Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly's Podcast

Quinn Grovey is the only starting quarterback to record back-to-back 10-win seasons in Arkansas football history. We sit down with the Razorback great to get his story, including how he left the state of Oklahoma to come to Arkansas (6:00). He has a great story about Andre Ware and Houston (16:11), and talks about how he found out Ken Hatfield was leaving (22:35). Later, we get into how his broadcast career started (30:19), and his relationship with Frank Broyles (33:37). Finally, we discuss how his career might have been different if he was playing in today’s age of college football (41:16).

T.J. Smith is a Razorback football team captain, and he’s having an impact on and off the field. We dive into what life was like for him as a kid, and how he learned about serving others at a young age (7:22). He tells the hilarious story of how he started playing football for the first time in high school (13:00), and how that led to college coaches—including in the Ivy League—noticing him as a prospect (17:00). We get a first-hand account of the impact of a coaching change on the student-athletes (20:51), and finally, we get to know T.J. a little more and what he wants his future to look like (28:02).

Dre Greenlaw has been through more in life than most. We talk about his childhood of growing up in the foster care system and moving all over the state of Arkansas (2:46). Dre tells us how faith played a major role in his life and helped him get through the tough times (7:33), and then we get into how he met now-Houston assistant coach Brian Early and what led to him living with the Earlys (11:19). We get into the tough decision for Dre to come to Arkansas and turn down Coach Early’s offer to play at Arkansas State (17:56), and how his journey is going now (23:50). Finally, we get into what the coaching transition was like for him at Arkansas (25:07), and what he wants people to think when they see him (26:38).

Have you ever wondered what goes into getting Arkansas’ top-class facilities ready for players, coaches and fans alike? We did. And we sat down with associate AD for facilities Justin Maland to get the inside scoop, starting with the new grass surface that was installed at Razorback Stadium (2:03). We get into the 20,000-foot view of managing facilities on a college campus and the facilities “arms race” (7:11). We talk about everything that went into the north endzone project (15:44) and the upgrades coming to Baum-Walker Stadium (22:35). Justin talks about working for Norm DeBriyn and the baseball program and getting into facilities management (28:10).

The Razorback football program recently hired Turner Gill as its new executive director of player and staff development, and so we sat down with the former college head coach to get to know him and his vision for Arkansas. We get into why he decided to retire from coaching (4:28) and what he learned from legendary coach Tom Osborne (11:40). Gill tells us why he decided to start playing baseball, and how that led to him getting into coaching and winning three national titles as an assistant (17:40). We talk about what he’s bringing to his new role (27:00) and finally how his experiences as a player and coach help him relate to student-athletes (35:30).

Ken Hatfield is a Razorback legend. He grew up in Arkansas, played for the 1964 national championship team and later returned to become the head coach with the highest career winning percentage in program history. We sat down with Hafield to reflect on his career—beginning with whether there is any controversy to Arkansas’ football national championship in 1964 (2:40)? The impact Frank Broyles had on unifying the state behind the football program (4:30) and how different the culture is today (6:55). Next, Hatfield recalls some of his favorite memories from the 1964 season (16:20), including his famous punt return against Texas (22:27). We explore how he got into coaching (26:12), his return to Arkansas (31:04) and his departure for Clemson after two back-to-back Southwest Conference championships (34:57). Finally, we talk to Hatfield about his new role of the College Football Playoff selection committee (41:44).

Mental health of student-athletes has become one of the most talked-about issues in college athletics. Arkansas has taken a step forward, hiring Dr. Chris Bader as the assistant athletic director for mental health and performance. We sat down with Bader to get his thoughts on what people need to understand about mental health and the impact social media has on it (4:15). We get into working with coaches (8:15), and what the key is to dealing with pressure and failure (16:19). Bader discusses why anxiety issues are more prevalent than ever (26:20) and advice on getting mentally healthy (28:00).

When many people think of Clint Stoerner, they think of the fumble against Tennessee. But shouldn’t he be remember for so much more? We sat down with the former Razorback to tell his story—starting with what he’s up to now and why he likes coaching (3:00). We go back to how he grew up (9:36) and how he got into football instead of baseball (15:50). Next, he tells us why he chose Arkansas over LSU (21:18) and what it was like when Houston Nutt got hired (25:25). We get into what he remembers about the 1998 Tennessee game, the fumble that everyone talks about and the immediate aftermath (29:53). He talks about what he had to endure from angry fans (36:43), and what he thinks fans think of when they hear his name (42:48). Finally, we talk to Clint about getting redemption against the Vols in 1999 and his story coming full circle (44:05).

Ryne Stanek and Jalen Beeks were once teammates with the Razorbacks. Now, after taking two very different paths, they’re teammates again with the Tampa Bay Rays, and are part of a grand pitching experiment. We dive in to the “opener” role that Stanek has taken on and how he likes it (3:50), and his journey to the big leagues (10:00). We get into what it was like for him to get the call to the majors (13:20) and how he still follows the Razorbacks (16:09). Next, Beeks joins the pod and talks about how his JUCO experience helped pave the way for him to make it to the show (20:47). We chat about how playing at Arkansas helped prepare him for where he is today (27:21) and, finally, get his thoughts on the Hog baseball program today (29:43).

If you ask people in the know, Maria Fassi might just be the LPGA’s next superstar. We get her thoughts on those impressions and whether or not it adds pressure (2:36). She takes us through why winning the NCAA title at home was so important to her (9:40), and then rewind to how she got into golf in the first place (18:00). We walk through how she decided to go to college and chose Arkansas (24:00), and playing in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur (28:10). Maria tells us where her confidence comes from (33:00) and we get into why people love her swing (42:19). Finally, we learn how hard work is paying off for Maria and what she hopes the future holds (45:35).

Paul Finebaum is known as a lot of things. He’s the “Mouth of the South,” the face of the SEC Network, and someone who always has something to say. We caught up with Finebaum and chat about how he grew up paying close attention to the Razorbacks (2:22) and meeting Bill Clinton (4:54). We talk about his dad passing away when Finebaum was just a teenager and the effect it had on him (8:17). He takes us through how he got into radio (14:00), and how he landed on the SEC Network (22:45). We go through some controversial moments he’s been a part of (30:23) and what’s next for him (36:00). Finally, we end with some encouraging words he has for Razorback fans (41:20).

Fresh off winning indoor and outdoor national titles in 2019, Arkansas women’s track coach Lance Harter is riding a massive wave of success. We begin our conversation with his early days as a surfer and how he got into track (3:40), as well as his start in coaching track at the D2 level (9:00). Then, we cover how he got to Arkansas, and what it was like being there when John McDonnell had the men’s program rolling (14:00), as well as what the job is like away from the track (20:50). We get into the success he’s having and how he manages it (33:33), and he shares a great story from the 1992 Olympics involving Charles Barkley (39:18).

We sit down with Razorback baseball coach and Arkansas Sports Hall of Famer Dave Van Horn for a wide-ranging interview. DVH takes us through how he’s gotten the program to the point it’s at now and where he thinks it stands in college baseball (6:45). We chat about the number of big leaguers he’s produced and how his players are well prepared for pro baseball (16:20), as well as his leadership style (26:20). DVH tells us what going into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame meant (35:15) and what the fan support and appreciation means to the program (42:56). Finally, we learn how this season has helped him deal with the way the 2018 College World Series ended (48:34).

For this episode, The Hog Pod goes on the road to Destin, Fla., for the SEC’s spring meetings. We catch up with Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman, and he updates us on filling out his coaching staff and transfers (3:21), talks about how his NBA background helps with roster management (9:02), and gives us some insight into what he already knows about his team (11:05). Next, we chat with football coach Chad Morris, who explains the addition of Turner Gill to his staff for off-the-field development (18:29), the importance of recruiting Texas (21:24), and where they are in the building process (31:37).

Isaiah Campbell is Arkansas’ ace, and one of the best pitchers in the SEC. But after an up-and-down career, how did he get to this point? We chat with the Friday night starter about when he realized baseball could be a thing for him (8:15) and understanding the idea of sacrifice (9:15). We talk about dealing with injuries (12:50) and deciding to come back for one more season (25:07). Finally, he takes us through bouncing back from last year’s disappointing runner-up finish and how this year’s team is having success (27:41).

Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek has been through a whirlwind first 18 months on the job. It’s been so fast paced that we decided to sit down with him to help Razorback fans get to know him better. We discuss his college basketball playing career and taking charges in church leagues (4:50), as well as missing games to watch his sons play and the culture he’s trying to create (9:08). We talk about how he got into college athletics as a career (17:34), and the success levels of Arkansas’ programs (28:00). He tells a story about how he was once thrown out of a game (37:13) and the process behind making Nolan Richardson Court a reality (39:42).

Arkansas softball was in a bad place when Courtney Deifel arrived as the head coach prior to the 2016 season. Now, they’re headed back to the postseason for the third straight year. How did Deifel do it? We sit down with Coach Deifel to talk about her journey, beginning with a career in Japan (4:09), going back to school and beginning her coaching career (9:25). She gives insight into why, despite the program’s struggles, she never saw Arkansas as a bad job (15:10) and how she built a competitive roster (18:38). Finally, we learn what kind of coach she is and why she doesn’t get ejected (25:06), and what it’s like balancing being a mom and a coach (31:11).

Hunter Woodhall doesn’t just run track for Arkansas. He runs track for Arkansas without his legs. We sit down with the silver medal-winning Paralympian and let him tell his inspiring story. We start at the beginning with how Hunter lost his legs at such an early age (2:19) and how he wasn’t allowed to use that as an excuse in life (9:03). Hunter tells us about how he got good at track (14:00), and we get into how he became a YouTube star of sorts (19:26). Hunter discusses what it’s like to wear prosthetic legs (28:12), and what he wants people to think when they see him run (30:32). Finally, we get into the struggles he deals with—whether it’s school-related or about parking on campus (32:00).

Jordyn Wieber doesn’t need an introduction to most—she’s an Olympic champion, a decorated star, and a bona fide celebrity. Now, at just 23 years old, she’s the new coach of the Arkansas gymnastics program. We chat with Jordyn about her start in gymnastics at a young age (6:45), what her journey to the Olympics was like (11:00), and what life after the Olympics is like for a gymnast (12:30). We get her thoughts on what it was like to not qualify for the 2012 Olympic all-around title and having to bounce back for the team competition (16:37), when she decided she wanted to be a coach (22:34), and becoming a team manager at UCLA (25:35). Finally, we talk to Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek about what he was thinking in hiring a 23-year-old first time head coach (29:30) and more.

Arkansas’ Hjalte Froholdt has a story unlike any other, and a chance to make history at the NFL Draft. We start with all the trouble people have had with pronouncing his name and growing up in Denmark (2:00), and we cover his journey to America and his start playing football (8:00). Next, we chat with his high school coach from Warren, Ohio, Steve Arnold, who tells us some great stories about Froholdt’s first year in the states (13:00). Froholdt tells us about his early struggles at Arkansas and move to the offensive line (25:09). Finally, we talk about his hopes for the NFL Draft and what it would mean to be the first Danish position player ever drafted (33:34). Stay tuned for some bonus content at the end of the podcast.