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

Yesterday was NFL Black Monday; several NFL teams are looking for new head coaches, and some are still waiting to see their fate. Great news for Ole Miss as they're likely to keep their starting quarterback for next year. A new FCS champion is crowned after an overtime blockbuster between the Montana State Bobcats and the Illinois State Redbirds. The Texas Longhorns look to the transfer portal to replace guys leaving the football program. The Dallas Cowboys are set to make their offseason decisions. What changes and upgrades do the team need to address? The Houston Texans are getting ready for their Monday Night Football playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kevin Durant hit a game-winner for the Houston Rockets against his former team, the Phoenix Suns. We get an interesting play-by-play call from Snoop Dogg as the Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr's ejection against the Los Angeles Clippers. The University of Texas Men's Basketball team's defense is giving Head Coach Sean Miller a headache trying to repair it. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today is “Longhorn Monday!” The Texas Longhorns close the season in style with a 41–27 win over Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. We break down the victory, provide the latest Texas transfer portal updates, and look ahead to what’s next for Arch Manning and the Longhorns heading into next season. On the hardwood, Texas Women’s Basketball survives a tight 67–64 SEC battle against Ole Miss, while Texas Men’s Basketball falls in a high-scoring 101–98 loss to Mississippi State. We react to the game and share thoughts from Head Coach Sean Miller. College football heats up as the CFP semifinal matchups are set; we explain how each team got there. Plus, the NFL playoffs kick off next weekend. What are the matchups, and who has the edge? The Dallas Cowboys miss the playoffs, and we discuss the tough questions facing the franchise and the moves they need to make this offseason. All that, plus “Hardge Knocks Life” and “The World’s Strongest Take!” You can hear it all right here on The Morning Kickoff Show.

As we wrap up 2025, the Texas Longhorns are set to face the Michigan Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. What should fans expect from the matchup? We break it all down. Bijan Robinson puts together a career night on Sunday Night Football, while a Texas legend officially steps away from the program. The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals kick off this week. Who's moving on to the semifinals? Plus, could the historic USC vs. Notre Dame rivalry be nearing its end? We debate it in "The World's Strongest Take!" Joe Cook of Inside Texas joins the show to talk transfer portal movement and the Citrus Bowl, and Voice of the Houston Texans Mark Vandermeer stops by to preview Houston's upcoming showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, including playoff seeding implications. You can hear it all right here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today, Cam Parker subs in for Mike "Hardball" Hardge. 3rd & Longhorn's Nick Shuley joins us in the studio for the show. Texas loses Tre Wisner to the transfer portal. What does that mean for offseason moves for the Longhorns to replace him? The lifetime Longhorn and Miami Dolphins' new starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers, got his first career NFL touchdown and victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Is the NFL season too long? We discuss the league's injury issues. We have more details on the DK Metcalf suspension and fine. "The World's Strongest Take!" Plus, we have On3's CJ Vogel talking Texas football from Orlando for the Chez-It Citrus Bowl. We also have Tommy Yarrish from DallasCowboys.com after a 30-23 victory over the Washington Commanders. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today is “Turn the Page Tuesday,” as we get set for the holiday week. The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Indianapolis Colts 48-27 on Monday Night Football with a big night from Brock Purdy. The University of Texas Men’s Basketball team defeated Maryland Eastern Shore University Hawks 94-71, with Matas Vokietaitis and Jordan Pope putting up big numbers. However, Head Coach Sean Miller was still displeased with the team’s effort. NBA Christmas games are coming up, and the league has shaped up this year to this point. The Longhorn Football team is getting set for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. What should we expect this week before the game? Pittsburgh Steeler Receiver DK Metcalf received his fine and suspension for an altercation with a fan. We talked about the situation and how it could’ve been prevented. “The World’s Strongest Take!” We have several guests on the show, including Citrus Bowl Chief Marketing Officer Matt Repchak, to talk about the event. We have Joe Cook of Inside Texas talking about the Texas coaching change on defense, players moving on in the transfer portal, and the NFL Draft. Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman was with us, speaking about the success of the Texas Football and Texas Women’s Basketball teams. Voice of the Houston Texans Marc Vandermeer joined us to talk about the 23-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and the upcoming game against the San Diego Chargers. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is “Longhorns’ Monday,” Texas Football Head Coach Steve Sarkisian explained to the media last week’s coaching changes. College Football Playoffs First Round wrapped up, who won, and what to expect in the Quarterfinals? Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out in a boxing match on Netflix. Get our opinions on the fight. The Texas Women’s Basketball team defeated the San Diego State University Jackrabbits 70-51; we talked about the game. In the NFL, Quinn Ewers got his first NFL start against the Cincinnati Bengals. How did it go? We discuss. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Detroit Lions on a crazy ending. Texas High School Football Championship games were held in Dallas this weekend. How was the atmosphere, and which players stood out? What players should the Longhorns football team be going after in the transfer portal? The Longhorn Men’s Basketball team plays the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks tonight. A “Hardge Knocks Life” and “The World’s Strongest Take!” Plus, we have Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com to talk about the loss to the 34-17 Los Angeles Chargers. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is “Feel Good Friday.” The Texas Longhorn football team made some shocking coaching moves yesterday, moving from Defensive Coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and Defensive Backs Coach Duane Akina to bring back Will Muschamp as the new DC. Thursday Night Football came down to a controversial play, which led to a 38-37 Seattle Seahawks victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Big NFL games this weekend, with Quinn Ewers set to make his first NFL start for the Miami Dolphins. Texas Men’s Basketball team Cam Heide spoke to the media yesterday; he told us which teammates challenge him in practice. College Football Playoffs start tonight. Which game is likely to be the best game? Jake Paul steps into the ring to face Anthony Joshua, and we discuss the appeal of this fight. “The World’s Strongest Take!” Plus, KVUE’s Anne-Parker Coleman joins us to discuss the Texas coaching change and the Texas Men’s Basketball team. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is “Thirsty Thursday,” and pitch hitting for “The World’s Strongest Man’ Mark Henry, is Eric Henry of Horns 24/7. The Texas Longhorns lose another starter as Defensive Back Jaylon Guilbeau declares for the NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins decided to change from Tua Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback to Longhorn former starter Quinn Ewers, who gets an opportunity Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texas Women’s Basketball Team gets another victory, 96-38, over the Northwestern State Demons behind Madison Booker’s 28-point night. The College Football Playoffs start this weekend; we give our thoughts on the long-term consequences of each game. The Dallas Cowboys put their Defensive Coordinator, Matt Eberflus, on notice in their last few games of the season. A huge game tonight as the Los Angeles Rams travel to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Seahawks. Joe Burrow struggles in Cincinnati; continue with some thoughts from him on his current situation. Texas High School Football Championship games are this weekend, as Dallas-area schools face off against Houston-area schools. You can hear it all here on “The Morning Kickoff Show!”

Today is "Humpday Gameplan Wednesday," and we get closer to the Texas Longhorns' Cheez-It Citrus Bowl matchup against the Michigan Wolverines. We will add some more information on the coaching situation in Michigan. The College Football Playoff starts this weekend, and we previewed the matchups. The Texas Men's Basketball Team defeated the Le Moyne Dolphins 95-53 last night with a balanced attack. The NBA Emirates Cup Title Game was last night, with the New York Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs 124-113. The NFL Season is winding down. Who is the favorite to win the Super Bowl? Boxing Champion Terrance "Bud" Crawford announced his retirement, and we discussed the possibilities of him coming back for a big payday. The Texas Longhorns Women's Basketball team is ready to play the Northwestern State Demons. We talked about the team's success so far this season. "The World's Strongest Take!" Plus, we have Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman to talk about the Texas vs. Michigan Cheez-It Citrus Bowl matchup, young players for Texas who can step up with playing opportunities, and Texas Women's Basketball after dominating college basketball. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"

Today is "Turn the Page Tuesday." The Texas Longhorns football team gets ready for their upcoming Cheez-It Citrus Bowl match-up against the Michigan Wolverines. Several players are declaring for the NFL draft and the transfer portal, meaning younger guys will get the opportunity to play. Across college football, several players are entering the transfer portal. Where will some land? The Texas Men's Basketball team is getting ready to play the Le Moyne Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys' defensive woes continue, and we discuss how to address them. Cooper Flagg had a breakout game last night, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game. The San Antonio Spurs get set to play the New York Knicks in the finals of the NBA Emirates Cup championship game. "The World's Strongest Take!" Plus, Joe Cook of Inside Texas and On3 talks about Texas football's transfer portal, new running backs coach, and prep for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Also, we have "Voice of the Houston Texans" Marc Vandermeer after the Texans' 40-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. You can hear it all here on "The Morning Kickoff Show!"