Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
Why along with Jack Pilgrim and Larry Vaut, coming to
you from Clark's Main Street Market studios in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.
Overcasted downtown lex to Kentucky. We are talking, We are
trying to find out opinion. We have a poll going
(00:24):
live on Twitter, and I guess there was not the
option of if someone is happy. The options are are
you sad, upset or indifferent that coach Merrill has left
Lexington to go to Louisville and it hasn't changed very much.
(00:45):
The biggest part of the responders are over fifty percent
and different. They're a whole lot of people that are upset.
Most are sad, but most are indifferent than The next
option is most people are sad, but you can give
us your opinion eight five, nine to eight zero, two
to eighty seven, eighty five, nine to eight zero. Cats,
Let's get to the big ass fans hotline and see
(01:07):
what Alvin has to say.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Good morning, Alvin, what do you got for us?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Happy?
Speaker 4 (01:13):
For other day guys? On this beautiful day. I wanted
to talk a little bit about the thought that Jack
Pilgrim had offered about maybe Stoops going out and recruiting
himself and becoming the more vocal face of the program.
But I think that that has to be attached with personality.
(01:35):
Mark Stoops, you know, does great interviews, but he doesn't
smile or not enough. He doesn't seem jovial. He might
not be connected with the new age kids. Different from
John Cali Ferry, who had this Hollywood personality if you will,
when he was here for fifteen years. Kids connected to
(01:56):
him like his personality. I think recruit you have to
have a personality to go with that. Maybe Vince had
that with him, but let's talk about Vince. Vince is
one of three coaches that left the program before him.
It was Rick Patino who drew uh you know, bix
(02:17):
reviews when he left, probably drew some despise from the
Big Blue Nation because he too went down as sixty
four to go west to Jordan of Louis of Cardinal
program down there, and that did vote well for him
as he left with you know, much controversy when he left.
(02:38):
Didn't have to think about you know, John Caliperry, who
was here for fifteen years as the bench coach, who
drafted and stood by the one and done dockling by
getting high schoolers to come here, and they won a
championship with that, with that brand or that initiative. But
he voted and left for Arkansas, was rid of Q,
(03:01):
haunted UH and was looked at as as a trade
of sorts. But he may have left operated in the
best interest of the university in his family. Then we
go to events who left as well, went to lord
of us.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
As we know, you.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Guys have had a lot of discussion about that. I
think you know, sometimes money can buy lordy. I don't
know if that's the case here. He might have went
to maybe do better things down a little. I don't know.
So out of the three guys, Fellows, which one do
you think has is the bull's eyes the most hated
by bb N. I think Rick has probably done came back.
(03:39):
He might be more likable now since my Mark Pope
look him as he has been toward. But till you
talk about those three, the despise that went with him
when they left, until you go one, two, three to
say who has the most despised with Big Blue Nation.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Thank you a lot, Thank you for the call. Alvin
I'll start off. I will say this, and the only
difference in all these things is that Vince was associate
head coach. He was not a head coach the other
two word head coaches. And I'm gonna get mine out
of the way because I don't want to sound like
I'm piggybacking off anybody, but.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
I think it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Goes the most despised at this point. See, I'll actually
give my explanation. Cali Perry is probably the most upsetting. No,
I think Rick Patino is the most upsetting. I think Vince,
I won't say despise is probably second because I think
(04:43):
people are more hurt by it than angry angry by it.
And then I would say Cali Perry last. And I
say this because of this, Larry Vaut, I don't think
anybody wants John Caliperry to return, because I've never gave
him credit for being nexs no coaches coach the way
he left, and it was just kind of some underlying
things that happened. I think with Patino, I think we like,
(05:06):
as Alvin said, Patino has been enough time since his
departure that people may have forgotten and maybe he's you know,
made big Blue Nation proud, and he's been gone long enough,
and I think I think people would take Patino back
half of the Big Blue Nation. I ain't gonna say
all of them half a big l nation. And I
also think we'll take Vince back as we're going to
as we go through this show, we're going to probably
(05:27):
discuss a lot more of the personality or the personal
issues between Vince and Stoops that made him leave. So
I don't think he had anything to do with the
fan base. I don't think he had anything to do
with the coach of Kentucky. I think it was just
personal between the head coach and the associate head coach,
and that has nothing to do with the fan base.
So I think the fan base will welcome Patino and
(05:48):
Vince back. I'm not sure if the fan base would
want Cali Perry back. Larry Vaught, I.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Think you're probably pretty accurate about that, Anthony, and hopefully
that'll change over time time with John caliperia because again,
the ending maybe was a little sour, but man, in
the beginning, you don't want to lose track of what
John Caliperry did for this basketball program either, because over
some years that Kentucky basketball has never been more exciting
(06:15):
and more fun than what John cali Perry brought in here.
And I think if you lose track of that because
a couple of things that happened at the end, that's
not fair to John Caliperry. So despised is a word
I just don't use very often. Again, we'll talk about
our fathers had This wasn't something my father raised me
(06:36):
to believe in and all like that, So I sometimes
have trouble understanding that. But again I think, unfortunately you're
probably right about how the ranking would be right now.
But hopefully John can again one day have a good
place here. And I think with Vince, it's just a
parting of the ways. I don't think any of us
(06:56):
exactly we'll ever know.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
What was their issues.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Between Mark and Vince, they both say no, and so
all I can do is take them at their word
right now.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
And Vince was.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Leaving because this is just what he felt was a
better opportunity professionally for him going forward. And if that's
what he says, then I'll take him at his word
and just go from there. But Vince did a lot
for the program. I think he'll do a lot for
the Louisville program, and I think he'll be missed at Kentucky,
and I think there'll be some fans that won't forgive
(07:31):
him anytime soon because he went to Louisville. But then again,
when you're everybody, I think is supposed to do what
they think is best for themselves, and I can't really
fault anybody for doing that. And with John Caliperi, he's
just unique. He's just a unique guy. And what he
did he did. But again, don't lose track of all
(07:52):
the great things that he did do while he was
at Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I got to be a mistake.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I agree with that, and I just thought about it
when you were talking about that. I wonder if Mark
Stoops hadn't went to Texas a and m if he
was going to take Vince with him. So you kind
of look at everybody's mad evins for leaving. And I
will discuss something he had an interview. Vince had an
interview with a reporter from Louisville, and he discussed some
(08:17):
things that I kind of had questions about. You know,
Vince is vincent and apparently there was a lack of
communication which Vince wanted to discuss some things, and I
don't know if the head coach did not want to
discuss them, or was trying to avoid discussing them, or
felt like it was not worth discussing that you talked
about in your departure from your your last job with
(08:39):
Dan and Danville. So let's get back to the big
ass fans hotline jacket. I'll get your opinion when we
get done. I don't want to keep these people on
the whole too long. And see what Doug has to say.
Good morning, Doug, what do you got for us?
Speaker 6 (08:52):
Hey, gentlemen, Good morning, Hey. I just want to kind
of expand on this conversation with Vince, and I apologize
if I'm repeating stiff y'all have already talked about I've
been in and out of the program this morning. First
of all, I want to, you know, look, let's let's
give Vince rudeos because he he had the fingerprints on
taking the program to a five year stretch where I'm
(09:13):
fifty six years old in my lifetime as Bath gilder
Raw and I vaguely remember the seventies with Percy when
I was real young. But but let's let's uh, but
the thut to that is, let's not forget he got
fingerprints on this fall we're currently in uh and and
I believe I'm correct. Jack probably can can validate.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
This or not.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
I believe it was kas are some of the ks
R writers. His last three classes were flat busts out
of the high school. And I don't think that's just
a ks R reporting thing. I think that's a national perception.
I believe I'm writing saying most of the kids aren't
even didn't even stay in the program past the year. So, uh,
(09:54):
you know, I think it was edible change was coming.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
I certainly wasn't for sure that you know, Vince would
be that change, but the change had to happen. And
I don't know if Streets is going to get this
thing turned around. I hope he does. Maybe it's the
beginning of a complete change.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
But uh, but but you know, hey, Vice chose to
go a little all I got to say, see it
onto the next Well.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Doug, we appreciate the call. I'm gonna let uh, I'm
gonna let Jack and go ahead. And I do think
that some of those bad classes, and I'm not sure
if you right for football as far as KSR is concerned.
But can you elaborate on the lack of recruiting in
the past three years or the the lack of talent
(10:41):
that retention of talent in the last three years.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Yeah, Nick put together you know, kind of a spreadsheet
of a year by year breakdown of you know, quantity
versus quality the guy's vents brought in in. How it
you know, it led to what their future of the
program looked like, whether they were you know, starting caliber,
whether they were still in you know, on the team
(11:08):
after you know, a couple of seasons, and he his
findings basically, you know, over the last several years that yeah,
as the caller, you know said significant drop off and
guys that stuck around and you know, proved to be
starter level talent. And you know, that's kind of the
(11:29):
point that I was making earlier, where you know, yes,
the the commits are coming in right now, and you know,
before Vince's departure, and you know, it looked good to
bring these guys in and have these big portal classes
and get these big wins, bringing guys in from Tennessee
and you know, USC and all these different kind of
high profile programs and they feel good in the moment, but.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
What does it actually amount to?
Speaker 7 (11:54):
How is it How are those recruiting wins translating to
on field wins? It really they're they're really not overlapping.
And that's why I said, you know, maybe it is
just kind of a Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
This isn't working.
Speaker 7 (12:07):
What what we've been doing the last several years to
get to this point of rock bottom. We can't just
keep you know, shoving that square peg in a round
hole and expect something different to happen and the results
to change. We have to you know, maneuver and you know,
you know, whatever the path to to you know, you know,
(12:27):
redemption out of this whatever that looks like.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
We got to find it.
Speaker 7 (12:31):
And maybe this is that path or you know, if
it was decided for stoops he now you know, kind
of has the fire lit under him.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Where is that? Okay, it's put up our shutout of time.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
You have no choice but to you know, figure it
out now without your kind of you know, the safety
that events to you know, kind of catch your fall.
You got to figure out one way or another. And so, yeah,
the the on field success has not necessarily matched the
recruiting winds as we're we're feeling them in real time
over the last several years.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, I give you that. I give you that.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
We're gonna take a break and we'll continue this conversation
when we come back. You're listening to Stockyards Banks Sunday
Morning Sports Talk on news radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (13:14):
This is the home of the Wildcats, six thirty w LAP.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk on Anthony
Wide along with Jack Pilgrim and Larry Vault. Stockyards Bank
is your trusted partner since nineteen hundred and four. Head
on over to syb dot com for all your banking
and financial needs. Jack, we have Jack Pilgrim from one
(13:40):
more session or one more segment. I would love to
thank Jack Pilgrim for posting update on Chris Oates. Chris
Oates is making progress standing on his own and I
usually keep up with him, and I have to admit
I kind of lost my way on keeping up with
his progress. But if you go to Jack Pilgrim's page,
(14:03):
he's reposting the Chris Oates making significant progress and as
rehabilitation U. So I appreciate that Jack Pilgrim, man.
Speaker 7 (14:14):
What a you know, feel good story that is, or
just kind of felt helpless, you know, watching his situation.
You know, is one of the rising stars in the
SEC and you know kind of a future future NFL prospect.
Just kind of watch his career be taken from him
and just see him as you know, vulnerable as he was,
(14:37):
and just go, you know, wondering how you can help.
You know, the donations were incredible from BBN and they
jumped in with a you know, Oats Strong twenty two.
That was just an incredible movement. And now we get
to see you know, that fundraising payoff in the form
of you know, Chris Oates standing up and you know,
taking steps, and you know he's posting some videos of
(14:58):
him doing sit ups and different things where you know,
it's to think he was you couldn't you know, couldn't
imagine him doing these things several years ago and when
it all happened. So yeah, I'm a massive Chris ots
fan and just you know, rooting for every every step
along the way for him and you know, his recovery.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Uh hey, go ahead, Larry Vaught.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
I'll tell you what this next break. Why don't we
just reach out and see there's chain to ans, just
come on with us and can maybe straighten out some
of these things we're talking about. What you think.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
I have no doubt. I'm sure he'll come on. But
Vince is like uncle to me.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
You know Vince and I are related.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
I did not know it.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
No, we're not really really related.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
We'll have both reach out to him, see if we
can get in to come on with us after the
after the next.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Break, absolutely all. I'm here for it. Uh.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
In the meanwhile, Jack Pilgrim, I know you. Uh you
said you're in Colorado. You're covering the nineteen U national team.
So is this to make the team or the nineteen
you that the Pope and you and guys are down
there covering. Is this are these still tryouts or is
this a team that they're they're preparing.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
Yeah, there are thirty two kids out there, right out here,
right now. Pope is one of the support staff members,
his first time coaching with Team USA.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Just an unbelievable opportunity for him as a coach.
Speaker 7 (16:22):
But also Malachai and Jasper are both out here as well,
competing for you know, one of twelve spots on the
FEBA you know, World Cup team so they head to
Switzerland here at the end of the month and then
going into early part of July, and you know they
hope to compete on the world stage and bring back
a gold medal. And there's a chance that you know,
(16:44):
Jasper and Malachi make that roster. Will see if they
actually you know, go out and participate there, because there
is you know, a lot of you know push for
them internally. They want to get back to Lexington and
you know, get ready for this upcoming season and such
a massive season for them as they get their their
college careers started. So you know, right now it's just
(17:05):
about making the team and competing against the best of
the best. I mean, you get future draft picks. That
the field is just so unbelievably competitive out here at
Colorado Springs that you will we will see Jasper against
future pros and you know a j Devans for the
number one pick of you know next year, he'll be
going heads up against today and you know, over the
of the course of the next several days. So it's
(17:27):
it's a massive opportunity. And then you know, for Mark Pope,
he gets to get his hands on so you know,
nine of his UH scholarship offers out in the twenty
twenty sixth class are all out here competing and he
gets to coach them hands on. So it's just a
massive recruiting advantage for UH, for for Kentucky, and for
you know, obviously for you know, competitive standpoint, it's obviously
(17:47):
a massive deal for Jasper and Malachi to compete against
the best of the best SELP. Yeah, it's kind of
a can't miss event for for BBN.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
We talked last week about the state of Indiana high
school basketball versus the state of Kentucky high basketball. But so,
how do you got so many Kentucky You got Johnson Moreno,
Kenny Stokes, that's out of you said thirty two guys.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
We got four from the state in the nation.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
So it's just kind of head scratching when everybody called
in and you even thought that Indiana probably has better
high school talent, But we got four players from the
national team or trying out for the national team. Is
it invite only, right, I'm assuming it's invite. So they
have four players, ain't that huge?
Speaker 7 (18:31):
The high school of the Indiana guys they stay home
and play Indiana high school basketball. All of our guys
go prep like taking play the ote Tyron Stokes is
based around a couple of different prep prep schools, and
you know Jasper obviously is Jasper and.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
He did the OTE route as well. So yeah, Malachi
of that group.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
With only one that was able to participate, what was
Malachaia because he stayed home. So the talent is very
clearly there. And then for half, you know, four homegrown
Kentucky talents, you know, represent this state on the national
stage and then potentially the world stage.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I think that's about as cool as a gifts. That is.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Jack Pilgrim follow his work on Twitter and on social media.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
You can find him on Twitter.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Jack Pilgrim Kssorry, we're gonna try to get a hold
of the big dog. You probably can find him in
the dog pound somewhere. But Larry Vaught work your magic
and we'll continue to show when we come back. You're
listening to Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk on News
Radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (19:29):
This is the home of the Wildcats, six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
White along with Larry Vaught. This hour of Sunday Morning
Sports Talk is brought to you by a Country Boy Brewing,
and we are now proud to be joined by our friend,
Kentucky's favorite coach, Big Dog, Vince Merrill.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Good morning, coach, Good morning man.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
How do you guys doing the Father's day? Two of
the guys that's uh, you know, I don't know if
all you guys very father white for you your father right?
Speaker 2 (20:07):
So, not that I know of, Vince, don't, don't jinx me.
I don't know, not that I know.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Of many that ain't. I know you played in the league.
I got an someone on there.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
I thought Vince was breaking news there for as Anthony.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I thought he was too. My heart dropped, man. I
was about to say wow, uh, but so good to
have you on this morning.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I know it's been a roller coaster a week or so.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
I would let me let me preface this with everybody
that I've talked to, and you know me personally, man,
I'm I'm happy for you.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I'm always gonna be happy.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Stu has entertained some other ideas, uh at points in
time and his coaching career, and I ain't gonna love
him any less.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I don't, but everybody is happy for you. I feel
like everybody's happy for I.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
We just really kind of wanted to give you an
opportunity to give your side or you know, you know,
say what you have to say about the news that
broke this week about you depart in the University of Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
You know, I really once I got a press conference
tomorrow and after tomorrow, I'm gonna put all this the rest.
But you guys have been really really good friends, and uh,
you know, of course I was gonna come on with
you guys. I think you guys really speak the truth
to the fans, whether it's good or bad. You guys
have been very you know, fair with what you guys report.
(21:33):
The only thing I'm I would say is that, you know,
when the news broke Monday, Uh, it really wasn't supposed
to break. I don't I still don't know how that
got out. I was gonna go through the process to
talk to Mark, talk to Mitch, and then uh, talked
to some good friends I was very close to that's
(21:55):
close to the program. And once that broke, I mean
you can imagine, it was like, man, you scrambling and
my thing. Actually I was gonna talk to Mark Saturday,
but we have recruit saying and then Sunday we had
a camp. But I thought, you know, I was gonna
that was a day I was gonna tell him, and
then I forgot that he uh you know, he had
to go. You know, see I think his son had
(22:16):
a graduation party. The part that I you know, I've
been hearing. You know, I still got a lot of
friends here, so they they're pissed and they sending me
stuff and they you know, they actually sending me stuff
that you know, I guess the university what they trying
to put out. You know, some of the hire people
up in the university that sent me texts and you know,
thanked me for you know, my twelve years there, say
(22:39):
that they was really sad to see me go. And
I really do believe that, Uh excuse me. The one
thing I don't like is some of these radio shows
they taking a little bits of my interviews and saying,
I think somebody put out said that I said that
I did not like Lexington, Kentucky, and I know both
of you guys know I love this place. This place
(23:01):
is a place that I said I was still gonna
keep my home here no matter where I went. You know,
when I actually came to a time where I was
gonna leave Kentucky. So that was that was a lot
and I think a lot of people, you know, Mary
Gordon text me like everybody knows that was just a
bunch of bull. They know I really adore this place.
As for me being pushed out the door, I don't
(23:23):
know where that's coming from. If that's how they want
to spend it. I mean I talked to Mark now,
me and Mark. Conversation was very good. But I would
just say used just common sense. If I was being
pushed out the door, and if I was the last
I don't know. I heard Jack Turtle say the last
three years or recruiting. Why would they offend me six
(23:46):
months ago for another three years now? That's just bad
investment if that's what's the case. And then I'm looking
at just the last two classes. Larry, you know you're
very familiar with this. I'm looking at the last two classes,
just the twenty five lass. Michael Stenner, Quisenberry subject works,
Martell's Carter Uh, I'm Simmons all four stars, all high,
(24:10):
four stars, highly recruited by everybody, and them guys will play.
Then I'm looking at the twenty fourth class. You get
to flip the Smith Twins Beatlehouse State Alabama on to
Ryan Nichols. Willie rod Reeguez is going to be a
monster and Cutter Bowlie is going to be a really
good quarterback. So I don't know where this stuff is
coming that. Uh, I can't recruit high school players nomore.
(24:34):
That's that's one of the biggest misconceptions that I ever heard,
that that's happening. So the only thing I say these guys, Larry,
is this, I really love this fan base still do.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
It was very hard for me. It was constant every
day talking with people that I trust, talking with my family,
and just going I just sleep for about a good week.
I'm just telling you. It was hard for me to
think because knew the decision, and when you come it's
kind of like a kid in high school when he's
coming down and he's maybe from Kentucky or maybe from Ohio.
(25:08):
He's going to leave the state and the pressure that's
put on him. And so when I came to the conclusion,
if you pull up any of my interviews the last
two years, I was talking about this is where college
football was going, and this is the way it needed
to be structured like the NFL, and so going to
work for a buddy Jeff Brown, who I've known over
(25:31):
twenty five years, who I think is one of you
can't don He's one of the top coaches in college football.
I think he's very, very underrated. And we talked to me,
said listen, I feel you to missing peace to come
and help us, and I want you to run this
and be you know, the GM effective executive director over recruiting,
(25:55):
over roster management, and over transfer portal. People asked why
did not do that here? Well, there was already people
in place, but I kind of was doing this my
first if you look at it my first six years,
you know, different hats. It just wasn't called that in
college football. Wasn't going that route. Once it became that
(26:18):
route and we were going to do this. I've seen
this coming just talking to a lot of my NFL guys,
and that's for the transferred portal, just because I don't
know where is that some of these they labeled some
of these kids. I took that's that's news to me.
I just think when we look at a whole big picture,
(26:40):
this was a great opportunity for me I think Kentucky
is going to be fine whether I'm not one of
them coaches that leave them. When the coach leave a program,
he wishes bad for that for that program. I got
a lot of people, you know, the head coach I love,
I got guys on that staff I love. I got
them players, you know, I have a great relationship a
lot of them guys, and so I want them to
(27:03):
do well. I want them to do well. I just
I just don't like the perception that's trying to be
painted about me to these fans. And people say, well
you should. You can't just leave. No, I've been gone
twelve I lived there for twelve years, so it do
matter me because I really, really, really admired this fan base,
and all I wanted was to make them be respectable
(27:25):
in the college football. When I first got here, we
were a laughing stock. And for seven to eight years,
I poundered the ground, pounded the roads, trying to go
find talent to change this the projection of what people
thought about Kentucky football. And the best time of the
best moment in my life was in twenty eighteen when
I looked out and I was with Bennie's smaw we
(27:47):
looked out and it was over forty thousand people at
a PEP rally. And that's what I told Bennie. I said,
this is what this is, what this is all about.
This is why we're going to do this. When we
broke the street on with Florida, I took out at
Ohio kids and the Michigan kids and the Kentucky kids,
and we had other kids, you know, contribute, But I said,
(28:07):
majority of that roster was that I said, this what this,
this is why you were You were bought here for
this to change the perception. So in closing, man like
I said, I really really going to miss this fan base.
They really were good people, and I don't you know
them being mad at me. I understand that that comes
(28:28):
with the territory. I'm not trying to change that perception.
But don't don't forget where we started and where we ended.
And I'm not gonna let perception be saying, hey, uh,
he bought in some back. I just named about nine
kids that will be major players in this program. And
I think it was Adam lucky to heard them say,
(28:49):
and this is this is an analogy that believe you
guys with and when when my man was saying. Nick
Ross was saying all this stuff about all the players
that that that didn't pan out well. Adam luck And said,
you know, this was like a basketball the high score
on the basketball team, you have four other guys who
can score. They play defense. So he had to take
more shots than anybody, but he averaged thirty points. My
(29:13):
percentage gonna go a lord because I got to take
extra shots to carry the team. So I'm not gonna
sit up here and let nobody downplay what I bought
in to the thame. If you think Louisville is going
to the way they're going, they gonna just pull me
a guy who lost who lost supposedly high school recruiting
(29:34):
and couldn't recruit in the portal. They're gonna let them
run their whole department. Now, we all smarter than that,
and I think the people down in Louisville are very smart.
So I just want to say again, man, I really
appreciate you guys. It was very hard. This was a
hard decision, but it became an easier decision when it's
a friend. I only worked for three frans, both clean
(29:55):
Mark Stukes, Jeff Brown, them only three guys I worked for,
so I really thank you guys, man and uh, you
guys do a good job covering all the sports here.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Coach, Can I ask you one quick question that I think? Yeah,
it sounds like and everything I've heard, I mean, I've
seen a lot of your interviews, and you know, I
know you personally. You you know you're always a stand
up guy. You're gonna be honest, You're gonna be upfront.
Do you think that whoever leaked it? And that's why
we try to do media here different on Sunday morning
sports talk. We don't speculate, we don't do rumors. We
(30:25):
just talk about will be known. Do you think the
information being leaked before you got got a chance to
do it the way you wanted to do it or
the way you would have done it if it was Vince?
Do you think that kind of left a sour taste
in a lot of people's mouth.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Yeah, I kind of think so. But you know, the
main guy I needed to talk to, what's Mark Stuce. Now,
I can tell you this if you ask a lot
of my close friends that I deal with in this community,
Larry being another one of mean you guys, I know
you know that I was concerned about some things, not
just now, but the last two years, just the way
(31:04):
I was feeling, the way recruiting was going. I mean,
like I said, they can do it the way they
want to do it, the reason if I thought it
should be different. That's this is why you know I've
moved on. And it was a great opportunity. But for
one thing, I'm not gonna bet against Mark Stewson. I
really do believe that he gonna get this thing turned
(31:25):
I said that before and I say it again. I
think he's gonna get it turn turned around. This was
just a great opportunity for me. And when it got leaked,
you know what I'm saying, there's there's there's ways you
go about things. So I had all when I decided,
when I came to the point that I knew I
was gonna leave, it was like, man, all right, I'm
going to go talk to Mark. Then I'm gonna talk
to Mitch. Then I'm gonna tell you know some of
(31:46):
the money people that I'm very close with that I know,
but I didn't have a chance to do that. And
I mean, even on the Louisville side, they're trying to
figure how high leaked because I know they didn't leak it.
But it's kind of like, you know, some people say,
you know you're very popular. Yeah, somebody might have seen you,
you know, somewhere, they might have seen you. Because it
(32:08):
really just came about. To really be serious, it came
about that I knew I was going to leave you
probably a week and a half ago, gotcha.
Speaker 5 (32:18):
The events just curious when you're making a move like this,
when we get to a certain point in life, family
also factors into it. How much did your your family
factor into maybe not only wanting to take the opportunity
for Jeff Brohm, who's a friend, but also giving you
a chance to still stay in the state. And know
(32:38):
a lot of people are saying, well, Vince yes for Somemer,
saying if you've gone any if you've gone to Nebraska,
we still love it. But you went to Louisville. I mean,
what what impact did fly have on your decision?
Speaker 3 (32:48):
If any Well, I'm gonna say family, and this may
this is not a selling point. These people, the people
in the state of Kentucky. When I started traveling going
around recruit in the state, I think I took over
in this state, like twenty seventeen when John was starting
to get sick, and maybe eighteen and Kelly Kraft. I
(33:10):
traveled her a lot going through this state. And I'm
gonna be honest with you, man, it was I considered
his home to Kentucky reminds me of how where we
from and also the dynamics where people have no idea,
you know, they always support a This guy could have left,
this guy couldn't left. I could have left several times.
(33:33):
I could have left several times. But I got a
daughters in medical school that you see. My other two
daughters and their husband lives in Columbus. My son was
working here with me. I'm all about family, and then
I got family that I'm headed into a new family.
I got friends that I'm very close with, so it
made sense to, you know, go to Louisville. But I
(33:59):
went to your feel again because like I said again,
it's I'm very close with Jeff, and you know what,
here's a friend to say, hey, buddy, I'm actually you know,
come and help me out. If we always talked about it,
I always joked that I was never gonna go to Purdue.
That's not a flap Purdue. But I was not living
in wherever that is called l'sa yet I wasn't living there,
(34:21):
so I just it was just it was just an
opportunity that came about. But this state really has and
I think if you ask people that's close to me
who knew I had family members, they were saying, why
would you say they're gonna turn on you anywhere? And
I didn't care because I believe it or not. And
I'm gonna tell you this, Larry and White, I'm gonna
(34:43):
tell you all this. A lot of people. I've heard
from a lot of people, a lot of people who's
what their opinions are totally different than what's being reported.
Did they not want me to leave? And they did
not want me to leave? But are they saying it
that the heck with this guy like he's a bad guy?
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Now?
Speaker 3 (35:03):
No, no, they're not saying that. They wish me well
and they want to continue being for hims.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Coach.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
I appreciate you coming home, man, and you know, talking
to the people, I'm with you. I think our fan
base there are some bitter people. I think people are
bitter for the wrong reasons. But I'm glad you enlightened
us on some of the speculation, some of the rumors,
and I know you're gonna pull it through them.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
Man.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
You know you got support on our show here in Lexington.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Yeah, I appreciate that. And I'm just saying, man, look
and then it works like even in louis I mean,
the Louisville people has been great. They know what I've
been going, they know they've been hearing, you know, raady
on stuff. And you know a lot of dm dms
from people that don't even know tech from people I
don't even know. And it's just so my thing at
the end of the day, I just want the Big
(35:53):
Blue Vasion to know I have always always looked at them,
wanted them to be, you know, proud and proud of
their brand and us winning and us beating people that
we didn't be for years. That's well, that's what That's
what I leave this with that I really enjoyed my
twelve years here. I wouldn't change it the start all over.
(36:16):
I'd do it all over. They said you're gonna be
excuse me, you're gonna be two and twelve, two and ten,
and going back in twenty thirteen, I would do it
all over again and build it back up with Mark
and see the results that we've seen. You can't un deny.
You know, I know Mark catch heat from people. But
like I said, again, dudes, all time leading winning coach.
(36:39):
We've been to eight or nine straight Bowl games and
I think they're gonna continue to do that. So I
have nothing but love, wish them well, love the kids
on that roster, uh, the guys that I work with,
love them and their families. This is just a great
opportunity for me. And that's that's just where I'm leaving,
all right.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
Coach, Well, happy Father's Day and we appreciate you for
joining us. Tremendously coached.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
All right, man, thank guys. You guys have really been
great and you know, continue successful with you guys, and
I'm pretty sure I'll see you guys around sometime soon.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Absolutely appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:13):
Coach.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
We will be back after this.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
You are listening to Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk
on news radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (37:22):
This is the home of the Wild Guys, six thirty
w LAP.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
White along with Larry Vaut. We like to thank the
Big Card, the Big Dog for joining us this morning.
Give us a little bit of his side of the story.
If you tuned in, I see that our social media
was getting a little wild, text messages coming in, dms, whatnot.
(37:50):
You can join the show eight five nine to eight
zero two two eight seven eight five nine to eight zero.
Give your opinion. I thought Vince has always been candid
on this show. Speak the truth is honest with Larry
and I all of the time. So give us your
opinion on what you thought about and what you think
about his departure. We'll be back after this. You're listening
Stockyards Bank Sunday morning sports Talk on news radio six
(38:11):
thirty WLAP
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
Why along with Jack Pilgrim and Larry Vaut, coming to
you from Clark's Main Street Market studios in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.
Overcasted downtown lex to Kentucky. We are talking, We are
trying to find out opinion. We have a poll going
(00:24):
live on Twitter, and I guess there was not the
option of if someone is happy. The options are are
you sad, upset or indifferent that coach Merrill has left
Lexington to go to Louisville and it hasn't changed very much.
(00:45):
The biggest part of the responders are over fifty percent
and different. They're a whole lot of people that are upset.
Most are sad, but most are indifferent than The next
option is most people are sad, but you can give
us your opinion eight five, nine to eight zero, two
to eighty seven, eighty five, nine to eight zero. Cats,
Let's get to the big ass fans hotline and see
(01:07):
what Alvin has to say.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Good morning, Alvin, what do you got for us?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Happy?
Speaker 4 (01:13):
For other day guys? On this beautiful day. I wanted
to talk a little bit about the thought that Jack
Pilgrim had offered about maybe Stoops going out and recruiting
himself and becoming the more vocal face of the program.
But I think that that has to be attached with personality.
(01:35):
Mark Stoops, you know, does great interviews, but he doesn't
smile or not enough. He doesn't seem jovial. He might
not be connected with the new age kids. Different from
John Cali Ferry, who had this Hollywood personality if you will,
when he was here for fifteen years. Kids connected to
(01:56):
him like his personality. I think recruit you have to
have a personality to go with that. Maybe Vince had
that with him, but let's talk about Vince. Vince is
one of three coaches that left the program before him.
It was Rick Patino who drew uh you know, bix
(02:17):
reviews when he left, probably drew some despise from the
Big Blue Nation because he too went down as sixty
four to go west to Jordan of Louis of Cardinal
program down there, and that did vote well for him
as he left with you know, much controversy when he left.
(02:38):
Didn't have to think about you know, John Caliperry, who
was here for fifteen years as the bench coach, who
drafted and stood by the one and done dockling by
getting high schoolers to come here, and they won a
championship with that, with that brand or that initiative. But
he voted and left for Arkansas, was rid of Q,
(03:01):
haunted UH and was looked at as as a trade
of sorts. But he may have left operated in the
best interest of the university in his family. Then we
go to events who left as well, went to lord
of us.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
As we know, you.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Guys have had a lot of discussion about that. I
think you know, sometimes money can buy lordy. I don't
know if that's the case here. He might have went
to maybe do better things down a little. I don't know.
So out of the three guys, Fellows, which one do
you think has is the bull's eyes the most hated
by bb N. I think Rick has probably done came back.
(03:39):
He might be more likable now since my Mark Pope
look him as he has been toward. But till you
talk about those three, the despise that went with him
when they left, until you go one, two, three to
say who has the most despised with Big Blue Nation.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Thank you a lot, Thank you for the call. Alvin
I'll start off. I will say this, and the only
difference in all these things is that Vince was associate
head coach. He was not a head coach the other
two word head coaches. And I'm gonna get mine out
of the way because I don't want to sound like
I'm piggybacking off anybody, but.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
I think it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Goes the most despised at this point. See, I'll actually
give my explanation. Cali Perry is probably the most upsetting. No,
I think Rick Patino is the most upsetting. I think Vince,
I won't say despise is probably second because I think
(04:43):
people are more hurt by it than angry angry by it.
And then I would say Cali Perry last. And I
say this because of this, Larry Vaut, I don't think
anybody wants John Caliperry to return, because I've never gave
him credit for being nexs no coaches coach the way
he left, and it was just kind of some underlying
things that happened. I think with Patino, I think we like,
(05:06):
as Alvin said, Patino has been enough time since his
departure that people may have forgotten and maybe he's you know,
made big Blue Nation proud, and he's been gone long enough,
and I think I think people would take Patino back
half of the Big Blue Nation. I ain't gonna say
all of them half a big l nation. And I
also think we'll take Vince back as we're going to
as we go through this show, we're going to probably
(05:27):
discuss a lot more of the personality or the personal
issues between Vince and Stoops that made him leave. So
I don't think he had anything to do with the
fan base. I don't think he had anything to do
with the coach of Kentucky. I think it was just
personal between the head coach and the associate head coach,
and that has nothing to do with the fan base.
So I think the fan base will welcome Patino and
(05:48):
Vince back. I'm not sure if the fan base would
want Cali Perry back. Larry Vaught, I.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Think you're probably pretty accurate about that, Anthony, and hopefully
that'll change over time time with John caliperia because again,
the ending maybe was a little sour, but man, in
the beginning, you don't want to lose track of what
John Caliperry did for this basketball program either, because over
some years that Kentucky basketball has never been more exciting
(06:15):
and more fun than what John cali Perry brought in here.
And I think if you lose track of that because
a couple of things that happened at the end, that's
not fair to John Caliperry. So despised is a word
I just don't use very often. Again, we'll talk about
our fathers had This wasn't something my father raised me
(06:36):
to believe in and all like that, So I sometimes
have trouble understanding that. But again I think, unfortunately you're
probably right about how the ranking would be right now.
But hopefully John can again one day have a good
place here. And I think with Vince, it's just a
parting of the ways. I don't think any of us
(06:56):
exactly we'll ever know.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
What was their issues.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Between Mark and Vince, they both say no, and so
all I can do is take them at their word
right now.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
And Vince was.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
Leaving because this is just what he felt was a
better opportunity professionally for him going forward. And if that's
what he says, then I'll take him at his word
and just go from there. But Vince did a lot
for the program. I think he'll do a lot for
the Louisville program, and I think he'll be missed at Kentucky,
and I think there'll be some fans that won't forgive
(07:31):
him anytime soon because he went to Louisville. But then again,
when you're everybody, I think is supposed to do what
they think is best for themselves, and I can't really
fault anybody for doing that. And with John Caliperi, he's
just unique. He's just a unique guy. And what he
did he did. But again, don't lose track of all
(07:52):
the great things that he did do while he was
at Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I got to be a mistake.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I agree with that, and I just thought about it
when you were talking about that. I wonder if Mark
Stoops hadn't went to Texas a and m if he
was going to take Vince with him. So you kind
of look at everybody's mad evins for leaving. And I
will discuss something he had an interview. Vince had an
interview with a reporter from Louisville, and he discussed some
(08:17):
things that I kind of had questions about. You know,
Vince is vincent and apparently there was a lack of
communication which Vince wanted to discuss some things, and I
don't know if the head coach did not want to
discuss them, or was trying to avoid discussing them, or
felt like it was not worth discussing that you talked
about in your departure from your your last job with
(08:39):
Dan and Danville. So let's get back to the big
ass fans hotline jacket. I'll get your opinion when we
get done. I don't want to keep these people on
the whole too long. And see what Doug has to say.
Good morning, Doug, what do you got for us?
Speaker 6 (08:52):
Hey, gentlemen, Good morning, Hey. I just want to kind
of expand on this conversation with Vince, and I apologize
if I'm repeating stiff y'all have already talked about I've
been in and out of the program this morning. First
of all, I want to, you know, look, let's let's
give Vince rudeos because he he had the fingerprints on
taking the program to a five year stretch where I'm
(09:13):
fifty six years old in my lifetime as Bath gilder
Raw and I vaguely remember the seventies with Percy when
I was real young. But but let's let's uh, but
the thut to that is, let's not forget he got
fingerprints on this fall we're currently in uh and and
I believe I'm correct. Jack probably can can validate.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
This or not.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
I believe it was kas are some of the ks
R writers. His last three classes were flat busts out
of the high school. And I don't think that's just
a ks R reporting thing. I think that's a national perception.
I believe I'm writing saying most of the kids aren't
even didn't even stay in the program past the year. So, uh,
(09:54):
you know, I think it was edible change was coming.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
I certainly wasn't for sure that you know, Vince would
be that change, but the change had to happen. And
I don't know if Streets is going to get this
thing turned around. I hope he does. Maybe it's the
beginning of a complete change.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
But uh, but but you know, hey, Vice chose to
go a little all I got to say, see it
onto the next Well.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Doug, we appreciate the call. I'm gonna let uh, I'm
gonna let Jack and go ahead. And I do think
that some of those bad classes, and I'm not sure
if you right for football as far as KSR is concerned.
But can you elaborate on the lack of recruiting in
the past three years or the the lack of talent
(10:41):
that retention of talent in the last three years.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Yeah, Nick put together you know, kind of a spreadsheet
of a year by year breakdown of you know, quantity
versus quality the guy's vents brought in in. How it
you know, it led to what their future of the
program looked like, whether they were you know, starting caliber,
whether they were still in you know, on the team
(11:08):
after you know, a couple of seasons, and he his
findings basically, you know, over the last several years that yeah,
as the caller, you know said significant drop off and
guys that stuck around and you know, proved to be
starter level talent. And you know, that's kind of the
(11:29):
point that I was making earlier, where you know, yes,
the the commits are coming in right now, and you know,
before Vince's departure, and you know, it looked good to
bring these guys in and have these big portal classes
and get these big wins, bringing guys in from Tennessee
and you know, USC and all these different kind of
high profile programs and they feel good in the moment, but.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
What does it actually amount to?
Speaker 7 (11:54):
How is it How are those recruiting wins translating to
on field wins? It really they're they're really not overlapping.
And that's why I said, you know, maybe it is
just kind of a Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
This isn't working.
Speaker 7 (12:07):
What what we've been doing the last several years to
get to this point of rock bottom. We can't just
keep you know, shoving that square peg in a round
hole and expect something different to happen and the results
to change. We have to you know, maneuver and you know,
you know, whatever the path to to you know, you know,
(12:27):
redemption out of this whatever that looks like.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
We got to find it.
Speaker 7 (12:31):
And maybe this is that path or you know, if
it was decided for stoops he now you know, kind
of has the fire lit under him.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Where is that? Okay, it's put up our shutout of time.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
You have no choice but to you know, figure it
out now without your kind of you know, the safety
that events to you know, kind of catch your fall.
You got to figure out one way or another. And so, yeah,
the the on field success has not necessarily matched the
recruiting winds as we're we're feeling them in real time
over the last several years.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, I give you that. I give you that.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
We're gonna take a break and we'll continue this conversation
when we come back. You're listening to Stockyards Banks Sunday
Morning Sports Talk on news radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (13:14):
This is the home of the Wildcats, six thirty w LAP.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk on Anthony
Wide along with Jack Pilgrim and Larry Vault. Stockyards Bank
is your trusted partner since nineteen hundred and four. Head
on over to syb dot com for all your banking
and financial needs. Jack, we have Jack Pilgrim from one
(13:40):
more session or one more segment. I would love to
thank Jack Pilgrim for posting update on Chris Oates. Chris
Oates is making progress standing on his own and I
usually keep up with him, and I have to admit
I kind of lost my way on keeping up with
his progress. But if you go to Jack Pilgrim's page,
(14:03):
he's reposting the Chris Oates making significant progress and as
rehabilitation U. So I appreciate that Jack Pilgrim, man.
Speaker 7 (14:14):
What a you know, feel good story that is, or
just kind of felt helpless, you know, watching his situation.
You know, is one of the rising stars in the
SEC and you know kind of a future future NFL prospect.
Just kind of watch his career be taken from him
and just see him as you know, vulnerable as he was,
(14:37):
and just go, you know, wondering how you can help.
You know, the donations were incredible from BBN and they
jumped in with a you know, Oats Strong twenty two.
That was just an incredible movement. And now we get
to see you know, that fundraising payoff in the form
of you know, Chris Oates standing up and you know,
taking steps, and you know he's posting some videos of
(14:58):
him doing sit ups and different things where you know,
it's to think he was you couldn't you know, couldn't
imagine him doing these things several years ago and when
it all happened. So yeah, I'm a massive Chris ots
fan and just you know, rooting for every every step
along the way for him and you know, his recovery.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Uh hey, go ahead, Larry Vaught.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
I'll tell you what this next break. Why don't we
just reach out and see there's chain to ans, just
come on with us and can maybe straighten out some
of these things we're talking about. What you think.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
I have no doubt. I'm sure he'll come on. But
Vince is like uncle to me.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
You know Vince and I are related.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
I did not know it.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
No, we're not really really related.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
We'll have both reach out to him, see if we
can get in to come on with us after the
after the next.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Break, absolutely all. I'm here for it. Uh.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
In the meanwhile, Jack Pilgrim, I know you. Uh you
said you're in Colorado. You're covering the nineteen U national team.
So is this to make the team or the nineteen
you that the Pope and you and guys are down
there covering. Is this are these still tryouts or is
this a team that they're they're preparing.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
Yeah, there are thirty two kids out there, right out here,
right now. Pope is one of the support staff members,
his first time coaching with Team USA.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Just an unbelievable opportunity for him as a coach.
Speaker 7 (16:22):
But also Malachai and Jasper are both out here as well,
competing for you know, one of twelve spots on the
FEBA you know, World Cup team so they head to
Switzerland here at the end of the month and then
going into early part of July, and you know they
hope to compete on the world stage and bring back
a gold medal. And there's a chance that you know,
(16:44):
Jasper and Malachi make that roster. Will see if they
actually you know, go out and participate there, because there
is you know, a lot of you know push for
them internally. They want to get back to Lexington and
you know, get ready for this upcoming season and such
a massive season for them as they get their their
college careers started. So you know, right now it's just
(17:05):
about making the team and competing against the best of
the best. I mean, you get future draft picks. That
the field is just so unbelievably competitive out here at
Colorado Springs that you will we will see Jasper against
future pros and you know a j Devans for the
number one pick of you know next year, he'll be
going heads up against today and you know, over the
of the course of the next several days. So it's
(17:27):
it's a massive opportunity. And then you know, for Mark Pope,
he gets to get his hands on so you know,
nine of his UH scholarship offers out in the twenty
twenty sixth class are all out here competing and he
gets to coach them hands on. So it's just a
massive recruiting advantage for UH, for for Kentucky, and for
you know, obviously for you know, competitive standpoint, it's obviously
(17:47):
a massive deal for Jasper and Malachi to compete against
the best of the best SELP. Yeah, it's kind of
a can't miss event for for BBN.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
We talked last week about the state of Indiana high
school basketball versus the state of Kentucky high basketball. But so,
how do you got so many Kentucky You got Johnson Moreno,
Kenny Stokes, that's out of you said thirty two guys.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
We got four from the state in the nation.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
So it's just kind of head scratching when everybody called
in and you even thought that Indiana probably has better
high school talent, But we got four players from the
national team or trying out for the national team. Is
it invite only, right, I'm assuming it's invite. So they
have four players, ain't that huge?
Speaker 7 (18:31):
The high school of the Indiana guys they stay home
and play Indiana high school basketball. All of our guys
go prep like taking play the ote Tyron Stokes is
based around a couple of different prep prep schools, and
you know Jasper obviously is Jasper and.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
He did the OTE route as well. So yeah, Malachi
of that group.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
With only one that was able to participate, what was
Malachaia because he stayed home. So the talent is very
clearly there. And then for half, you know, four homegrown
Kentucky talents, you know, represent this state on the national
stage and then potentially the world stage.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I think that's about as cool as a gifts. That is.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Jack Pilgrim follow his work on Twitter and on social media.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
You can find him on Twitter.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Jack Pilgrim Kssorry, we're gonna try to get a hold
of the big dog. You probably can find him in
the dog pound somewhere. But Larry Vaught work your magic
and we'll continue to show when we come back. You're
listening to Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk on News
Radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (19:29):
This is the home of the Wildcats, six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
White along with Larry Vaught. This hour of Sunday Morning
Sports Talk is brought to you by a Country Boy Brewing,
and we are now proud to be joined by our friend,
Kentucky's favorite coach, Big Dog, Vince Merrill.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Good morning, coach, Good morning man.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
How do you guys doing the Father's day? Two of
the guys that's uh, you know, I don't know if
all you guys very father white for you your father right?
Speaker 2 (20:07):
So, not that I know of, Vince, don't, don't jinx me.
I don't know, not that I know.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Of many that ain't. I know you played in the league.
I got an someone on there.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
I thought Vince was breaking news there for as Anthony.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I thought he was too. My heart dropped, man. I
was about to say wow, uh, but so good to
have you on this morning.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I know it's been a roller coaster a week or so.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
I would let me let me preface this with everybody
that I've talked to, and you know me personally, man,
I'm I'm happy for you.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I'm always gonna be happy.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Stu has entertained some other ideas, uh at points in
time and his coaching career, and I ain't gonna love
him any less.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
I don't, but everybody is happy for you. I feel
like everybody's happy for I.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
We just really kind of wanted to give you an
opportunity to give your side or you know, you know,
say what you have to say about the news that
broke this week about you depart in the University of Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
You know, I really once I got a press conference
tomorrow and after tomorrow, I'm gonna put all this the rest.
But you guys have been really really good friends, and uh,
you know, of course I was gonna come on with
you guys. I think you guys really speak the truth
to the fans, whether it's good or bad. You guys
have been very you know, fair with what you guys report.
(21:33):
The only thing I'm I would say is that, you know,
when the news broke Monday, Uh, it really wasn't supposed
to break. I don't I still don't know how that
got out. I was gonna go through the process to
talk to Mark, talk to Mitch, and then uh, talked
to some good friends I was very close to that's
(21:55):
close to the program. And once that broke, I mean
you can imagine, it was like, man, you scrambling and
my thing. Actually I was gonna talk to Mark Saturday,
but we have recruit saying and then Sunday we had
a camp. But I thought, you know, I was gonna
that was a day I was gonna tell him, and
then I forgot that he uh you know, he had
to go. You know, see I think his son had
(22:16):
a graduation party. The part that I you know, I've
been hearing. You know, I still got a lot of
friends here, so they they're pissed and they sending me
stuff and they you know, they actually sending me stuff
that you know, I guess the university what they trying
to put out. You know, some of the hire people
up in the university that sent me texts and you know,
thanked me for you know, my twelve years there, say
(22:39):
that they was really sad to see me go. And
I really do believe that, Uh excuse me. The one
thing I don't like is some of these radio shows
they taking a little bits of my interviews and saying,
I think somebody put out said that I said that
I did not like Lexington, Kentucky, and I know both
of you guys know I love this place. This place
(23:01):
is a place that I said I was still gonna
keep my home here no matter where I went. You know,
when I actually came to a time where I was
gonna leave Kentucky. So that was that was a lot
and I think a lot of people, you know, Mary
Gordon text me like everybody knows that was just a
bunch of bull. They know I really adore this place.
As for me being pushed out the door, I don't
(23:23):
know where that's coming from. If that's how they want
to spend it. I mean I talked to Mark now,
me and Mark. Conversation was very good. But I would
just say used just common sense. If I was being
pushed out the door, and if I was the last
I don't know. I heard Jack Turtle say the last
three years or recruiting. Why would they offend me six
(23:46):
months ago for another three years now? That's just bad
investment if that's what's the case. And then I'm looking
at just the last two classes. Larry, you know you're
very familiar with this. I'm looking at the last two classes,
just the twenty five lass. Michael Stenner, Quisenberry subject works,
Martell's Carter Uh, I'm Simmons all four stars, all high,
(24:10):
four stars, highly recruited by everybody, and them guys will play.
Then I'm looking at the twenty fourth class. You get
to flip the Smith Twins Beatlehouse State Alabama on to
Ryan Nichols. Willie rod Reeguez is going to be a
monster and Cutter Bowlie is going to be a really
good quarterback. So I don't know where this stuff is
coming that. Uh, I can't recruit high school players nomore.
(24:34):
That's that's one of the biggest misconceptions that I ever heard,
that that's happening. So the only thing I say these guys, Larry,
is this, I really love this fan base still do.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
It was very hard for me. It was constant every
day talking with people that I trust, talking with my family,
and just going I just sleep for about a good week.
I'm just telling you. It was hard for me to
think because knew the decision, and when you come it's
kind of like a kid in high school when he's
coming down and he's maybe from Kentucky or maybe from Ohio.
(25:08):
He's going to leave the state and the pressure that's
put on him. And so when I came to the conclusion,
if you pull up any of my interviews the last
two years, I was talking about this is where college
football was going, and this is the way it needed
to be structured like the NFL, and so going to
work for a buddy Jeff Brown, who I've known over
(25:31):
twenty five years, who I think is one of you
can't don He's one of the top coaches in college football.
I think he's very, very underrated. And we talked to me,
said listen, I feel you to missing peace to come
and help us, and I want you to run this
and be you know, the GM effective executive director over recruiting,
(25:55):
over roster management, and over transfer portal. People asked why
did not do that here? Well, there was already people
in place, but I kind of was doing this my
first if you look at it my first six years,
you know, different hats. It just wasn't called that in
college football. Wasn't going that route. Once it became that
(26:18):
route and we were going to do this. I've seen
this coming just talking to a lot of my NFL guys,
and that's for the transferred portal, just because I don't
know where is that some of these they labeled some
of these kids. I took that's that's news to me.
I just think when we look at a whole big picture,
(26:40):
this was a great opportunity for me I think Kentucky
is going to be fine whether I'm not one of
them coaches that leave them. When the coach leave a program,
he wishes bad for that for that program. I got
a lot of people, you know, the head coach I love,
I got guys on that staff I love. I got
them players, you know, I have a great relationship a
lot of them guys, and so I want them to
(27:03):
do well. I want them to do well. I just
I just don't like the perception that's trying to be
painted about me to these fans. And people say, well
you should. You can't just leave. No, I've been gone
twelve I lived there for twelve years, so it do
matter me because I really, really, really admired this fan base,
and all I wanted was to make them be respectable
(27:25):
in the college football. When I first got here, we
were a laughing stock. And for seven to eight years,
I poundered the ground, pounded the roads, trying to go
find talent to change this the projection of what people
thought about Kentucky football. And the best time of the
best moment in my life was in twenty eighteen when
I looked out and I was with Bennie's smaw we
(27:47):
looked out and it was over forty thousand people at
a PEP rally. And that's what I told Bennie. I said,
this is what this is, what this is all about.
This is why we're going to do this. When we
broke the street on with Florida, I took out at
Ohio kids and the Michigan kids and the Kentucky kids,
and we had other kids, you know, contribute, But I said,
(28:07):
majority of that roster was that I said, this what this,
this is why you were You were bought here for
this to change the perception. So in closing, man like
I said, I really really going to miss this fan base.
They really were good people, and I don't you know
them being mad at me. I understand that that comes
(28:28):
with the territory. I'm not trying to change that perception.
But don't don't forget where we started and where we ended.
And I'm not gonna let perception be saying, hey, uh,
he bought in some back. I just named about nine
kids that will be major players in this program. And
I think it was Adam lucky to heard them say,
(28:49):
and this is this is an analogy that believe you
guys with and when when my man was saying. Nick
Ross was saying all this stuff about all the players
that that that didn't pan out well. Adam luck And said,
you know, this was like a basketball the high score
on the basketball team, you have four other guys who
can score. They play defense. So he had to take
more shots than anybody, but he averaged thirty points. My
(29:13):
percentage gonna go a lord because I got to take
extra shots to carry the team. So I'm not gonna
sit up here and let nobody downplay what I bought
in to the thame. If you think Louisville is going
to the way they're going, they gonna just pull me
a guy who lost who lost supposedly high school recruiting
(29:34):
and couldn't recruit in the portal. They're gonna let them
run their whole department. Now, we all smarter than that,
and I think the people down in Louisville are very smart.
So I just want to say again, man, I really
appreciate you guys. It was very hard. This was a
hard decision, but it became an easier decision when it's
a friend. I only worked for three frans, both clean
(29:55):
Mark Stukes, Jeff Brown, them only three guys I worked for,
so I really thank you guys, man and uh, you
guys do a good job covering all the sports here.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Coach, Can I ask you one quick question that I think? Yeah,
it sounds like and everything I've heard, I mean, I've
seen a lot of your interviews, and you know, I
know you personally. You you know you're always a stand
up guy. You're gonna be honest, You're gonna be upfront.
Do you think that whoever leaked it? And that's why
we try to do media here different on Sunday morning
sports talk. We don't speculate, we don't do rumors. We
(30:25):
just talk about will be known. Do you think the
information being leaked before you got got a chance to
do it the way you wanted to do it or
the way you would have done it if it was Vince?
Do you think that kind of left a sour taste
in a lot of people's mouth.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Yeah, I kind of think so. But you know, the
main guy I needed to talk to, what's Mark Stuce. Now,
I can tell you this if you ask a lot
of my close friends that I deal with in this community,
Larry being another one of mean you guys, I know
you know that I was concerned about some things, not
just now, but the last two years, just the way
(31:04):
I was feeling, the way recruiting was going. I mean,
like I said, they can do it the way they
want to do it, the reason if I thought it
should be different. That's this is why you know I've
moved on. And it was a great opportunity. But for
one thing, I'm not gonna bet against Mark Stewson. I
really do believe that he gonna get this thing turned
(31:25):
I said that before and I say it again. I
think he's gonna get it turn turned around. This was
just a great opportunity for me. And when it got leaked,
you know what I'm saying, there's there's there's ways you
go about things. So I had all when I decided,
when I came to the point that I knew I
was gonna leave, it was like, man, all right, I'm
going to go talk to Mark. Then I'm gonna talk
to Mitch. Then I'm gonna tell you know some of
(31:46):
the money people that I'm very close with that I know,
but I didn't have a chance to do that. And
I mean, even on the Louisville side, they're trying to
figure how high leaked because I know they didn't leak it.
But it's kind of like, you know, some people say,
you know you're very popular. Yeah, somebody might have seen you,
you know, somewhere, they might have seen you. Because it
(32:08):
really just came about. To really be serious, it came
about that I knew I was going to leave you
probably a week and a half ago, gotcha.
Speaker 5 (32:18):
The events just curious when you're making a move like this,
when we get to a certain point in life, family
also factors into it. How much did your your family
factor into maybe not only wanting to take the opportunity
for Jeff Brohm, who's a friend, but also giving you
a chance to still stay in the state. And know
(32:38):
a lot of people are saying, well, Vince yes for Somemer,
saying if you've gone any if you've gone to Nebraska,
we still love it. But you went to Louisville. I mean,
what what impact did fly have on your decision?
Speaker 3 (32:48):
If any Well, I'm gonna say family, and this may
this is not a selling point. These people, the people
in the state of Kentucky. When I started traveling going
around recruit in the state, I think I took over
in this state, like twenty seventeen when John was starting
to get sick, and maybe eighteen and Kelly Kraft. I
(33:10):
traveled her a lot going through this state. And I'm
gonna be honest with you, man, it was I considered
his home to Kentucky reminds me of how where we
from and also the dynamics where people have no idea,
you know, they always support a This guy could have left,
this guy couldn't left. I could have left several times.
(33:33):
I could have left several times. But I got a
daughters in medical school that you see. My other two
daughters and their husband lives in Columbus. My son was
working here with me. I'm all about family, and then
I got family that I'm headed into a new family.
I got friends that I'm very close with, so it
made sense to, you know, go to Louisville. But I
(33:59):
went to your feel again because like I said again,
it's I'm very close with Jeff, and you know what,
here's a friend to say, hey, buddy, I'm actually you know,
come and help me out. If we always talked about it,
I always joked that I was never gonna go to Purdue.
That's not a flap Purdue. But I was not living
in wherever that is called l'sa yet I wasn't living there,
(34:21):
so I just it was just it was just an
opportunity that came about. But this state really has and
I think if you ask people that's close to me
who knew I had family members, they were saying, why
would you say they're gonna turn on you anywhere? And
I didn't care because I believe it or not. And
I'm gonna tell you this, Larry and White, I'm gonna
(34:43):
tell you all this. A lot of people. I've heard
from a lot of people, a lot of people who's
what their opinions are totally different than what's being reported.
Did they not want me to leave? And they did
not want me to leave? But are they saying it
that the heck with this guy like he's a bad guy?
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Now?
Speaker 3 (35:03):
No, no, they're not saying that. They wish me well
and they want to continue being for hims.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
Coach.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
I appreciate you coming home, man, and you know, talking
to the people, I'm with you. I think our fan
base there are some bitter people. I think people are
bitter for the wrong reasons. But I'm glad you enlightened
us on some of the speculation, some of the rumors,
and I know you're gonna pull it through them.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
Man.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
You know you got support on our show here in Lexington.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Yeah, I appreciate that. And I'm just saying, man, look
and then it works like even in louis I mean,
the Louisville people has been great. They know what I've
been going, they know they've been hearing, you know, raady
on stuff. And you know a lot of dm dms
from people that don't even know tech from people I
don't even know. And it's just so my thing at
the end of the day, I just want the Big
(35:53):
Blue Vasion to know I have always always looked at them,
wanted them to be, you know, proud and proud of
their brand and us winning and us beating people that
we didn't be for years. That's well, that's what That's
what I leave this with that I really enjoyed my
twelve years here. I wouldn't change it the start all over.
(36:16):
I'd do it all over. They said you're gonna be
excuse me, you're gonna be two and twelve, two and ten,
and going back in twenty thirteen, I would do it
all over again and build it back up with Mark
and see the results that we've seen. You can't un deny.
You know, I know Mark catch heat from people. But
like I said, again, dudes, all time leading winning coach.
(36:39):
We've been to eight or nine straight Bowl games and
I think they're gonna continue to do that. So I
have nothing but love, wish them well, love the kids
on that roster, uh, the guys that I work with,
love them and their families. This is just a great
opportunity for me. And that's that's just where I'm leaving,
all right.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
Coach, Well, happy Father's Day and we appreciate you for
joining us. Tremendously coached.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
All right, man, thank guys. You guys have really been
great and you know, continue successful with you guys, and
I'm pretty sure I'll see you guys around sometime soon.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Absolutely appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:13):
Coach.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
We will be back after this.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
You are listening to Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk
on news radio six thirty WLAP.
Speaker 8 (37:22):
This is the home of the Wild Guys, six thirty
w LAP.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Welcome back Stockyards Bank Sunday Morning Sports Talk. I'm Anthony
White along with Larry Vaut. We like to thank the
Big Card, the Big Dog for joining us this morning.
Give us a little bit of his side of the story.
If you tuned in, I see that our social media
was getting a little wild, text messages coming in, dms, whatnot.
(37:50):
You can join the show eight five nine to eight
zero two two eight seven eight five nine to eight zero.
Give your opinion. I thought Vince has always been candid
on this show. Speak the truth is honest with Larry
and I all of the time. So give us your
opinion on what you thought about and what you think
about his departure. We'll be back after this. You're listening
Stockyards Bank Sunday morning sports Talk on news radio six
(38:11):
thirty WLAP
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