The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

Ryne Stanek and Jalen Beeks were once teammates with the Razorbacks. Now, after taking two very different paths, they're teammates again with the Tampa Bay Rays, and are part of a grand pitching experiment. We dive in to the "opener" role that Stanek has taken on and how he likes it (3:50), and his journey to the big leagues (10:00). We get into what it was like for him to get the call to the majors (13:20) and how he still follows the Razorbacks (16:09). Next, Beeks joins the pod and talks about how his JUCO experience helped pave the way for him to make it to the show (20:47). We chat about how playing at Arkansas helped prepare him for where he is today (27:21) and, finally, get his thoughts on the Hog baseball program today (29:43).

If you ask people in the know, Maria Fassi might just be the LPGA's next superstar. We get her thoughts on those impressions and whether or not it adds pressure (2:36). She takes us through why winning the NCAA title at home was so important to her (9:40), and then rewind to how she got into golf in the first place (18:00). We walk through how she decided to go to college and chose Arkansas (24:00), and playing in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur (28:10). Maria tells us where her confidence comes from (33:00) and we get into why people love her swing (42:19). Finally, we learn how hard work is paying off for Maria and what she hopes the future holds (45:35).

Paul Finebaum is known as a lot of things. He's the "Mouth of the South," the face of the SEC Network, and someone who always has something to say. We caught up with Finebaum and chat about how he grew up paying close attention to the Razorbacks (2:22) and meeting Bill Clinton (4:54). We talk about his dad passing away when Finebaum was just a teenager and the effect it had on him (8:17). He takes us through how he got into radio (14:00), and how he landed on the SEC Network (22:45). We go through some controversial moments he's been a part of (30:23) and what's next for him (36:00). Finally, we end with some encouraging words he has for Razorback fans (41:20).

Fresh off winning indoor and outdoor national titles in 2019, Arkansas women's track coach Lance Harter is riding a massive wave of success. We begin our conversation with his early days as a surfer and how he got into track (3:40), as well as his start in coaching track at the D2 level (9:00). Then, we cover how he got to Arkansas, and what it was like being there when John McDonnell had the men's program rolling (14:00), as well as what the job is like away from the track (20:50). We get into the success he's having and how he manages it (33:33), and he shares a great story from the 1992 Olympics involving Charles Barkley (39:18).

We sit down with Razorback baseball coach and Arkansas Sports Hall of Famer Dave Van Horn for a wide-ranging interview. DVH takes us through how he's gotten the program to the point it's at now and where he thinks it stands in college baseball (6:45). We chat about the number of big leaguers he's produced and how his players are well prepared for pro baseball (16:20), as well as his leadership style (26:20). DVH tells us what going into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame meant (35:15) and what the fan support and appreciation means to the program (42:56). Finally, we learn how this season has helped him deal with the way the 2018 College World Series ended (48:34).

For this episode, The Hog Pod goes on the road to Destin, Fla., for the SEC's spring meetings. We catch up with Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman, and he updates us on filling out his coaching staff and transfers (3:21), talks about how his NBA background helps with roster management (9:02), and gives us some insight into what he already knows about his team (11:05). Next, we chat with football coach Chad Morris, who explains the addition of Turner Gill to his staff for off-the-field development (18:29), the importance of recruiting Texas (21:24), and where they are in the building process (31:37).

Isaiah Campbell is Arkansas' ace, and one of the best pitchers in the SEC. But after an up-and-down career, how did he get to this point? We chat with the Friday night starter about when he realized baseball could be a thing for him (8:15) and understanding the idea of sacrifice (9:15). We talk about dealing with injuries (12:50) and deciding to come back for one more season (25:07). Finally, he takes us through bouncing back from last year's disappointing runner-up finish and how this year's team is having success (27:41).

Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek has been through a whirlwind first 18 months on the job. It's been so fast paced that we decided to sit down with him to help Razorback fans get to know him better. We discuss his college basketball playing career and taking charges in church leagues (4:50), as well as missing games to watch his sons play and the culture he's trying to create (9:08). We talk about how he got into college athletics as a career (17:34), and the success levels of Arkansas' programs (28:00). He tells a story about how he was once thrown out of a game (37:13) and the process behind making Nolan Richardson Court a reality (39:42).

Arkansas softball was in a bad place when Courtney Deifel arrived as the head coach prior to the 2016 season. Now, they're headed back to the postseason for the third straight year. How did Deifel do it? We sit down with Coach Deifel to talk about her journey, beginning with a career in Japan (4:09), going back to school and beginning her coaching career (9:25). She gives insight into why, despite the program's struggles, she never saw Arkansas as a bad job (15:10) and how she built a competitive roster (18:38). Finally, we learn what kind of coach she is and why she doesn't get ejected (25:06), and what it's like balancing being a mom and a coach (31:11).

Hunter Woodhall doesn't just run track for Arkansas. He runs track for Arkansas without his legs. We sit down with the silver medal-winning Paralympian and let him tell his inspiring story. We start at the beginning with how Hunter lost his legs at such an early age (2:19) and how he wasn't allowed to use that as an excuse in life (9:03). Hunter tells us about how he got good at track (14:00), and we get into how he became a YouTube star of sorts (19:26). Hunter discusses what it's like to wear prosthetic legs (28:12), and what he wants people to think when they see him run (30:32). Finally, we get into the struggles he deals with—whether it's school-related or about parking on campus (32:00).