The Morning Kick-Off w/Mike Hardball Hardge & Mark Henry

Texas Baseball Head Jim Schlossnagle joins the show for his weekly segment. He talks about how special the Texas Alumni game, presented by the Longhorn Network and scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m., Jan. 31, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, is. He explains how the game can still get a little chippy. Coach talks about the team’s ability to compete year-round within itself. He explains his excitement about new guys stepping up into their new roles. He gives us a couple of new guys on the team who we’ll get familiar with as the season goes on. Schlossnagle lets us know how the team measures up with intangibles like player IQ. He finished off talking about the special Second Annual Texas One Ladies Night Fashion Show Baseball event. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is “Humpday Wednesday,” and the Texas Longhorns football team has signed another offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Bill Belickeck doesn’t make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Texas Women’s Basketball Head Coach Vick Schaefer is tired of being asked about this one element of the game. New hires as head coaches and coordinators in the NFL. The NBA trade deadline is approaching. Which players are on the trade block, and who should be? College football Senior Bowls are happening. Who are the players standing out? The Texas men’s basketball team is stepping up to play the Auburn Tigers tonight. What do we expect to see? “The World’s Strongest take!” Plus, Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman is talking about the Texas Football transfer portal, injury status, and Texas Women’s Basketball. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today, “Turn the Page Tuesday,” the Super Bowl after a stellar NFC Championship game with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27, is a back-and-forth game.  Also, in the AFC Championship game, a winter storm was the backdrop as the New England Patriots outlast the Denver Broncos 10-7. The Texas Longhorns Men’s basketball team defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 87-67 at Moody Center this weekend behind the play of Dailyn Swain and Tramon Mark. Sheduer Sanders is now a Pro Bowler, and the Pittsburgh Steelers now have a head coach. The NBA trade deadline is approaching, but the highly sought-after players are mostly injured. The NBA draft is deep. Should the Golden State Warriors look to blow things up to get one of the top talents? Deion Sanders will fine players as part of his disciplinary actions if they break team rules. Plus, “The World’s Strongest Take!” You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

We have Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer Chipper Jones to talk about the new inductees' teammate Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran, and their impact on the game.  He explains why it is so difficult for players who seem to deserve a place in the prestigious club. He gives an opinion on controversial players who have scandals, who performed at a HOF level. He talked about his experience years ago on College Football Gameday.  You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today is "Feel Good Friday." The NFL Award Finalists have been announced. Who do we think will win awards? What are our predictions for the NFL Conference Championship Round? NFL teams have made new coaching decisions and hirings for their coaching staff. Josh Pate has the solution to fix college football. The Los Angeles Lakers' downfall is happening. "The World's Strongest Take!" Plus, we have KVUE's Anne-Parker Coleman to talk Texas baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball. We also have Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com to talk about the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator hire. Atlanta Braves MLB Hall of Famer Chipper Jones to talk about his teammate Andrew Jones joining him in the HOF. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Cat Osterman joins the show after the announcement of the Austin Volts becoming the newest team to join the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. She tells us how important the Round Rock Express organization has been in forming the league. Cat explains how the league plans to foster fan interaction to sustain the popularity of women's sports with you, fans. Osterman expressed her joy in watching the Texas Longhorns Softball team win the College Softball World Series last season. She explained how the league persuaded Texas star player Mia Scott to join. She explains how the league's draft and free agency will work. Lastly, Cat expressed her enthusiasm for the league having multiple series at Dell Diamond. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

We have Texas Baseball Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle joining us to talk about the upcoming season. He gives his thoughts on the preseason polls. He explains his process of building culture through team building. Coach ran down how he upgraded his left-handed pitching during the transfer portal and recruiting. Schlossnagle gave us an update on the health statuses of Ethan Medoza and Adrian Rodriguez. He informs the public about the 2nd annual Texas One Fund "Ladies Night" on Friday, January 30th, and the Alumni game on Saturday, January 31st. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today, “Thirsty Thursday,” the Texas Longhorns Men’s Basketball team fell to the Kentucky Wildcats 85-80 in Rupp Arena last night. The NFL Conference Championship games will happen on Sunday. What do we expect to see? College Basketball loses a lawsuit as former Alabama and G League player Charles Bediako wins his case for reinstatement. The Buffalo Bills are in disarray as team owner Terry Pegula addressed the media yesterday. The Pittsburgh Steelers may be bringing in Mike McCarthy to reunite him with Aaron Rodgers. “The World’s Strongest Take!” Plus, we have Eric Henry of Horns 24/7 giving his thoughts on G League players being allowed to return to college basketball and Texas men’s basketball loss to Kentucky. Texas Baseball Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle joins the show to talk about the upcoming season. Lastly, we have Lifetime Longhorn, Olympian, Hall of Famer, 3X National Player of the Year, and now GM of the Austin Volts, Cat Osterman, to talk about the inaugural season of the team and the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is Humpday Wednesday, and the Texas Longhorns are 12th in the Associated Press Poll. The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2026 inductees have been announced. Trevon Diggs was released by the Green Bay Packers, saving the team 14.5 million in cap space. What’s next for him? Mike McDaniel is likely the Offensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. John Harbaugh is excited to coach the New York Giants. Robert Saheh may be the answer for the Tennessee Titans. The Texas Longhorns Men’s Basketball Team plays the Kentucky Wildcats. What does the team need to do to be successful? “The World’s Strongest Take!” Plus, we have Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman talking about the National Championship game, Texas football transfer portal news, the MLB Hall of Fame, and Texas Women’s Basketball. Also, we have Anthony Williams of Connected Athletics discuss the process of preparing athletes for collegiate play. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is "Turn the Page Tuesday," the Indiana Hosiers are the College Football National Champions after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 behind the efforts of Heisman Trophy-winning Quarterback Fernando Mendoza. What's next for Mendoza as he looks forward to the NFL draft? We still have coaching movements in the NFL, like the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, the Atlanta Falcons, and now the Tennessee Titans, all of whom have named their head coaches. "The Wall Street Journal" announced the most valuable college football schools, where did the Longhorns land? The NBA held its Martin Luther King Jr. celebration games, and the Golden State Warriors lost Jimmy Butler for the rest of the year to an injury. Major League Baseball will announce its 2026 Hall of Fame class. Who is likely to make it? Plus, a conversation with Joe Cook of Inside Texas and On3 talking about the National Championship Game, Texas football transfer portal news, and Texas Baseball expectations. Also, we have "Voice of the Houston Texans" Marc Vandermeer talking about the Texans' 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"