Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly's Podcast

Christian Franklin was a preseason All-American and is a projected first-round draft pick for the 2021 MLB draft—but players like him don't come around that often. Coming to Arkansas from Kansas, Franklin brought an unmatched love for the game and a commitment to one thing: being the best. From his dedication and preparation to his study of the game, he's a unique player. Franklin had big shoes to fill as a center fielder for the Hogs following names like Fletcher and Benintendi—but he never shied away from expectation. He came in and made a splash for the Hogs almost immediately, helping to lead his first squad to Omaha in 2019. Then when COVID hit in 2020 and the facilities shut down, he and Robert Moore would meet up and jump fences at high school fields just to get their reps in. Nothing keeps Christian Franklin from success, and no one works harder to achieve it than this Arkansas outfielder. 

There are two things Robert Moore has been around for most of his life: baseball and winning. The son of Royals general manager Dayton Moore, Robert grew up on the diamond and has been a part of everything from an All-Star Game to a World Series win. And when you’re around ballparks and baseball all the time, it gives you an identity early in life. But what happens when you lose that identity? It was early on in Moore’s freshman year when he had that crisis. So how did he overcome it and become such an impact player for the Diamond Hogs? Now, Moore is thriving at Arkansas. He became the first Razorback to hit for the cycle since 1994, and has emerged as a fan-favorite for one of the best programs in college baseball. And for the guy known to Razorback fans as Big Shot Bob, he’s just getting started.

In college athletics, the head coach is the unquestioned leader and face of the program. Most assistant coaches are completely anonymous. But that’s not the case for Arkansas women’s golf coach Shauna Taylor and assistant Mike Adams. You don’t get one without the other. The friendship dates back to Taylor’s days in junior golf, when Adams was her instructor, and continued through her college and professional playing career. And it was Adams who was there for support when Taylor’s playing days came to a premature end. But getting into coaching has been one of the best decisions of Taylor’s life. And when she was chosen to lead Arkansas’ program in 2007, she knew who to call. Over the past 14 years, the successes have been impressive, and include an SEC title and 13 straight NCAA Regional appearances. Friends through thick and thin, Taylor and Adams have built a successful program and culture at Arkansas.

There is one thing no coach ever wants to do: follow a legend. The pressure to succeed is unmatched, and many coaches aren’t able to escape the shadow left behind. But that’s exactly what Chris Bucknam did. The Arkansas men’s track & field coach did what most would believe to be impossible—he took over for the most successful coach in NCAA history and was able to find success. Why did he want the job? How was he able to carry on and build on the success of John McDonnell? Chris Bucknam opens up about what it's like to follow a legend. 

Charles “Bubba” Carpenter, a Northwest Arkansas native, grew up in small towns south of Fayetteville—something he never let affect his baseball dreams. From practicing with his dad on a small field in Winslow, AR to being called up to the big leagues—baseball has always been the center of his life. Bubba was a 3-time All-Southwest Conference player at Arkansas. Though successful with the Hogs, he didn't have an illustrious pro career. Bubba signed as an amateur free agent with the Yankee’s organization in 1991. He then slaved away in the minor leagues for 9 years before finally being called up to the big leagues—a day he reflects on as one of the greatest in his life. Bubba's is a story of perseverance paying off every step along the way.

Brady Toops owns one of, if not the most well-known and monumental moments in Baum-Walker Stadium since its construction. Toops’ grand slam vs. Wichita State in 2004 has stood as a defining moment for Arkansas baseball. Being a part of such a shining moment fits Toops very well. He has always possessed an intrigue for the spotlight—from appearing on TV at the CWS, playing minor league baseball, to a reality television show appearance, to traveling the world as a musician, he’s done a little bit of everything. But after always chasing the spotlight in what he thought was happiness, his whole understanding of success collapsed. He hit his rock bottom and has since gone on a voyage to find a deep understanding of life, success and self.

The Arkansas men's basketball team had a historic season—the likes Hog fans hadn't seen since its hay day in the 90s—and it was one to remember. Eric Musselman's second season with the Razorbacks had it all: tough losses, a team gut check, come from behind victories, historic runs, the highest seeded NCAA bid in over 20 years and an Elite Eight appearance. We sat down with Coach Muss to talk about the amazing season and what his vision for his team is moving forward. 

Senior shortstop Braxton Burnside is Arkansas' single-season home run leader and the glue that holds the Razorback softball team together. But it took her a while to find a home with the Hogs. The small-town Paragould, Ark., native set the high school home run record in the state, but was passed over by the Hogs during the recruiting process, only ever receiving a single letter from her home-state team. Without much interest from her dream school and a strong desire to play in the SEC, Burnside committed to Missouri, where she found success. After a coaching change in Columbia, she decided to transfer, and only had eyes for the Razorbacks. After sitting out her transfer year and a season cut short by Covid-19, Burnside still found a way to write her name in the Razorback record books. This is the story of how a small-town Arkansan—who only ever wanted to be a Hog—found her way home.

Nate Thompson is considered by many to be perhaps the best hitting coach in NCAA baseball. During his time at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have led the SEC in nearly every offensive category and have produced first round talent such as Heston Kjerstad. His success started from unlikely beginnings, as Thompson never played a single baseball game in high school. But Thompson always knew he wanted to be a coach, so he climbed the coaching ranks and found himself among the best in the business. What brought Thompson to Arkansas, and how did he become one of the best in the business?

Arkansas fifth-year senior guard Destiny Slocum had several stops before landing on the Hill. The Idaho native spent a year at Maryland, where she was National Freshman of the Year. Then she went back west to play at Oregon State for two seasons, where she earned two-time All-American honors. But her cross-country playing career wasn't always what she envisioned: The inconsistency mirrored a childhood plagued by instability. Growing up, her mother battled breast cancer while raising Slocum and her four siblings practically by herself. With a father in and out of the home and a mother scraping by to give her five children a life, Slocum created a path for herself playing basketball, but let the uncertainty at home guide her every decision, including where to attend school. Slocum always felt the duty to put her family first over doing what was best for her as an individual. This is the story of how Destiny Slocum found her own voice and eventually found her home at the University of Arkansas. 

Kayla Green is the starting catcher for the Razorback softball team and one of Arkansas' top talents—but it was a long road to get here. Growing up with parents struggling with addiction, Kayla's childhood norm was waking up every day not knowing if there would be food to eat. She stepped into a parental role for her two younger siblings before she was even a teenager. And for Kayla, there was only ever one true escape from her reality: softball. When she was 14 years old, her mother was arrested for breaking her parole, and Kayla's long-time softball coach, Brian Jendro and his wife Nicole, decided to take her in. The Jendros provided Kayla with stability and opportunity she never had before, and she was able to achieve her softball dreams—committing to play at Arkansas with a full scholarship. She achieved her goals on the field, but not without learning to heal the scars of her past along the way. 

Todd Schaefer is the associate head coach of the Razorback women’s basketball team.  Throughout his 20+ year career he’s done it all: high school, JUCO, D1, assistant coach, head coach, he was even on the scout team for his college football team – all of which perfectly prepared him for a career he never even knew he wanted.  Growing up, Schaefer always thought he would be a lawyer, but coaching opportunities fell into his lap. Along his way Schaefer lost his mother to cancer, was mentored by legendary coaches and met a lifelong friend, Mike Neighbors. The two formed a lifelong friendship bonded over basketball and life, always hoping to one day work together. The two got their chance at Washington, where Schaefer joined Neighbor’s staff to develop one of the best players in the nation, Kelsey Plum. After a season with the Huskies, he followed Neighbors to Arkansas. An unexpected 20+ year career in coaching, touching every level in the game, learning every step of the way-culminates to a spot at Arkansas help

A year ago, Justin Smith was finishing up his junior season at Indiana. Today, he is a standout on the court and team leader for the Arkansas Razorbacks. After graduating in three years with a degree from IU's prestigious Kelley School of Business, Smith was looking for the next spot to take his game to the next level. Coach Musselman immediately impressed Smith. Even though Arkansas wasn't even originally on his radar, they became the frontrunners quickly. What is it about Musselman’s program that enticed a Big Ten native to take his talents to the SEC? Smith adds insight into the mind of a transfer, what goes into the process and just what gave Musselman the ultimate edge.

In the last few decades Arkansas baseball has risen from practicing on the old fair grounds in North Fayetteville into a national powerhouse, winning regionals and making frequent trips to Omaha. But what does it take to get there? Great coaches, players, winning and facilities all play a part. The Hogs weren’t always postseason regulars. That changed with the Brady Toops grand slam in 2004 that helped Arkansas to its first trip to Omaha under Van Horn. That College World Series appearance increased statewide exposure and popularity, but what took it to the next level was investing in stadium expansions and state of the art facilities to bring in top recruits. Of course, no program can rise without the right person at the helm. We talked to head coach Dave Van Horn, legendary Razorback coach Norm DeBriyn, voice of the Razorbacks Chuck Barrett, former radio analyst Rick Schaeffer, and a fan who’s been there through it all—Hognoxious. This is the rise of a program. This is baseball.

Christy Smith is the first name that comes to mind when most Razorback fans think of Arkansas women's basketball. In 1998, the ninth-seeded Hogs, led by Smith, played Cinderella and made it to their first and only Final Four. This is Smith’s story: One of how a little girl growing up in the cornfields of Indiana—who picked basketball over cheerleading in first grade and was recruited to Arkansas with an ear of corn—became the first-ever Razorback freshman to start at point guard, and, eventually, the most storied player in Arkansas program history.

Jeremiah Bonsu, a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas, isn't your typical story of the great player who decided to go into coaching once their illustrious career was complete - it is quite the opposite. Bonsu barely made his high school team his senior season. He only had one point to his name his entire career. How did a player that barely saw the floor in high school end up on a D1 basketball team, and is now looking at a promising coaching career? Bonsu's story is a whirlwind tale full of failure, chance and perseverance - finding out a little about himself along the way.

Amber Shirey has been the glue for Arkansas women's basketball for over 30 years. From her small-town roots in Newark, AR, to writing her name in the Razorback record books, to recruiting some of the program's most notable players as an assistant coach, to serving as director of operations; there isn't a part of the women's program that Amber Shirey hasn't touched. For a pinnacle of a program, she is the last person who would boast about her success. Her humility has guided her to become a quiet but strong leader who everyone looks up to. 

Student coach, Khalil Garland always wanted to play for the Razorbacks and was one of the top prospects in the state when he arrived at Arkansas in 2017. After undergoing his first routine physical with the team he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition -- ending his playing career forever. Garland had to change his plans and find a new dream. This is the story of how he turned a career ending medical diagnosis into a new dream and purpose - while gaining a new perspective on life.

Four years ago, Arkansas was picked 14th in the SEC. Now, they've started the season ranked 14th in the country, their highest ranking since 2003. How has Mike Neighbors turned the Razorback women's basketball program around and taken it from being one of the worst programs in the league to one of the best? And what does he have in store for the future?

He’s a legit four-star prospect, had offers from some of the best programs in college basketball, and is playing like one of the best freshmen in the country. But there’s something bigger at play here than just basketball for Moses Moody. He wants to have an impact—both on and off the court. Moody “gets it,” and understands that there is power in the path he chooses to follow. How’d he get this wise-beyond-his-years perspective? It’s rooted in his family life, but also in having to deal with big expectations from a young age. Those expectations took him from state champion at North Little Rock High School to prep school star at Montverde Academy. And even though Moody spent some time away from his home state, he’s motivated to make sure people know exactly what Arkansas is all about. With his talents—both on and off the court—Moody will be putting on a show for years to come.