@KOINNews
Sports Anchor/Reporter & AP Top 25 CFB/CBB voter | The grownup version of the girl from Remember the Titans | Former Gonzaga intramural bball champ
A few years ago a sports director said he had concerns about hiring me because I was a girl, and he was worried that I physically couldn’t handle shooting a whole game with a big camera.
Tonight I was the only girl on the sideline shooting. And I did a damn good job.
Mike Leach was asked about losing his 7th straight Apple Cup, said that recruiting has to do with it, then was asked if he wasn't supposed to beat teams with bigger recruiting classes by Jon Blanchette, and then went off. Called him a sanctimonious troll.
Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel was understandably emotional today after he had to put his 6 month old puppy down on Saturday due to a stomach issue.
"If you don't love with your full heart, you're not living."
He had a lot of profound thoughts on the passing, which I put together:
Bo Nix ended his presser with a monologue about his career.
"I'm gonna miss college football. It was my goal my entire life to be a college QB and to win a national championship... Just a lot of emotions. A lot going on that man you wish you could change... I'm going to be okay.
Matisse Thybulle describing a birthday present a member of the Blazers broadcasting crew game him might be, genuinely, one of the most pure things I have ever witnessed.
This is worth 40 seconds of your time. I promise.
I asked Bo Nix today about his team not being in full control of their destiny after losing to UW.
What resulted was a three minute speech that spanned far beyond football and basically ended with him dropping the mic.
Worth a listen.
Damian Lillard had a lot to say today regarding the current culture around young basketball players and yes men.
He says his Formula Zero Camp is about teaching kids how to have the characteristics beyond talent in order to survive and stick in the NBA.
Brandon Dorlus gave an absolute BANGER of a presser postgame:
"They came in yesterday, stepped on our O... That's the result you get... To see how Coach Prime was sitting there taking it in, that's gonna stick with me forever... He posted a video the day before the game about
Today in the article about Kim Mulkey, Kent Babb said after Mulkey left the Baylor program was "left to wither" and "no longer among the sports' top tier".
Unprompted, Baylor HC Nicki Colleen had some thoughts about that postgame:
"I'm not afraid to say I was really offended by
Mike Leach has some THOUGHTS on the state of California trying to pass legislation to pay college athletes (Things get spicy after Leach, quite literally, sips his tea)
H/T
@WSUCougarFB
THREAD
Dan Monson's presser at the NCAA Tournament was an absolute heater today. Here's how it started:
Monson: "I don't have to answer anything I don't want to because I'm working for free today... Is it opening statement? Is that it? What else do we got going?"
Moderator: "I
Really touching moment at Martin Stadium as instead of announcing seniors name by name, the whole group came out to hug the Hilinskis first, including Leach.
I can't imagine how difficult this must be for them.
@HilinskisHope
Jalen Suggs wore a WNBA hoodie to his presser today, so I had to ask him about the conditions in the women's bubble.
"It's unacceptable. I don't think there's another way to put it... I'll personally always stand up for women just because I have so much respect for them."
Dawn Staley on Oregon State:
"They're going to be back in this position again and they're probably going to get over the hump. They're that good on both sides of the basketball... The entire program of Oregon State's future in bright. They took us all the way to the fourth
Mark Few not holding back on Long Beach State after Dan Monson's firing:
"He's handled it in a real, real classy way. I can't say the same for LBSU. It's ridiculous that his health insurance and things like that, everybody out there in the real world usually gets an extended
Shouts to Kenny Smith for once again reminding me how garbage it can be to be a woman in sports.
Not like I needed a reminder, but appreciate it my dude!
Oregon State's Scott Rueck with QUITE an opening statement postgame:
"Fearless, courageous, together, everything that is right is this team. In our sport, where it seems like controversy is the flavor all the time for some reason and we all have to have something to whine about,
"One of the biggest regrets of my career is the 1999 Gonzaga Elite Eight run, and people are like, 'How can you regret that?' The reason why I regret it is because it happened in my 2nd year as a head coach and I was naive thinking that this was normal... 25 years later I have a
Tara VanDerveer on the text she sent all the Pac-12 coaches last week before the tournament:
"We had so many teams in the tournament, I just said, 'What the heck, I'm just going to be one big one.' I just said, 'As we end our Pac-12 family, just want to wish everyone the best of
Things got a little testy postgame with Damian Lillard.
Was asked about his thoughts on the trade deadline. That's the first bite here.
Then was asked how much more patience he has with this organization in terms of making changes. That's where things turned.
Gardner Minshew on no longer being on the COVID-19 list:
“I did not contract the virus. It took one look at me and ran the other way. Probably in its best interests.”
.
@Lindsay_Schnell
asked Geno Auriemma how he made sure Paige Bueckers' spirit wasn't broken while injured last year.
An incredibly insightful two minute response ensued.
"She was always the most upbeat, positive person in the gym. You knew that when she went home she was a
Bo Nix walk off interview.
"I couldn't wait for this game... I think it just summed everything up with my college career. I wouldn't have been here without those guys, so it was the least I could do to show my appreciation.
On playing for Oregon: "It's one of the best decisions
Chauncey Billups on Donovan Clingan's three point shooting:
"We seen it when we worked it him out and it really surprised me because I hadn't seen it either, but he gave me one of the best answers that a kid gave me. I asked him that when I was interviewing him and I just said,
Bronny James on what he thinks he proved this week:
"That I can defend at a high level. I'm a smart player. I can make the right plays. I'm not very ball hungry. I can give it up. That I'm a good player and a good teammate."
Normally I try to put quotes in press conference tweets, but there's just too much incredibly genuine and heartfelt stuff from Drew Timme here on his time at Gonzaga and how thankful he is for it.
Worth a minute of your time.
The Blazers have been stuck on the tarmac for the last 7 hours as it snows in Portland.
Damian Lillard, of course, decided to take this time to write a song.
Ngl, this kinda slaps.
Dan Monson addressing the comments from the LBSU AD today that he believes firing Monson helped kick start an NCAA Tournament run:
"If it helped then I'm really happy we did it, because I wouldn't trade it for the job... We'll never know because that's how it played out... so
Monson on watching film with his team the day he was fired:
"I said, 'Just look at this first defensive clip guys. We close out short here. The guy's wide open. We don't get a contest. These are the kind of plays that would get a coach fired.' The whole room just broke up. It
I’m just imagining someone saying this about the Warriors (who have themselves have made political stances) and or really any powerhouse mens pro team.
Oh that’s right, I can’t imagine it. This is laughable and incredibly sexist.
Don’t kill the messenger. This
#USWNT
is polarizing. Politics, causes, stances, & behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America. This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.
Just watched Geno Auriemma walk up to a journalist after his press conference and say that the journalist asked one of the most well worded questions he's ever heard. Also shook the journalist's hand and introduced himself.
That was really cool to see. Wow.
Brandon Clarke, Zach Norvell in tears as they head to the locker room. This is the last time we’ll ever see this team together. What a phenomenal group.
Gardner Minshew just wrapped up his presser in Jacksonville. Going put the highlights in a thread. Minshew on Minshew Mania at WSU:
“Part of that is that we have some of the best fans at Wazzu... In that little corner of the country it was something else.”
Cooper Kupp on not having any FBS offers out of HS:
"I was supposed to go to EWU. I've met so many great friends who were standing up there with me at my wedding... I don't have any regrets or feel any grudge towards anyone. I'm just thankful for the path that I've been on."
ESPN closed out the CFB Awards show with clips of winners reacting when they weren't on air.
The final clip of the compilation?
Jackson Powers-Johnson celebrating with his team and family.
Sophia Smith being utterly unaware of the chocolate muffin storyline during the Olympics is incredible.
But stay for the mic drop from Sam Coffey at the end.
Bo Nix on Tez Johnson's day:
"Well, Tez had a Tez day... I told him going in, I'm going to throw you ball as much as you're open... I understand what he's been through to get to his moment... That dude's had to overcome a lot of adversity... He's one of the kindest people you
I don’t even know where to begin with this rant. Mike Leach says we should invest football veils to help conceal coach’s lips since America is a bastion of lip readers. This is part one.
Hilarious moment postgame with USC.
Rayah Marshall asked about the trust she has in JuJu Watkins regardless of the situation:
"i would trust her with my life. When it come down to winning, she's going to do what she has to do. She's coming into the huddle after the third
On Monday Dan Monson was fired after 17 years at LBSU. Now he's dancing.
"When Jim Harbaugh says who's got it better than him, someone's got to tell him Dan Monson... I have the 1999 run at Gonzaga, but as Mark Few said over text, why don't we have a run in the first year and a
Full quote from Dan Lanning on his reaction to Colorado leaving the conference:
"Not a big reaction. I'm trying to remember what they won to affect this conference and I don't remember. Do you remember them winning anything? I don't remember them winning anything."
"Not a big reaction. I'm trying to remember what they won to affect this conference. Do you remember anything?"
-Dan Lanning on his reaction to Colorado leaving the conference.
I asked Klay Thompson what is the definition of being a Coug.
"When I go worldwide and when I hear a Go Cougs it's an immediate connection. The community here, the college experience, it's rare to get. To me, being a Coug is family, it's loyalty, it's friendship."
And Gardner’s finale that had me HOWLING. A reporter asked if him & Josh Dobbs have the best IQ of any QB room in the NFL (Gardner had a high Wonderlic score):
“I’ve got a communications degree. I know all y’all know about it. I belong in this room more than that one.”
Bo Nix on his final game at Autzen:
"It was surreal... The whole entire program and what it means to me is special. It picked me up when I was down and it gave me a new sense of life in the game of football... I'll be able to have the O on my chest for the rest of my life."
An emotional Raegan Beers on Talia von Oelhoffen's leadership:
"Staying with it when she could've transferred and believing in what Scott has built here is incredible. We would not be here with Talia."
Marcus Mariota was asked today about Oregon being 17 pt underdogs to Georgia and it was hilarious.
Says a radio show asked him a few weeks ago if he thought the Ducks would COVER.
Mariota's response: "That was the most disrespectful question I've gotten in the past few years."
Corey Kispert on his legacy.
I have been around a lot of Gonzaga basketball players between going to school there and now covering the team.
Corey is one of the greatest class acts this program has seen. Period.
Tommy Lloyd on Dan Monson:
"Make no bones about it, I wanted to kick Mons' a**... I've always been a little brother to all those guys, sometimes little brother's gotta fight back. That doesn't mean I don't love Mons. I felt tears starting to well up when I hugged him at the end
Monson on the week after losing his job:
"It's been awesome... I have reflected this week that I don't have a job, but I don't need one. I've got everything I've got with my family, my players, my friends. It's bee a life changing week."
Lynne Roberts on the incidents in CDA that caused them to switch hotels:
"We had several instances of racial hate crimes towards our program... Racism in real and it happens and it's awful... No one knew how to handle it... It was really upsetting. For our players and staff to
Scott Rueck on Oregon State and the year the school has had:
"It's my university, so I care... One thing I'll say, it's hard hearing your school talked about in the way it's been talked about and in a way devalued. Clearly I don't see it that way... To turn a community and a
Drew Timme postgame asked the media to ask Malachi Smith questions.
Later on Smith: "For Malachi to be a POY in his conference and come off the bench, I think it's a true testament to his character... His selflessness is so huge for this team. We wouldn't be here without him."
Really cool shot from the Fiesta Bowl.
Bo Nix and Tez Johnson's family's reaction to their touchdown in the third quarter.
Look at how emotional Patrick Nix is.
Oregon players reacting to the Khyree Jackson news on IG.
Brandon Dorlus: “Was just talking about how we gon change our family’s lives in the hotel room during the senior bowl… I’m lost for words.”
Christian Gonzalez: “You did exactly what you told me you was gon do. Get your
So overwhelmed and humbled by all of the outreach over this tweet today ❤️ The sad thing is, this ranks low on the list of sexist things I’ve had to deal with because of my job (some in the office, some out in the community). Remember to be nice to each other ❤️
A few years ago a sports director said he had concerns about hiring me because I was a girl, and he was worried that I physically couldn’t handle shooting a whole game with a big camera.
Tonight I was the only girl on the sideline shooting. And I did a damn good job.
Dana Altman on having to play Creighton in the R32:
"Oh, you know, you spend 16 years at a place... I got great feelings about Creighton. You can leave a place, but that doesn't mean you still don't love the place. I've had 14 great years at Oregon and I love this place. When
A highly emotional N'Faly Dante postgame.
This one is worth a watch to really get just how emotional he was.
Dante: "I wish I could have made that last free throw to win the game, but that's on me. There's a lot of things I could do to help my team but I didn't... This one just
"Looking back on it, this is the best decision I've ever made... I couldn't seen myself anywhere but here right now."
Mark Few doesn't need to recruit anymore. He just needs to play this bite from Jalen Suggs to other recruits and then drop the mic.
Khyree Jackson during his first few weeks at Oregon:
"
@CoachDanLanning
trusted in me. Just letting me play to my ability. He said that he gon ride with me till the wheels fall off. Knowing I got that in my back pocket... That makes me want to play better each week."
RIP 🕊️
"My plan is to prove that I am the best I can be for this team everyday at practice. Every snap I get in a game... My job is to go out a be the best I can be for our team."
Gardner Minshew is off and running in the NFL. Here's more from his press conference today:
“I want people to remember how much I cared.. Being a Zag means being a great son, brother, a great friend. I want people to remember me as someone who’s able to those things as good or better than what I do on the floor.”- Corey Kispert
.
@NicoleAuerbach
: "You tweeted, 'Where do we submit our application to be America's team?'"
@TaliaVono
: "Let's go!"
Nicole: "So make the case. Let's hear it."
TVO: "We just made a TikTok about this so stay tuned for our real application... This team plays so together and we're
So, in a very weird twist of fate, it’s my birthday today. Thank you to all of the kind people reaching out about my tweet the other day. You’ve made this birthday one I’ll never forget!
Cameron Brink on playing her final college game in her hometown:
"It's amazing. If I have to lose anywhere, in front of family and friends is the way I'd want to do it. Playing in front of them my last college game ever really meant a lot to me. I think I'm really at peace with
Portland native Ben Gregg, who put up 15 pts in 6-of-6 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists today:
"This has been my dream school my whole life. I grew up watching these guys forever... To able to have Gonzaga on my chest, it's an honor for me. That's why I lay it all out on the
The most UConn of UConn moments to end Donovan Clingan's interview today.
@highkin
: "You played out here a couple years ago for PK, right?"
Clingan: "Played out here last year. *shrugs* Won that tournament. That was awesome."
*laughter*
Clingan: "I love winning."
Hey
@jimmykimmel
, I had to ask the
@zagmbb
team tonight about your comments on the school 😂
I also regret to inform you that
@rui_8mura
has no idea who you are 🤷♀️
Lizzo is coming out with a new single for the first time in like three years on Friday AND Cardi B is on it?
Y’all Friday is my version of a national holiday. Plan accordingly.
WSU AD Pat Chun on this upcoming game vs. OSU:
"The 4 of us would wholeheartedly prefer pre-CFB pressers involving student-athletes and coaches... But it's also an opportunity... 18 mins before kick our band's going to play the OSU fight song and we're going to ask a show of
Dawn Staley on Oregon State freshman PG and Medford native Donovyn Hunter:
"I think Donovyn is going to be great. She's already great. For her to be a freshmen and to get her team in a position of one step away from going to the Final Four, means that her future is bright...
Oregon RB coach Carlos Locklyn has some THOUGHTS today on the state of the position:
"We talk about making knowledge your greatest talent... Being just as smart as a QB... The RB position is the worst coached position in football... There's some guys who are recruiters of the
Seeing Damian Lillard present Adidas gear to the UW football team feels like his full Oregon villain turn.
My mind cannot comprehend what I just saw lol
Drew Timme saw some chatter online from TCU fans before the game and used that as some extra motivation.
"Throw lighter fluid on the fire if you wish. I thought TCU was a highly educated school and they didn't sound so smart with their comments."
PLEASE STAY TILL THE VERY END.
Cameron Brink on watching the growth of the WNBA:
"Growing up I was first introduced to the league because my mom was a product line manager at Nike... I grew up having so much admiration for these women and it was just really upsetting to not see that reciprocated by the
OH MY GOD.
Joel Ayayi says him and his teammates have been watching Love Island and that’s why he said, “I fancy you.” To Jalen Suggs postgame.
I’m dead. I’m absolutely dead lol