Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Here at Kentucky Sports Radio, we have tried for the past four years to increase the fan experience following UK sports. By coming at the coverage of UK sports from a fan’s perspective, we have hopefully given people an outlet to follow the team in the way they would want to, if they could “control” coverage. Along those lines, I am very excited to announce our next step in that direction as tomorrow I will begin as a guest contributor at CoachCal.com. The site had previously announced Tom LEach will also serve as a regular contributor.
As part of that role, I will be contributing work once a week to the site that combines their amazing access and “behind-the-scenes” insight, with the fan perspective we have established here. For the next couple of weeks, I will write columns, but beginning soon after I will be doing a weekly video segment in which I take you the fan behind the scenes of the UK basketball program. The first feature is already being planned and will likely include me and a current or former UK player taking a tour of the Joe B Hall Wildcat Lodge. It will be a unique way for all of us to see where the players live. We will also have other interviews, features, roundtables and other elements, all of which are intended to let you see parts of the UK basketball experience that you have never seen before.
The content I provide for CoachCal.com will be exclusively at that site and the vast majority will be “behind the pay wall.” We will link all the various features here, but they will reside at the other site. While I have always said and continue to say that Kentucky Sports Radio will always be free, there are limits from a technology and access standpoint to what we can do. CoachCal.com gives us a chance to take the next step and do features from behind the scenes that you simply cant get anywhere else. My features on Coachcal.com wont have anything to do with “inside information”, game coverage or any of the things we do here. Instead it will be a behind the scenes look at the program that simply wouldnt be possible in any other forum.
I am extremely excited about this adventure and think it will be one that fans can truly get behind. It won’t change anything we do here at Kentucky Sports Radio. We will still cover the team in the same irreverant way and the site will still do all the crazy things it has done before. But what the new contributions to CoachCal.com will do is allow you, the fan, to be able to get the full UK basketball experience on all levels.
Just like you, I am a fan and I want your suggestions on what you want to see and what you think would be interesting. CoachCal.com editor David Scott and Coach’s website have given us this opportunity, so be creative - but reasonable - with your suggestions.
We thank Coach Calipari and Coachcal.com for the opportunity and look forward to getting started and bringing a bit of the KSR magic to Coachcal.com.
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November 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
What!?!?!? You mean CoachCal.com isn’t having a UK Roundball Recruiting segment with Marc Maggard!?!?!?! LMAO!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
This is AWESOME!! Congrats Matt!
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Dang it, now we have to pay to see some stuff that you do Matt? Was this that exciting news? cause im not excited cause i know ill want to see it and have to pay
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Congratulations Jones.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Congratulations Matt. You deserve this opportunity. I think this is a huge step for you and your connections to UK. I think I will scrap my monthly membership to TCP and sign up for Coach Cal’s site.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Congrats Jones, that’s an oppurtunity most of us can only dream about! Maybe they can do some sort of server swap out for us pimping you out????
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Jerry Tipton would like for you to show the players and all of their cars so he can report on them.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Steal a shirt and a book for me once you get inside.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
In the words of my grandfather, don’t screw this up.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Do you think this will effect your ability to be open and honest about the program going forward?
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Congrats…you keep living the dream. Just hope some good free stuff will be posted.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Matt will Cal let you go “Inside the Huddle”? I never thought you would be the Rob Bromley of the 21st Century….
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
As much as I appreciate the honesty, I think its impractical to resolve your notion of “information should be free” with your participation at CoachCal.com in any reasonable way.
For example, if you are privvy to some knowledge by virtue of your new access… will you be expected to keep quiet when you otherwise would have published the info? If you hear a new recruit is going to commit, will you publish it, or will you reserve it as “premmy info.” If you hear rumors about coach cal being abusive with players (like coach G), will you NOT publish out of allegiance to your new site?
Lots of questions…
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
#10…no I dont. I talked about it with them before we started and they said they didnt want us to change anything about KSR. So I wont. If it came to that, then I wouldnt do the Coachcal stuff, but I honestly believe that there wont be any problem
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
#13…practically speaking, those issues already arise. I, like everyone that covers the team, learn things that I dont say. That balance between what you learn and what you can let out is always an issue. That wont change with this. In the same way that authors who do books have to keep info to themselves and the media that watch practice cant talk about what happens inside of it, there are times we find out things that simply arent reported. It is like that with everyone.
The “news” side of this site will have nothing to do with Coachcal.com. We are doing features there, so any “news” or info that we have that we want to get out, will come out on this site for free.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
13, Matt can speak to this better than I can, but I’m pretty sure the only stuff that will be premium are the goofy videos and interviews and whatnot. I don’t think CoachCal.com has ever offered “inside information”….just “inside access” like video and such. The membership there is for enhanced content and coverage, which is different from the traditional “inside info” pay sites. I think.
And 10, Tipton has had direct access to the program for years and he hasn’t gotten open or honest yet. I think everything here will remain the same.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
nevermind. I’ll grab my stapler and go back to the basement.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I think it is great Matt! Big thing for you and KSR..Congrats!! I’m a paying member at CoachCal.com and it is a great site with lots of things to see and read….look forward to having you contribute over there…..I will ALWAYS read KSR it is the only site I read daily
The getting behind the scenes look at the Wildcat Lodge is a good one…. I’ve always wondered what it looks like inside….. Look forward to that story….
Wish you good luck going forward….
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Casey Johnson is pissed because this was all premium info stolen from True Blue Kentucky!
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Beisner,
Im not saying that the content wont be different; the issue of content (different sites, different info) is easy enough to resolve.
Im saying that his new access might make him privy to information that is more “news” than it is “goofy vids and interviews” but Matt will be expected not to publish this “news” because of new allegiances.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Any chance you and Cal will head over to Playa while in Cancun and check out some comedy shows together? Might make a great “inside access” video…
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
17) Beisner, I agree with what you said about CoachCal.com..I’ve never seen insider info on there…the videos are cool behind the scenes type of stuff..
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Very cool! Congratulations Matt.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Just make sure none of the features are gay like the Duke Improv crap their players have done.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
18 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H62KgAN8PM
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Fair enough, thanks Matt… and congrats. I trust you will “keep it real for the peeps”
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
So this is what it feels like when dad takes a second job to provide for the family. Let’s just hope he doesn’t lock the liquor cabinet and hide his dirty magazines while he’s gone!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
25) Thanks for the video… appreciate it …now I need to go watch the whole thing….thanks again
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Matt, do you ever sleep??
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
If you work at KFC, you can’t sell the recipe. You can, however, sell the chicken. Take that analogy and apply it somehow.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Hey Jones! Find out the identity of the girl Coach Cal pulled on stage at Big Blue Madness! I want her number!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Matt your a freakin sell out, what the hell! Just kidding, I think its awesome and you should be honored by the invitation. Just dont forget about us poor folks that cant afford the pay sites.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I think you should make the goal of this is ask really ridiculous questions to the players. I think you should just do a series of interviews of “would you rather” questions.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Matt, don’t be a D-bag, interview Ashley Judd!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Construction is underway at Jones & Bruce Law Office to widen the entryway to the building and Matt’s office in particular so that his head will fit through. KSR name-dropped by Buzz last night and now this??? Hahaha, congrats MJ.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
as long as there are no “lifetime memberships” it should be alright
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
i think you need to redesign this site, get a better ad program, and generate more revenue using this site. the content you all provide is great and you have a loyal following. now, just like twitter, you need to figure out how to monetize it.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
This will be a total failure unless you interview Kige.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
So when should we expect the MM tirade about Matt providing “premium” content? I say right after MM’s siesta. After all, they’re showing Montecristo reruns this week!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
So let me get this straight, Matt is going to be to coachcal.com what “Ross the intern” is to the Jay Leno show? lol
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Maggard announced this yesterday …. Ketchup … Mustard!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Was this the important “political” announcement or is there something else to follow?
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Matt,
Something I have always been very interested in is finding out why players decided to come to UK. I know they talk about it in the news and what not, but I’m talking about the real deep down emotion of why they picked to play for UK. It would be great to hear from the players all the things they were going over, what their family and friends said, the emotions they felt, what stood out the most, and when they had that moment that they knew UK was the school for them. The same thing for guys who stick around would be awesome too, really diving into why Patterson decided to come back.
Another idea I’d love to hear about from the players is their favorite moments from fans at the games. If it is something people have said to them or another player, a sign they saw, an outfit, the crowd getting them pumped, or just something random, I would love to hear what has left a lasting impression on the players.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Ask Tony Delk about Ashley Judd. Later, do your best Fred Cowgill/Rick Pitino “interview” with Coach Cal.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
This site you have created here is brilliant. It pulls no punches and talks about the program in a way that most of us do with our friends. But let’s be honest, you can’t have your cake and eat it to. You can’t run a “fans” site and be in the pocket of the very coach whose program you’re supposed to be objectively assessing.
It seems to me that if you really care about the site then you should let go of the reins. Otherwise KSR will end up like everything else that was once cool but quickly became lame once it sold out.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I love Coach Cal, Love KSR but this is not a good thing for this site. Its a good thing for Matt Jones and I begrudge no one for doing what they love. That being said this makes KSR ineffective in my opinion. The point of blogs like this is to keep a program accountable and release news that the traditional media is either afraid to break or is not solid enough to break. KSR is now in Cal’s pocket like the rest of the state and regardless of what Matt says censorship will ensue. I will continue to read this site every day, but I will certainly be looking for another site that is not connected to, and in my opinion now controlled by, Cal and the minions of UK basketball. Love UK but I am not going to pay to know what color underwear the players have. Matt your a smart man and you have achieved your personal dream, to get as close to UK B-ball as possible but at what cost to what you truly originally set out to do. We just got Lawyered and no one else can see it. Guess it takes one to know one.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Congratulations…..Please reference Rob Bromley in your videos. For Example:
When talking to player X “Wow, I believe Rob Bromley has that in his ipod also”
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
45 COULD NOT AGREE MORE
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Congrats Matt!
39. I’ve been laughing for a while over that one
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I really don’t think he is having his cake and eating it too at all. Listen, he has flat out told anyone who will listen that he will always make KSR free and will provide all the info he can. However, he is still a huge UK fan, and he just happens to have an opportunity to get to do work from a fan’s perspective. It’s not like he is now changing his mind and saying that content should cost. I’m sure if it was up to him, he would provide it all for free, just like KSR. I’m sure he still doesn’t like the fact that will cost money to see the content. However, he doesn’t get to make the calls on this one, but it’s still a chance that almost any fan wouldn’t pass up. I bet anyone would be hard pressed to find a person who agrees with every single thing the company they work for does. This is just a chance to do a job he loves, it’s not changing him or KSR. If I stepped out of line from your thought process sorry about that, didn’t really mean to speak for you matt.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
It’s not hypocritical, he has not changed his stance on anything because of it. I know for a fact lots of readers don’t agree with our current president, I’ve been on the message boards and have seen what happens if Matt even hints at Obama doing a good job on anything. But even though you don’t agree with our president or our government or the direction our country is going, you still haven’t moved out the country. So does that make you a hypocrite? I mean you live in a country that has a president and government that you don’t agree with, no of course it doesn’t. It just simply means you have to deal with certain things that you don’t like in order to get other benefits you do like. That’s all it is.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
51, 52. Agree, very well said
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
So, wait……..personal feelings on whether this is a good idea or not aside……..was this the big “political” announcement?
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Sorry Matt, but I tend to agree w/ comments 45 and 46. You have explained many times that you have had to exercise judgement in deciding what information you could release in order to avoid embarrassement for the players and their families. Now you will either consciously or unconsciously self edit to avoid making your new boss look bad. A bit like home team tv/radio announcers who call themselves journalists, but who everyone knows are really just cheerleaders.
If working for Cal is what you really want to do, more power to you and I’m happy for you. However, despite your protestations to the contrary, the appearance of a lack of indepedence is bound to cause many to view KSR differently.
Sorry to have to rain on your parade.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I don’t see what the problem is. He’s in a position to get more insider information. It’s not like everything he learns he can’t post on this blog because it’s all going to go on the Cal site. Not only that but it puts him in a position to make more connections with current and former players that he can use for the blog’s benefit as well.
It’s a win-win.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
This is hilarious! Matt justifying “premium content”? Like the site but never really cared for the MM/MJ peon wars. Now there’s very little to fight about! Its a great day!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Now is your opportunity to meet the Mean And Nimble One. We expect the truth behind the tweets.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
SELL OUT!!! I’m not knocking you, because I would do it too. But that still doesn’t change the fact that you are selling out. Doing the blog, radio, TV, etc; those are all independent. Going to work for the university/Coach Cal is a very controlled machine (as it should be). Yes there are lines that you don’t cross now to maintain some type of relationship with the university and it’s various staff/players. However, this degree of objectivity will definitely be blurred. Right now, you can blame it on Drew or Beisner and say you didn’t have anything to do with it.
However, two things are going to happen. One, you will see even more closely the impact that this site can have on some of the individuals and entities that are discussed and that will cause you to sub-consciously pull things back a little. Second, someone in the university will ultimately apply some pressure to you after something crosses the line. It will be subtle at first (Delk-FGM), but the University wields a pretty big stick and that pressure can be turned up (see Tom Jurich). Over time it will cause you to do things different. You can say, “Oh, I’ll just quit if that happens,” but it’s rarely one big incident and usually more of a series of smaller, “Why don’t you just tone it down a little.” type incidents.
Again, I congratulate you and I am jealous. You have definitely put in the hard work to earn this opportunity. But, don’t be naive enough to think it won’t change things with the blog at all.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Matt, go straight to the stalls and see what flavor ice cream they Maggard, i mean poop.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
55. What are you talkin about? Matt already talks to PPat’s mom on a regular basis and rides back and forth to Louisville w/ Mike Pratt - the ultimate program insider. Now that HE is an insider, the dynamic is bound to change.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Some of you people are ridiculous. CoachCal.com is simply a venue to give UK fans unprecedented behind the scenes access to the program and the CoachCal himself. His primary reason for having the site is to drive charitable contributions to the Calipari Family Foundation For Children. Over $50,000 from paying members from the site has already been raised through their memberships. I am a member and it was money well spent. Big news is not broken on CoachCal.com. I think it’s great KSR will have a presence over there as well as Tom Leach. Some of you guys seriously need to lighten up.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Congrats Matt! Great Opportunity for you and KSR to get even closer to the Boys in Blue! I am a paying member at CoachCal.com and look forward to the segments. This is a win, win for all of us here as KSR will continue to grow, and the insight that will be given will be even better than it is now!
Matt, my request is for extra Press Passes for the games that you can pass along to us bloggers from time to time so that we may fill the blog with our opinions! I know my iPhone has to work better than Drew Franklin’s computer!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
56- He’s justifying premium content that actually has added value to it, edited videos and interviews, this is not to be confused with premium content with no added value, elaborating on information that you already “know”. It’s like hulu provides movies and tv shows, but you pay for netflix because you get access to many more movies and you get dvds by mail.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
63- ext’d, The assertion has always been that information should be free, the stuff you’re paying for on coachcal.com isn’t information it’s entertainment, mainly because inside information from the coach leads to visits from the NCAA and is counter-productive anyway.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
61) Totally agree…it is ridiculous how some people on here are reacting….There is probably not one person on this site, that would turn down a chance like this….I’d be in heaven if I were given the chance to hang out with and report on the team and Coach…. Also, as mentioned before the site is to raise money for charity…that’s one of the main reasons I paid to be a member… and most of it is entertainment… there is NO inside info…. Come on people you should be happy for Matt and not being Debbie Downers!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
61. No argument re the merits of CoachCal.com. It is obviously for a worthy cause and if people want to contribute more power to them. The point some of us are making is that Matt will now be part of Cal’s team, which will inhibit what he can and can’t say on this site. Again, I do not begrudge him the opportunity, but it does change the way people will look at KSR. It would be like the President’s press secretary hosting a Sunday morning news magazine - an obvious conflict of interest.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
This comment section is why we can’t have nice things. Some of you are being absolutely embarrassing on here, whining like spoiled children. Congrats on the opportunity Matt, and I hope you knock it out of the park.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
#66 Like I said, I think that’s ridiculous. David Scott and Coach Cal came to KSR and Matt for a reason. It’s the crazy, fan perspective that they are looking to add a little of to the site. It would defeat their purpose for asking him to contribute over there if they were looking to censor him back over here. That’s my take.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I guess this means that the big announcement was not replacing the East German surplus servers.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
This is a great oppurtunity fro Matt and this site. Those who don’t like it, go grab yourself a salt shaker and some lime and take your negativity to that other site.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
70) Totally agree!
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#30… done, Hubby. I guess my question now is: if he sells sides with the chicken, will he supply sporks?
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Hmm, I leave a comment criticizing Matt, saying he has jumped the shark and I come back a few hours later and my comment has been deleted. I didn’t curse, get rude, or personally attack anyone. Wow, thanks Matt for making me feel like you care. We’ll see if this comment stays but it probably won’t. I think your success has gotten to your head and you’re running an ego trip.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
#73… relax, and see #30 if you don’t get this, but take it up with Colonel Sanders.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
73) If you will look at the top right hand corner of your screen you will find a red X. If you don’t like what you read here simply click that X and Don’t put in KSR in the white space to the left of the X.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Matt answer this simple question. While you’re working on your tour of the wildcat lodge with
one of the players you see Brandon Knght being secretively escorted through the building. Do you
report it here or no?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
As I recall, you said you wouldn’t be subscribing to coachcal.com when he rolled it out, something about it wasn’t interesting enough or you didn’t care about watching Josh Harrellson eating spaghetti before a game… But now you’re writing for it? Atta boy.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
All you people who disagree with those of us who thinks this is a bad idea don’t get it. I did not start reading this site for “news” in the traditional sense. I started reading this site because it was willing to say and do things that no other site would do. That has been ending for a long time now as it got popular and now it is over. Its fine. Its still a great site and Matt deserves what he wants because e has worked hard for free. However, he has gotten popularity, free advertising for his business, and access that would have been impossible for a person like him to get without this site. So as a person who has always read this site I have a right to voice my opinion on what is still a BLOG…well not really any more. When these things get too big they lose their fun and now many of the younger people will move on to another site that some brave soul will start. Matt will step down and have a place in UK media, which I am sure has always been his goal. Congrats to him but dammit for all of us who liked reading a crazy, funny, irreverent blog as those days are now lost and gone. Matt could never admit this because people would feel offended but in reality he just put a plan in work that allowed him to achieve his goals. This is America and we all sell out, at least just a little, to achieve of goals. I can deal with it but I don’t have to like it or act like that is not what is happening.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I’m happy for Matt, but have to agree that this is has the potential to be a Pat Forde situation. Matt will benefit from his exposure on ooachccal.com. If he is critical of Cal, the team or UK — that exposure COULD go away. Consciously or subconsciously, that COULD impact his reporting. The appearance of a conflict diminishes credibility. Even though Matt doesn’t always report all he knows (e.g., the Gillispie stories), the appearance of a conflict changes (or should change) readers’ expectations for the site. If you want criticism, read Tipton. If you want fun, irreverent, sometimes inside — but not objective — commentary, continue to enjoy KSR. I know I will.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
78, that’s right on the money. Its true, that’s the way these things go. I’m sure it would be extremely difficult for Matt to let go but let’s be honest that’s the only chance KSR has to survive and maintain its credibility. But I’m sure I would have trouble letting go after putting in so much time and effort into something as he has this site.
If he stays on as top dog we will naturally begin to view any and all of his Coach Cal posts with skepticism. How can we not? Matt is going to be rubbing elbows with the guy, trying to impress the guy. Any criticism of the man will only be token.
It’s just how it is. Matt show us how much this site really means to you, because you know it means a lot to us, and step a side. Enjoy your new gig, you surely will hold a revered spot in the minds of a lot of UK fans who incessantly check this site throughout the day now.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I echo the comments of 79. I love this site for both the information on all things “Big Blue” as well as for the creative writing (Drew Franklin). I am happy for Matt and I wish him well. However, this arrangment seems to have the “appearance of impropriety”. Good Luck Matt and I will continue to read the site. I hope you are right and nothing will change. My fear is that we are getting another Dave Baker.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I agree this is a great chance for you Matt. Also, by understanding how many people read your site, it is a great economic investment by the coachcal.com team to add you to their team and sway as many users as possible to their paying site. If you are not going to charge (which is awesome), they are going to use you to charge (not so awesome)
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Congrats Matt, I’ve read KSR since day one and will continue to do so….i’m happy that you are livin’ the dream (all of us fans would love the inside access) but somewhat agree with above posters who state that this site has jumped the shark so to speak….best of luck with new endevour….
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Matt, we hardly knew ya. Congrats on the new gig.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:14 am
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