KSR at Media Day: Podcast and Notes From Friday's Show With Stoops, Marrow, and More

Kentucky Sports Radio’s morning radio show made a last-minute decision to broadcast Friday’s show live from Kentucky Football‘s Media Day. We thank UK Athletics and JMI for working with us on short notice and allowing us onto the pristine new grounds of Kroger Field for two hours.

We also thank Billy, KSR’s unofficial GM, for his hard work in getting the show set up approximately 85 yards from the Media Day festivities. Media Day looked like fun way down yonder.

On the air and on the opposite end of the field, Matt Jones and I had fun, too. We spoke to Mark Stoops, Vince Marrow, Liam Coen, Brad White, Brenden Bates, Josh Kattus, Ray Davis, and Dane Key, in addition to our comments and takeaways from the scene.

If any of that interests you, you can hear the entire episode in podcast form.

Now, some notes and a recap of comments from my spot behind Mic 2 on this morning’s broadcast:

Mark Stoops on a mission

Those were Vince Marrow’s words, not mine, when he said the theme of this year’s camp should be “Stoops on a mission.” I saw what Vince meant because when Stoops made the half-mile walk to join the show, he was very intense and locked into football speak. Stoops even said a bad word (the S one) when talking about setting a standard for this year’s team and holding everyone accountable.

It’s clear all of the new aspects of his job (mostly N.I.L. and the transfer portal) are tiring, and he wants to clean up how Kentucky handles those areas. He admitted there was plenty to learn on the fly a year ago.

Regarding the actual football component of his job, Stoops said he is challenging his locker room to be more player-driven in their day-to-day grind and to stay bought into the team over themselves. Coaches, players, everyone–“We’re all in it together and that’s not just a cliche and I’m not just saying that; it’s the truth. This is how it goes with football. Ultimately, you’re only going to be as good as you are in all areas.”

Vince Marrow’s new music and biggest fear confession

At Media Day in 2019, Vince Marrow confessed his love for Elton John, admitting he sings many of Elton John’s classics while in the car on long recruiting trips. This year, two of Marrow’s tight ends–Josh Kattus and Brenden Bates–crashed KSR’s radio interview for their own line of questioning, including one about Marrow’s favorite music. Marrow offered to sing one of the new additions to his playlist, the Doobie Brothers. Turn to 18:20 on Hour 1 of the podcast for his rendition of “Minute By Minute.”

Other Marrow favorites and on-air confessions:

— Chick-O-Sticks as a road snack; Skittles are for soft people

— If not a tight end, he wishes he would’ve been a placekicker when he played so, as he put it, he wouldn’t have to work in camp, only needed to make game-winners

— He believes he started the finger point in photos

— He’s afraid of the dark

Vince and Stoops join the guys @KySportsRadio @DrewFranklinKSR @UKCoachStoops @vincemarrow pic.twitter.com/HCAfEkfe6K

— Billy Rutledge (@BillyRsports) August 4, 2023

Like Matt Jones, Liam Coen cheats at golf

It was great to have Liam Coen back on the KSR airwaves at his second Media Day. However, it was his comments about golf, not anything about football, that I took with me from the conversation. Turns out Matt Jones isn’t the only cheater in the gentlemen’s game because Coen also picks up putts. UK’s O.C. and Matt both believe in long gimmies and automatic two-putts. Coen said it’s because he’s there to ball strike and doesn’t have time to practice the short stuff. He’ll chip “if it looks fun.”

To Coen’s credit, Brad White confirmed Coen’s low handicap (8) and said his fellow coordinator can absolutely stripe a golf ball.

I have an open spot at the next KSR Golf Scramble, Liam.

Brad White is so happy

It’s always good to see Brad White at Media Day because it means Kentucky was able to keep him around another year as defensive coordinator. White has all of the qualities of a head coach but still resides in Lexington on Mark Stoops’ staff for a sixth season. He told KSR it’s because he and his family are happy.

“My family and I, we just love everything about it,” White said. “We love the community. We love Big Blue Nation.”

White noted that Stoops allows his coaches to bring their families into the facilities, which isn’t the case at many other football programs, and it’s that balance that makes Kentucky a great place to work. White said he can be a great husband and a great father, while still working the unconventional schedule of a football coach.

He had great things to say about his defense, too.

Ray Davis will be an instant fan favorite

Unfortunately, Big Blue Nation already knew Ray Davis is a talented running back because we watched him run all over the ‘Cats last season as a Vanderbilt Commodore. Today, we learned Ray Davis is also hilarious. He’ll be a fan favorite in no time, if not already.

On the show, Davis won us over early with an unsolicited KSBar and Grille plug, followed by his fun personality in talking about Dane Key and several of his new Kentucky teammates. Key joined the conversation mid-interview as Davis said Key is the reason he ended up in Lexington.

Key added that nobody will tackle Davis one-on-one and to watch out for his specialty, the spin move.

Coen’s offense has a lot of talent and personality.

Hear the full two hours of KSR