The Season Grind: Behind the Scenes of My Football Week

Sunday started my football season grind. The offseason has come and gone. My weeks are regimented for the next four to five months. Please understand that I am not complaining about my job’s time requirements nor am I writing this article for pity. Every time I think that my occupation is overly taxing, I’m reminded by my lovingly sarcastic family that I’m not underground mining coal. I talk and write about sports for a living. So, I just thought that I’d share some behind-the-scenes stuff of my work week during football season. 

The 2023 season grind started on the Sunday prior to our first Kroger KSR Game of the Week which is on August 19. My days don’t vary much from now until January and schedules are rarely altered. When there is change, I feel uncomfortable and get all out of sorts. Right or wrong, that’s just the dude that I am. We are all built differently. Continuity brings me contentment. Let’s get into it. 

Sunday

My Sunday morning starts off with an 8:00 AM Mass at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Versailles. Once the Holy Eucharist is completed, I grab coffee at the Versailles Kroger Starbucks. I then roll into KSOffice highly-caffeinated for the official start of my work week. 

The first thing I do is finish writing my “AAR.” This particular article breaks down the previous day’s UK game from a militaristic point of view. This meticulous writing session normally takes a couple of hours to complete. I don’t have a set deadline, but I like to email my post to the KSR editors no later than 1:00 PM. Once that’s done, I turn my attention to next Friday’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week. 

The matchup is selected by mid-afternoon. The selection process is a corporate secret, sorry. But, once the game is picked, the KSR machine kicks into full gear. I begin to coordinate with the host school. Brent Wainscott creates the graphic to be used on our website throughout the week. Tyler Thompson approves the trip and begins to manage the travel requirements and other managerial duties. Zack Geoghegan leads our team of interns and selects the student or students that will preview and cover the GoW. 

All that is taking place while I’m writing the matchup’s preview post that is normally up and ready to roll after our boss Matt Jones makes the announcement via social media. As you can see, there’s a great deal of teamwork involved to bring you the best content possible. 

Once the Kroger game information is rolling out, I turn my attention to UK’s next opponent. I begin to study the Cats’ statistics from the previous game in order to provide an accurate projection for the upcoming Saturday. The two-team homework assignment creates the basis for all my writing and talking for the upcoming week. I then build my own version of a spreadsheet (hand-written of course). My last responsibility of the day is to prepare for the “Monday Morning Quarterback” Show with Tom Leach. 

Sunday is one of my longest days. That’s okay. Remember, I’m not digging coal, I’m talking and writing sports. After all that, I go home to take my daughter out for dinner. She really likes the salads at the Versailles Brewery Company and the pasta at Ricardo’s. Both joints are in Versailles. There’s a fancy Italian restaurant opening soon; can’t wait for that. 

Monday

School drop-off is followed by a quick hustle to the location where Tom Leach and I do the radio show. I cut it close, depending on where the show is hosted. I love the 8:00 AM show that lasts an hour. Following that, I head to KSOffice to work on my opponent preview post for UK’s next foe. That normally takes most of the day. After all that, I go home to record the “KSR Football Podcast.” I really enjoy that one because Drew makes me laugh. Nick and Adam get deep into the breakdown. I mostly sit and listen like everyone else. 

I’d like to say that I watch “Monday Night Football” but I’d be lying. This may vary depending on the matchup. I will pay attention if the game consists of some UK dudes. But, I have a strict 11:00 PM lights out rule. I’m getting older and need more rest more these days. 

Tuesday

Tuesdays are for reading and listening. I’ll explain. I do the UK radio circuit that starts with the “Leach Report” and stay tuned in all the way through the end of KSR. While listening, I read Adam Luckett, Nick Roush, Tyler Thompson, Drew Franklin, Jack Pilgrim, and Zack Geoghegan’s articles to get as many viewpoints and angles about the Cats and their opponent as possible. I also listen to Cole Cubelic’s podcast to gain a broader understanding of the SEC. Tuesday is a heavy research but lighter workload day. That’s a good thing coming off a fast-paced Friday-Monday schedule. 

Most don’t know, but I’m also involved with the business side of the KSR website. I allocate an hour or so every day for those purposes. My boss is Maria Taustine. She’s brilliant and patient with me throughout our business dealings. She also works around my busy writing and travel schedule. KSR would stop working if it wasn’t for Maria. 

Wednesday

To be completely honest, we don’t really have days off at KSR. News happens at all times and we react as best we can. But, Wednesdays are the closest thing that I have to a day off. I like to catch up on life routine stuff on that day. A trip to Kroger is a daily ritual, but Wednesdays are for doing the bulk of my grocery shopping for the week. I may go to the bank or pay bills as well. Wednesday afternoons and evenings are dedicated to family times. My phone’s off as it’s my time to spend with those that I love. Time is the most precious commodity that I own. 

Thursday

It starts to get real on Thursdays. The KSR machine is churning out content for the Kroger KSR Game of the Week and the upcoming UK matchup. I’m also making my final travel plans for Friday night’s GoW. One of my many joys about my job is to watch our interns put in work; they are absolutely vital to the success of our team’s success. 

We just said goodbye to Lizzie Spedding after a productive summer of assisting me on the business side of the operation. Writing interns Piper McCoun, Brady Byrdwell, and Daniel Hager are talented and dedicated contributors to the Kroger KSR Game of the Week. It’s fun to watch them grow in the industry. One or more accompany me to the Friday night game in order to write the deep-dive game summary and provide social media updates. They type way faster than me, so I’m glad they take on this task. 

I also coordinate with Kroger on Thursdays to confirm my visit to a local store that’s close to the stadium. I also research hometown restaurants for my pregame meal. I really like Thursdays; always have.  

Thursday afternoons are for detailed show rehearsals. I finalize my game charts and stats for Saturday’s pregame show. I have a set pattern of numbers that I go by in terms of statistical order. For example, I always analyze each team starting with the following four categories: Scoring (points per game average), Rush, Pass, Total. I do this for UK and its opponents and have them displayed in the same order every week. At one time I could remember and rehash the numbers without going to my cheat sheets. I’m afraid those days are behind me. I can’t do my job without notes these days. 

I also study both teams’ personnel. This doesn’t mean just stats and honors.  I dig deep into how UK players or their opponents can hurt the other through one-on-one matchups based on scheme. Fun stuff. 

Friday

Travel day. Game day. I go over my agenda in the morning before creating a unique, musical playlist to listen to while I’m driving to the game. For example, I label them “Pikeville-Paintsville” or whichever teams that playing that night. Each week is distinctive based on the game’s location or the mood that I’m in before jumping into my trusty Toyota Corolla. I depart Versailles at about noon. I love to get to the host communities early and take in the uniqueness at every stop. I drive around the city or county in order to understand the vibe before the night’s big event. 

My most important responsibility on Fridays is to ensure that the interns and camera crew arrive safely and get into the stadium without an issue. I coordinate with ADs on Mondays and provide them with a list of KSR attendees for the game. Once our team is safe and on the field, I roam around talking to coaches and fans. I try to tweet — or whatever it’s called these days — pictures of unique traditions, facilities, and game highlights. KSR’s video content has grown exponentially after bringing Steven Peake on board. He’s creative and manages podcasts and our YouTube channel. His postgame videos are amazing and highlight players, teams, communities, and the distinctiveness at all our stops.  

My role at each stop varies. There are times when the host school wants me to be on the game radio broadcast. I enjoy that a great deal. I always tell my point of contact that I work for them on game night and will do whatever’s asked in order to make the experience special for all involved. I’ve spoken at prep rallies, I’ve been on pregame shows, you name it. I love Friday nights. 

I head home after the game or at halftime if the location is of great distance from Versailles or in the case of an early morning pregame show. I never listen to music or the radio on my return trips. I use the windshield time to go over Saturday’s UK game notes in my mind. My mood changes on the journey home. It’s almost like I’m back in my playing days. I try to get dialed into what I’m going to say on the pregame show. 

I have a difficult time sleeping on Friday nights.  I normally end up watching a west coast high school football game that’s on my cable box. I set five alarms for the next morning; I never need them.  

Saturday

Game day. My Saturday routine varies depending on game times which dictates when the pregame show is aired. I used to love to watch the Network’s Game Day Show. Not anymore. I just can’t. Same with the SEC’s pregame program. I try to maximize my time with more study and preparation for the show. I have to admit that I get a little panicky before I head to Lexington. At times, I have the irrational fear or phobia that the roads will be blocked or some other obstacle will prevent me from getting to the bar for the show. I’m weird. 

Once I leave my house, I take the same route to KSBar and Grille on every Saturday. I feel like I’ve cursed the Cats if there’s a change. I’m normally the first show member to arrive. I go up to my office in the calm and quiet to yet again go over my notes for the hundredth time. This may be surprising, but I’m actually a shy person. Being around a crowd can be an awkward experience for me. That’s one reason I wear glasses during the show. 

The KSR Pregame Show is a lot of fun. Matt is really, really good at his job. He’s also unpredictable. That can cause a little anxiety but it also brings on competitive excitement that I crave. Ryan is Ryan and I love him dearly. But, my little buddy is extraordinarily Dane Key-slanted with his takes and that’s hilarious. I can feel the sincere nervousness with Drew. Not apprehension to be on the show, but for the upcoming game. I think Drew wants Kentucky to win as badly as I do; that’s saying a lot by the way. I don’t make my score prediction until the end of the show. I make that call on the fly. Score projection is the least studied and analyzed prognostication that I make all week. I also have a very hard time picking against my beloved Wildcats. 

I head back to Versailles after the show. I really do stop at Kroger to pick up chicken wings and six fizzy waters. I watch the Cats from the comfort of my recliner even though I have a couple of parking passes and four season tickets. I give those to family members so I don’t have to worry about forgetting to buy birthday and Christmas presents. 

I honestly do view the matchup from my porch if the score tightens. I’m an absolute mess during Kentucky games. This is especially the case during rivalry matchups. I haven’t watched the first half of the Governor’s Cup since 2018. I occupy my time during the first 30 minutes of the game by doing laundry or house cleaning. I then check Twitter for a score update around halftime. If the Cats had a comfortable lead, I turn on the game. If not, I pace and check my phone every ten minutes for updates. Ridiculous I know. I’m too old to care this much. 

Once the Wildcats have finished, I try to watch other games but I have a hard time tuning into more football. It does make for good background noise while I’m writing. Sleeping is more difficult after losses. Wins get me all jacked up and also impact my rest. Eventually, I do go to bed and then we are back to the top of the page on Sunday. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Heck, I don’t know. Just thought I’d give y’all a glimpse into my irrational football season routine. Two things that I am adamant about are family time and balance. Those are non-negotiables. 

Family time is mandatory. I shut down work operations every day of the week from the time I get home until my daughter goes to sleep. For you young and aspiring writers and talking heads out there, please remember this: find balance in your life. Family is my priority; I wish I’d always felt that way. I also make time for a workout. I may not look like it, but I walk at least two miles a day and I also meditate. Faith and community are other staples in my life. 

So, not that you’ve likely wondered, but this is my life from today through January. I love this *&#@.