On this week’s episode of The Krista Redpath Show, we continue our journey Around the Big Sky in Women’s Hoops with a stop in Sacramento to visit with Hornets head coach Aaron Kallhoff. Now entering his third season at Sac State, Kallhoff stepped into the job immediately after the program’s historic 2022–23 run — a 25–8 season, a share of the Big Sky regular-season title, the program’s first-ever Big Sky Tournament championship, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

With key pieces departing after that landmark year, Kallhoff inherited both opportunity and challenge. In just two seasons, he has guided the Hornets to advance in the Big Sky Tournament every year, delivered a nine-win improvement, and posted the program’s second-highest win total of the last decade.

Krista and Coach Kallhoff dive into his 20-plus-year coaching journey across the junior college, mid-major, and Power Five levels; his experience developing elite players like Lauren Gustin; his recruiting philosophy; and the vision he has for Sacramento State moving forward.

They also explore the personal side of coaching — including Kallhoff’s deep love for his wife, Josie, and their three children, Camden, Caylix, and Capri. Family is at the heart of who he is and how he leads, and it’s a meaningful part of the story behind the coach you see on the sidelines.

It’s a thoughtful, detailed look at leadership, culture building, and sustaining success in one of the most competitive mid-major leagues in the country.

This week on The Krista Redpath Show, Krista sits down with Eastern Washington head coach Joddie Gleason, the 2024 Big Sky Coach of the Year who guided the Eagles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. A former  Kodak All-American at Chico State, Gleason shares her journey from standout player to master program-builder, and offers insight on the Big Sky’s newest head coaches — Laura Dinkins at Northern Arizona and Karlie Burris at Portland State.

She also breaks down the league’s growing parity, where every night demands preparation and toughness, and gives an inside look at this year’s Eagles squad — including the impact of two Montana standouts: Kourtney Grossman of Billings, last season’s Freshman of the Year with 14 double-doubles, and Emily McElmurry of Missoula, whose deep family lineage of Division I athletes continues to shine in Cheney.

Head coach Seton Sobolewski joins Krista Redpath from Pocatello, Idaho, as the Idaho State Bengals gear up for another Big Sky season. Since taking the reins in 2008, Sobolewski has built one of the conference’s most consistent and respected programs — earning three Coach of the Year honors, producing dozens of All-Conference standouts, and guiding the Bengals to two Big Sky Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2021.  We’ll talk about Pocatello, his coaching journey and what’s ahead for the Bengals this season.

Montana State head coach Tricia Bader Binford joins The Krista Redpath Show. Now in her 21st season, Binford has built one of the Big Sky’s model programs — five-time Coach of the Year, 18 straight winning seasons, and three tournament championships. A former Boise State standout and WNBA guard for the Utah Starzz and Cleveland Rockers, she shares stories of mentorship from the late June Daugherty, Mike Daugherty, and Dan Hughes, and breaks down the championship culture that defines her Bobcat teams. Raised in Carbondale, Colorado, and grounded by family — husband Todd and kids Brooklynn and Justin — Binford’s story is one of heart, leadership, and legacy in Bozeman.

From the west side of Great Falls to the national spotlight, Dave Dickenson’s story is built on Montana values — resiliency, character, and leadership. A Griz legend who led Montana to its first National Championship in 1995, Dave carried that same determination into the CFL — winning the Grey Cup as a player in 2006 and again as a head coach in 2018. In this episode of The Krista Redpath Show, Dave reflects on the early influences that shaped his drive, the lessons learned from his parents and mentors, and how his Montana upbringing became the foundation for a lifetime of success.

This episode of The Krista Redpath Show features two dynamic conversations — first with award-winning filmmaker and proud Lady Griz Megan Harrington, followed by Chicago radio legend Kevin Matthews. Harrington, a Missoula native and Senior Producer with Family Theater Productions, reflects on her Montana upbringing, years on the Lady Griz basketball team, and her path into filmmaking. Her credits include the Emmy® and Christopher Award-winning Playing Like a Girl: The House That Rob Built, Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer, and her latest release Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story, produced with ODB Films and Family Theater Productions, debuting for one day only on October 7th in over 800 theatres across the US.

In the final segment, Matthews — the star of that new documentary — shares stories from his celebrated Chicago radio career, where he lit up the airwaves on WLUP “The Loop” and AM 1000 with sharp wit, unforgettable sports characters like Jim Shorts, and even helped break Pearl Jam in 1991. The Montana connection runs throughout the episode — from Harrington’s Lady Griz roots to the fact that Pearl Jam’s bassist Jeff Ament calls Missoula home.

From the hardwoods of Bozeman High to the bright lights of Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, few athletes have left a mark on Montana basketball quite like Kati Burrows Mobley. A hometown standout, she led the Bozeman Hawks to three state championships before becoming a Bobcat legend — piling up more than 1,528 points, 671 rebounds, ranking 3rd in career free throws made, and guiding Montana State to back-to-back Big Sky titles in the early 2000s.

Her journey didn’t stop there. Kati took her game overseas, then returned stateside to pour her passion into coaching — first in high school gyms, then back at her alma mater. As an MSU assistant coach from 2015–2020, she helped guide the Bobcats to the 2016 Big Sky regular-season championship, and in 2017, a historic sweep — winning both the regular season and the Big Sky Tournament, sending Montana State to the NCAA Tournament.

Along the way, she’s been inducted into the Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame and continues to shape lives as an educator and coach right here in Bozeman. Today, her proudest titles are wife and mom — roles she embraces with the same love, grit, and loyalty that defined her career on the court.”

From small-town Idaho to the University of Montana, the NFL, and beyond, Jimmy Farris has lived a life fueled by grit, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. A former Griz standout and seven-year NFL wide receiver with stops at the Patriots, Colts, Redskins, 49ers, and Falcons, Jimmy reflects on the highs and challenges of chasing the professional football dream.

Now a keynote speaker, author, and mentor, he shares the lessons learned both on and off the field—about developing the mindset and mental toughness to practice simple, daily habits at an extraordinary high level. In this episode of The Krista Redpath Show, Jimmy opens up about his life journey, his book,  “Be A Pro: Your Blueprint to Professional Level Achievement” and how he continues to inspire others long after his playing days.

Kareem Jamar cemented his place as one of the all-time greats in University of Montana men’s basketball history. A versatile and dynamic leader, Jamar was the engine of the Grizzlies during back-to-back NCAA Tournament runs, making his mark as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator who could impact the game in every way. In 2012–13, he earned Big Sky Conference MVP honors and was named an AP All-American Honorable Mention, underscoring his dominance on the court. By the time he graduated, Jamar joined an elite group of Griz legends with more than 1,600 career points, 600 rebounds, and 400 assists—a rare statistical achievement that showcased his all-around excellence.

Jamar’s path to Missoula began with a recruiting process that included visits to the University of Portland and Montana. Influenced by genuine connections with players like Will Cherry and honest advice from the late Anthony Johnson, Jamar chose the Grizzlies. His high school coaches and longtime Montana assistant Andy Hill—who worked closely with Jamar’s counselor—were instrumental in preparing him for the next level and guiding his decision to wear the maroon and silver.

Today, Jamar continues to give back to the game and the community through Montana Prolific Basketball Academy in Great Falls, MT, where he mentors and develops the next generation of athletes. He’s also expanding his vision with Terminal 360, a new gym near the Great Falls airport that will provide local kids with a dedicated basketball space, echoing the opportunities that shaped his own journey. His story is one of talent, resilience, and a lasting commitment to Montana basketball.

Katie Faulkner’s journey from Coeur d’Alene standout and Lady Griz star to the 10th head coach in Pepperdine women’s basketball history is nothing short of inspiring. A former Big Sky MVP and professional player turned coach, Faulkner has built a decade-long résumé developing elite talent and guiding teams to NCAA Tournament runs. Now,  she brings her passion, leadership, and championship experience to the Waves.