Big Stories

Collin Klein has come home. The former Kansas State QB and offensive coordinator is now the head coach of the Wildcats. In this podcast, host Cleon Wall talks with 3 Maw Podcast and Open for Business Podcast host John Kurtz about whether there is pressure on Klein in his first season. Then we take a look at another school involved in the quarterback carousel with the West Virginia Mountaineers. Ryan Decker from the Blue and Gold Nation weighs in on the unknown in Morgantown.

The Big 12 makes history as the first major college athletics conference to approve a private equity deal — but is it really a game-changer? We break down the partnership and what it could mean for the conference's next TV rights negotiation, with John Kurtz from the Open for Business Podcast. Then, we shift to the quarterback carousel spinning across the Big 12 this spring. Mark Van Sickle (Jayhawker Talker Podcast) previews the three-man QB battle in Lawrence, Kansas, while Richie Bradshaw (Devil's Advocate Podcast) sizes up Cutter Boley as Arizona State's new signal caller under Kenny Dillingham. Plus, Seth Dowdell (Believe in TCU Podcast) joins us for a full spring update on the Horned Frogs — new QB Jayden Craig, new offensive coordinator Gordon Samis, Andy Avalos's defense, and what a successful 2026 season looks like for Sonny Dykes.

New coaches, big questions, and conference milestones — it's all happening in the Big 12. We break down the five biggest storylines, including Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's NCAA gambling investigation. Then, we dive into our query of the week: how will new coaches fare in new places? Locked On Oklahoma State's Cody Stovall previews the Eric Morris era in Stillwater, and Ben Hutchins of the Quad City Times looks at what Jimmy Rogers is building in Ames after Matt Campbell's departure to Penn State. Finally, we head to Boulder for a spring football check-in with the Colorado Buffaloes. Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera breaks down what Coach Prime is working with in Year 4, from a high-volume transfer class to a new offensive system and a last-minute defensive coordinator change.

Spring sports are dominating the Big 12, but Big Stories is locked in on spring football. Host Cleon Wall debuts a new format that brings together short, insightful clips from podcasters and reporters across the conference, breaking down the biggest storylines shaping the football landscape. In storylines, we discuss two schools with brand-new head coaches: Utah and Kansas State. Alex Markham from the Ute Nation Podcast explains why it was the right time for Morgan Scalley to take over at Utah, and Drew Galloway of K-State Online talks about why Colin Klein wants to get back to the basics. Then, it’s story time in central Texas. Zach Smith of the Waco Tribune joins the show to discuss Baylor football’s evolving identity, spotlighting fresh faces at quarterback and a revamped defensive look heading into the fall.

College basketball's offseason is officially here, and it's chaotic — but is that a bad thing? Host Cleon Wall breaks down the biggest storylines of the week, starting with the transfer portal frenzy reshaping rosters across the Big 12. Then, the NBA Draft picture comes into focus as ESPN finally reshuffles their top 100 — and BYU's AJ Dybantsa edges out Kansas' Darren Peterson for the top spot. What does that mean for both players heading into their professional careers? Plus, All Sports Tucson's Steve Rivera joins to wrap up Arizona's remarkable season — a record-setting run that fell just short of playing in the national title game. What made this Wildcats team so special, why Tommy Lloyd chose to stay in Tucson over the lure of North Carolina, and who will be the hardest player to replace?

As the NCAA Tournament has come to an end, host Cleon Wall breaks down the latest storylines from around the conference- From Arizona falling apart in the Final Four, big-name coaches the likes of Bill Self and Tommy Lloyd sticking with their programs, West Virginia taking the Crown in Vegas, and transfer portal talk. Later in the show, story time will feature two teams that have their moments but ultimately fell short in The Big Dance. Adam Eaton from the Sons of UCF joins us to discuss the Knights' tournament appearance and season as a whole, and the Voice of the Cyclones, John Walters, joins the show to go over Iowa State's Sweet Sixteen run as well as the future of the program.

When the Big Stories team hit a recording snag, we reached back into the vault for a great story from Season 1 — and with March Madness in full swing, the timing couldn't be better. This week, we revisit our episode about Hot Rod Hundley — the Charleston, West Virginia native who became a West Virginia University basketball legend. Equal parts showman, entertainer, and flawed hero, Hot Rod dazzled crowds with behind-the-back passes, hook shots, and a personality that packed arenas long before the varsity game even tipped off. We hear from filmmaker Dan Loman, WVU's Director of Athletic Content John Antonik, bar owner Al Bonner, and Hot Rod's own daughters — painting a portrait of a man who was larger than life on the court, complicated off of it, and beloved by an entire state. From his hardscrabble childhood in Charleston to the retirement of his #33 jersey at WVU Coliseum, Hot Rod's hero's journey is messy, funny, and deeply human.

In 2019, Roman Rozell captured national attention as a 35-year-old retired Green Beret and father of seven who walked onto the ASU wrestling team and earned a WWE tryout. But shortly after his viral moment, Roman's marriage ended, the WWE halted operations during COVID, and the pro wrestling career he'd chased dissolved. Soon enough, he found himself living in a camper, dealing with debt, and struggling with mental health. So, how did Roman rebound and start a business called Walk-On Warriors to help others like himself? Find out from the Walk-On Warrior himself. Guests: Roman Rozell - Former ASU Wrestler and Walk-On Warriors Founder Scott French - DDPY Instructor and Roman's friend and mentor

Growing up in Finland with only one hand never slowed down Tanja Kari. If anything, it fueled her. She tore up the cross‑country ski trails with such determination that she eventually became a Paralympic legend—winning an incredible 12 gold medals across four Games. But ask Tanja today about her proudest accomplishment, and she might point to the work she’s doing long after her competitive career ended. Now at the University of Utah’s Craig H. Nielsen Rehabilitation Hospital, Tanja leads the TRAILS program—short for Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle, and Sports. And what she’s building there is nothing short of transformative. Through TRAILS, people with complex disabilities aren’t just getting therapy. They’re rediscovering independence and adventure. Much of that comes from innovations like the TetraSki—a groundbreaking piece of adaptive equipment engineered by university students and brought to life in the hospital’s own mechanical shop. Thanks to tools like these, individuals who once watched from the sidelines are now skiing down mountains, wake surfing, and even finishing marathons. Guests: Tanja Kari - Program Director at TRAILS Adaptive Kimberly Kolstad - Social worker at Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and adaptive sports athlete

Ayoka Lee made history on January 23rd, 2022, when she scored 61 points against Oklahoma, setting the NCAA single-game scoring record. She seemed destined for a professional career, but after leading Kansas State to the Sweet 16 in her final season, she decided to walk away from basketball. Now, Ayoka has her dream job as a mental health clinician at Kansas State, helping student athletes navigate the same pressures and challenges she once faced. From injuries and setbacks to the weight of expectations, she now uses her experience to support Wildcats through their own struggles—finding purpose and joy in serving the athletic department that gave her so much. Guests: Ayoka Lee - Mental Health Clinician for Kansas State Athletics Sydney Goodson Samson - Former Kansas State Women's Basketball Player

Andrew Cherico grew up in Washington Heights, New York, living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy—a condition that left him in a wheelchair by age nine. While he wasn’t able to play, his passion for sports never stopped growing. When his oldest brother, Roman, died by suicide in 2019, Andrew made a promise: to carry his brother’s name as loudly and proudly as he could. That promise led him to UCF, where he pursued sports journalism despite the challenges. In September 2024, Andrew got his big break—asking Colorado's Coach Deion Sanders a question at a post-game press conference. In this podcast episode, find out what happened next and how it has changed Andrew's life. Guests: Andrew Cherico - UCF Student and Sons of UCF Reporter Trace Trylko - Host and Executive Producer of the Sons of UCF live show If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Big Stories will have more great tales from the Big 12 coming up on January 6th. We will chronicle the Arizona State women's volleyball coach who left the high world of finance to coach his favorite game, the University of Arizona basketball coach who became the first African-American coach at a major university, the former Kansas basketball player who quit professional basketball to bring people to God, and so many more great tales.

Big Stories is a show dedicated to the incredible tales surrounding the opponents of the BYU Cougars. You'll hear from people associated with Sam Houston, Arkansas, and the Big 12 teams BYU will play this season. Big stories is hosted by Cleon Wall.