The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

According to the NCAA, only 3 percent of high school football players make it to Division 1. And of those players, less than 2 percent make it to the NFL. Getting there is hard enough. Locking down one of only 32 long snapper spots seems impossible. So how did Brett Goode go from snapping against the goal posts in high school to walking on at Arkansas, lasting a decade in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl title? To him, it was just hard work and a determination to live out a life-long dream. And along the way, he got to be a part of some incredible moments at Arkansas, and was a part of some incredible teams. That helped prepare him for the NFL: His first game was Aaron Rodgers' debut with the Packers on Monday Night Football. That game was the first of 152 in the NFL for Goode, who won a Super Bowl along the way. It's a storybook career for a guy who found a niche in high school and worked hard to become one of the 32 best in the world.

Hayden Henry understands that he's probably not the first member of the Henry family that comes to your mind. You might think of his older brother, Hunter, a tight end for the New England Patriots. Or Hudson, his younger brother and tight end for the Razorbacks. Or maybe even his dad, Mark, a pastor in Little Rock and former Razorback himself. But now, Hayden is making a name all on his own. And when he hears his name called, he's reminded his final season as a Hog almost never happened. When you want something bad enough, you're going to put in the work. And Hayden has done that, going from walk-on, to scholarship player, to SEC Defensive Player of the Week. But perhaps most importantly, he has the trust of his teammates. Playing for Arkansas has been a source of pride for the Henry family. And now Hayden is making the Razorback family proud.

Arkansas running back Trelon Smith is on a path to be a big-time playmaker for the Razorbacks. But if it wasn't for football, his life might've taken a different turn. A Texas high school football standout, the sport gave him the opportunity he wanted. But after a couple of seasons at Arizona State, Smith entered the transfer portal—landing him an Arkansas offer he was quick to accept. It might not have been that easy at first. He had to sit out a year due to transfer rules. And he was behind Rakeem Boyd on the depth chart. But he knew he'd get his chance. And when the chance came, Smith was ready, piling up 710 yards on just 134 carries in 2020. Had football not kept Smith on the right path, Arkansas may never have been in the picture. Now, he's looking to become the next Razorback 1,000-yard rusher.

Make no mistake: Sam Pittman is fired up to be Arkansas' head coach. And that passion for the Razorbacks has united the state behind the Head Hog, led to T-shirts and catch phrases, and has Razorback fans excited to see what's next after a solid debut season. While it's refreshing—and incredibly important—to have a head coach who embraces the state and relates to the people the way Pittman has, it's not the only thing that matters. This is a proud program that wants to win games. And Pittman knows it. As he continues to revive a program—and a fan base—that's starving for success, Year 2 can be a major step in the right direction.

Ask most Razorback fans, and they'll tell you that Year 1 under Sam Pittman was a resounding success. There were SEC wins—something the Razorbacks had gone two full seasons without—but more than that, the fight, effort and toughness had returned to a proud Arkansas program. The season wasn't without its ups and downs, but Pittman took it all in stride and wouldn't change a thing. He knows there's a lot to build on. And so as Pittman and his staff enter Year 2 at Arkansas, where are the Razorbacks in the building process? And what has he been pleased with? Under Pittman's leadership, Arkansas seems well on its way to making the state proud of Razorback football once again.

When it comes to new Razorback tight ends coach Dowell Loggains, you'd be forgiven for thinking time is a flat circle. Yes, he's back at Arkansas, where his football dream began. But that's about it when it comes to history repeating itself—he's no longer a backup quarterback or holder extraordinaire. No, he's an accomplished and well-traveled coach, who has led offenses at the highest level in the game. That resume has granted Loggains incredible opportunities and a great career in the NFL. But there's always just been something about Arkansas. Coaching football has been a dream for Loggains, one that's brought him back home to Arkansas. And it's the guys like him—those who desperately want to be Razorbacks—who end up having the biggest impact.

Casey Dick had some huge moments in his Arkansas career. He took down Tennessee when College GameDay came to town. He had back-to-back legendary victories over LSU—including a triple OT win & the Miracle on Markham 2. But his career wasn't all big moments. He was in the middle of one of the biggest QB controversies in Razorback history when Mitch Mustain came to campus. On top of that, he went through one of the most drastic coaching changes a quarterback could imagine when Bobby Petrino took over for Houston Nutt. Dick went through it all and came out with a career that may not have been filled with Hall of Fame numbers, but was made up of Hall of Fame moments. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

Arkansas wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton has had a rapid rise through the coaching ranks of college football, landing his first Division 1 assistant job before he turned 30. But before he was a coach, he was a boy who wanted to make his dad proud playing the sport he loved. After being lost on the depth chart at Ohio State, he began to stray from the ideals and work ethic his father had instilled in him. He hit a crossroads—continue down his path and likely transfer, or redefine himself and return to his roots. The change in perspective changed the trajectory of his career on and off the field, and led him to the path he's found himself on today. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

When people in the basketball world hear the name Keith Smart, they think of the Indiana guard that made 'The Shot' to win a national title, a long-time NBA coach and a former JUCO star. But apart from all of his on-court accolades, Keith Smart is something more. He's a cancer survivor. We sat down with Coach Smart to talk about how battling and beating a rare form of skin cancer changed his perspective on life and coaching forever. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

NCAA Champion. World Champion. Olympic silver medalist. All of these things describe former Arkansas track star and professional pole vaulter Sandi Morris. Before she arrived on the Hill, she was just a little girl who paid a boy a quarter to race her, and fell in love with track forever. Morris' journey at Arkansas and professionally has been a ride: From finding a coach that changed the entire approach to the sport, to helping the Hogs win their first-ever national title in a women's sport and breaking a bone in her hand eight weeks before her first Olympic trials. They all culminated into the moment that has fueled her every day since 2016: a split second of feeling what it was like to be a gold medalist before the bar fell on her final jump in Rio. We sat down with Sandi as she prepared for the Tokyo Olympics to tell her story as she vaults for another chance at gold in 2021. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

Heading into the 2020-21 school year, no one even knew if college sports were going to be a thing. But universities found a way to safely allow their student-athletes to compete in the sports they love. Arkansas excelled in that area: Despite millions in revenue loss and the safety concerns that came with the pandemic, the Razorbacks were successful both on and off the playing field. We sat down with Arkansas Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek to break down how Arkansas navigated a global pandemic and achieved unprecedented success along the way. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

The 2020-21 athletic year was one of unprecedented success across Razorback sports: 10 SEC Championships, 10 SEC Coach of the Year awards, eight top-10 finishes, All-Americans, a national player of the year, a program of the year award and a national title. Of Arkansas' 19 programs, 18 made post-season appearances. We sit down with Arkansas Director of Athletics, Hunter Yurachek, and take a look back at an incredible season and what went into making it happen—as well as looking forward to what it means for the future of Razorback sports. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

Arkansas baseball had an incredible year: they broke program records, won an outright SEC Title for the first time under Dave Van Horn, won the SEC Tournament for the first time in history and had the most dominant player in the country. It was a season to remember that ended just short of Omaha. The Razorback skipper takes us behind the scenes of how everything went down and answers some burning questions: what did he tell Kevin Kopps when he took him out in the 9th inning vs. NC State? What was really behind the spat between him and Tony Vitello in Knoxville? What was he thinking in the game one blowout vs. the Wolfpack? And most importantly, where does he go from here? He answers it all in this week's episode. Want more? Follow The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly on social media. Twitter: @TheHogPod Instagram: @TheHogPod Facebook: facebook.com/thehogpod

Arkansas is widely known as "The Track Capital of the World" and has attracted some of the top talents, including distance star Katie Izzo. But Izzo's journey to national success included more than just a bump in the road. How? Well, while at Cal Poly, Izzo broke her leg in the middle of a race, leaving her stranded on the course before help finally came. After having a metal rod inserted in her leg and two years without competition, she found her way to Fayetteville where she came back with a fury—blasting past her personal bests, qualifying for Olympic trials and helping Arkansas win its first-ever cross country national championship. This is how Katie Izzo took the worst thing that could happen to a runner and became a champion.

Johnny Ray & legendary head coach Norm DeBriyn take us through the story of two-time all-Southwest Conference performer. Johnny Ray, an MLB All-Star & Silver Slugger award winner has one of the most storied careers in Razorback history. The JUCO transfer struggled early in his life after losing his father in an accident while in college. The tragedy shaped Ray into the person and player he came to be. He helped build the bedrock of Arkansas baseball as he helped take the Hogs to their first-ever College World Series appearance, coming up just short of a national title. Ray transitioned his success into the big leagues, being named the MLB Rookie of the Year. But to Ray, the success was not his alone—he wanted to give back to the program & coach that had meant so much to him. Ray and some fellow teammates came together and self-funded a project to add lights to George Cole Field—a move that helped shape the future of Arkansas baseball. Johnny Ray's footprint on the Razorback program can not be understated and echoes to this day.

Kevin Kopps has been a Razorback for six years, but his final season with the Diamond Hogs is one for the history books—and so is his story. The sixth-year senior and pitching coach Matt Hobbs take us through Kopps' journey—how reaching out to Arkansas himself as a high school pitcher, experiencing one of the worst years of his life, and considering not returning for the 2021 season all led to him becoming the best pitcher in college baseball.

Arkansas fans never expected to have their starting catcher behind the plate this season. Heading into the 2020 campaign, Casey Optiz was expected to go pro following the season. But after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season abruptly, the standout catcher was given an option to return to the Hill for one final year. Opitz takes us inside his decision and what this unexpected season has meant to him.

MLB All-Star catcher Tom Pagnozzi spent one season at Arkansas in 1983. Before that year, he had never caught a game in his life. Former Razorback coach Norm DeBriyn took a chance on a guy transitioning to a new position and it changed the trajectory of his career forever. Pags went on to catch for 12 years in the Majors with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning three Golden Glove Awards. After an illustrious career, he chose to come back to where his catching career started, Fayetteville, Ark. He never lost his love for the game, spent years fundraising for the Razorback baseball program and helped develop a local charity for underprivileged youth in sports.

Christian Franklin was a preseason All-American and is a projected first-round draft pick for the 2021 MLB draft—but players like him don't come around that often. Coming to Arkansas from Kansas, Franklin brought an unmatched love for the game and a commitment to one thing: being the best. From his dedication and preparation to his study of the game, he's a unique player. Franklin had big shoes to fill as a center fielder for the Hogs following names like Fletcher and Benintendi—but he never shied away from expectation. He came in and made a splash for the Hogs almost immediately, helping to lead his first squad to Omaha in 2019. Then when COVID hit in 2020 and the facilities shut down, he and Robert Moore would meet up and jump fences at high school fields just to get their reps in. Nothing keeps Christian Franklin from success, and no one works harder to achieve it than this Arkansas outfielder.

There are two things Robert Moore has been around for most of his life: baseball and winning. The son of Royals general manager Dayton Moore, Robert grew up on the diamond and has been a part of everything from an All-Star Game to a World Series win. And when you're around ballparks and baseball all the time, it gives you an identity early in life. But what happens when you lose that identity? It was early on in Moore's freshman year when he had that crisis. So how did he overcome it and become such an impact player for the Diamond Hogs? Now, Moore is thriving at Arkansas. He became the first Razorback to hit for the cycle since 1994, and has emerged as a fan-favorite for one of the best programs in college baseball. And for the guy known to Razorback fans as Big Shot Bob, he's just getting started.

In college athletics, the head coach is the unquestioned leader and face of the program. Most assistant coaches are completely anonymous. But that's not the case for Arkansas women's golf coach Shauna Taylor and assistant Mike Adams. You don't get one without the other. The friendship dates back to Taylor's days in junior golf, when Adams was her instructor, and continued through her college and professional playing career. And it was Adams who was there for support when Taylor's playing days came to a premature end. But getting into coaching has been one of the best decisions of Taylor's life. And when she was chosen to lead Arkansas' program in 2007, she knew who to call. Over the past 14 years, the successes have been impressive, and include an SEC title and 13 straight NCAA Regional appearances. Friends through thick and thin, Taylor and Adams have built a successful program and culture at Arkansas.

There is one thing no coach ever wants to do: follow a legend. The pressure to succeed is unmatched, and many coaches aren't able to escape the shadow left behind. But that's exactly what Chris Bucknam did. The Arkansas men's track & field coach did what most would believe to be impossible—he took over for the most successful coach in NCAA history and was able to find success. Why did he want the job? How was he able to carry on and build on the success of John McDonnell? Chris Bucknam opens up about what it's like to follow a legend.

Charles "Bubba" Carpenter, a Northwest Arkansas native, grew up in small towns south of Fayetteville—something he never let affect his baseball dreams. From practicing with his dad on a small field in Winslow, AR to being called up to the big leagues—baseball has always been the center of his life. Bubba was a 3-time All-Southwest Conference player at Arkansas. Though successful with the Hogs, he didn't have an illustrious pro career. Bubba signed as an amateur free agent with the Yankee's organization in 1991. He then slaved away in the minor leagues for 9 years before finally being called up to the big leagues—a day he reflects on as one of the greatest in his life. Bubba's is a story of perseverance paying off every step along the way.

Brady Toops owns one of, if not the most well-known and monumental moments in Baum-Walker Stadium since its construction. Toops' grand slam vs. Wichita State in 2004 has stood as a defining moment for Arkansas baseball. Being a part of such a shining moment fits Toops very well. He has always possessed an intrigue for the spotlight—from appearing on TV at the CWS, playing minor league baseball, to a reality television show appearance, to traveling the world as a musician, he's done a little bit of everything. But after always chasing the spotlight in what he thought was happiness, his whole understanding of success collapsed. He hit his rock bottom and has since gone on a voyage to find a deep understanding of life, success and self.

The Arkansas men's basketball team had a historic season—the likes Hog fans hadn't seen since its hay day in the 90s—and it was one to remember. Eric Musselman's second season with the Razorbacks had it all: tough losses, a team gut check, come from behind victories, historic runs, the highest seeded NCAA bid in over 20 years and an Elite Eight appearance. We sat down with Coach Muss to talk about the amazing season and what his vision for his team is moving forward.

Senior shortstop Braxton Burnside is Arkansas' single-season home run leader and the glue that holds the Razorback softball team together. But it took her a while to find a home with the Hogs. The small-town Paragould, Ark., native set the high school home run record in the state, but was passed over by the Hogs during the recruiting process, only ever receiving a single letter from her home-state team. Without much interest from her dream school and a strong desire to play in the SEC, Burnside committed to Missouri, where she found success. After a coaching change in Columbia, she decided to transfer, and only had eyes for the Razorbacks. After sitting out her transfer year and a season cut short by Covid-19, Burnside still found a way to write her name in the Razorback record books. This is the story of how a small-town Arkansan—who only ever wanted to be a Hog—found her way home.

Nate Thompson is considered by many to be perhaps the best hitting coach in NCAA baseball. During his time at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have led the SEC in nearly every offensive category and have produced first round talent such as Heston Kjerstad. His success started from unlikely beginnings, as Thompson never played a single baseball game in high school. But Thompson always knew he wanted to be a coach, so he climbed the coaching ranks and found himself among the best in the business. What brought Thompson to Arkansas, and how did he become one of the best in the business?

Arkansas fifth-year senior guard Destiny Slocum had several stops before landing on the Hill. The Idaho native spent a year at Maryland, where she was National Freshman of the Year. Then she went back west to play at Oregon State for two seasons, where she earned two-time All-American honors. But her cross-country playing career wasn't always what she envisioned: The inconsistency mirrored a childhood plagued by instability. Growing up, her mother battled breast cancer while raising Slocum and her four siblings practically by herself. With a father in and out of the home and a mother scraping by to give her five children a life, Slocum created a path for herself playing basketball, but let the uncertainty at home guide her every decision, including where to attend school. Slocum always felt the duty to put her family first over doing what was best for her as an individual. This is the story of how Destiny Slocum found her own voice and eventually found her home at the University of Arkansas.

Kayla Green is the starting catcher for the Razorback softball team and one of Arkansas' top talents—but it was a long road to get here. Growing up with parents struggling with addiction, Kayla's childhood norm was waking up every day not knowing if there would be food to eat. She stepped into a parental role for her two younger siblings before she was even a teenager. And for Kayla, there was only ever one true escape from her reality: softball. When she was 14 years old, her mother was arrested for breaking her parole, and Kayla's long-time softball coach, Brian Jendro and his wife Nicole, decided to take her in. The Jendros provided Kayla with stability and opportunity she never had before, and she was able to achieve her softball dreams—committing to play at Arkansas with a full scholarship. She achieved her goals on the field, but not without learning to heal the scars of her past along the way.

Todd Schaefer is the associate head coach of the Razorback women's basketball team. Throughout his 20+ year career he's done it all: high school, JUCO, D1, assistant coach, head coach, he was even on the scout team for his college football team – all of which perfectly prepared him for a career he never even knew he wanted. Growing up, Schaefer always thought he would be a lawyer, but coaching opportunities fell into his lap. Along his way Schaefer lost his mother to cancer, was mentored by legendary coaches and met a lifelong friend, Mike Neighbors. The two formed a lifelong friendship bonded over basketball and life, always hoping to one day work together. The two got their chance at Washington, where Schaefer joined Neighbor's staff to develop one of the best players in the nation, Kelsey Plum. After a season with the Huskies, he followed Neighbors to Arkansas. An unexpected 20+ year career in coaching, touching every level in the game, learning every step of the way-culminates to a spot at Arkansas helping his lifelong friend reach heights they used to dream about together.

A year ago, Justin Smith was finishing up his junior season at Indiana. Today, he is a standout on the court and team leader for the Arkansas Razorbacks. After graduating in three years with a degree from IU's prestigious Kelley School of Business, Smith was looking for the next spot to take his game to the next level. Coach Musselman immediately impressed Smith. Even though Arkansas wasn't even originally on his radar, they became the frontrunners quickly. What is it about Musselman's program that enticed a Big Ten native to take his talents to the SEC? Smith adds insight into the mind of a transfer, what goes into the process and just what gave Musselman the ultimate edge.

In the last few decades Arkansas baseball has risen from practicing on the old fair grounds in North Fayetteville into a national powerhouse, winning regionals and making frequent trips to Omaha. But what does it take to get there? Great coaches, players, winning and facilities all play a part. The Hogs weren't always postseason regulars. That changed with the Brady Toops grand slam in 2004 that helped Arkansas to its first trip to Omaha under Van Horn. That College World Series appearance increased statewide exposure and popularity, but what took it to the next level was investing in stadium expansions and state of the art facilities to bring in top recruits. Of course, no program can rise without the right person at the helm. We talked to head coach Dave Van Horn, legendary Razorback coach Norm DeBriyn, voice of the Razorbacks Chuck Barrett, former radio analyst Rick Schaeffer, and a fan who's been there through it all—Hognoxious. This is the rise of a program. This is baseball.

Christy Smith is the first name that comes to mind when most Razorback fans think of Arkansas women's basketball. In 1998, the ninth-seeded Hogs, led by Smith, played Cinderella and made it to their first and only Final Four. This is Smith's story: One of how a little girl growing up in the cornfields of Indiana—who picked basketball over cheerleading in first grade and was recruited to Arkansas with an ear of corn—became the first-ever Razorback freshman to start at point guard, and, eventually, the most storied player in Arkansas program history.

Jeremiah Bonsu, a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas, isn't your typical story of the great player who decided to go into coaching once their illustrious career was complete - it is quite the opposite. Bonsu barely made his high school team his senior season. He only had one point to his name his entire career. How did a player that barely saw the floor in high school end up on a D1 basketball team, and is now looking at a promising coaching career? Bonsu's story is a whirlwind tale full of failure, chance and perseverance - finding out a little about himself along the way.

Amber Shirey has been the glue for Arkansas women's basketball for over 30 years. From her small-town roots in Newark, AR, to writing her name in the Razorback record books, to recruiting some of the program's most notable players as an assistant coach, to serving as director of operations; there isn't a part of the women's program that Amber Shirey hasn't touched. For a pinnacle of a program, she is the last person who would boast about her success. Her humility has guided her to become a quiet but strong leader who everyone looks up to.

Student coach, Khalil Garland always wanted to play for the Razorbacks and was one of the top prospects in the state when he arrived at Arkansas in 2017. After undergoing his first routine physical with the team he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition -- ending his playing career forever. Garland had to change his plans and find a new dream. This is the story of how he turned a career ending medical diagnosis into a new dream and purpose - while gaining a new perspective on life.

Four years ago, Arkansas was picked 14th in the SEC. Now, they've started the season ranked 14th in the country, their highest ranking since 2003. How has Mike Neighbors turned the Razorback women's basketball program around and taken it from being one of the worst programs in the league to one of the best? And what does he have in store for the future?

He's a legit four-star prospect, had offers from some of the best programs in college basketball, and is playing like one of the best freshmen in the country. But there's something bigger at play here than just basketball for Moses Moody. He wants to have an impact—both on and off the court. Moody "gets it," and understands that there is power in the path he chooses to follow. How'd he get this wise-beyond-his-years perspective? It's rooted in his family life, but also in having to deal with big expectations from a young age. Those expectations took him from state champion at North Little Rock High School to prep school star at Montverde Academy. And even though Moody spent some time away from his home state, he's motivated to make sure people know exactly what Arkansas is all about. With his talents—both on and off the court—Moody will be putting on a show for years to come.

The first thing you notice about Connor Vanover is the first thing everyone notices about Connor Vanover: He's tall. Really tall. But there's more to Vanover than just his height—he's got serious game, too. It's unusual, but it works: He's a 7'3" big man who shoots it like a guard, at a career rate of nearly 40 percent from deep. And that's not the only usual thing about Vanover's journey, which took a roundabout path to Arkansas. After a stop at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, Vanover ended up at Cal. And just as things were starting to come together late in his freshman season, his coach got fired. Enter Eric Musselman and his staff, who convinced him to play for his home-state team, and follow in the footsteps of his mom—who holds the single-game blocks record for the Razorback women's basketball team. Vanover has his sights set high. And at 7-foot-3, he might be close enough to reach them.

He's only been a full-time starter for a year, but Jalen Catalon has already become a fan favorite for his big plays—and even bigger hits. The redshirt freshman is already invoking memories of some of the safeties to ever play for the Razorbacks: Names like Atwater, Kennedy, Hamlin and Bua. And it's with good reason. Catalon is the first SEC freshman since Eric Berry in 2007 to record at least 86 tackles and three interceptions in a season. And if 2020 was a full, 12-game season, there'd be several freshman records in jeopardy. But, like the season, Catalon's journey has been anything but normal. Just like at Arkansas, Catalon got off to a fast start at the high school level, setting a school record for tackles in just his third game. He would play both safety and quarterback as a junior, earn Texas defensive player of the year honors, and earn a 4-star ranking. But then, just one game into his senior season, a torn ACL ended his high school career, one which some said could have been among the best in the state's storied history. It was devastating. Catalon's 'why' is to be one of the best. And if he has his way, this is a story that's just getting started.

When you're as multitalented as Eddie Jackson, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you want to do. Or, you can just be like Eddie and do it all. Jackson excelled at multiple sports as a kid—in addition to being one of the top track athletes in Texas, he was a standout in football and basketball. And after deciding to focus on football and track, he landed at Arkansas. Jackson had to overcome some adversity and a couple position changes as a freshman, but then made an instant impact—both on the field and on the track, where he would help the Razorbacks win four national titles. But always in the background? His love of food. And when his football career was over after more than four seasons in the NFL, Jackson lit a fire under his new passion. If there's one thing Jackson can't stand, it's standing still. He's always full of energy and on the move. Eddie Jackson always has something cookin'.

2020 has presented a unique set of challenges for college coaches everywhere. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a part of everyday life, Eric Musselman enters his second season at Arkansas with a lot of unknowns. What we do know is this: The pandemic has made getting an idea of where Musselman is in the program-building process more difficult than usual. And with so many new faces on the roster, what challenges does that present? And why is coaching basketball in a pandemic so different than football? What will this season look like? This is Basketball in a Pandemic with Eric Musselman.

Creating a nonconference basketball schedule is a game in and of itself. Few have learned to play that game better than Eric Musselman and his staff. Everything in his program is about finding competitive advantages—whether it's through using advanced analytics, marketing or, in this case, scheduling. And the guy making it all happen is director of basketball operations Anthony Ruta, who is tasked with crafting a schedule that will help the Razorbacks reach the NCAA Tournament. The amount of work that goes into putting that puzzle together is fascinating. And, make no mistake, it is a puzzle. So how does Arkansas use scheduling to build a competitive advantage? From building depth charts for every team in the country to projecting where teams will finish in their conference…this is how it works.

No player is referred to as Arkansas' G.O.A.T.—greatest of all time—more than Darren McFadden. And rightfully so: He's one of the best running backs in college football history. But for the Little Rock native, the path to greatness wasn't always apparent. For one, he had to overcome obstacles in his childhood. And that's where football came in, serving as an escape of sorts for McFadden and keeping him out of trouble. On the field, McFadden quickly proved to be an elite talent, but only had eyes for the Razorbacks. And after starting his Arkansas career down on the depth chart, McFadden quickly made a name for himself, setting a school freshman rushing record and earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors. As a sophomore, he would lead Arkansas to the SEC championship game and become the school's first Heisman Trophy finalist. He repeated that feat a year later, and wrapped up a three-year career having provided some of the most iconic moments in Razorback history. Is Darren McFadden the greatest of all time? That's for each Razorback fan to decide. But this is how he captivated a state and made the people of Arkansas proud.

There's no question that Sam Pittman has captured the college football world's attention. Pittman has already doubled Arkansas' SEC win total of the past three seasons. So what has he done that has the Razorbacks looking like an entirely different program? Pittman has earned the trust of his players, and is honest and up front. Making no secret that he's at Arkansas to stay, we go inside Pittman's first year on the job to find out what he's done and how he's doing it.

There's a certain respect earned from hard work and determination. For Arkansans, it's often referred to as the fighting Razorback spirit. It's grit, toughness, and most of all, the underdog mentality—when others doubt you, you get better. It's the DNA of Razorback linebacker Grant Morgan, who's been out to prove himself since Day 1. When tempted by doubt, Morgan just works harder and never quits believing in himself. After beginning his career as a walk-on, now, Morgan is a starter and captain who's earned everything. He's Arkansas built and Razorback tough. The kid from Greenwood is no longer being overlooked.

For some, football is a way of life. For others, it's just what they do, not who they are. And for Joe Dean Davenport, he's always been a rancher at heart. He didn't really get into football until junior high, and didn't even really know the rules until high school. For Davenport, it was more something to do than anything else. As it turned out, though, he was pretty good. He started getting recruiting letters and invited on visits. But Davenport only had eyes for the Razorbacks and a campus he grew up less than 30 minutes away from. In his time at Arkansas, he would turn into an NFL-caliber player. And even though there's one game he still hasn't watched, his time with the Hogs was a success. So why, when presented with an opportunity to play at the next level, would he simply walk away, only to come back to the NFL a year later? And how has his life taken him full circle, from the farm to the NFL and back?

There's something to be said for the "pull" of the Razorbacks. You come to the University of Arkansas from outside the state, and you end up never wanting to leave. And in Marvin Caston's case, that's exactly what happened, even though he didn't know it at the time. Caston is the product of hard work growing up in northern Louisiana. He worked from a young age to help provide for his family, and football provided a way to have some fun. And though his Razorback career wouldn't get off to the best of starts, he ended up being a part of Houston Nutt's 1998 and '99 teams that went 17-7 over a two-year stretch. And when the opportunities arose to keep helping the university and its community—first in the compliance department and now with the Razorback Foundation—he jumped at the chance. Marvin Caston may not have originally planned on being a Razorback, but Arkansas is lucky to have him.

In many ways, Madre Hill helped save Arkansas football. It's no secret the Razorbacks struggled in their last years in the Southwest Conference and the SEC had proven to be a challenge. Enter Hill. Considered the top running back prospect in the nation after a record-setting career at Malvern High, he had offers from all the big-time programs. But he chose Arkansas because he wanted to help rescue the program. And when Hill got his chance as a sophomore, he was as good as advertised. He ran for what was then a school-record 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Razorbacks to the SEC West title. But then…disaster. Hill tore his ACL in the SEC Championship Game and missed the 1996 season. Then, in the spring of '97, he injured his OTHER knee. But he kept fighting, came back for the '98 season and remarkably still made it to the NFL. It's worth wondering what might have been had Hill not suffered those injuries. Perhaps he'd be alongside Darren McFadden as the best to ever wear a Razorback uniform. But Hill doesn't dwell on the past. He's grateful for the time he had helping to rescue the Razorbacks.

Ryan Mallett is one of the best players in Razorback history. But his college career didn't start with the Razorbacks and from his perspective, there was a good reason why. Mallett's talent was evident at a young age. Michigan was the first to take notice and eventually earned Mallett's commitment, but after the legendary Lloyd Carr retired, Mallett's boyhood dream of becoming a Hog began to look like more of a reality. After sitting out a year because of transfer rules, it became clear that Ryan Mallett was a perfect fit for head coach Bobby Petrino. And in 2010, Arkansas made its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. Though there were ups and downs, missteps and misunderstandings. Ryan Mallett gave Arkansas some of its best SEC memories, culminating as an NFL starter and eight year league veteran. Now, he's doing what he grew up around: coaching ball.