The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

If you find yourself trying to figure out who No. 40 is on Arkansas' defensive line this season, you won't be alone. Landon Jackson looks like a different person. The junior is entering his second season with the Razorbacks after transferring from LSU, has added 40-plus pounds to his frame in the offseason. But gaining that much weight is a lot of work—and a LOT of eating. In this episode, we talk with Jackson about his journey to Arkansas from Texarkana, and to becoming the player he is today.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

It's hard to believe that Sam Pittman is entering his fourth season as Arkansas' head coach. In many ways, what he's done in such a short amount of time has been remarkable, turning the program around and restoring Razorback pride throughout the state with the program's first nine-win season in a decade, and back-to-back bowl wins for only the second time in school history. In this episode, we chat with the Head Hog about where the program is, why he's more excited than ever for this season, and what he's learned about being a head coach.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

KJ Jefferson has evolved into one of the best quarterbacks in Razorback history. As he enters his senior season at Arkansas, he's within striking distance of Matt Jones' school record for total offense. But it's not just the records. KJ has grown into a major leadership role with the team. In this episode, we chat with KJ Jefferson about how he got to where he is today, why he decided to come back for more, and what he has planned for his senior season.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Did you know, that prior to Colby Hale's arrival at Arkansas, the Razorback soccer program had never been to the NCAA Tournament? Now, they've been nine times in his 11 years in charge. And after back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight, Hale's ready for the program to take the next step. In this episode, we go inside that process—from where it started to where the program is today—as Colby Hale looks to lead Arkansas soccer to its first Women's College Cup.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Gritty. Tough. Hard-nosed. All words to describe Arkansas co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson. It just so happens they also describe Sam Pittman and the Razorback football program. Which makes Woodson and Arkansas a match in Hog Heaven. Woodson grew up in a hard-working, blue-collar family. That mentality helped him earn a scholarship at Ole Miss. And even though his playing career was cut short by injuries, he's carried that same work ethic into his coaching career. In this episode, we get to know Woodson, what drives him to be great, and what it's like to be the new co-defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Jimmy Smith has had a rapid ascent through the football coaching ranks. Just five years ago, he was in his fifth season as a high school head coach in Atlanta. Now, he's in his fourth season coaching running backs at Arkansas, and serves as Sam Pittman's associate head coach. Whether it's coaching up Rocket Sanders or heading out on the recruiting trail, his background as a high school coach serves him well. But beyond that, it taught him how to handle adversity—something we all can learn from.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Original Episode Synopsis:

When many people think of Clint Stoerner, they think of the fumble against Tennessee. But shouldn't he be remember for so much more? We sat down with the former Razorback to tell his story—starting with what he's up to now and why he likes coaching (3:00). We go back to how he grew up (9:36) and how he got into football instead of baseball (15:50). Next, he tells us why he chose Arkansas over LSU (21:18) and what it was like when Houston Nutt got hired (25:25). We get into what he remembers about the 1998 Tennessee game, the fumble that everyone talks about and the immediate aftermath (29:53). He talks about what he had to endure from angry fans (36:43), and what he thinks fans think of when they hear his name (42:48). Finally, we talk to Clint about getting redemption against the Vols in 1999 and his story coming full circle (44:05).

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ) & Sawyer Radler

Original Episode Synopsis:

It's the story of how Arkansas baseball went from playing at the fairgrounds to becoming one of the top programs in the country. We visit with legendary Razorback baseball coach Norm DeBriyn, and talk about how he ended up in Arkansas, how he eventually got the head coaching job, teaching Driver's Ed, and how he helped get Baum-Walker Stadium built. We'll also chat with him and current coach Dave Van Horn about when Norm decided the time was right to pass the baton to his former player, and coming so close to winning a national championship.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: Sawyer Radler & James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Jared Wegner's journey hasn't been a straight line. And he's perfectly OK with that, knowing how things have turned out. Wegner's baseball life started from a young age in Kearney, Nebraska, and even included a trip to Williamsport to play in the Little League World Series. But excelling in Little League doesn't guarantee a shot at major college baseball. Wegner ended up at Creighton, where he battled injuries but eventually became a top player for the Blue Jays—all while watching big-time programs play right there in Omaha at the College World Series. So, with a grad transfer available, Wegner bet on himself, and ended up at Arkansas. The hard work paid off for Wegner, who overcame a hand injury in the middle of the season and became a major player for one of the top programs in the country. As Wegner prepares to begin his professional journey, he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest levels, and owes it, in part, to his time with the Hogs.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

As Razorback nation mourns the unexpected and tragic loss of Ryan Mallett, one of the all-time great quarterbacks in school history, we're digging into the vault and bringing back one of our favorite Hog Pod episodes.

Original Episode Synopsis:

Ryan Mallett is one of the best players in Razorback history. But his college career didn't start with the Razorbacks and from his perspective, there was a good reason why. Mallett's talent was evident at a young age. Michigan was the first to take notice and eventually earned Mallett's commitment, but after the legendary Lloyd Carr retired, Mallett's boyhood dream of becoming a Hog began to look like more of a reality. After sitting out a year because of transfer rules, it became clear that Ryan Mallett was a perfect fit for head coach Bobby Petrino. And in 2010, Arkansas made its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. Though there were ups and downs, missteps and misunderstandings. Ryan Mallett gave Arkansas some of its best SEC memories, culminating as an NFL starter and eight year league veteran.

FIND US ONLINE:

Twitter: @HogsPlus

Instagram: @thehogpod

Email: [email protected]

CREDITS:

Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo)

Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ) / Sawyer Radler