of this show are recorded. Strap in and be I
can guarantee you, any other West Coast team
that's watching this, I'm sure USC is gnashing
their teeth right now saying, how come we couldn't
have thought of this first? Interesting guests.
It's Kelly Gray. It's Mike Parker. Coach Mark
Waszkowski. Melissa Lombardi. Max Torres. El
Toro. Joining us. Sharp opinions. I think if
you're a supporter of the NBA that you should
at least have some level of interest in the WNBA
because the things that interest you as a NBA
fan should still interest you as a WNBA fan.
That's just my opinion. And some smiles. Can
you guess what position I played in football?
Left out? No, I did not. Yeah, exactly. I had
to think about that for a second. But yes, actually,
I did not play. I was not picking up. Goose tried
to kill me today on the golf course. Advanced
warning was given. It just apparently was not
heard. I will dispute that in a court of law.
It's Danny Havel. If you're driving and you're
trying to do this in your head, pull off the
side of the road. I don't need any accidents.
Justin Grossweiner. I love to hear a coach go,
we're going to focus on that bad four game stretch
the rest of the season. season. We will never
do that again. That might be a good point. I
don't know. Maybe you can do that. Maybe that's
not a strategy. Danny and Justin starts now on
Fox Sports Eugene and Fox Sports Newport. Hello
neighbors. Welcome. Hi, top of the Delta Tri
on the Bigfoot Beverages Studios. The Crystal
Palace, that is. The home base of the Danny and
Justin radio program for just three more shows
the countdown continues down to one then ground
zero we Go off into the night at 4 p .m from
the graduate The party at lorewood at 4 30 is
starting to gain a little traction Which I I
like so we'll talk about all about that on the
program today follow us Danny and Justin on the
socials Danny and Justin on wherever you podcast
or get your music That means all the platforms
that you're on Danny and Justin or the fastest
60 minutes great show today We got Angie Machado
from Beaver Blitz in just a few moments And the
big kahuna for one last time on this radio program
at 220. It's the great Kelly Graves Who's got
some news about somebody in his family? that
has another piece of Oregon tied to it, which
is fantastic. And then the last segment of the
program, Steve Woodward, the great Woody, will
be in the studios to make a rare appearance on
the Danny and Justin radio program. I'm sure
to thank us profusely for filling an hour for
him over the last almost two years. But first,
with Blaze in the producer's chair. I'm Doc,
otherwise known as Danny. That's what my friends
call me, but you can call me Doc as well. And
right over to my right, it is our tag team partner.
You love them, you know them. Number 10 in your
program, number one in your hearts. Justin Gross,
we call him Baby J. What a boy. Well, we've been
getting a lot of questions. Where are you guys
going? What's happening? Yeah, where are you
going? You're going to Chicago. I'm going to
Chicago. Not permanently. I'm going to be there
on Saturday, excuse me. So excited about that.
Vegas, where are you going? Do you guys have
that? Dude, how many times have we told you to
have your mic ready? I know, I know. Catch and
shoot position. I like to think of the no -dip
jumper here. I'm going to the south of France
and then I'm going They do not have deep -dish
pizza in the south of France. Yeah, or it's nor
my grandmother or portillo's Yeah, you're on
original deep -dish pizza at least if they do
but then I'm going to Croatia And I'm really
hoping that Croatia is still in the World Cup
by the time I get there. That would be crazy
watching it there, wouldn't it? It would be,
but it's super unlikely just because Spain, if
they beat Portugal... is up next hey listen assuming
spain wins there there have been nothing but
really close matches in the first few of the
knockout run and a couple of i would say many
against france and that you're wearing the french
kit right now i'm wearing the french kit so proper
term as well there yeah thank you i appreciate
that not jersey here nil pitch or anything like
that all right so so chicago and france you guys
are abandoning me so thank you very much i will
hold the fort down here while you guys are gone
so you know just come back in one piece you're
going out of the country please make sure you
come back in one piece i'll do my best There's
so there's no try. There's only do I will I think
I'm gonna be a Wrigley on Sunday, so I hate you
so much I'm gonna try to stay in one piece. Hopefully
I don't get hit with a foul ball or something
Why not get hit by a foul ball then pick it up?
I mean and then hand it and then hand it to a
little kid of course on camera last time I was
at a game Yeah, I'm gonna try us on the Cardinals
at this time, but still one of my favorite players
I know he's a lot recently, but yeah, he was
thrown Bow balls are just like the balls that
were the first baseman throws the balls in the
stands I ended up tipping one with one of my
hands so got really close but there was a kid
and a very nice Cardinal family that was next
to me that Just was any time I got a ball. It
was like there's no doubt. I'm not keeping this
ball It is gonna be going to the children next
to me. That's great. So yeah, the Cubs are on
a tear right now They are scoring runs in bunches.
The wind must have been blown out at Wrigley
last couple of days No, it had to be yes. I mean
it was a nine seven win the other night and it
was 22 runs 22 to 3 that one just finished up
Do the Padres stink? Aren't they like in second
place? But of course the Dodgers are running
way with the West. They're in the wild card.
Okay, well race at least. All right. So we've
got we've got tickets to give away to the Drifters
We'll do that at the end of this first segment
We're gonna have Angie Machado on in just a moment
the big Kahuna Kelly Graves the women's basketball
coach There is stuff to talk about I a lot want
to talk about Katie Fuso I want to talk about
offseason conditioning kind of what the what
the the script is is because you know, you just
kind of wonder, you know, the team actually starts
to get together and they do things on their own.
The coaches can't be there. So I want to talk
about the leadership that Coach Graves thinks
he has in the room besides the obvious and how
he feels how the off season is gone. So we'll
talk about that, and then the last segment we'll
have Woody here in the studio. But first, let's
head on over to the Organ Man Clinics Hotline
at 541 -343 -5673. And now joining us on the
Organ Man Clinics Hotline is Angie Machado from
Beaver Blitz, one of our favorites, somebody
that I had a lot of fun with working in in the
fall and many times previous than the previous
fall as well on game day. Had her on this program
a number of times, but happy to bring her on
for our final week. We had to make sure. have
you on Angie so thank you so much for being here
today absolutely what an honor to be with you
guys on your one of your final shows excited
yeah you know we have to call her ace at least
a couple of times through this because we gave
her that nickname last time she was on that's
right okay ace Justin's got the first question
for you because we got a lot to cover there's
been a lot going on and you know you would say
summertime ends up being slow but it's really
not It's not at all. No, let's start with Thad
Thatcher, which is first of all great alliteration
and Justin love I love good alliteration three
-star quarterback from Arbor View High School
in Las Vegas, Nevada I want to talk a little
bit later about sort of the West Coast ties for
the recruiting and how that's maybe evolving
But he was committed to Utah under Kyle Whittingham
Sounds like things opened up when Kyle Whittingham
obviously went to Michigan. So tell us about
Thatcher. What's exciting about this guy? Yeah,
I mean this was a guy then that Whittingham won
it at Michigan. So this was really a two -way
I know UCF was in the mix as well But this was
a Oregon State Michigan recruiting battle down
to his announcement last week. So big time commit
for Oregon State, a huge, you know, this was
a big battle that head to head against one of
the big dogs and Oregon State was able to pull
off a commitment. Love Thatcher, he's a guy that
is super accurate. He can throw a really good
ball and he can also tuck and run if need be.
So I know Mitch Dolland, quarterback coach, offensive
coordinator worked really hard on this one and
it's a huge, huge commitment for Oregon State
and that staff and their first real. full spring
or first spring recruiting, you know, cycle that
they've gone through. And I know we want to get
into some other players as well. By the way,
Angie Machado is joining us. Of course, you could
follow her on all the socials. I believe it's
Angie Machado one, right? Do I have that? I have
that by memory. I don't even have my screen up,
Ace. So you got isn't that great? You know, I
think I think I lost some other information because
I remembered that. But that's OK. So I know again,
I know we want to get into some more players
specifically, but but more of an overreaching
question. Are you getting a sense and a feel
on how Jamarcus Shepard and his staff are going
out and recruiting the kind of players they're
trying to recruit? Are we getting a theme going?
You know, they're looking at the whole person,
and this isn't like some of them only. I mean,
this is something that you look back to. Coach
Riley was really into character. They're not
just going out to find the best athletes. They're
looking for guys that really fit the narrative.
what they're looking to build. They want toughness.
They want guys that are looking to come in and
build. Maybe not a me first guy, but looking
to pad his stats, but looking for guys that want
to come in, work as a team, and really can buy
in. This staff has a ton of energy, too. So we're
seeing guys that are enthusiastic. They're fun
interviews, talk with them. They're not shying
away from media contacts. Good. Just good guys
that have bought in. Spencer Newell and I myself
will talk to some of these these recruits and
you know the energy pops up is something really
important to them. The family atmosphere. So
you know some overriding themes to maybe what
we would have heard under coach Riley without
you know some of the you know back in the day
the hip hip hooray's and such. But really building
that family atmosphere building you know that
just the bonding the brotherhood has been really
important and that is what stood out to a lot
of these players when we talk to them. One thing
that I think is interesting, we all know the
realities of college football at this point.
Players are almost a year -to -year basis at
this point with their commitments. Of course,
there's the song and dance of, like, I want to
be at X place for however many years. It's transactional
now. It is. It is absolutely a business relationship.
But it is sort of almost like a one -year -at
-a -time sort of thing. And so my question is,
can you really plan at this point for two or
three years ahead if you bring in guys and you
bring in a freshman that you think is exciting
and, hey, maybe if they're good, then they're
going to leave the next year. But even in a way,
like you could sort of build even on that if
there is those sort of things that happen. So
can you build for two, three years at this time?
You know it you're right I mean that's back in
the day that was what Oregon State made their
livelihood on was finding quote the diamonds
in the rough and Developing them and getting
them ready to play that doesn't happen anymore.
I Think there's a couple maybe different outside
-the -box ways of thinking about this though
like offensive line for example That's one that
Oregon State has not really picked up offensive
line, which beaver fans have been you know grinding
their hands and trying to figure out what Offensive
line is a tough one. First of all, the West Coast
class offensive line for class of 27 is not a
strong one Second of all you you look at offensive
line Those are the guys that need some time to
develop for the most part Those aren't guys that
are coming in and starting necessarily unless
it's an Isaac Samolo or you know, somebody like
that so the strategy has to be going out and
finding transfers or Junior college transfers
or you know players that want to come in and
play The high school commits are different. Yes,
it's a year to year transaction. I think what
you do is you go out, you build these relationships,
and then you hope, you know, if they develop,
that you're able to keep them at least for two,
maybe three, if you have a great relationship
with them. And, you know, we're seeing that money
talks, but a lot of times guys will pass up bigger
monetary offers for a better fit. So that is
something else to consider as well. I mean, Bad
Thatcher, for example, I don't know the money
involved, but he saw the death chart and it was
like, wow, Michigan has all these four and five
stars ahead of me. Oregon State has a much clearer
path to get on the field. So these guys are savvy,
but you're right. It is not the day that, you
know, Oregon State signs these 18 commits right
now. And we know that for the most part, 15 of
them will be there on senior night graduating.
So it's different, it's evaluation, it's character.
It's then also building these relationships with
guys that maybe commit elsewhere or, you know,
receive a later offer, but you've already made
a connection with them with that relationship
because crazy things happen. And that kid that
commits the, you know, USC, LSU, Michigan, wherever,
maybe sits on the bench. And then a year in is
calling coaches saying, Hey, I want to play,
you know, so you never know where those relationships
might take you to down the road. The owner of
BeaverBlitz .com, it's the great Angie Machado,
and you can follow her on the socials, AngieMachado1,
over an impressive 16 ,000 followers on the old
Twitterverse. Angie, well done. I've done this
a long time. Oh, now stop it. Now you have, but
still, that's pretty impressive numbers. Those
are starlight numbers. I want to dive back into
and I love the phrase you use diamond in the
rough overall, but are is there somebody either
through the transfer portal or that that has
come up on the radar for Jamarcus Shepherd? And
that's like that is like, wow, that's really
good get. I could see where this kids really
can explode and make an impact this coming year
for the Beavers. Yeah, I love. the commitment
they pick up from Idaho, the linebacker, Payne.
He is, I mean, this is a kid that you just keep
hearing about, offspring, leader on and off the
field. Here's a young man who, like, second,
third week into the program, or into the winter
conditioning, and they were nominating people
for the leadership council. And it was all veterans,
for the most part. And then all of a sudden,
the kids came to Coach Shepherd and said, no,
we need him on the... Wow. as a leadership council.
So he is definitely watching closely. He'll be
a starter, I believe, day one. And so that, seriously,
has been a major, major eye -opener. And there
was also a couple of other commitments last week.
Running back Darren Foster and defensive tackle
time on Meeks. They're also in the 2027 class.
Foster's from Georgia. Meeks is from Aledo, Texas.
So my question to you is how these are some kids
from the South, which I think is a good thing.
How important is it going to be to expand the
commitment recruiting outside of the West Coast?
A lot of California, obviously some Oregon, Utah,
Nevada. But, you know, these are the first players
that are from the South that are in this class.
Yeah, no, I mean, this is a staff that's coached
all over. This is, you know, it's a it's a far
reaching staff. It's not a. pretty much west
coast only staff that we've seen Oregon State
have in the past. So they are going to go to
places that they have connections. You know,
Georgia is, you know, running back Daron Foster
is prime example. Here's a young man that, you
know, down in the south, he's racked up great
yards. He's tough, physical, has a great connection
with Oregon State coaches. Kentucky, you know,
Oregon State defensive coordinator, Court Denison.
spent time at Louisville. So he has these connections
in Kentucky and they're able to go grab a player
from Kentucky. So they're utilizing their connections
and it's huge, you know, going forward. And that
Oregon State does need to expand that footprint
some. I mean, I'm looking right now where they
have have committed six from California, three
from Texas, two from Utah. We have an Arizona,
a Florida, a Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, Oregon
and Washington. So very, very well represented
footprint. Yeah, there are some of those Texas
and. Florida recruits that I kind of missed down
there, but thank you for for pointing those out
But I wanted to also talk about something earlier.
We were talking about the kind of development
piece offensive lineman They got to come in they
got to get stronger It's something I think that
coach Shepard's been talking about even from
the spring that it's something they've got to
improve You know, you're gonna be bringing in
a lot of three -star guys like these are gonna
be guys that for one reason or another Are gonna
be looked at as maybe a little bit small. Maybe
they're tall, but they're a little bit thin How
important is that development piece gonna be
when you're getting these sort of guys? where
you're going to be not the typical prototypical
body type type of guys. Yeah. Yeah. And that's
a lot of times what separates these guys as from
a three -star and four -star to be completely
honest is just their development body type right
now. So that is going to be something that. And
again, that goes back to the character. That
goes back to work ethic. That goes back to the
whole evaluation process that goes into getting
to know these athletes, these young men. What
is that work ethic? Are they willing to go put
in the time and lift the weights, to put on the
weight, and to stick to the meal plan that they're
put on? The strength coach, it's really important
to him to get guys at certain weights, not only
for strength and physicality, but for injury
prevention. Oregon State, for the past several
years, has had a lot of injuries. Hopefully can
be some of them be avoided just with proper strength
and in the balance, balancing of strength. So
super important, but you know, I look at like
a time on me. She mentioned him a minute ago,
committed last week, defensive lineman. Here's
a young man. He moves really, really well. He's
listed at five 11, two 65. You know, you put
25 to 30 pounds on him as a D tackle. If this
young man, you know, he's listed at five 11.
That means in reality is probably five 10. You
know, he's six foot, six, two. every SEC in the
team in the country would have offered him. So,
yeah, you're going a little smaller, but then
you have a motor, you get the guys that can put
on the weight that have the frame for it. And
that's really what Oregon State's going to have
to do. And they've done it in the past, too.
I mean, when the school isn't able to attract
all the blue chips, they have to get creative
and find the guys that really fit the system.
And that will have the work ethic to thrive in
that. She's our ace. It's Angie Machado. Join
us. right here when Angie comes on except this
will be the last time. Angie comes on this radio
program. So the Danny and Justin show is ending
on Friday, but we got some news later on in the
program that I think you're going to like. So
just just hang on. I don't like to tease that
much, but it's going to come up in the last.
Oh yeah, I really do. Last question for you,
Angie. Kevin Griffin now a couple of weeks got
his feet wet, got the got the ears tuned to the
Beaver fan base. The new athletic director Pac
12 on the horizon. So I mean it's it's kind of
been a little. a little quiet out of the 80s
office, not unexpected. I'm sure, you know, he's
figuring out where he's going to get the money
and how he raises it. And he's doing a lot of
those meetings. So can we give some kind of evaluation
on the initial response to Kevin Griffin sitting
in that chair? Well, he hasn't officially started.
So, OK, then it's zero. July. OK, yeah, so he
has been, you know, talking with with boosters
and getting the laser lamp. But his first official
day is the seventh of this month, so. Got another
week here before he officially takes over, but
V for Nation on the message board, the donors
and the fans that I've spoken with, really excited
just for some fresh takes, new blood in that
athletic director office, and someone that has
a wealth of experience in the professional world,
whether it be in professional sports at Ohio
State. some championship level stuff and has
has his you know has championship ties and then
the marketing piece is huge and he comes with
that marketing background so excited about what
that happens or you know what he brings and in
you know the next couple weeks hopefully getting
some some news on plans he has for the future
and Pac -12 today July 1 is the first day of
the new Pac -12 so um yeah happy pack 12 day
for all who celebrate and uh yeah it's uh new
beginnings and i think oregon state fans and
and washington state and And the rest are just
kind of excited to move forward and have a true
conference again. All right, follower Angie Machado
won. We call her ace here on the Danny and Justin
radio program. She's the owner of beaverblitz
.com. Go subscribe there as well. It is incredible
content. If you're an Oregon State Beaver fan
or want to know anything about Oregon State,
this is your go to Angie. We really appreciate
you on this program. Thanks for hanging out with
us. This is not the end. It's just a goodbye
for a little while, so hopefully we have you
back. Sounds good. I'll bug you if I'm not. All
right. Thanks, Angie. Appreciate it. There she
goes. See, it's Angie Machado from beaversblitz
.com. All right, so I got some tickets to give
away. These are physical tickets, though. Caller
number five right now. Caller number five. We've
got a couple of tickets for tomorrow's game against
the Marion Berries. What a great name. Woodback
League. Springfield drifters out at Hamlet. They're
going to have a big fireworks show tomorrow night.
They can do that. So caller number five in the
Oregon Man Clinics Hotline right now picks up
four tickets to the Drifters and the Marion Berries
at 343 -5673. Caller number five, back with the
great kahuna, the big kahuna, Kelly Graves on
the Danny and Justin radio program. We're counting
it down. We're halfway through with three. More
shows left on the Danny and Justin radio program.
We're going to wind it up in a big way at the
graduate on Friday, one to four special three
hour show. A lot of athletes, a lot of premier
athletes are going to be participating in the
Pre -Fontaine Classic will join us. And a very
special guest for our last guest of the Danny
and Justin radio program in the three o 'clock
hour. And then we're going to have the big after
party up at Lorwood at 430. And hope everybody
can come up and attend. And we would love to
have the listeners come on up. No reservations
required. Let's head on over to the Oregon Athletics
Outline at 343 -5673. We could never close out
this show without having one of our favorites
back on with us. Now it's off -season, but we
always love talking to the big kahuna. It's your
Oregon women's basketball coach, Kelly Graves,
joining us. Coach, thanks for the time today.
Coach? Are you there? Did we lose, Coach? All
right, I'll tell you what I we got to dial them
back get them back Okay, just turn that off go
back do the thing and I will bounce a little
bit here So we have those tickets we're gonna
by the way when we do the drifters tickets you
guys have to come back in to the studio and pick
it up, so We'll be open until five o 'clock to
the games at 630 tomorrow night That is going
to be a fireworks show for the against the Marion
Berries. We also have some. Firework certificates
to give away as well, so we're going to try and
get coach back on. You're going to hear radio
in action as we're going to dial the coach back
up. There he is. We didn't. We lost you coach.
What was that on you or was that on me? I'm sure
it was on us and I did a nice intro, but I'll
do it again We could not close out our program
this week the final few shows of the Danny Justin
radio program without having you on It's the
head coach of your women's basketball program
at the University of Oregon our big friend the
big kahuna. It's Kelly Graves coach Thanks for
spending some time with us. I know you're driving
Oh my goodness, my my pleasure fellas. Thanks
for having me and congrats on a nice run. Yeah,
we did have a nice run. You've always been very
gracious with your time. We got some things to
unpack over the summer, so can you get us behind
the curtain a little bit? You know you do get
to have a little downtime. Thank goodness to
recharge those batteries. But like what's going
on in the offseason in Oregon women's basketball?
Well, you know, it's kind of odd. We're on quarters
and so. You know, we're on a completely different
schedule than 95 % of the country. So, you know,
we didn't graduate, you know, it was like two
weeks ago, just over two weeks ago. And, you
know, and so we give our kids some time. We won't
have anybody's rolling in until about the third
week of July. And that's pretty much just our
freshmen. We don't require our returners to come
back until August. And then that'll give us about
a month, month and a half to train. But NCAA
gives us eight weeks to do activities in the
summertime. We choose to go about six. So, you
know, the honest truth is I haven't seen any
of our players in a long time. I keep in touch
with them via text. But I haven't seen them since
they left, really, first of June. And, you know,
that's... It's kind of I don't know if we're
at a disadvantage because you know We don't start
school till the end of September right and most
people start in August some point But most of
the country they're already back doing their
summer workouts And it always makes me feel like
we're behind We're not really but it makes you
feel that way so coach When everybody gets back
together, and I know you know there was the movement
out movement in and the transfer portal How do
you feel about the obviously you're not going
to really know a lot more until you get them
back out on the floor together, but from a distance,
how do you feel about this team for you? Well,
I like the team. You know, I wish we would have
gotten maybe one more tall presence. Let's say
a bigger kid, but you know, we have the core
of our players back. I think I talked to you
last time we we talked to saying that. you know,
the seven players that we had here this spring
that are coming back, that's as good a seven
as we've had. And certainly since Sabrina and
them were here, it was a great workout. And then,
you know, we only have one transfer coming in.
I think she'll really help. She's got two years
left, but she's a veteran and an Aussie. And
so she's training right now, I know with pro
kids and then we have the four freshmen. So.
you know the freshmen are all going to be here
early and so we're going to have about a month
or so to work with them before the rest of the
group gets here so we're going to try and get
them up to speed as quick as possible but um
yeah i i think we've got a nice little team and
they say in sports improvement over the course
of the season this is kind of a cliche thing
it's hard to do to make adjustments during the
middle of a season seems like the summer that's
when you're training this is when the improvement
comes but i believe when we talked to you last
time you said you guys can only be so involved
when players aren't around how much of the player
development and improvement during this time
is simply on the player to get in the gym, to
get in runs with the fellow teammates, to do
those sort of things when they aren't technically
in practice and those sort of things. Well, like
you said, this is where, you know, this time
of year is where improvements made. So if they
want more playing time next year, if they want
to secure their spot even deeper. If they want
to move up into a different role, this is the
time where that gets done. They've got to get
better. They know that. Sometimes when you're
just practicing as your group, the individual
improvement, it doesn't get pushed aside, but
it becomes secondary to the team's success. So
I'm hoping that they're all, and knowing my players
like I do, I'm sure they're not just home eating
Cheetos and drinking soda pop there. They're
out training and working out and trying to make
the best of the time off. But I wish the NCAA,
they restrict us. We only get eight hours a week
to work out with them for those eight weeks in
the summer. They're all getting paid. They're
paid employees, basically, right? I just wish
they would do away with that rule in the summertime.
Let us work out with them. They have to be here.
Most of them are taking, let's say, an online
class for the summer. So they have time. And
it would be nice for us to have a little bit
more time to spend with them. Do you think this
is the time of year they improve? Right. Do you
think that will change at some point where the
relationship between the player and the coach?
Like it's this weird middling period right now
where there's obviously there's student athletes.
But like you said, they're basically like employees.
Like, do you think that marriage will get a little
bit closer sometime soon? Are we still part of
the NCAA? Yes, we are, coach. Okay, then I have
no idea. And neither do they. You know, it's
like, you know, you've heard the term, hey, it's
day -to -day. I think with the NCAA, it's day
-to -day. They don't know what the heck they're
doing most of the time. And so if you would have
told me five years ago, we'd be at where we're
at now, I'd say, well, you're crazy. So I have
no idea what the next two, three, four, five
years look like. I would like to think that,
you know, since we are paying these, these players
that we could do similar to what the, uh, uh,
you know, the, the, the pro leagues do, they
have their summer workouts and, uh, OTAs, whatever
they, they call those things and, you know, make
it call it what it is, right? Call it what it
is. They still get a lot of time off in the summer,
but I don't know. I hate. I hate to push that
aside. I can't answer that question. No, it's
fine, coach. The big kahuna, Kelly Graves, joining
us here. Women's basketball at the University
of Oregon has been on just a tear, and we think
it's going to continue into this next season,
2026 -27. So, coach, can you share a little bit
or what you can share about maybe the challenge
that you issued to the Katy Fisos, the... that's
coming back. Those are going to be your leaders.
I mean, is there a theme? Is there an edict with
your exit interviews and what the expectations
are, especially with those core players coming
back? Yeah, one of the things that we really
want to focus this year and and certainly this
offseason just a lot more disciplined Approach
to how we teach how they interact with each other,
you know all those kind of things Yeah, there's
there's no question. We're asking a lot of you
know, you mentioned Sophia Bell I mean, she's
been in the program longer than anybody and and
it's been such a solid player for us But players
like you he said to day and and Katie fee So
they've got to step up into a different role
leadership role. They've You've got to push the
rest of them. They have a good work ethic and
they're into the gym all the time. I tell Katie,
I say, Katie, that's great. You're always in
the gym, but how about bringing a teammate with
you, a different teammate each and every time
so that they're getting in and putting in that
work. We're in a good spot. We have some talent.
We have experience. We have expectations. I think
we're, you know, we're kind of program right
now that can, you know, our goal is going to
be to be a top four seed and host. And I think
that's well within our reach. But we've got some
work to do. There's no question about it. So
and quite an honor for Katie Fiso in the offseason.
In fact, she's still competing and it winds up
I think on Friday in Chile as she was named to
the 2026 USA three on three Women's Nation Leagues
team that's competing in the FIBA three on three
Nations League America's Conference. So I mean,
is there a part of you though? Coach was like,
just please stay healthy. Don't do it because
she is such a she is such a competitor. man,
you put a ball in her hand and she's a warrior.
I mean, it's a great honor. I know you have to
be proud. Oh, really I'm proud and we've been
following her journey. She's played well. She's
been their best player In this in this tournament
Chile, you know, I spent a year and a half of
my life down there Yeah, Santiago and love it.
But Yeah, that and it was a qualifier for the
world championships, which will be held in Wuhan
China I don't think I'm gonna be going there
But yeah, it's you know, I coached The USA, U18
and U19 basketball teams, and we won a couple
of gold medals. We won the world championship
in 2013 in Lithuania. And there's nothing I think
better than playing for your country. So yeah,
you worry about injuries, but at the same time,
that doesn't overshadow, or I shouldn't say overshadow,
that doesn't trump. Being being on a national
team, so I'm so happy for her. I know she's tired
Yeah, she's ready to come home, and she'll be
home for several weeks before they have to go
again You know to China, but yeah, she's doing
well and and listen you guys I it's gonna only
help her next year great give her a ton more
confidence Yeah, and I'm with you on watching
players play for their country. It's one of the
reasons why I've been super tapped into the World
Cup. Danny knows that he can't get me to stop
talking about it. Never. Just on and on and on.
You guys, I love the World Cup. I can't wait
for the match tonight. Me too. No, neither. I
love it, too. I mean, Justin seems like I'm over
like I'm waving a stick like grumpy old man.
I love the World Cup, too. We are the fastest
60 minutes, so we don't have as much time to
talk about it as I might like. But I seriously
love it. In terms of this team that we've talked
about the returners and it's something that I
know that in your program, it's a point of pride
for you guys and the development of players over
the course of multiple years. But we also know
the realities of college sports at this point
that it is almost a year by year basis. These
relationships with players have become more and
more transactional. My question to you, coach,
is can you plan for two or three years at a time
at this point in college sports? You talked about
even just things outside of just players. Is
that even realistic? Unknown to this point. Can
you plan ahead like two to three years at this
point? Well, sure, I I think you can I mean you're
not guaranteed that next two or three years like
you kind of used to be but we recruit freshmen
and we have four freshmen coming in and I'm assuming
at some point we may lose one or two or maybe
all of them I don't know, but you don't go in
thinking that I think that You know that kind
of negative thought process isn't good for anybody,
but I still believe in the old style of doing
things. I think it's worthwhile to really build
those deep relationships and coach someone for
three or four or five years now with the new
change. So yeah, I go in thinking, yes, this
player is going to be part of our program and
we hope to build around them and other pieces.
But then you guys know that can go to heck in
a hand basket pretty quick, you know, if they
want to see, you know, greener pastures or get
more playing time or whatever the case may be.
record -setting coach. It's Kelly Graves joining
us for the last time on the Danny and Justin
radio program. We call him the Big Kahuna as
we wind up things here on a Wednesday. Big announcement
coming in the next segment. You want to stay
by your radio's. Coach, I know besides being
a great coach and a great mentor, you are a dad,
a dad and a husband first. So you got to be really
proud of your son Will who was a graduate assistant
at Florida and was on the floor for Magic in
Gatorland, but he's coming closer to home. Coming
to Portland State, you got to be awfully proud
as he gets his first assistant coaching job.
Excited, proud, humbled, happy. You know, it's...
Yeah, it's really neat. You know, he's quite
had quite a ride in 2021 he or 2019 he went to
the final four as a son with us Yeah, and then
2021 while playing at Gonzaga He went to a final
four and then obviously they went to a final
four and won the national championship of Florida
as a coach So yeah, he's had quite a career and
now this is his first full -time job, and I'm
really proud of him. I think that's a good program.
That head coach has done a nice job. They won
the regular season last year, and yeah, and he's
back close to home. And so, yep, so he's now
in the business full -time. My son Jack, longtime
assistant over there at Lane, is coaching, and
my oldest son back east in Baltimore, he's coaching
a club team. in basketball. So all three of them
are coaches in some form or fashion at some level.
It's in the grave's blood, man. You got the bloodline
going, man. That's great. You got the coaching
tree right there in the family. So with Will,
is he going to come home and bring his laundry
home for mom to do, or is he going to be able
to do it on his own? You know what? He's really
independent. And you guys, I didn't make a call.
He didn't use my name or anything. This was,
he did this. I'm so proud of him. And he's gonna
do an awesome job. And he's already there working
and he loves it. And he's the kind of kid that,
like you said, it's in his blood. He's first
to get there, last to leave. That's just kind
of who he is, always has been. And I don't want
to get too sentimental here, coach, but I did
want to take a second because you're here on
the program with us and it is our last time.
And just thank you for being here on the program
with us. I just want to give you a little background.
For me, I started really following women's basketball
during my tenure at the University of Oregon.
I got there in 2017. I saw those great teams
culminating in that 2020 team, which I really
think would have won an actual championship.
They would have won. I really believe that that
was the best team in college basketball that
year. And just the fact that you were on our
program and the fact that you even know who I
am means a lot to me and the fact that you actually
listen to our program means a lot to me so I
just want to take a second to thank you and thank
you for your influence that you had on me of
the love of the women's game which I think that
you know I feel so silly to go so late in my
life to not be into the women's game but you
know I'm happy to to spread the word and just
wanted to thank you for that. Well, I appreciate
that, and you guys really, I thank you for what
you do. You know, it's really important, especially
a good local show like this that covers local
sports, and you know, you're every bit as important
to the fabric of the Eugene community as the
University of Oregon, because... uh you know
you guys are talking sports what a great job
i'm jealous by the way if i ever leave coaching
i would love to do what you guys do to be honest
with you it's a lot of fun talking sports you
already listen we saw each other at shadow hills
and you told me that same thing he says when
i'm finally done with this i said coach you got
a job whenever you want it it's yours yeah if
you need a sub i'm the writing all right bullpen
bring me in for a day all I'll come in and yuck
it up with you. Beautiful. Coach, enjoy the rest
of your week. Enjoy the 4th of July weekend with
the family. Go hit them straight and hard and
long. And again, thank you again for all of your
kindness to us and our program. We love you.
Thanks, Coach. You got it, fellas. Love you,
too. Good luck. There he goes. The great Kelly
Graves, the big kahuna on the Danny and Justin
radio program. Getting a little misty -eyed for
the last time. All right. I promised you a big
announcement, a massive announcement, a huge
announcement, and I am not underselling it. Stay
tuned. In about three minutes, we will unveil
all. I'm going to get Steve Woodward, the owner
of Core, in the studio next on the Danny and
Justin radio program. Big thanks once again to
the Big Kahuna, Kelly Graves, for joining us.
What a great segment that was. And right before
that, we had Angie Machado from Bieber's Blitz.
What a cavalcade of stars we've had this past
week. I mean, everyone comes out of the woodwork
when Danny and Justin say we're going to leave.
I don't know what that is, but you know, it's
great. Max Torres on the program tomorrow. Lots
of really good recruiting information and some
more information coming out for Oregon football.
So we'll talk about that tomorrow right on the
program. And then Friday, don't forget one to
four at The Graduate. We will have, you wanna
talk about cavalcade of stars. We got our lineup
finally set. We will bang it out from one to
four. Last hour on the program, we're gonna have
two special final guests on the show, and then
we'll close it out with Big Bet, just like I
always do on Friday. And then we're done. The
after party up at Laura Wood, everyone's invited.
We're not gonna have Blaze at the door. Maybe
we will. You know what, Blaze? Maybe you can
wear something nice, like you can rock the fedora
and stand at the door and welcome people in at
Laura Wood. He can be like the bodyguard. Is
he even old enough to be there? He is. We've
actually had a beverage at Laurelwood. Oh, my.
I didn't check his ID, but I didn't have to.
Ross did. He looks like you need to check his
ID. So Friday, 430 until about 6, because the
Pre -Fontaine Classic, and by the way, if you're
driving up and down around Hayward Field, it's
all blocked off because of the Pre. They got
all the, you know, TV trucks in there and everything
else. So just keep that in mind traffic -wise.
Belgium and Senegal it Belgium just scored they
did it's 2 -1 now 85th minute. It's not interesting
It is back to interesting now, you know, this
is not where like you can pull the goalie, right?
Eventually, they will they probably yeah Isn't
that like you have to sub on though, it's not
like the goalie can Run to the other end and
try to get a header or something like that if
it's the last minute he'll play He'll stay on
the pitch. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's do or die.
I haven't watched that part of it I think that
might happen here in a few minutes. Okay, so
the Belgians are back within one in World Cup.
This has been enjoyable. All right, so I promised
everybody big news. I'm going to turn the microphone
over to the owner of KORE Broadcasting and also
Central Coast Broadcasting on the coast. It's
KMCU. We're not going to forget them at 927.
Did you know Steve Woodward is joining us? Did
you know? That was the same frequency that I
had in Salina, Kansas, and I had it called 92
.7, the fan. No. And that was the first all -FM
sports talk station that I signed on in Kansas,
just about 20 miles outside of Manhattan. And
KNCU is the first all -FM sports station on the
coast. There you go. And we're welcoming Steve
Woodward for our announcement here on the radio
program. I'll just say first, and then I'll let
you grab it here, is that you and I met, and
I had to remind you of this the other day, you
and I met, it had to have been over 10 years
ago. When did you buy Core? June of 2016, so
it's been 10 years. 10 years. Yeah. I met you
right before, because you were working at KLSR.
Yep. And I met you right before that, and I knew
you were buying it. And you and I went out to
Chicken Bones. And we sat, and we had a meal.
One of my favorite places. It is. What a great
advertiser. And you were telling me about your
plans, and I was just like, dude, I love it.
Absolutely love it, because you were going to
sign on a second sports station in the market,
take everybody by storm. And this is now the
number one, the most listened to sports station
in the Willamette Valley. And it's been built
by your sweat, blood, tears, a lot of hours,
88, 85. I'm not exaggerating, folks. pretty much
when the doors are open and even when they're
closed and the lights are dark except for one
office, Steve Woodward's been here. So congratulations
on building something up that we've been able
to play with as a toy on the Danny and Justin
radio program these past couple of years. Thank
you, thank you. A little interesting history.
Sure, lay it on us. So next year... KORE turns
100 years old. Oh wow, I didn't know that. So
in 1927 KORE signed on in Portland and in 1928
it moved to Eugene. Okay. And a little history
on top of that KORE broadcasts the Tall Furs
Championship in 1939. Wow! That's fantastic.
Oh, we got a lot of history we can we can talk
about here in that we got one minute A little
more history so when I bought the station in
2016 it the prior 50 years it had been a Religious
ministry station right known by the Knight family.
Yeah, and I was working at KLSR and the Knight
family decided to retire and they said basically
We've got offers from everybody on the table,
but we want to sell it to you Because we know
you're gonna keep it local and you're gonna do
something with it. Yeah, and So I went to my
wife and I said I want to do this. Shout out
to Neil. Yeah to Neil I Worked my butt off at
the University of Oregon student radio station
I had started it as one of the people that got
it on the air and to Neil was like, okay, I want
Forecasts I want market analysis. I want three
weeks three weeks to get her to convince me to
Buy the station before she finally said yes.
Mm -hmm went into the bank I got approved in
15 minutes at the bank. It was harder to convince
my wife to buy the station than it was a bank.
And now after 10 years, I'm selling KORE. I'm
going to keep it with local ownership and that
local ownership happens to be sitting in the
room. And that's the reason why I'm selling it
because I know that Danny is going to be a very
good caretaker. of this station moving forward.
At least you better, because if not, I'm gonna
come back and do some of that. He'll be like
Jacob Marley with rattling chains. That's right.
I thought when you said that for a second, I
was looking over at Justin and say, Justin, did
you buy the radio station? No. And so after 10
years and an awful lot of work, I know it's gonna
be in good hands. Well, I appreciate that, Steve,
and it is. I consider myself a guardian. of what
it's gonna be, and there's gonna be improvement.
Because I don't have anything to do with the
foundation that's been laid and the growth. I
mean, it's like, to me, it's like the solid foundation
and all the walls are up, now I'm gonna put a
roof on it. And that's where, and I'm glad you
said the 100 years. folks, you're going to hear
a lot of changes. You're going to have more local.
Steve, your tireless work has gotten the station
to this point. But I think both you and I, when
we had our discussions about this, you're a great
builder. And I can kind of put all the sconces
and the pretty things around it, because that's
where my passion is as well. So I appreciate
that you're trusting me with this. I'm not going
to let anybody down, especially you. I'm not
worried. I'm not. And I'm going to have a lot
of fun on the coast with KNCU. So yeah, and we're
going to help. We're going to help with all that
because we're going to be on the coast as well.
So that's the big announcement. Number one, we're
going to do Dad Joke in a second. We're going
to let Steve do the Dad Joke. OK. Announcement
number two is that, yes, there's only two more
days left in the Danny and Justin radio program.
I want you to tune out on Friday for yet another
announcement that we'll have on Friday on the
Danny and Justin radio program. But now that's
the big one. Yes, as of today, my family. And
by the way, you want to talk about thanks. I
want to give a big shout out. I had to spend
hours. Actually, I did. My wife, Deb, is the
most important thing in my life. My family, my
daughter, Abigail, my sons, Tyler and John. This
is now going to be another child for me. So and
I will treat it with care. And I can respect
that and appreciate it for sure. All right. Let's
let Steve do the dad joke. All right. All right.
A joke. I got a fire from the bank today. A woman
asked me to check her balance. So I pushed her.
I used to play piano by ear. Now I use my hands.
That was a good delivery. Okay. You know what?
That was not a shot. Yeah, no, it was kind of
a shot. Kind of a shot. Kind of a shot. I don't
get that. What I normally get is the eye roll,
the groan, everything else. I do my best. You
know what? I do my best. I don't want to have
to pull out the boss card. I will. I have to.
He can now. See, it's no longer me you're having
to worry about with these things. That's true.
Thanks for power. Kids, as always, Steve, thank
you. My pleasure, and I'm looking forward to
seeing what you do. So do I. I look forward to
seeing what I'm going to do. Me too. Yeah, we
got plans. We got plans, kids. All right. Tomorrow
on the program, Max Torres. There it is. The
news is out. Staying with local ownership, KORE
in the Eugene Market. KMCU stays with Steve Woodward.
So enjoy us both here on the coast and... in
the Willamette Valley. God bless. Be well. Put
a smile on your face as someone else's. They
deserve it. So do you for the entire crew. Peace.