In The Circle

No TMZ video was leaked ahead of today's episode, but it packs a lot of punch. On today's episode of In The Circle, we head out to the West Coast Conference,

 Before we do, Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson react to the pending reports of Kennesaw State leaving the ASUN to join Conference USA. They share what it means for all parties involved and what is next for the ASUN regarding potential expansion.

 We then chat with one of the sport's true legends as Pacific Head Coach Brian Kolze makes his podcast debut. He talks with In The Circle about the outlook of Pacific softball in 2023 and reflects on over 30 years at the helm of the Tigers' program. Coach Kolze talks about the success of Heather Tarr, Cindy Ball-Malone, and Gina Carbonatto as he coached Carbonatto, and Ball-Malone while Tarr was on his staff.

 Afterward, we chatted with one of his proteges in Santa Clara, Head Coach Gina Carbonatto. The Broncos finished third in the WCC last season and have plenty of experience back, ready to make noise in 2023. Coach Carbonatto talks with In The Circle about the outlook for Santa Clara and the West Coast Conference in 2023. She also talks about playing for and coaching under Brian Kolze at Pacific, learning from Washington's Heather Tarr and UCF's Cindy Ball-Malone, and coaching with the Great Britain National team.

 We wrap up the show by previewing some upcoming guests who will be joining us on future episodes.

It's another Thursday so it's time for a fresh edition of In The Circle. It's so fresh that Eric Lopez is actually back to help host the show with Victor this week. This episode serves as Part 2 of our Big 4 Iowa Classic Preview.   First, Eric Lopez goes one on one with Iowa State Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton. After another winning season in Ames, Coach Pinkerton has the Cyclones primed for another big season in 2023. He chats with E-Lo about the outlook for his team, the Bgg 12 landscape, and his beloved Kansas City Chiefs.   Afterwards, we chat with Iowa Head Coach Renee Gillespie who will be hosting the Big 4 Classic this weekend in Iowa City. 2023 will see plenty of new faces for the Hawkeyes both on the field and on the coaching staff. Coach Gillespie catches up with Eric about Iowa hosting the Big 4, their expectations for 2023, and her new coaching staff.  

It's a new month and a new episode of In The Circle. Today's episode is our look at the upcoming Big 4 Classic, which will take place this weekend in Iowa City. First, we chat with Northern Iowa Head Coach Ryan Jacobs, who has UNI near the top of the MVC for the past three seasons. Coach Jacobs talks with Eric Lopez about the Panthers' outlook in 2023, the ever-changing look of The Valley, and the current outlook of softball within the state of Iowa. He also shares what players to watch for and a strong 2022 that saw UNI make it to the MVC Championship Game.

 We then have our conversation with long-time Drake Head Coach Rich Calvert, who has become one of the most tenured coaches in the MVC. He talks about an improving Bulldog program that picked up several Power 5 wins in 2022, his thoughts on the Big 4 Classic, and the Missouri Valley Conference getting even stronger with the additions of Murray State and Belmont.

We continue our journey into the Missouri Valley Conference on our latest edition of In The Circle   First, Eric Lopez chats with Murray State Head Coach Kara Amundson. Fresh off an historic 2022 season where they won 40 games, Coach talks with In the Circle about Murray State making the move from the Ohio Valley to the Missouri Valley Conference, She also reflects back on the history making 2022 season, her outlook heading into this upcoming season as well as her playing career at DePaul.   Afterwards, we talk to a coach who was also on pace for an historic season herself. We chat with Belmont's Laura Matthews who also will make the move to the MVC in 2023. Coach Matthews talks about the move from the OVC to the MVC in 2023 as well as a pretty good 2022 season which saw the Bruins win 33 games. She discusses turning the program around as well as being a very diverse sports fan as she roots for the Cubs,Bears, Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans.

We are approaching the peak of Fall Ball, and In The Circle will make its way into The Valley; the Missouri Valley Conference, that is.

 We begin in Carbondale, Illinois, as we speak with new Southern Illinois Head Coach Jen Sewell. After serving as a longtime assistant under legendary coach Kerri Blaylock, Coach Sewell reflects on her opportunity to lead the Saluki program. She talks about SIU, the outlook for her team in 2023, an always competitive MVC, and much more.

 Afterward, we chat with longtime Missouri State Head Coach Holly Hesse. The defending MVC Tournament Champions leader talks to In The Circle about being at Missouri State for 35 years. She also shares her thoughts on the new look of MVC, the 2023 Season outlook, and more.

After we sang about the 21st night of September, it's time to belt out the latest episode of In The Circle (preferably in the privacy of your quarters). Our latest episode starts with our analysis of the 2023 Mary Nutter Classic schedule, announced earlier in the week. The schedule includes a Sunday Funday showdown between Oklahoma and UCLA. We look at some of the notable games on the slate, and Victor Anderson teases an old show favorite coming back soon.

 Afterward, we will play a portion of an interview our own Eric Lopez conducted with Mackenzie Audas for Black and Gold Banneret. She will be inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend, marking the fourth straight year UCF Softball has been represented. She chatted with Eric Lopez and Banneret's Bryson Turner about her UCF career and her upcoming induction.

 We wrap up the show poking fun at Victor and him making an appearance on TV this weekend.

It's Monday; You know what that means. It's time for a fresh episode of In The Circle, and Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson have plenty to say. In this episode, we break down Patty Gasso's new extension deal with the Sooners and why Victor feels she's worth much more. The guys share thoughts on where this could go for increasing coaching salaries and who Victor thinks should be the next coach to make seven figures. We then discuss the first signing for the OKC Spark in the WPF.

After we wrap up with news, Eric chats with new Bradley Head Coach Sarah Willis. She takes over the program after spending the past seven seasons leading Bowling Green as Head Coach. In her first extensive interview since her hiring, Coach Willis shares her vision for the program and her coach journey, which has seen her make stops at Princeton, Southeast Missouri State, and Dayton before becoming a head coach.

It's time to bring you another edition of In The Circle that will be full of Bayou flavor. We start our episode with the latest news from the SEC and how it could impact Oklahoma and Texas' timeline on when they could join the league. In their television rights negotiations, we also mention a potential new suitor for the Pac-12.

 Afterward, Eric Lopez chats with new McNeese State pitching coach Shelbi Sunseri. The former All-American and two-way sensation joins the podcast to discuss the process of joining the McNeese coaching staff as the pitching coach. Sunseri also reflects on playing in the WPF this summer and her playing career at LSU. And what interview would be without some discussion about LSU Head Coach Beth Torina.

 We wrap up this episode when the SEC Softball schedule could come out for 2023 and a Tim Walton sighting at UF Volleyball earlier in the week. Eric wants to take credit for it, Victor Anderson not so much.

It's about the new Tiger in town on this episode of In The Circle. Eric Lopez chats with new Memphis Head Coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro about what led her to come to Memphis and help reshape the program. She shares her vision for the Tigers program and the difficult decision to leave Alabama, where she has been associated with the Crimson Tide for over a decade.

 Victor Anderson reflects on a busy weekend (six broadcasts in three days) and how he still has his voice in check, unlike a prominent NFL broadcaster.

It's been a long time since we provided a podcast for the fans. Well, that changes today with our new episode of In The Circle. After an eventful week off, the boys break down the field for the NFCA Lead Off Classic, including WCWS participants Texas and Northwestern. We also analyze some of the marquee match-ups in Clearwater during the season's opening weekend.

 After that, Eric Lopez chats with new Campbell Head Coach Trena Prater. After being an assistant in Iowa for the last four years, she shares the reason for coming to Campbell and her expectations for the program. She also talks about building her coaching staff and getting back a talent-filled roster looking for their third straight Big South Championship.

 The boys then look back at Michigan's new coaching hire and the wild events in Chicago while the podcast was off. We wrap the show by showcasing Illinois State's press conference announcing the retirement of Head Coach Melinda Fischer and the introduction of new Head Coach Tina Kramo.