The LetterWinner Podcast

Kentucky Stuns South Carolina in OT, Honors Jeff Van Note, and Previews No. 10 LSU at Homecoming UK LetterWinners recap Kentucky’s 35–34 overtime win at South Carolina, highlighted by Will Stein’s premeditated decision to go for two and Kenny Minchey’s protection change and game-winning toss to Willie Rodriguez, completing the program’s biggest road comeback and first OT road win. They honor UK an...

Kentucky Runs Wild vs South Alabama, But Rat Poison Looms at South Carolina | LetterWinner Podcast Jarmon and Newton recap Kentucky’s 45–21 win over South Alabama as Will Stein challenges the idea that this level is the standard despite a 3–1 start and No. 24 ranking. They break down a first half scare, halftime swing plays, and a dominant second half fueled by 390 rushing yards, three 100-yard ba...

Kentucky Shocks No. 9 Texas A&M: 21-0 3rd Quarter, Minchey’s Clinic & Why UK Must Go All-In on Will Stein LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton recap Kentucky’s 31-21 road upset of No. 9 Texas A&M in late September 2026, highlighting a 21-0 third quarter, silencing 105,000 at Kyle Field, and Will Stein’s first SEC win, first road win, first ranked win, and first top-10 true road win by a fir...

LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton break down Kentucky’s loss to Alabama, emphasizing an electric Kroger Field atmosphere, a strong first half fueled by Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace’s pick-six and multiple defensive takeaways, and a second-half collapse marked by Alabama’s 32 straight points, UK’s net two rushing yards, and a 1-for-14 third-down day. They discuss Kenny Minchey’s SEC learning curve, Joe Sl...

Will Stein Era Starts 1-0: Kentucky Dominates Youngstown State, Preps for Alabama Showdown   The LetterWinners recap Kentucky’s season-opening 45–13 win over Youngstown State in extreme heat and a successful whiteout as the Will Stein era begins, highlighting Stein’s emotional return and the team’s clean, well-run operation. Jarmon and Newton break down Joe Sloan’s diverse, motion-heavy offense, p...

Game Week in Lexington: Will Stein’s DNA, QB Talk, Transfer Portal Chaos & Pope Roster Talk | LetterWinner Pod Jarmon and Newton open year two of the LetterWinner Pod with game-week excitement as Kentucky kicks off Saturday vs. Youngstown State, discussing Will Stein’s emphasis on building “DNA,” impressions from fall camp and a scrimmage, and what they need to see early (Big Blue Wall, offens...

The LetterWinners open with a brief discussion on Kentucky’s spending on leadership changes, including Mitch Barnhart’s retirement details and Jay Batt’s discounted buyout from Michigan State, plus skepticism about “private money” claims. They touch on a court ruling affecting eligibility, the Protect College Sports Act and fears of Power Two consolidation and private-equity super leagues, and SEC...

Will Stein Won’t Call Plays? Kentucky’s New Era, Tough SEC Slate, NBA/WNBA Draft Cats & Ja Morant’s Fresh Start This episode dives into Kentucky football’s coaching change from Mark Stoops to new head coach Will Stein and the realization that Stein won’t call plays, exploring why fans expected his play-calling prowess, how Joe Sloan may fit, and how early games like Youngstown State and a Sept...

Jay Batt to Kentucky, College Sports Power Plays, and a 4th of July Grab Bag (World Cup, LeBron, McConnell, MJ) | LetterWinner Pod The episode opens with a wide-ranging LetterWinner Pod conversation around Independence Day, Kentucky’s 234th birthday, and mixed feelings about July 4th and Juneteenth. Jarmon and Newton discuss Kentucky hiring athletic director Jay Batt away from Michigan State amid...

LetterWinner Pod: Remembering Nic Smith, the Future of College Sports & UK’s New Era Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton open the LetterWinner Pod with sponsor notes and then react to the death of UK redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nic Smith, discussing the impact on his family, teammates, and the need for better mental-health support for athletes. They pivot to the shifting business and legal...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton kick off Kentucky Derby season with lighthearted talk about betting at Churchill and Keeneland, JJ’s kindergarten Derby float, and what “responsible gambling” looks like. They pay tribute to Lexington Urban League leader PG Peeples and question how UK and its athletics department engaged with him and the Urban League. The hosts discuss top recruit Tyran Stokes’ UK v...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to Memphis’ FB HC Huff banning practice music, arguing it’s an old-school “splash” that could hurt Gen Z recruiting and game-like preparation. They highlight Oscar Tshiebwe’s big recent G League stat lines with Utah and discuss how production can outweigh measurables, plus whether there’s still an NBA role for his skill set. The conversation turns to their lin...

UK Basketball’s Rough Finish, Pope Pressure & Transfer Portal Outlook + Kentucky Football Spring Buzz On the LetterWinner, Jarmon, Newton, and Lewellen recap Kentucky basketball’s 22–14 season and round-of-32 exit, roster construction, ball handling, and injuries, debating Mark Pope’s strategy, noting staff changes, including Mo Williams. They discuss UK’s standards, media accountability, reve...

Jarmon and Newton reflect on forgetting to acknowledge International Women’s Day, sharing how they celebrate the women in their lives and noting Morgan’s 11-year journey with his wife. They pivot to Lexington’s winter weather disruptions again, joking about “warm weather” as a gold standard snow removal process. The conversation turns to Kentucky basketball’s matchup with Santa Clara and links to...

Mitch Barnhart Retires: What’s Next for Kentucky Athletics + Athlete Mental Health, NIL, and the Future of College Sports On the LetterWinner, Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to reports that longtime Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart is retiring and moving into a new, athletics-funded academic-side role paying $950,000 annually for five years, discuss his legacy, and speculate on an...

The episode recaps a K Club gathering at the K House that drew more than 200 former University of Kentucky letterwinners and families, including offensive coordinator Will Stein and over 20 staff members, with attendees spanning seven decades and multiple sports. Jarmon and Newton discuss the strong turnout and memorable moments. Jim Green and Derrick Ramsey were both in attendance. Jarmon transpo...

LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton reconnect after a break and apologize to listeners, citing NTI days, work and life be lifing. They discuss the impact of NTI days that left schools close for over a week. Then pivot to the Super Bowl snooze and the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, framing it as a global business decision tied to the NFL’s international growth and Spanish-speaking North America, an...

The State of UK Football and UK Basketball: Transfer Portals, Coaches, and the Quest for Success On this episode of the Letter Winner Pod, we delve deep into the current state of University of Kentucky (UK) sports. Former QB Dusty Bonner joins Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton to discuss the significant storylines surrounding Kentucky Football Coach Will Stein and Kentucky Basketball Coach Mark Pope...

The State of Kentucky Sports: From Festive Cheers to Hard Truths In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, Jarmon and Newton delve into the current state of Kentucky sports with a mix of holiday cheer and critical analysis. They discuss the Kentucky Volleyball team's recent near-win at the National Championship, and Mark Pope's basketball team's promising three-game win streak. The conversation shi...

The End of an Era: UK Football's Transition to New Leadership This episode delves into the recent shake-up within the Kentucky Football (UK Football) program as Mark Stoops' tenure as head coach concludes after 13 seasons. The discussion spotlights the imminent hiring (as of the start of the livestream) of Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as Stoops' successor. With notable alumni like Morga...

Jarmon and Newton discuss Thanksgiving and reflect on what they are thankful for this calendar year. They discuss the significant loss by the (UK) football team against Vanderbilt, drawing parallels to a similar past defeat that ushered in a new Stoops era. The conversation then transitions to UK's basketball team's blowout loss to Michigan State, highlighting issues with the roster and management...

Big Blue Nation: Football Triumphs Amidst Basketball Turmoil In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, former Kentucky football players Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton discuss the current state of Kentucky sports. They highlight the impressive achievements of Mark Stoops and the football team's tactical prowess as they approach a pivotal game against Vanderbilt that could secure them a bowl game. C...

In this episode of the LetterWinner, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton delve into the recent performances of Kentucky's basketball and football teams. They discuss Kentucky basketball's struggles, particularly in defense, and the promising performance of Denzel Aberdeen. The discussion shifts to football, where quarterback Cutter Boley's strong play and leadership are highlighted. The hosts al...

This episode of the LetterWinner Pod features an in-depth discussion about the Kentucky Wildcats' pivotal 10-3 victory over the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Jarmon and Newton analyze the Wildcats' defensive prowess, which led to seven sacks and restricted Auburn to just three points. They also discuss the emotional reactions, including a heartfelt hug between Athletics Director Mitch Barn...

A Tale of Two Cities: Kentucky's Rupp Revival and Kroger Field Struggles In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton discuss the contrasting fortunes of Kentucky's basketball and football programs. The basketball team, led by Mark Pope, is experiencing a renaissance, exemplified by a dominant win over Purdue. Pope is not only molding a strong team on the court bu...