
they got it done as quick as they. Did i'd
be interesting now to. SEE i would Think, Cutter bowley
and THE uk young receivers and all would like this,
hire even though in today's world you never know what
opportunities they're all going to. Have BUT i think all of, All,
Mitch barnhardt And crewe did a good job knowing making
the hire but doing it so.

Speaker 1 (15:12):
Quick, YEAH i think a coach with more of an
offensive background is going to be well received By kentucky
football fans at this, point with you know where the
game is and the fact that they have a quarterback that,
yeah it's you, Know Cutters accolades didn't quite get you

(15:37):
didn't quite get.

Speaker 2 (15:38):
To the level of A Tim.

Speaker 1 (15:38):
Couch but when they Hired, hal as you, mentioned it
was important to make sure That Tim couch stayed and
there Are it's not a bad plan to try to
make sure you hang on The cutter bowl if you.

Speaker 4 (15:48):
Can, no it's, sure isn't. IT i think we'll see
in the next few days how that plays out With.
CUTTER i know The cutter really likes the Will stein,
philosophy AND i Know cutter WOULD i think like to stay.
Here it's just in today's, world the offers it might
be coming his. Way that's something we don't have any idea.

(16:10):
About BUT i think Getting Will stiging on board and
doing it this quick Gives kentucky the very best change
it could have and making sure the cutter does stay.
Here AND i hope that works, out like the two
of them would work really well. Together AND i saw
that Maunt pontowski up And cincinnata has always already made
it pretty clear he's going to sign With kentucky. Now

(16:30):
so hopefully maybe you've got your quarterback of the future
stay in here to play the next couple of years
in your quarterback of the future after the quarterback of
the future coming in.

Speaker 1 (16:39):
Now that would be wonderful if it could work out that,
way to have to not have to shop in the Transfer,
marco you're in and year out.

Speaker 4 (16:48):
Quarterback, yeah it'd be like you're trying to have found
a new partner every, year wouldn't.

Speaker 2 (16:52):
It, yes it.

Speaker 1 (16:53):
Would get at a little old and a little. Inconsistent
it's hard to, hit you, know every year.

Speaker 2 (16:58):
On the right.

Speaker 4 (16:59):
Guy, yeah it sure. Is BUT i think they've hit
a good one here With will AND i think. Again,
yeah he's a little a little young maybe to be
a head coach in THE, sec but, again you got
to be a head coach the first time. Somewhere and
my hope would be that he'll come in here and
he'll do so great that in three or four years

(17:19):
you're worry about how we're going to hold on to.
It that'd be the greatest thing in the world that
he's so successful that.

Speaker 1 (17:23):
Happens, yeah exactly. Right and we'll talk more about this
when we come back With, larry and then the little
Later Jeff drummond will join us as. Well it is
The Leeds. Report we're presented each day By Bobcat. Enterprises
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(17:44):
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the second half of The Leach. Report we're presented By Bobcat.

(18:04):
Enterprises we're chatting With Larry vaught About kentucky's hiring Of
Will stein as the new football coach at age thirty.
Six so young guy with an excellent track record of
putting a lot of points on the board and building
up a lot of yardage. Totals and he's worked with
three different quarterbacks in the last three years when he's

(18:25):
been in the top twenty five in scoring each year At.
Oregon Plus, larry you had a chance to get great
intel on him from the ad At oregon who's a
Former kentucky, assistant And Rob, mullins and Then Rich brooks
is out.

Speaker 4 (18:39):
There, YEAH i think The Rich brooks intel probably the
best intel you could. Have but knowing That Will stein
grew up going To University kentucky games and his FAMILY
i think has BEEN uk fans for a long, time,
well very well respected up In louisville and Everywhere will's,
been it's worked for him very, well AND i think

(19:02):
somebody who's going to give him a chance to make this,
Step And i'm Glad kentucky went ahead and did it
because it's kind OF i think the trend into a
little bit more modern type of football than What kentucky's been.
Doing no knock Against Mark stoodents because he had to
do what he worked best for. Him BUT i Think

(19:22):
will brings a little bit different creativity and ingenuity to the.
Game he's, younger so hopefully he relates really well to.
PLAYERS i Think now for, me the interesting thing is
going to be is who's he going to bring in
on the defensive side of the ball to take care
of that. One he's going to keep some of the
people that are At. Kentucky, now he got new guys

(19:44):
that he wants to bring in with, him AND i
also kind of interested over the next couple of weeks
to see how that. Goes but one thing ABOUT i
think whoever he's, got whoever it's going to, BE i
Think will will be able to keep the recruits In
kentucky's got, committed they're supposed to be signing this, week
and he'll be able to keep all those. Guys they'll
go they'll trust, him go ahead and sign With. Kentucky

(20:05):
so he'll kind of say that high school recruiting class.

Speaker 1 (20:08):
And if he, has if he's able to Keep, cutter
WHICH i would say IS i would think good reason
to be. Optimistic then, yeah with that combinate combined that
with Coach stein's record of accomplishment in, offense that ought
to open the door to attracting some playmakers that should

(20:29):
Help kentucky rank well above one hundred and twenty ninth
in big plays next.

Speaker 4 (20:34):
Season you think, So, TOM i think you're setting the
bar pretty. High they're well going to get to climb
up above one. Twenty BUT i, MEAN i Guess will's
gonna be used to that pressure you're gonna put on
anhim like. That but, YEAH i think you're, Right AND
i think not only will it we're talking about hopefully
make it easier to Keep, cutter probably hopefully easier to
keep a guy Like Willie rodriguez as well. Too SO

(20:56):
i think that that's a big deal for. Him SO
i think it's just a really good hire to kind
of excite The kentucky fan. Base that it'll make for an
interesting next few months to see kind of what he's
what he gets, done and what the team. Does BUT
i just think it's the best scenario you could have worked.
With i'm glad he's going to go ahead that there
wasn't any problem with him going ahead him working For

(21:18):
oregon in the. PLAYOFFS i hope he gets them all
the way to The National Championship, game because every Time
organ's ON, tv that's going to be more. Published he
For kentucky and they talk about Will stein the offense
and next year he'll be doing that For. Kentucky AND
i think that's the right thing to do to make
sure he can stay there with the team he's been with.

Speaker 1 (21:35):
Too, exactly And i'm sure he'll have an opportunity to
spend some of his day working on. THIS i mentioned
Earlier Liam cohen did that with The rams and was
able to still you, know go out and find A
Will levis and you, know get ready for his move
To kentucky as THE oc a few years.

Speaker 4 (21:52):
Ago, yeah he's thirty seven three hours of sleep the
night off and don't you think.

Speaker 2 (21:58):
Exactly there you. Go we're talking With Larry.

Speaker 1 (22:01):
Vott you can read them at your sports edge dot
com and follow its views ON. X kentucky takes the
court Against North carolina. Tonight sounds like they'll be shorthanded yet.

Speaker 2 (22:13):
Again.

Speaker 1 (22:14):
Uh and this is an important stretch in terms of
a you, know the resume Form march with opportunities to
check some of those boxes for the resume wins that
you want to have In march outside the, conference And
kentucky's missed on the first. Opportunities they Have carolina this,
week and Then gonzaga On, Friday indiana next, Week Saint
john's after, that and it's.

Speaker 2 (22:36):
Not the best situation to be at less than full. Strength,
no it's.

Speaker 4 (22:42):
NOT i, mean you hate to think about a team
Like kentucky and with the preseason expectations and. Hopes interesting
here on the second day Of december and you're talking
about a must. Win but to, me in a lot of,
ways tonight is almost a must whim because what you
said ABOUT ncaa tournament. Resume if you start oh one
to three in your high profile, games then you've Got,

(23:04):
gonzaga WHO i think will probably the best Team kentucky's,
played coming Up friday, night and then you come back
in a week and you Got. INDIANA i, mean that's
just a tough. Stretch this is just one you need to,
GET i think for the player's, confidence for the fans.
CONFIDENCE i even think they need to get it just
to get a little swagger. Back And mark pok because
he's been kind of beat down a little bit after

(23:25):
a couple of these. LOSSES i think they just needed
for a lot of. Reasons and then here you are
going in short handed. Again but the one PLUS i
see from being short, handed it's going to make Some
it enables some other guys to play more. Minutes AND
i think if there's one Thing mark's going to have
to reef kind of think going, FORWARD i think he
just got to let some of these guys play more.

(23:47):
MINUTES i know analytics are, great but If i'm to
Leave Leading bay and it says that some guys are
going to get tired and they've been out There Leading,
bay just let him play a little bit. LONGER i
hope that's one thing he will maybe, do so we'll.

Speaker 1 (23:59):
See he mentioned last Night Andre yelovich is a guy
that maybe could help them a little bit in a
matchup like. THIS i would Suspect friday as, well because
both of these opponents this week are really, big And
yellovich hass shown an ability to move. Well mark talked
about His yellowich's footwork defensively last, night and you know

(24:22):
that size against a guy Like Caleb, wilson maybe he
could help you out on that. Guy and Then yellovich
And Cam, williams we Saw Trent noah start to hit
the three ball last week in The Tennessee tech. Game
that was good to. See would be also good to
see it happened For cam and For yellowich two guys
that you know can knock them.

Speaker 4 (24:42):
Down, YEAH i think it'd be really good For, Cam,
jasper Yellowch. Trent they've got to find some of those
guys that can do that on a consistent. Basis AND
i think part of, it and of, course, myself never
being a, SHOOTER i don't really, know BUT i think
shooters have to. Play they have to be out on
the court at play, minutes which is one Thing kentucky

(25:04):
has got to do last. Year and that's one THING
i think maybe some of those guys are struggling, With,
well you don't play a law a big number of.
Minutes it's a little bit harder maybe to get in
your rhythm and o't when you're a. Shooter so again
that's just some of the Things mark has to kind
of figure out going. Forward but whatever it, is they
need to win, tonight need the crowd to really help
them with. THAT i don't know if there's any Chance

(25:26):
will Stat i'll be In lexington today or, not but
if they tried to him out there for the, while
that'd be pretty sweet, tonight wouldn't be.

Speaker 2 (25:32):
Surprised.

Speaker 1 (25:34):
Larry good to hear from you as, always and we'll
see it.

Speaker 4 (25:37):
Rup all, right Thanks.

Speaker 2 (25:39):
Tom that Is Larry.

Speaker 1 (25:40):
Vaugh you read them at your sports edge dot com
and At vaught's, views and we are heading to a break.
ON i should have asked him about, volleyball of. Course
the number one Seeded kentucky volleyball team Starts thursday. Night
tickets still available to go check out their, Matches Hope,
lea it's Plural wafford On, thursday and if they Win

(26:02):
Georgia tech OR ucla On, friday all At Historic Memorial.
Cad i'll see. Him make sure you get out and
give them a lot of. Support we'll be right back
With Jeff drummond on The Leach. Report there's The Leach
report presented By Bobcat enterprises And company for The Clark's
pump And shop, Studio Return refresh And refuel At Clark's
as we welcome In Jeff drummond to the program From

(26:23):
Katz illustrated Dot. Com and you were Following jeff On.
Sunday that's one of the first, places maybe the first
where you saw the news About kentucky making a change
with its head football coach and moving on From Mark,
stoops and now we know It's Will stein as the. Replacement,
jeff were you surprised that well that story came your

(26:46):
way On?

Speaker 5 (26:46):
Sunday, YEAH i really, Was tom a. BIT i think
it was really headed towards that kind of fifty to
fifty proposition going into that scenario late in the season
with those last two games With vanderbilt And, Louisville but

(27:07):
the nature are of those games and how lopsided they
were really probably pushed it towards the other. Side in my, view.

Speaker 1 (27:17):
It was going to be a very challenging to work up,
enthusiasm certainly for ticket, sales.

Speaker 2 (27:23):
And then to find the roster to put together for
the next. Season so.

Speaker 1 (27:30):
It's and it ended amicably reports that Coach stoops selected
to give U k the option to make the buy
out more. Manageable and so last night of the radio
show kind of a situation where you it's no longer
The Mark Stoops, show and you don't know who the
new guy is, yet and so we ended up just

(27:52):
talking a lot about the high points of The Mark
stoops are AND i think that's where fans now my,
senses have turned their focus and you, know just celebrate
a lot of good times and just understand that it
was time to move.

Speaker 5 (28:06):
On, Yeah AND i think that's gonna end up being
kind of the lasting legacy of. This AND i Think
Mark steukes really cares about his legacy. Here it sounds
like he may even want to stick around here and who,
knows could you, know put down roots permanently around next

(28:29):
season and then this wild kind of allow him to
do that without there being any you, know hard. Feelings
had they pushed us into another season that went kind
of like these last two, went and that that that could.

Speaker 1 (28:43):
Have made things.

Speaker 5 (28:43):
Difficult but now people will will think back to like
LIKE i did to a guy when he when he
was hired that did some THINGS i never THOUGHT i
would live to. See and you know that's a couple
of ten wins seasons and beating a program Like Penn,
state for, example in A New Year's bowl game and

(29:07):
bringing some of that excitement to the. PROGRAM i didn't
think any of these things were attainable at one.

Speaker 1 (29:13):
Point well that's a good, point because that's a significant
achievement for the next, guy because you you, Know kentucky
fans have always aspired to move up the, ladder and
this was proof that it can. Happen and if you
can win ten twice and beat a bunch of ranked

(29:33):
teams and a lot of the things That mark, accomplished
then the next guy can perhaps build on that.

Speaker 5 (29:39):
Too, Absolutely and you, have you, know this this different
era that we're in now where you could build your
roster and in different ways legally these, days and you
look at teams Like Indiana vanderbilt what they've been, Doing
you've got to think you can set the bar even higher.

Speaker 2 (30:02):
Now.

Speaker 1 (30:03):
Absolutely we're talking With Jeff drummond at j drumm uk
and you follow him At katzillustrated dot. Com So Will
stein is the new guy third, year in his third,
year is THE oc At oregon and has put up
big numbers every year with a different quarterback every. Year
AND i think this is going to be a popular

(30:23):
choice with The kentucky.

Speaker 2 (30:24):
Fans do you get the same SENSE.

Speaker 1 (30:27):
I?

Speaker 5 (30:28):
Do AND i think it was important for the program
to kind of have a different direction to go back
when they Hired Mark, SNOOPS i was really thrilled when
they were going with a defense first type of. GUY
i Thought kentucky needed that. MENTALITY i Remember mark coming
in and saying that first press conference was going to

(30:49):
be great on the offensive line and defensive. Line, well,
NOW i think having done that and accomplished, THAT i
think it was important to come out of this recent
era with an offensive minded approach and to be able
to show the fans that they can put some points
on the board and entertain a little bit. More we've

(31:10):
we've seen that at even the old most traditional schools Like,
alabama which kind of changed their philosophy over the years
to adjust to how the game's played in this. League
AND i think Will stein's kind of the perfect fit
for the way things are.

Speaker 1 (31:26):
PRINTING i think it was a statement from Doctor, capaludo
THE Uk president yesterday THAT i saw just stressing the
importance of succeeding in football and that you, know from
a business standpoint for the athletics, department and you're investing
a lot now more than ever in building the football

(31:48):
team and all the. Teams but you, know certainly football
is the most expensive and so it's an important to
get a return on that investment and so this should
certainly help the ticket sales in the short term and
create a lot of. Excitement and you need to at
times in a business find, way especially in, sports find

(32:08):
ways to create hope and.

Speaker 2 (32:10):
Enthusiasm, right, YEAH i.

Speaker 5 (32:13):
Think they've done that with. This and then then you
throw in the kind of you know hometown not, hometown
but you know home state guy with the family connections
to THE uk. Football it just has all the PIECES
i think that were needed at this time to to
get people excited about continuing to put money into the

(32:38):
program and get it to where it needs to.

Speaker 1 (32:40):
Be it's gonna, be you know interesting here in the
next few weeks to in coach town will have a
lot to. Do you have to build a staff and you,
know how does he go? There and is there anybody
on the current staff that that? Stays and then more,
IMPORTANTLY i think the players that stay because it's a
lot of the focuses On Cutter, bowlie but there are
several other promising young players that will be courted by

(33:03):
other programs that you need to try to hang on
to if you.

Speaker 2 (33:05):
CAN i would, think, Yeah.

Speaker 5 (33:09):
I've lost you for part of that.

Speaker 2 (33:10):
TIME i, apologize BUT i think that would Be.

Speaker 5 (33:14):
Will's first priority is kind of keeping the talent he
has right down on the, program BECAUSE i do believe
the casts have a nice core to build around for
next season and they should be excited about this HIGHER
i think give them what he's helped atomplish out out
of The oregon so that that should help them kind
of made the foundation and then maybe add a few

(33:37):
points here and. There in addition to, Recruiting my biggest
question is going to, be you, know defensive. Coordinator you,
know recruiting defensive. Coordinator those are the two biggest THINGS
i think that lies ahead Of Will stein to show
you know what his first couple OF uk teams are
going to look.

Speaker 2 (33:57):
Like let's shift gears to quick.

Speaker 1 (33:59):
Basketball question the matchup tonight Between kentucky And North carolina
At Rop, Arena latewood at nine thirty and oh, yeah
what what are you looking to? See what are the
keys in this matchup For?

Speaker 5 (34:11):
Kentucky, well IT'S i keep reminding myself it's Only december
twod and usually in the past we were never playing
at any big games this early in the season and
in college. Basketball But kentucky's already had a couple and
they they really need this. ONE i hate to call

(34:33):
it a must win, situation but you're already kind of
behind the eight ball a little bit with those losses
To Louisville Michigan.

Speaker 2 (34:41):
State SO.

Speaker 5 (34:43):
I Think Mark popstein needs to come out and make
a little bit of a statement tonight that that shows
they can play well against the rape opponent and kind
of get themselves in better position down the road when you,
know when The committee starts looking at all all these
tough games on the, Schedule kentucky's gotta win their fair
share of them to have that good.

Speaker 1 (35:05):
Rating At jay drum uk on x And Cats illustrated
dot com to read the work Of Jeff drumm and
covering The.

Speaker 2 (35:13):
Cats thank, You, jeff.

Speaker 5 (35:15):
All, Right, Tom Thanks.

Speaker 2 (35:17):
Leatch report presented By Bob Cat. Enterprises we'll be right. Back.

Speaker 1 (35:21):
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Hep this is The Good life Stan Wildcat history nineteen ninety.
Five number. One kentucky Defeated indiana at The Hoosier dome
eighty nine to eighty two before forty one thousand. People
Antoine walker twenty four points to lead the. Way happy,

(36:27):
Birthday Brandon night and another Great kentucky point, guard one
of the all time, Greats Ralph, beard was born on this.
Day The Bluegrass Basketball invitational is coming up On, Friday december,
twelfth that's a week from This. Friday it's going to
be At Montgomery County High school's. Arena it's part of
The Legacy event series from The Kentucky High School Basketball

(36:50):
hall Of, fame and they're gonna Have Madison central Against
Brian station in the first, game and Then Montgomery county
Against Frederick Douglas High school in the second. Game a
lot of top ten teams and players, there so you
can go TO khsbhf dot com and get more information
KHS bhf dot. Com it's the legacy event for The

(37:12):
Kentucky High School Basketball hall Of. Fame, well that's gonna
do it for. Us game night, tonight so it's a late.
One i'll be taking tomorrow. Off Dick gabriel will be
hitch hitting, tomorrow so he'll recap the game tonight and
not sport talk about the new era In kentucky. Football
Lakes report presented By Bob Kat enterprises have a good
day