Deep Blue

Former BYU Basketball center Aly Khalifa entered the transfer portal just a day after recording an interview with host Jason Shepherd. So, why are we releasing this episode after he decided to transfer to Louisville? Well, Aly loved his time at BYU and the conversation with him was fascinating. The former BYU Cougar discussed what it was like growing up in Egypt, getting noticed internationally fo...

Following an incredible 2021 season at Baylor, Gerry Bohanon was on top of the world. After leading the Bears to the Big 12 Championship game and a Sugar Bowl victory, Gerry expected to continue his collegiate career at Baylor as the starting QB. But it didn’t happen. So, how did he overcome that disappointment? In this second part episode, Bohannon details his journey from Baylor to South Florida...

BYU quarterback Gerry Bohanon has fought hard to return to the football field. A horrific injury on his throwing shoulder could have ended his career. So how did he make it back? Bohanon shares how his relationships with God and his family powered him through, and how a guy from a tiny town like him can make it big.

BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion can talk a big game. So, where did he learn that confidence? And why does it seem like Keelan's always smiling? Find out in our first edition of Deep Blue's Practice Chats.

After nearly a decade of investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tom Holmoe woke up one day and was ready to be baptized. Why the sudden change of heart? In part 2 of our interview with the Cougars' Athletic Director, Tom explains the role his wife, family, and a dream played in his conversion. He also tackles his NFL and coaching careers, his relationship with the late LaVe...

Out of high school, Tom Holmoe's family never wanted him to go to BYU. What brought him to Provo as a student-athlete, and more importantly, what made him return years later to work in the athletic department? Tom discusses the football injury that put BYU on his radar and how that changed the trajectory of his life forever. He also talks about what it's like to be the Cougars' athletic director a...

Few people understand the mind better than Dr. Craig Manning. But as an amateur on the international tennis tour out of high school, he struggled mightily with mental strength. How did he learn to master the mind? Dr. Manning documents his journey to BYU, his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and how he became the mental strength coach for BYU athletics and the Milwauk...

This week, we highlight one of our other BYUradio podcasts. Big Stories tells the amazing tales surrounding BYU's opponents in the Big 12. Thane Baker desired to run in the Olympics at an early age. His mother timed him every day with an alarm clock. Then, an accident at a garage almost derailed Thane's budding track career. In this episode, discover how Baker walked on to the Kansas State track t...

The Hall family has made quite the name for itself in Provo, Utah, but none of it would have happened had it not been for a few important choices by the father, Kalin Hall. The former Cougar's star running back opens up about these choices and how they led him to convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to transfer to BYU. He also talks about accepting the head coaching job a...

Todd Miller stirred up controversy when he chose to forfeit in the final round of the 2004 Utah State Amateur golf tournament. His reason? It took place on a Sunday. The former BYU Cougar golfer opens up about his decision not to play on that Sabbath day and what it means to be the Cougar's director of golf. He also touches on what it was like growing up in a household of golf legend Jonny Miller...

Jake Retzlaff was on his way to becoming a UTEP Miner quarterback. The Southern California native was ready to pass in old El Paso when his scholarship was yanked because of a low grade in one of his junior college classes. Find out what he did next to find his way to the BYU Football team. Retzlaff also shares his feelings about starting the last four games of the season and how comfortable he fe...

Former BYU Football linebacker Bryan Kehl knew he was adopted as a child, but he had no desire to find his birth parents. In this podcast episode, find out how Bryan reunited with them and his relationship with them today. Plus, Bryan discusses his growth and resilience to make it to the NFL.

Abe Alvarez was a great baseball player coming out of Long Beach State. But he had a secret. The Southpaw pitcher was legally blind in his left eye. That didn't stop him from being drafted by the Boston Red Sox and playing for the big club the year the Sox won the World Series. In this episode, Alvarez talks about beating the odds at different levels. He details his childhood in California, pitchi...

Miks Ramanis wanted to play college volleyball for Hawaii. How did he end up at BYU? Let's say the decision to come to Provo had to do with more than volleyball. Ramanis also talks about the impact his Latvian heritage has had on his life and volleyball career.

Before a short break for the holidays, we share an episode of one of BYUradio's other great podcasts. Her Y celebrates the best of BYU Women's Sports and is hosted by Lauren McClain. In this episode, we hear from BYU Women's Soccer goalkeeper Lynette Hernaez. She tells about her incredible conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her subsequent mission, and how it led her fro...

Trent Pratt was stressed when named as the interim baseball coach for BYU in 2022. He wasn't thinking about whether he would keep his job but if he could keep his BYU Baseball family together and headed in the right direction. Pratt is now leading the Cougars into their first season in the Big 12 season as the head coach. Pratt details his baseball journey from Tooele, Utah, to the minor leagues t...

Nate Meikle was not the biggest guy, yet played major college football at BYU. Nate wasn't the brightest guy in high school, but now he's an assistant professor at the University of Kanas' School of Business. So, how did he get that far? Nate shares stories of hard work, hard studying, and relying on God to persevere through tough times.

Jason Shepherd journeyed to Kansas City for Big 12 Basketball Media Days. So, in this unique episode, you'll hear from some of the foes of the BYU Cougars. Guests include Kansas guard Dajuan Harris, Oklahoma State forward Lior Garzon, TCU guard Madison Conner, Cincinnati forward Ody Oguama, UCF women's basketball coach Sytia Messer, and Texas Tech men's basketball coach Grant McCasland.

Mike Hall's life took a remarkable turn after his days of slamming thunderous dunks for the Cougars. Now, the ex-BYU Basketball star is making a difference by guiding BYU Football players in their personal lives beyond the football field. Moreover, he opens up about his extraordinary journey of embracing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following his time at BYU and the heartbreakin...

Current BYU Cougar, Spencer Johnson, had a very long and difficult journey to get to BYU, which included denying Coach Pope's invite to play for him. He describes this journey as well as what it was like to get mentioned in a General Conference talk by President Russell M. Nelson. He also delves into what it was like to return to Europe—where he served his mission and grew up—with rest of the men'...

Trent Whiting's career as a BYU Basketball player was a short one. Now, he's back in Provo as the husband of BYU Women's Basketball head coach Amber Whiting. Trent recounts his basketball journey, which included a stay in Italy as a professional basketball player. He also talks to Jason Shepherd about playing for the Utes, against the Utes, and how he and Amber managed to raise a family of D1 hoop...

BYU Baseball's Adam Law has found his way back to BYU, except not as a player but as an assistant coach for the Cougars. He chats with Jason Shepherd about how his time in Africa as a mental strength coach and playing professional baseball led him to where he is today. He also talks about what it was like growing up as the son and grandson of baseball legends Vance and Vern Law and how he has carv...

Nate Austin reunites with Jason Shepherd to delve into his remarkable journey back to BYU as a basketball staff member. They explore Nate's childhood dream of playing for the BYU Cougars, the obstacles he conquered, his career highlights, and how his faith in God played a pivotal role in securing a position on a collegiate basketball staff.

Trent Moser of the BYU Men's Volleyball team recently finished traveling to various parts of the world as a member of the nation's best under-21 volleyball team. In this fun-filled episode, he talks about how humbling the experience was to see life outside of the United States and what it feels like to be considered one of the best volleyball players in the nation of his age group. He also talks a...

BYU Swimmer Jordan Tiffany opens up about his intense battle with mental health, which nearly led him to retire from the sport. Having been one of the biggest swim recruits out of Utah that the state had ever seen, Tiffany committed to swim in the SEC at the University of Tennessee, only to quickly realize once he got there that he needed help with his depression. He discusses his journey to and d...