Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly's Podcast

What do you do when the worst moment of your career is on display for all to see? Carson Shaddy relied on everything he had learned in his baseball career and did what any leader would do: He owned it. And it’s that leadership trait—not one moment—that defines Shaddy’s Razorback career. He started his career as a non-scholarship player and made appearances at every position except pitcher, shortstop and first base. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, and came through time and time again with big hits in clutch situations. For a Fayetteville kid who grew up wanting to be a Razorback so much that he’d do anything to make it happen, it’s been a wild ride—filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But through it all, Carson Shaddy was the same guy every day of his Arkansas career: a relatable leader who endeared himself to Hog fans.

Did you know that, statistically speaking, Jarius Wright is one of the best players in Razorback history? Wright holds the school record for career receiving yards AND the single-season record for touchdown catches. And he did it all despite being one of the smallest guys on the field. Coming out of Warren, Ark., alongside teammates Greg Childs and Chris Gragg, Wright was first recruited by Houston Nutt and decided to stick with Arkansas when Bobby Petrino was hired. It turned out to be the right move. He was a key cog on Arkansas’ most successful teams of the Razorbacks’ SEC era in 2010 and 2011. Those teams went a combined 21-5, and Wright was front and center. So how’d he do it? How did a small kid from a small town in Arkansas end up making big play after big play for the Razorbacks, and then in the NFL? This is Jarius Wright’s story.

Few former Razorbacks have had as fascinating a pro career as Joe Kleine. After all, how did a kid from Slater, Mo., end up playing alongside guys like Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan over the course of a 15-year NBA career? As it turns out, his journey would intersect with Jordan’s multiple times—in the NBA, in the Olympics, and at Arkansas. How he got to Arkansas is a story in and of itself, but once he transferred in, he established himself as one of the best big men in Razorback history. He would go on to win a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, and was the No. 6 pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. He would play for seven different teams, but most memorably, he had a front-row seat to “The Last Dance” as a member of the 1998 Chicago Bulls. So what was it like to play with Michael Jordan? How was Scottie Pippen? And what about the always-colorful Dennis Rodman? This is the story of one hell of a ride that led Joe Kleine to the last dance.

From a talent standpoint, it’s no surprise Frank Ragnow has found success at the highest level. He was a 4-star prospect with offers from some of the best programs in the nation, an All-American and All-SEC performer at Arkansas, and was a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Ragnow is a guy who loves life and is the same person every day. But that doesn’t mean his journey to becoming a starting center in the NFL has been easy. During his sophomore year at Arkansas, his mom was diagnosed with cancer. And while she has recovered, the news rocked Ragnow. As a senior, he suffered a season- and college career-ending ankle injury that required surgery. But it was during his junior year when his world shattered: His dad suddenly passed away after a heart attack. And dealing with the grief has understandably been a struggle. Through it all, Ragnow is driven by the desire to compete against the best. Just don’t expect him to change who he is.

Often times, they’re the unsung heroes of a coaching staff or administration. And they’re as important to the heartbeat of a program as anyone. Of course, we’re talking about the coaches’ wives. They’re the unofficial moms for so many student-athletes. They make Arkansas feel like home. But you don’t often hear their side of the story. In this bonus episode, Danyelle Musselman leads a wide-ranging conversation featuring Jennifer Yurachek, Karen Van Horn and Jamie Pittman as they talk about what they love most about being at Arkansas to balancing careers and everything in between.

Danyelle Musselman didn’t envision herself being where she is today. That’s not surprising given her past career as a national sportscaster, working for the likes of ESPN and Fox Sports. But sometimes, life takes you in a different direction, and you end up on an unexpected but rewarding path—in this case, being a mom and a coach’s wife. So how did Danyelle and Eric Musselman meet? And how did one big decision—and a career sacrifice—impact the entire Musselman clan, and put them on the path that led to the University of Arkansas? This is her story.

Arkansas men's and women's basketball coaches, Eric Musselman and Mike Neighbors, sit down for an exclusive and authentic conversation, guided by Musselman. The two of them share some crazy ideas, lessons learned along the way, and revealing details of running a program. All with no coach speak.

Former Arkansas Razorbacks guard Dusty Hannahs has made a career of proving the doubters wrong. He’s heard the criticisms, and it just makes him work harder. Make no mistake: Hannahs excelled at Arkansas, leading the team in scoring in his two seasons on The Hill after transferring from Texas Tech. Now he’s finding success in the G League and has twice made it to the NBA—the pinnacle of the sport—on 10-day contracts. So why is he still fighting negative perceptions about his game, or the idea that he’s just a shooter? His story is one of how criticism has fueled his fire to be the best player he can be, and fulfill his dream of being an NBA mainstay.

He's one of the best tight ends in the NFL, but Arkansas Razorback fans will always remember Hunter Henry for the 4th & 25 play at Ole Miss. He gives us inside look at that play, his NFL career & more in this BONUS episode.

Chris Crutchfield knows how to recruit. He helped Oklahoma land eventual top-six NBA Draft picks in Buddy Hield and Trae Young, and he's now aided Eric Musselman in putting together a top-six signing class at Arkansas. So how has he done it? What's the key to being an elite recruiter? We chat with him about those topics and more—including why he decided to join Musselman's staff—in this all-new episode.

Corey Beck was the heart and soul of the Arkansas Razorbacks’ 1994 national championship team, and was beloved by fans for his toughness, grit and grind. But he also feels misunderstood. In Part 2 of our two-part story, we talk with him about his post-Arkansas playing days in the CBA (where he would run into Eric Musselman), the struggles he sometimes faced in his life after basketball, and how one terrifying night would lead to him turning his life around.

Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman and his wife, Danyelle, recently sat down for a Q&A session with fans on Instagram Live. In case you missed it, here's your chance to catch up and get to know the Musselmans—from what they love about Arkansas to lifestyle and everything in between.

When you think of the name Corey Beck, what comes to mind? He didn't win a lot of awards, but without him, there probably isn't a national title to celebrate. His toughness and competitive nature made him a fan favorite, but where did that grit and grind come from? It started with him growing up and playing ball in Memphis, and via a trip to the JUCO ranks, would end up with him finding the perfect match for him as a coach in Hall of Famer Nolan Richardson. Hard work would help his game flourish, as he became the unquestioned leader on the best Razorback team in history. In the first episode of a two-part story, it's how Corey Beck's early life helped Arkansas win the 1994 national championship.

In this bonus episode of The Hog Pod, Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman sits down with Razorback soccer coach Colby Hale, two standouts in their profession. Musselman has won at least 20 games in every season as a head coach, and Hale has guided Arkansas to four straight SEC Tournament championship games. The two of them converse on a wide range of topics, from leadership strategies to growing as a coach. What were their first jobs, and what did they learn from them? How are they constantly working to evolve and become better coaches? And what goes into being a good leader?

Being a career assistant coach in major college football gives Razorback head coach Sam Pittman a unique perspective. When you’ve spent you’re career learning from some of the best in the business, you’re going to have a great idea of what works and what doesn’t. And that extends into recruiting, an area where Pittman has had tremendous success throughout his career. And relationships with current players are just as important. Pittman is going to tell you what’s on his mind and how he feels. He’s transparent and honest, qualities that resonate in the state. In this conversation, we go inside Pittman's coaching mind to learn what makes him a great recruiter, why honesty is the best policy, and what being a "players' coach" really means.

The offseason came quicker for college basketball than anyone expected. But Arkansas and head coach Eric Musselman got right to work. From posting viral videos on social media and marketing, to statistical breakdowns and helping his guys improve, we go behind the scenes of building a program.

The first thing you notice about Earl Boykins is that he wasn’t your average NBA player. Standing at just 5-foot-5, he still ranks as the second-shortest player in NBA history—and has been fighting perception his entire life. Because of his height, Boykins wasn’t on the recruiting radar of major college basketball teams, but still managed to find some NCAA Tournament magic. How’d he do it? And how, despite doubts, did he manage to eventually carve out a role in the NBA? We cover it all in this episode, from getting his shot in the NBA to what he's doing now at Arkansas with Eric Musselman—the coach who gave him his big break in the league.

In high school, Kendal Briles was a QB, living the dream that is the Friday Night Lights of Texas HS football. His dad was a Texas coaching legend. You might think that Kendal would follow his dad's footsteps and get into coaching, but that's not what happened...at least not immediately. But he got a chance when his dad moved to the college ranks, and hasn't looked back. We chat with Kendal about his journey to joining Sam Pittman's staff at Arkansas, his offensive philosophy and what he's learned along the way.

Mason Jones is in the thick of the conversation for SEC Player of the Year. But getting to that point hasn’t been easy. In this episode, we talk with him about why he was overshadowed by his brother and sister—who would go on to win a national title at Duke and set assist records at Texas A&M, respectively. Mason tells us about why he struggled with weight as a kid, not getting major college offers and going the JUCO route. Now he’s setting records and leading Arkansas in scoring … and he’s not living in anyone’s shadow.

How do you get a player past the point of being scared to fail? Getting his pitchers to believe they have the stuff to succeed is Matt Hobbs' M.O. We chat with Arkansas' pitching coach and learn how he does just that, becoming known as one of the top coaches in the game when it comes to using analytics and technology. Hobbs takes us through his coaching journey, why he loves to learn and why working at Arkansas is the best baseball job in the country.