The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by former NFL Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson. After an incredible career with Kentucky and Buffalo, Stevie talks about remaining a part of Bills' Mafia and how he became inspired to author a pair of children's books. 3:30 - Stevie talks about growing up playing all kinds of sports, and how playing basketball helped prepare him to become a great football player. 6:30 - How did Stevie start playing football and how easy was it considering he got such a late start to the game? 9:00 - How Stevie described being open all the time and not getting much coaching 15:00 - Why was it so important for Stevie to be an entertainer and have fun when he was on the football field? It all started with Deion Sanders. 20:30 - After Rex makes a comparison of Wide Receivers to Dunkers, Stevie says you deserve to be acknowledged for running around all game. 22:30 - One of the best moments in Kentucky Wildcats football, the guys talk about when Stevie Got Loose. 26:00 - How did Stevie Johnson end up at Kentucky? It was long before they came out to visit him while in junior college.  36:30 - How did Stevie decide on becoming a children's author? It was a continuation of helping younger players on the field, to providing life lessons for the next generation. 39:00 - Who are the top receivers in the NFL right now according to Stevie Johnson?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by NCAA Champion and former No 1 pick, Danny Manning. With March Madness all wrapped up, Danny looks back on UCONN's title run as well as what he was able to accomplish with the Kansas Jayhawks in 1988. Coming off his first season at Louisville, the guys touch on the Cardinals season and what the team has in store under Head Coach Kenny Payne. 9:30 - Danny talks about what brought him to Louisville to coach under Kenny Payne and what their first season together was with the Cardinals. 11:30 - Josh reminds Danny that it's pronounced Louisville, not Louisville 13:00 - Where did Danny develop his attitude on the floor as someone who was willing to do anything and everything for his team? 15:00 - What were Danny's first impressions of Rex Chapman as a basketball player? 17:00 - The Rex and Danny two man game in Phoenix called SHARK "Watch the slip" 18:40 - Looking back on the 1988 Kansas National Championship team, the last thing he wants it to be remembered by is "Danny and the Miracles". 23:30 - Looking back on the success at Kansas, was Danny always going to end up at Lawrence once his father became an assistant coach under Larry Brown? 28:00 - There was a huge adjustment dealing with significant knee injuries in the NBA after Danny had never missed any time in high school or college. 35:30 - What can we expect from Danny, Coach Payne and the Louisville Cardinals in Year 2? 45:00 - What did Danny learn from the NCAA Tournament and just how dominant UCONN's run to the title was? 47:30 - Danny being taken back to his college days just by hearing the NCAA on CBS music 49:00 - Despite how his NBA career began as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, Danny still follows the team to this day, interested in how the organization is run now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Kenny Mayne, of ESPN fame and his latest project supporting veterans with Run Freely. After a storied career at ESPN, what has Kenny been up to, and how does he watch sports now with the NCAA Tournament and NBA seasons in full swing? Where did Kenny find his persona and become such an original voice for the biggest sports broadcasts on the planet? 2:15 - How has Kenny enjoyed the NCAA Tournament and with such a unique Final Four with a bunch of first time teams? 7:30 - How Kenny got his big break in broadcast media and began to forge his path to ESPN 12:00 - Was Kenny always the funny guy growing up or did it come naturally when broadcasting? 13:30 - Where Kenny found his voice, and jokes that he would be able to use on Sportscenter.  16:00 - Much like a comedian, Kenny would figure out how to use humor in his everyday life and on the air. The important part was to never warn anyone before you try out a joke during a broadcast. 20:00 - How Kenny's confidence, writing and execution as a journalist landed him his dream role at ESPN, even if he didn't know every single player on the Chicago Cubs' roster. 22:30 - After having to give up his dreams of being a professional QB, when did Kenny make the decision that broadcasting was in his future? 25:00 - Kenny talks about his ankle injury and getting $10 from the NFL before ending his professional football career 31:30 - It was almost an accident that Kenny ended up in sports, as someone working in local news in Washington, it turned out that going to Huskies' games and Sonics' games were more fun than going to city council meetings. 36:00 - Kenny's interview process at ESPN was a little unique as someone not quite as strong on sports trivia as some of the other broadcasters. 44:45 - How were the Runnin Rebels basketball team while Kenny was at UNLV? Graduating in 1980, Kenny was right between the dominant teams of the 70's and the late 80's-early 90's. 48:00 - What Kenny's great work with Run Freely is all about. Taking one of the hardest times in his life with the ankle injury and turning it into a positive story, while helping those that have served our country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by BYU head coach, Mark Pope. They talk March Madness, the 1996 Wildcat team, the cutting edge of NIL and Coach Pitino's famous workouts. 04:30 Mark compliments Rex’s jumper 06:45 Mark on playing for Rick Pitino 11:00 Rex and Mark remember Rick’s famous workouts 17:30 A little of Coach Pitino is in Mark’s coaching style 28:30 NIL cutting edge and what it means for BYU 34:00 A Rhode Scholar candidate who gave up med school? 39:00 Who is cutting down the nets in 2023? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a special episode of The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Jeff Goodman and Mike DeCourcey. Up first, Jeff Goodman of Stadium and Field of 68 discuss the potential Head Coaching changes which could cause a distraction for some of the NCAA Tournament teams. Then, Mike DeCourcy of Big Ten Network and FOX Sports takes an in depth look at the bracket. Everything you need before the NCAA Tournament is right here! Jeff Goodman up first 5:00 - What happened to Kentucky this year and are they prepared for an NCAA Tournament run? 6:30 - Ed Cooley's name continues to be mentioned as the next potential hire for Georgetown, so how much of a distraction is that for Providence? 9:00 - What surprise team does Jeff expect to get to the Final Four? 12:30 - Is it the lack of experience of the distractions surrounding the program that will keep Alabama from being the National Champions? 15:30 - With Chris Beard now at Ole Miss, how will Texas address their Head Coaching Vacancy after the Tournament? How far do they need to go for Rodney Terry to keep the coaching job? 19:00 - How is covering the NCAA Tournament different today with the looming coaching changes and transfer portal news always ready to break? 21:00 - Jeff lists his Final Four and has Houston winning it all 27:00 - Mike DeCourcy Joins 28:30 - Coming from Greensboro, NC, Mike previews the NCAA Tournament with the overarching storylines that stand out over the matchups throughout March Madness 30:00 - Comparing regions, the West has been an absolute juggernaut with so many good teams, while Alabama, with all their distractions, has a clear path as the No 1 overall seed out of the South. 33:30 - How many games do the Kentucky Wildcats need to win in the NCAA Tournament for the fans to give John Calipari some breathing room? 41:00 - Can UCLA overcome the loss of Jaylen Clark due to injury? At their best, this is the best defensive team in the country. 45:00 - Mike goes through his Final Four picks and what pressure he's under knowing his bracket is available for everyone to see online. 50:00 - Why is Houston getting left out of Mike's Final Four? Is the loss of Marcus Sasser that much of a difference maker? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hokpins, the guys are joined by Randy and Jason, the Sklar Brothers! Looking back on their time on MTV, ESPN and so many other TV shows and movies, the guys talk about how they got into comedy, and where their life's work is following the success at Cheap Seats. 5:00 - When did the Sklar Brothers realize they were funny, and more importantly, funny together? 8:30 - How easy was it growing up and playing sports when you always had someone to play with? 14:00 - At the same time, being together all the time led to a lot of fights, but the key was to never hold a grudge. 16:00 - Draymond Fights Jordan Poole 17:30 - As twins, what's the difference between relying on each other vs depending on each other? 24:00 - How did the Sklar Brothers end up at the University of Michigan, and then have a pilot on MTV just a couple years later? 33:30 - After 35 years of performing comedy, the Sklar brothers describe how they still get nerves before getting on stage. 39:00 - The Sklars describe the launch of Cheap Seats on ESPN, and how they were able to create the kind of show they always wanted. 48:00 - When you're striving for success, you have to be able to face a little conflict in order to achieve what you set out to do. 55:00 - There's a unique closeness that twins have, but those kinds of bonds can exist between anyone. You can be the same age, growing up in St Louis with the Sklar Brothers, and be able to tell the same stories and share those memories. 1:11:00 - Why Nikola Jokic is the Sklar Brothers MVP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by the great Roger Lodge! The former Blind Date host and current Angels broadcaster shares his story of how he became an actor, after growing up a sports fanatic. After running around Hollywood for so many years with his best friend, John Stamos, it seems like Roger Lodge has never had a bad day in his life! 9:00 - Forget Rex's basketball career, Josh and Roger share war stories from the NBA Entertainer's League in Hollywood. 10:00 - What are the keys to being a great shooter? Roger talks about how he grew up playing basketball and what he's learned from the elite basketball players over the years. 13:30 - How many nights did Roger spend his childhood with a basketball in his hand, just trying to figure out what was going on in his life? 17:00 - Roger Lodge started wearing baggy shorts before everyone else in 1980, facing the Georgia Bulldogs, and the decided to get into broadcasting 19:30 - Roger spent his childhood in his step dad's station wagon driving out to see every great team in Southern California, including John Wooden's Bruins, at the height of UCLA's dominant win streak. 20:30 - Roger attends Wooden's practice and realizes there's no secret formula to his success. Just hard work. 22:00 - Roger talks about how his best friend, John Stamos, helped convince him to pursue acting, and how their relationship blossomed both on set and as roommates for over a dozen years. 26:00 - What in Roger's early life as an athlete prepared him for his life's work in acting and as the host of Blind Date? 34:00 - How many seasons did it take for Blind Date to devolve into a bunch of drunk people starving for attention? 39:00 - Where did Roger get his knack for broadcasting and hosting? He's been preparing pretty much his whole life. His goal was to become the Johnny Carson of Sports. 49:30 - LeBron has broken the all-time scoring record, and the Lakers have made some trade deadline acquisitions. Are they primed for a playoff run in the 2nd half? 53:00 - Roger shares front row center stories, he's sitting with Stamos and Larry Bird admits he watches General Hospital "Aren't You Supposed to be In Jail?" 56:30 - Rex shares some of his favorite stories about Roger's favorite player of all time, Pistol Pete Maravich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by the incredible actor, Steve Zahn. With a list of nearly 100 film credits including Dallas Buyers Club, Saving Silverman, Diary of A Wimpy Kid and so many more, Steve talks about his beginnings in acting and what projects he has coming up next. We couldn't have Steve on without talking about his beloved Kentucky Wildcats and his farm in Lexington! 18:00 - Steve discusses the importance of having a creative space separate from his farm in Lexington, KY. How many years has it been since Steve first visited Kentucky? 20:30 - Steve discusses what he loves about his farm, and why it's an environment he's wanted to raise his family in. 27:30 - What were some of the core memories from making movies over the years? Steve goes back to "That Thing You Do", and the family Tom Hanks has built over the years with so many of his projects. 32:20 - When Steve was singled out as the only good actor and he realized he was special 38:30 - It's taken a long time, but Steve feels he is getting a wider range of roles after coming up as the goofy, stoner guy. His leading roles had to have some quirkiness to them in the past. 42:00 - After reading the books to his kids every single night, Steve says he jumped at the chance to be a part of the "Diary of The Wimpy Kid" movies. 43:00 - With so many roles that he has loved doing, Steve says his biggest regret was having to pass on "Band of Brothers."  46:00 LeBron breaks the record and what is going on with the Wildcats? 48:00 - How did Steve compare his time growing up in Minnesota to now living in Lexington, especially when it comes to sports. 50:00 - Steve talks about having a spark and passion for sports. 57:30 - What goes through Steve's mind when he walks onto a big Hollywood set. He recalls walking onto The Planet of The Apes and recognizing he had to be at his best for this huge production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by NFL Network Analyst and the Host of The Rich Eisen Show, Rich Eisen. After Tom Brady retired from the NFL, again, his fellow Michigan man speaks to the Greatest to ever lace them up in the NFL, plus the upcoming Super Bowl with the Chiefs and Eagles. Is Patrick Mahomes the one player that could chase Brady's all-time success? 7:00 - How do you prepare yourself as a broadcaster when you find out that Tom Brady announces his retirement? 8:00 - Tom Brady recording the farewell video, and the old retiree walks through with the metal detector 11:00 - What is it about Tom Brady's longevity that makes him not only the G.O.A.T. but a once in a lifetime kind of player? 14:45 - The significance for Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl in Tampa, away from Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and doing it in his first season. 16:30 - Rich on Tom Brady "In terms of winning, in terms of resumes, in terms of winning, it's Brady and his name will be synonymous with the NFL" 18:30 - Going back to his Michigan days, Tom Brady had to fight for his opportunity to play, and Rich talks about his rise to the NFL. 24:00 - Rich talks about his path to the University of Michigan in part because of the great sports teams, and also because of "The Big Chill". 27:00 - Rich reflects on his relationship with his father and how important it was for the foundation of his upbringing. 32:30 - How have the biggest moments in life and sports prepared Rich for his own show? What has the impact been of broadcasting with your heart and emotions on your sleeve? 41:30 - Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, Rich takes a look at the Chiefs/Eagles matchup. 42:20 - Rich says the Super Bowl will be close and come down to the last possession, just like the AFC Championship. 46:30 - Origin story of "He Got It" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Rex's former teammate, Kendall Gill. The Illinois native has returned to Chicago after his 15-year NBA career, now calling games for the Chicago Bulls. How did life in Chicago and Champaign help mold him into the man he is today? There are some classic moments the guys share from those early 90's Hornets. 9:30 - The former teammates and roommates circle back on their time together with the Charlotte Hornets. 12:30 - What were the first impressions from when Rex and Kendall first met each other? 17:30 - How Kendall's experience of fighting for his spot at Illinois is almost unheard of in college basketball today. 24:00 - How special those Illini Teams were, and how the Final Four loss to Michigan stays with Kendall to this day. 30:00 - Where did Kendall discover his passion for Boxing, and how did he make the decision to go pro after his NBA career? 35:30 - On the Charlotte Hornets, there was no bigger star than Muggsy Bogues. Kendall and Rex trade stories from those young, talented Hornets teams. 36:00 - Muggsy Was the Floor General, calling everyone honey as they ran up and down the court. 37:00 - Why Kendall blames himself for getting traded to Seattle and why it felt so good being immortalized as a Charlotte Hornet for life. 44:30 - LeBron ranks at least 3rd and here's why Michael Jordan is the GOAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices