WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:02.636  (female announcer)    Production funding    for "Sports Files" is 00:02.636 --> 00:04.338  made possible in part by... 00:04.338 --> 00:07.608  (male narrator)    Infiniti of Memphis    has moved to Germantown 00:07.608 --> 00:10.244  road just half mile north of   Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 00:10.244 --> 00:13.347  to support WKNO for its quality   broadcasting and service 00:13.347 --> 00:14.414  to our community. 00:14.414 --> 00:16.617  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 00:16.617 --> 00:19.620  feels at home on WKNO. 00:27.527 --> 00:30.430 - My guest today on Sports Files is former New England Patriots 00:30.430 --> 00:33.901 and Tennessee Volunteers star wide receiver Stanley Morgan. 00:33.901 --> 00:51.818 [theme music] 00:51.818 --> 00:54.554 Later in the show details of Marc Gasol's new deal with the 00:54.554 --> 00:57.257 Grizzlies and we'll hear from Mississippi State first year 00:57.257 --> 00:59.293 Head Basketball Coach Ben Howland, 00:59.293 --> 01:02.663 but we begin with one of the Tennessee Vols all-time greats. 01:02.663 --> 01:05.165 Wide receiver Stanley Morgan starred for the big orange from 01:05.165 --> 01:08.235 1973 through 1976. 01:08.235 --> 01:11.538 In an era when the passing game was far from the first option, 01:11.538 --> 01:14.574 the South Carolina native would go on to produce a stellar four 01:14.574 --> 01:19.212 year career in which he produced over 4,600 all-purpose yards -- 01:19.212 --> 01:22.049 A Vols record that still stands today. 01:22.049 --> 01:25.285 Stanley would then move onto the NFL as a first round selection 01:25.285 --> 01:26.920 of the New England Patriots. 01:26.920 --> 01:31.191 He would play there from 1977 through 1989 before finishing 01:31.191 --> 01:34.594 his career in 1990 with the Indianapolis Colts. 01:34.594 --> 01:38.565 In his stellar 14 year career in the NFL he would amass more than 01:38.565 --> 01:42.869 10,000 receiving yards, make four Pro Bowl Appearances and 01:42.869 --> 01:46.039 lead the league in yards per reception three times. 01:46.039 --> 01:48.909 In 1985 he would play in Super Bowl 20, 01:48.909 --> 01:52.045 but the Patriots were no match for the monsters of the midway, 01:52.045 --> 01:53.680 the Chicago Bears. 01:53.680 --> 01:56.350 Today, Stanley Morgan joins me to talk about his experiences 01:56.350 --> 01:58.518 with both the Vols and the Patriots, 01:58.518 --> 02:02.022 and tells us about the unusual circumstances that led him 02:02.022 --> 02:03.123 to Knoxville. 02:03.123 --> 02:06.927 Plus his thoughts on Bob Kraft, deflate gate and today's pass 02:06.927 --> 02:08.428 happy NFL. 02:08.428 --> 02:11.164 And it's all next on Sports Files. 02:11.164 --> 02:22.075 [theme music] 02:22.075 --> 02:23.043 Stanley, great to see you again. 02:23.043 --> 02:24.044 Thanks for being on the show. 02:24.044 --> 02:25.045 - It's good to be here. 02:25.045 --> 02:26.046 - Appreciate that. 02:26.046 --> 02:28.148 What are you up to these days, you and the family? 02:28.148 --> 02:31.451 - Uh, being a retired grandpa, spending time with my grandkids 02:31.451 --> 02:34.821 and playing as much golf as I can get. 02:34.821 --> 02:36.990 - How well are you playing that game of golf, 02:36.990 --> 02:39.526  which we know and love   and hate at the same time? 02:39.526 --> 02:43.030 - I can hold my own. 02:43.030 --> 02:44.031 I'll put it that way. 02:44.031 --> 02:47.968 - Do you get to play in events that are associated with 02:47.968 --> 02:50.570 Tennessee, your Alma Mater, and the New England Patriots or the 02:50.570 --> 02:51.571 National Football League? 02:51.571 --> 02:53.974 Or is it just going around with buddies and playing on a 02:53.974 --> 02:54.975 Saturday or Sunday? 02:54.975 --> 02:58.879 - No, I play in the NFL tournaments. 02:58.879 --> 03:01.548 They have an NFL alumni association. 03:01.548 --> 03:06.553 And we get to go around and play in these tournaments and raise 03:06.553 --> 03:09.623 money for different charities. 03:09.623 --> 03:12.492 My wife and I put on a golf tournament for the University of 03:12.492 --> 03:15.662 Tennessee where we raise scholarship money for the 03:15.662 --> 03:16.997 student athletes there. 03:16.997 --> 03:17.998 - Very nice. 03:17.998 --> 03:18.999 That's the Alex Haley. 03:18.999 --> 03:21.001 - And we call it the Alex Haley. 03:21.001 --> 03:23.003 They gave us permission to use his name. 03:23.003 --> 03:25.272 So, we got a chance to meet with his people. 03:25.272 --> 03:27.240 Yeah. 03:27.240 --> 03:29.042 So, everything worked out good. 03:29.042 --> 03:32.212 - Well, besides spending time with the grandchildren, 03:32.212 --> 03:34.514 obviously your wife, playing golf, 03:34.514 --> 03:36.516 this funciton you talked about at Tennessee, 03:36.516 --> 03:40.220 how often do you get to do some things associated with your 03:40.220 --> 03:41.221 alma mater? 03:41.221 --> 03:43.223 How often do you get to go back to see games? 03:43.223 --> 03:45.492 Or how often do you get to watch the Patriots play? 03:45.492 --> 03:49.196 - We get back to Knoxville probably two, three 03:49.196 --> 03:51.231 times a year. 03:51.231 --> 03:53.233 We go back for the football games. 03:53.233 --> 03:55.902 We definitely go back for homecoming. 03:55.902 --> 04:01.241 And my wife goes to the game and I go play golf. 04:01.241 --> 04:02.242 - Really? 04:02.242 --> 04:04.778 - It's a little reversal there. 04:04.778 --> 04:08.648 So, I've had my little share of football. 04:08.648 --> 04:10.650 So, I watch it every now and then. 04:10.650 --> 04:11.651 I keep up with Tennessee. 04:11.651 --> 04:12.919 I keep up with the Patriots. 04:12.919 --> 04:18.725 And Bob Kraft does a good job in bringing the old guys back in 04:18.725 --> 04:19.726 every now and then. 04:19.726 --> 04:22.562 So, I get a chance to go up there and visit with those guys 04:22.562 --> 04:27.801 and walk around New England and stick my chest out a little bit. 04:27.801 --> 04:28.802 - Why not? 04:28.802 --> 04:31.004 You're a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame. 04:31.004 --> 04:34.074 The pride that you get when you see the Patriots do well. 04:34.074 --> 04:36.243 Winning another Super Bowl this past year. 04:36.243 --> 04:40.180 Stephen Gostkowski, a kicker from the University of Memphis 04:40.180 --> 04:42.182 who helped that team win the Super Bowl. 04:42.182 --> 04:44.417 How much pride do you have when you see your teams do well? 04:44.417 --> 04:45.418 - I love it. 04:45.418 --> 04:47.954 We go over to some friends of ours and they have a little 04:47.954 --> 04:49.589 Super Bowl party. 04:49.589 --> 04:54.561 So, decked out in my little Patriot gear. 04:54.561 --> 04:58.999 And when they win, it's even special. 04:58.999 --> 05:04.104 You know, I just wouldn't mind catching a few balls from Brady. 05:04.104 --> 05:05.105 - That would be pretty good. 05:05.105 --> 05:07.107 - Oh, yeah because they are throwing the ball 05:07.107 --> 05:08.108 left and right. 05:08.108 --> 05:10.210 And you know back when I was playing, 05:10.210 --> 05:11.344 we were a running team. 05:11.344 --> 05:13.346 We didn't throw the ball that much. 05:13.346 --> 05:16.216 - You were a running team yet you had over 1,000 yard 05:16.216 --> 05:18.218 receiving four different seasons. 05:18.218 --> 05:19.886 You were four time pro bowler. 05:19.886 --> 05:22.622 You have lots of huge numbers. 05:22.622 --> 05:26.927 So, how much better would they be today with what we just said? 05:26.927 --> 05:29.196 If you played in an era of throwing the ball. 05:29.196 --> 05:31.464 - Oh, I would love it. 05:31.464 --> 05:36.603 Because the one thing that I really had back in those days 05:36.603 --> 05:37.637 was speed. 05:37.637 --> 05:42.409 So, I could definitely push the defense a little deep. 05:42.409 --> 05:46.846 - What do you think the biggest difference is between players 05:46.846 --> 05:49.883 today and players during your era? 05:49.883 --> 05:52.219 And I'm not talking about contracts and how much they're 05:52.219 --> 05:53.620 making and that. 05:53.620 --> 05:56.256 On the field, what's the biggest difference? 05:56.256 --> 06:00.527 - I would say the guys are probably more athletic than we 06:00.527 --> 06:03.563 were, especially in different positions. 06:06.533 --> 06:09.402 I think they are bigger, stronger, faster. 06:09.402 --> 06:12.305 - Why do you think it is that way? 06:12.305 --> 06:15.575 Is that just like evolution or is that.. 06:15.575 --> 06:19.479 - I think you just look at the way they're growing up now. 06:19.479 --> 06:25.018 When we grew up, we didn't have a product that you can go and 06:25.018 --> 06:28.622 buy that will help you gain weight. 06:28.622 --> 06:30.957 You go on the internet now, you can find 06:30.957 --> 06:32.359 all these weight products. 06:32.359 --> 06:36.296 So, the kids are developing faster than we did, 06:36.296 --> 06:37.964 I would say. 06:37.964 --> 06:40.900 - You're talking about the legal ones, right? 06:40.900 --> 06:41.901 [chuckles] 06:41.901 --> 06:42.903 - Don't put words. 06:42.903 --> 06:43.904 [laughter] 06:43.904 --> 06:44.904 - Right, right, right. 06:44.904 --> 06:45.905 Making sure. 06:45.905 --> 06:46.906 - Yeah, yeah. 06:46.906 --> 06:49.109 But I think that's the biggest difference right now. 06:49.109 --> 06:51.811 - The Patriots always seem to be in the middle 06:51.811 --> 06:53.313 of some controversy. 06:53.313 --> 06:55.315 I don't know what it is. 06:55.315 --> 06:56.316 Deflate Gate. 06:56.316 --> 06:58.485 When you first heard about it, what were your thoughts? 06:58.485 --> 07:00.654 - Here we go again. 07:00.654 --> 07:03.623 You know, everybody hates a winner. 07:03.623 --> 07:07.727 And I think Belicheck has done a tremendous job up there. 07:07.727 --> 07:10.764 You hear Deflate Gate. 07:10.764 --> 07:13.900 I'm like, one or two ounces.. 07:13.900 --> 07:16.002  (Greg)    Do you think   it makes a difference? 07:16.002 --> 07:17.537 - I don't see how. 07:17.537 --> 07:18.838 I just don't. 07:18.838 --> 07:24.844 And as a receiver, you never think about something like that. 07:24.844 --> 07:25.945 You just catch football. 07:25.945 --> 07:28.948 You don't -- Oh, this is a little soft. 07:28.948 --> 07:30.150 You know. 07:30.150 --> 07:32.152 - You wouldn't be able to tell, would you? 07:32.152 --> 07:34.154 - Really deflated you probably could. 07:34.154 --> 07:39.759 But one or two pounds, I don't see the difference. 07:39.759 --> 07:41.995 - This is just a guess on your part. 07:41.995 --> 07:43.396 It's a guess on everybody's part right now. 07:43.396 --> 07:46.366 But do you believe Roger Goodell after meeting with Tom Brady 07:46.366 --> 07:50.270 will reduce his four game suspension? 07:50.270 --> 07:51.738 - Well, I think he will. 07:51.738 --> 07:56.776 I thin a four game suspension is too much for what they're saying 07:56.776 --> 07:58.378 that he did. 07:58.378 --> 08:02.816 And if he did that, then I think the Super Bowl proved different. 08:02.816 --> 08:05.485 That, you know, all football is different, 08:05.485 --> 08:06.486 the same. 08:06.486 --> 08:11.891 And I think it'll probably be reduced to about two games. 08:11.891 --> 08:12.892 - You played for them. 08:12.892 --> 08:14.894 Of course, you're going to have a little bit of a biased. 08:14.894 --> 08:16.896 But do you believe the patriots are the best organization 08:16.896 --> 08:17.897 in the NFL? 08:17.897 --> 08:18.898 - I think so right now. 08:18.898 --> 08:19.899 They are. 08:19.899 --> 08:25.271 I think they got a great coach in who can take players coming 08:25.271 --> 08:29.642 in and he got a good system where anybody can get in that 08:29.642 --> 08:30.643 system and play. 08:30.643 --> 08:33.880 And because if you look at the Patriots, 08:33.880 --> 08:37.317 they're losing good players every year. 08:37.317 --> 08:41.221 But they got new guys coming in that's picking up the slack. 08:41.221 --> 08:43.223 - I'll get back to the Patriots in a second. 08:43.223 --> 08:45.225 But I want to go to your Alma Mater. 08:45.225 --> 08:47.227 Go back to Tennessee when you played there. 08:47.227 --> 08:50.530 You still hold the all-purpose yardage record at Tennessee. 08:50.530 --> 08:53.366 What was it like playing for the Big Orange, 08:53.366 --> 08:54.734 playing on the hill? 08:54.734 --> 09:00.340 And why Tennessee when you're a South Carolina guy? 09:00.340 --> 09:02.542 - Well, coming out of high school, 09:02.542 --> 09:03.543 I was.. 09:03.543 --> 09:04.544 I'm probably.. 09:04.544 --> 09:06.946 Clemson was right there in my back yard, 09:06.946 --> 09:08.048 about 15 miles. 09:08.048 --> 09:10.850 And Clemson in South Carolina was probably at my door 09:10.850 --> 09:12.252 every day. 09:12.252 --> 09:15.455 And I wanted to get to the NFL. 09:15.455 --> 09:16.956 That was my ultimate goal. 09:16.956 --> 09:19.993 And during the '70s if you remember correctly, 09:19.993 --> 09:23.797 the ACC was more of a basketball conference than football. 09:23.797 --> 09:26.833  (Greg)    A lot different    than it is today. 09:26.833 --> 09:28.368 It's both today. 09:28.368 --> 09:31.971 - And I looked at Tennessee and I thought they had a better 09:31.971 --> 09:33.106 football program. 09:33.106 --> 09:37.243 And I felt if I could go to Tennessee, 09:37.243 --> 09:41.781 play there and make that team that would give me a better 09:41.781 --> 09:44.084 opportunity to get to the NFL. 09:44.084 --> 09:45.552  (Greg)    And it worked out well. 09:45.552 --> 09:46.619 - And it worked out well. 09:46.619 --> 09:50.056 But one thing that people don't know is I signed with 09:50.056 --> 09:51.057 South Carolina. 09:51.057 --> 09:52.225  (Greg)    Oh, you did? 09:52.225 --> 09:54.327 - I signed with South Carolina, Paul Dietzel. 09:54.327 --> 10:01.234 And I got out of it because South Carolina went independent 10:01.234 --> 10:02.502 that year. 10:02.502 --> 10:07.107 Independent schools, well, the other conferences don't 10:07.107 --> 10:09.809 recognize independent school. 10:09.809 --> 10:13.413 Because they got out of the ACC, I as able to get out 10:13.413 --> 10:14.414 of that contract. 10:14.414 --> 10:18.551 If not, I would have had to set out a year or go 10:18.551 --> 10:19.552 to South Carolina. 10:19.552 --> 10:20.553 - Interesting. 10:20.553 --> 10:22.555 So, South Carolina probably having a tough time 10:22.555 --> 10:23.556 to fill schedule. 10:23.556 --> 10:25.558 There's not going to be a lot of TV games. 10:25.558 --> 10:27.560 You're not going to get that exposure, 10:27.560 --> 10:28.561 which makes a lot of sense. 10:28.561 --> 10:30.563 So, you played under Johnny Majors? 10:30.563 --> 10:31.564 - No, I played under Bill Battle. 10:31.564 --> 10:32.565 - Under Bill Battle. 10:32.565 --> 10:33.566 What was he like? 10:33.566 --> 10:34.767 - Bill was a good coach. 10:34.767 --> 10:38.471 He was -- had a good mind. 10:38.471 --> 10:42.642 I just didn't.. 10:42.642 --> 10:46.779 We had our differences when he put me in the back field. 10:46.779 --> 10:50.617 I really didn't want to be in the back field. 10:50.617 --> 10:53.887 But they felt that they had to get the ball to me a lot more. 10:53.887 --> 10:57.323 And we didn't throw the football that much, 10:57.323 --> 11:00.126 even with Condredge Holloway as quarterback. 11:00.126 --> 11:02.128 We didn't throw the football that much. 11:02.128 --> 11:05.965 Well, nobody did actually back then in that era. 11:05.965 --> 11:07.967 - So, they had to find a way to get you the ball. 11:07.967 --> 11:09.702 So, it's almost understandable. 11:09.702 --> 11:10.703 - I understood it. 11:10.703 --> 11:15.375 But I was only about 170 pounds. 11:15.375 --> 11:18.144 And so, after some games, I would just go to my room and 11:18.144 --> 11:19.145 just lay down. 11:19.145 --> 11:20.580 It was tough. 11:20.580 --> 11:22.582 - What was the biggest hit on you? 11:22.582 --> 11:24.984 Can you recall in college? 11:24.984 --> 11:28.054 - I really can't. 11:28.054 --> 11:31.558 I probably don't even remember because it was so big. 11:31.558 --> 11:34.427 - How many concussions do you think you had that were 11:34.427 --> 11:38.665 diagnosed or maybe not diagnosed over the course of both your 11:38.665 --> 11:40.700 collegiate career and in the NFL? 11:40.700 --> 11:43.102 - Oh, it's up in the double digits. 11:43.102 --> 11:47.707 There was a couple of times that I was carted off in New England 11:47.707 --> 11:49.842 and I woke up in the hospital. 11:49.842 --> 11:51.778 So, I've been hit pretty good. 11:51.778 --> 11:54.113  (Greg)    Did you ever continue   to play in a game 11:54.113 --> 11:55.114  when you were diagnosed? 11:55.114 --> 11:56.115 - Oh yeah, oh yeah. 11:56.115 --> 11:58.251  (Greg)   Did they say    keep playing, Stanley? 11:58.251 --> 12:00.253  Or did you just   do it on your own? 12:00.253 --> 12:02.255 - I would say it was probably on our own. 12:02.255 --> 12:04.257 Nobody knew anything about concussions. 12:04.257 --> 12:09.996 And, you know, back in the day, the doctors just looked at you 12:09.996 --> 12:12.298 and say, "How many fingers do you see?" 12:12.298 --> 12:13.700 Well, I see two. 12:13.700 --> 12:14.701 Well, you're good. 12:14.701 --> 12:16.502 You can go back in the game. 12:16.502 --> 12:17.770 So, that's the way it was. 12:17.770 --> 12:22.108 And we really didn't want to come out of the game anyway. 12:22.108 --> 12:23.109 - Of course not. 12:23.109 --> 12:25.111 Because you're a competitor as are all athletes. 12:25.111 --> 12:27.113 But it's a hot button topic today. 12:27.113 --> 12:29.215 No question about it with concussions. 12:29.215 --> 12:31.150 I know you pretty well. 12:31.150 --> 12:33.152 I think all your wits are there. 12:33.152 --> 12:35.154 But do you ever feel like there's.. 12:35.154 --> 12:37.256 God forbid there could be some damage 12:37.256 --> 12:40.727 and some long lasting effects? 12:40.727 --> 12:43.096 - I know it is. 12:43.096 --> 12:46.332 Probably about seven -- six, seven years ago 12:46.332 --> 12:48.334 I started having headaches. 12:48.334 --> 12:53.373 And I know that's a sign from that. 12:53.373 --> 12:58.745 My neck, I know I have a neck injury that is going to cause me 12:58.745 --> 12:59.746 some problems. 12:59.746 --> 13:04.017 So, that's why I'm going to the doc now to the rehab place to 13:04.017 --> 13:05.485 get my physical therapy. 13:05.485 --> 13:06.486 - Super Bowl 20. 13:06.486 --> 13:07.487 Six catches. 13:07.487 --> 13:13.493 Good, solid, individual performance. 13:13.493 --> 13:15.895 But what a performance by the Chicago Bears. 13:15.895 --> 13:18.531 Do you believe the Bears, that team, 13:18.531 --> 13:20.533 is the greatest team in history? 13:20.533 --> 13:23.102 - I think that their defense is. 13:23.102 --> 13:28.374 Defensively, I think they're one of the best defense that coming 13:28.374 --> 13:30.376 up during that era. 13:32.211 --> 13:33.713 They were just good. 13:33.713 --> 13:35.748 That front seven, you just couldn't handle 13:35.748 --> 13:36.749 that front seven. 13:36.749 --> 13:39.786 The secondary was mediocre. 13:39.786 --> 13:45.692 But you didn't have time to throw the football deep. 13:45.692 --> 13:48.394 - Hampton and the Fridge, all those guys. 13:48.394 --> 13:52.432 Do you relive the game a lot in your mind or do you put it away? 13:52.432 --> 13:53.433 It's in storage. 13:53.433 --> 13:55.435 - Well, when it happened, I did. 13:55.435 --> 13:57.804 That was probably the worst off season I ever had. 13:57.804 --> 14:02.542 You know, you lose a Super Bowl like that and to get beat that 14:02.542 --> 14:05.111 badly, it just doesn't sit well. 14:05.111 --> 14:07.113 - And you never know if you'll get the opportunity again. 14:07.113 --> 14:08.314 And you didn't. 14:08.314 --> 14:09.315 - That's true. 14:09.315 --> 14:12.018 That's exactly what happens. 14:12.018 --> 14:14.020 - You were elected to, as I mentioned earlier, 14:14.020 --> 14:16.155 the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2007. 14:16.155 --> 14:17.590 And well deserved may I add. 14:17.590 --> 14:19.258 But what was that like for you? 14:19.258 --> 14:20.259 - Oh, it was great. 14:20.259 --> 14:24.330 It was just great to be recognized. 14:24.330 --> 14:29.769 I was a little disturbed earlier because I wasn't there. 14:29.769 --> 14:36.409 But when Kraft took over and made it the way he made it, 14:36.409 --> 14:37.577 the fans voted. 14:37.577 --> 14:43.249 And they approved of what I did. 14:43.249 --> 14:47.854 - Do you think when you look back at the history of football 14:47.854 --> 14:51.457 that you will be looked back at as one of the most underrated 14:51.457 --> 14:55.361 receivers to ever play the game? 14:55.361 --> 14:57.730 - I'd say that's why I need my wife here to talk about that. 14:57.730 --> 14:59.265 She could tell you. 14:59.265 --> 15:02.835 - You could look at the numbers over the 10,000 yards and say 15:02.835 --> 15:04.837 you should be considered for the NFL Hall of Fame. 15:04.837 --> 15:07.340 And yet, as you said, there was a delay getting you in to the 15:07.340 --> 15:09.342 Patriots Hall of Fame for goodness sakes. 15:09.342 --> 15:12.478 - It's disturbed me a little bit. 15:12.478 --> 15:15.481 My wife, she would calm me down. 15:15.481 --> 15:17.984 Now I just don't think about it. 15:17.984 --> 15:19.986 You know, if it happens, it happens. 15:19.986 --> 15:21.654 I think I have the numbers. 15:21.654 --> 15:24.924 I think I have better numbers than some of the guys that are 15:24.924 --> 15:26.959 in the Hall of Fame. 15:26.959 --> 15:28.928 - In a non-passing era. 15:28.928 --> 15:30.863 - Well, that's what I thought. 15:30.863 --> 15:35.001 I thought the Hall of Fame is what you did for that team with 15:35.001 --> 15:37.603 what you had during that time. 15:37.603 --> 15:42.108 But because we wasn't in the play-offs playing for Super 15:42.108 --> 15:44.310 Bowls, I think that hurt me. 15:44.310 --> 15:46.312  (Greg)    Out of sight, out of mind. 15:46.312 --> 15:48.347 Greatest player you played with and against? 15:48.347 --> 15:51.184 - Uh, probably the greatest player I played with was a 15:51.184 --> 15:53.186 defense to the back, Mike Haynes. 15:53.186 --> 15:54.220  (Greg)    Sure, love Mike. 15:54.220 --> 15:55.221 - Love. 15:55.221 --> 15:56.222 He's a great guy. 15:56.222 --> 15:57.223 He's a competitor. 15:57.223 --> 16:01.761 And I think I'm the receiver I was because of him. 16:01.761 --> 16:04.497 - And the greatest player you played against? 16:04.497 --> 16:05.498 - Hmm.. 16:05.498 --> 16:08.768 There was a lot of players. 16:08.768 --> 16:15.274 - Was there a d-back who just he had your lunch money? 16:15.274 --> 16:17.910 - Practicing, going against Mike in practice. 16:17.910 --> 16:19.912  (Greg)    So, it was Mike all around? 16:19.912 --> 16:20.913 - Yeah, it was. 16:20.913 --> 16:21.914 It really was. 16:21.914 --> 16:23.916 Yeah, and then when he went to Oakland, 16:23.916 --> 16:27.186 we played against him in a game a couple of times. 16:27.186 --> 16:29.188 It was very interesting. 16:29.188 --> 16:31.057 - Good little rivalry there. 16:31.057 --> 16:33.826 Stanley, you're off the hot seat but we like to finish every 16:33.826 --> 16:35.895 interview with something called Five for the Road. 16:35.895 --> 16:38.231 So, I just need quick answers to these five questions. 16:38.231 --> 16:41.567 Okay, first one is what is your favorite professional sports 16:41.567 --> 16:45.404 team and you can't say the Patriots. 16:45.404 --> 16:46.405 Any sport. 16:46.405 --> 16:47.406 - Any sport? 16:47.406 --> 16:48.407 I'll go with.. 16:48.407 --> 16:51.777 I love the Golden State Warriors. 16:51.777 --> 16:53.946 - Golden State Warriors. 16:53.946 --> 16:55.214 Are you a band wagon jumper? 16:55.214 --> 16:57.016 - I am, I am big time. 16:57.016 --> 16:59.552 - Favorite pro athlete of all time? 16:59.552 --> 17:00.553 - Football? 17:00.553 --> 17:01.554 - Any sport. 17:01.554 --> 17:02.555 - Any sport? 17:02.555 --> 17:04.557 I'll have to go with Michael Jordan. 17:04.557 --> 17:05.558 - Okay. 17:05.558 --> 17:06.559 Favorite music. 17:06.559 --> 17:08.561 What do you like to listen to or an artist? 17:08.561 --> 17:09.562 - I love P-Funk. 17:09.562 --> 17:14.800 I grew up in the '70s and I grew up with Funkadelic Parliament, 17:14.800 --> 17:16.068 George Clinton. 17:16.068 --> 17:17.069 - Absolutely. 17:17.069 --> 17:20.806 My little sister got me hooked on to that. 17:20.806 --> 17:22.942 - Get out of here! 17:22.942 --> 17:25.945 - Yeah, she loved that, all the albums. 17:25.945 --> 17:28.514 Favorite movie of all time. 17:28.514 --> 17:29.782 - Jason Bourne. 17:29.782 --> 17:32.385 - So, um, that was the character. 17:32.385 --> 17:35.354 What was the name of the.. 17:35.354 --> 17:38.791 - Bourne Identity and all the other ones. 17:38.791 --> 17:42.662 - Okay and how about your favorite television show? 17:42.662 --> 17:43.930 - Uh, Scandal. 17:43.930 --> 17:44.931 - Scandal! 17:44.931 --> 17:46.032 - Scandal. 17:46.032 --> 17:48.034 - By the way, if it was a sports movie, 17:48.034 --> 17:50.903 what would it be? 17:50.903 --> 17:52.905 - I'll go with The Longest Yard. 17:52.905 --> 17:54.040  (Greg)    The Longest Yard, good choice. 17:54.040 --> 17:55.174 Stanley, always a pleasure to see you. 17:55.174 --> 17:55.775 - Thank you. 17:55.775 --> 17:56.475 - Hit 'em long, hit 'em straight. 17:56.475 --> 17:57.510 Alright? 17:57.510 --> 17:58.811 - That's the name of the game. 17:58.811 --> 17:59.745 - That's the idea, right? 17:59.745 --> 18:00.579 That's Stanley Morgan. 18:00.579 --> 18:01.447 We'll take a short break. 18:01.447 --> 18:03.482 Overtime is next. 18:03.482 --> 18:19.332 [theme music] 18:19.332 --> 18:22.735 Always good to see Stanley Morgan who has called Memphis 18:22.735 --> 18:25.671 home since the early '80s when he split time between the Bluff 18:25.671 --> 18:27.807 City and New England. 18:27.807 --> 18:29.809 Now to round ball, and the times, 18:29.809 --> 18:31.811 they are a changing at Mississippi State. 18:31.811 --> 18:34.814 After three rough years under former head coach Rick Ray, 18:34.814 --> 18:38.117 the Dogs reached out to veteran Head Coach Ben Howland to take 18:38.117 --> 18:40.586 over the program beginning this season. 18:40.586 --> 18:45.057 The 58-year-old becomes the 20th head coach in Bulldogs history. 18:45.057 --> 18:47.660 Howland was the Naismith National Coach of the year 18:47.660 --> 18:49.228 winner in 2002. 18:49.228 --> 18:52.932 He led three different schools to the NCAA Tournament including 18:52.932 --> 18:56.569 the UCLA Bruins, who twice made the final four under Howland, 18:56.569 --> 19:00.339 losing in the 2006 National Championship game to Florida and 19:00.339 --> 19:02.842 in the 2007 National Semi-Finals, 19:02.842 --> 19:04.710 once again to the Gators. 19:04.710 --> 19:07.580 Howland was hired by the Bulldogs in March and several 19:07.580 --> 19:10.483 months later we had a chance to catch up with him to chat about 19:10.483 --> 19:11.984 his new job and his expectations. 19:11.984 --> 19:13.319  (off-screen male)   Why did you   feel this was a good opportunity 19:13.319 --> 19:15.154  to come to Mississippi State? 19:15.154 --> 19:17.390 - Well, I think they've had great success in the past. 19:17.390 --> 19:20.393 You look at the history of the program and I love following 19:20.393 --> 19:22.194 college basketball. 19:22.194 --> 19:26.032 You look back to Babe McCarthy and what he did and what he 19:26.032 --> 19:27.800 meant to the University. 19:27.800 --> 19:30.369 And then in recently history, look at Richard Williams leading 19:30.369 --> 19:32.872 the program not only to the Final Four but the previous 19:32.872 --> 19:35.041 year, they went to the Sweet Sixteen. 19:35.041 --> 19:38.110 '95, '96, phenomenal back-to-back years. 19:38.110 --> 19:39.311 He had great success. 19:39.311 --> 19:43.349 And I think Rick Stansbury did a phenomenal job over 19:43.349 --> 19:45.017 his 14 year tenure. 19:45.017 --> 19:47.920 So, you've had a lot of success in basketball in the past at 19:47.920 --> 19:50.790 Mississippi State with some outstanding coaches 19:50.790 --> 19:52.491 and great players. 19:52.491 --> 19:55.294 And so, where they've had success in the past, 19:55.294 --> 19:57.763 I feel like you have a good chance to have success 19:57.763 --> 19:58.864 in the future. 19:58.864 --> 20:01.300 We've got a lot of work to do but I'm really excited and think 20:01.300 --> 20:04.837 we've got great facilities, a great university to sell and 20:04.837 --> 20:07.640 great fans to support the team. 20:07.640 --> 20:08.874  (off-screen male)    With that kind of tradition, 20:08.874 --> 20:10.509  what kind of pressure   does that put on you? 20:10.509 --> 20:11.944 - Well, we always have pressure. 20:11.944 --> 20:13.479 We expect to win. 20:13.479 --> 20:15.114 We expect to win, you know, immediately. 20:15.114 --> 20:17.950 That puts a lot of pressure because I think the most 20:17.950 --> 20:21.053 important pressure you ever have as a coach is what comes 20:21.053 --> 20:22.888 internally from yourself. 20:22.888 --> 20:25.758 If you don't put pressure on yourself then you shouldn't be 20:25.758 --> 20:28.494 in this business to begin with. 20:28.494 --> 20:30.596  (off-screen male)    How much did   you miss coaching while you're 20:30.596 --> 20:32.398  out analyzing basketball? 20:32.398 --> 20:33.933 - Well, I really missed it. 20:33.933 --> 20:37.203 And especially this last year, I was involved in a lot of media 20:37.203 --> 20:40.139 work as you pointed out with Fox and with NBC, 20:40.139 --> 20:43.576 both doing cross-country trips every week. 20:43.576 --> 20:47.213 But it really, you know, got to miss it a lot, 20:47.213 --> 20:50.649 just being around it, especially doing games in person and being 20:50.649 --> 20:53.152  around the kids and being    at the practices and being 20:53.152 --> 20:54.620  around the coaches. 20:54.620 --> 20:57.823  It's just, you know, it's what a   great life to have been a coach 20:57.823 --> 20:59.358  my entire career. 20:59.358 --> 21:01.694  I mean, most people, you know,   they got to get up and have a 21:01.694 --> 21:03.562  real job. 21:03.562 --> 21:06.132  I actually love what I do    and feel very passionate 21:06.132 --> 21:08.033  about my profession. 21:08.033 --> 21:10.269  (off-screen male)   So, aside from   Kentucky and Florida, 21:10.269 --> 21:12.905  the rest of the league   hasn't had a lot of consistency. 21:12.905 --> 21:15.341  What do you have to do to    be a consistent contender 21:15.341 --> 21:16.776  in this league? 21:16.776 --> 21:17.643 - Well, I tell you what. 21:17.643 --> 21:20.846 I think there's been a lot of good teams when you look at the 21:20.846 --> 21:22.081 last ten years. 21:22.081 --> 21:24.850 I mean, we're comparing the rest of the league to Kentucky who's 21:24.850 --> 21:26.852 been in the Final Four three or four times 21:26.852 --> 21:28.854 in the last ten years. 21:28.854 --> 21:30.756 Florida has won national championships. 21:30.756 --> 21:31.857 Kentucky won one. 21:31.857 --> 21:35.227 So, those teams have done a phenomenal job. 21:35.227 --> 21:39.098 You know, especially recently Calipari with Kentucky, 21:39.098 --> 21:40.533 Billy Donovan. 21:40.533 --> 21:44.770 My teams at UCLA lost to them, to Florida twice in the Final 21:44.770 --> 21:47.206 Fours in '06 and '07. 21:47.206 --> 21:49.175 So, I know first hand how good they were. 21:49.175 --> 21:51.243 But I think our team's on the up rise. 21:51.243 --> 21:53.445  I think you're seeing a lot   of great coaches coming to the 21:53.445 --> 21:55.114  league right now. 21:55.114 --> 21:57.483  Things can be very competitive   and it's going to raise the 21:57.483 --> 21:59.952  level of the conference. 21:59.952 --> 22:02.821  And so, that's going to be great   in terms of more teams getting 22:02.821 --> 22:06.025  in the NCAA   tournament on a year-in basis. 22:06.025 --> 22:07.827  (off-screen male)   Obviously you had   a good year recruiting. 22:07.827 --> 22:09.061  Tell us about Malik Newman. 22:09.061 --> 22:10.496  What's he going to   bring to the team? 22:10.496 --> 22:12.798 - I think Malik Newman is one of the best players in the country. 22:12.798 --> 22:16.569 And it's really special to have a young man from Jackson, 22:16.569 --> 22:19.438 Mississippi, two hours away from campus, 22:19.438 --> 22:23.709 to elect to stay home and play in front of the fans in his home 22:23.709 --> 22:26.612 state and to play at the university where his father, 22:26.612 --> 22:29.715 Horatio Webster, played and was such a great player for 22:29.715 --> 22:31.584 Mississippi State and the Bulldogs. 22:31.584 --> 22:33.319 So, we're very blessed. 22:33.319 --> 22:36.121 I'm very grateful that we're able to keep him home. 22:36.121 --> 22:39.225 He's going to be an outstanding point guard for us. 22:39.225 --> 22:40.993 He scores the ball so well. 22:40.993 --> 22:42.928 He's a very, very good shooter. 22:42.928 --> 22:44.396 A very good scorer. 22:44.396 --> 22:46.932 He's a good decision maker with the ball. 22:46.932 --> 22:49.868 And I think he has tons of upside and it'll be my job to 22:49.868 --> 22:55.007 help him reach his potential so he can move on to the NBA. 22:55.007 --> 22:56.942  (off-screen male)    Based on that   talent you've got in camp right 22:56.942 --> 22:59.278  now, what's the style   of play going to be? 22:59.278 --> 23:02.648  What are people going to   see from Mississippi State? 23:02.648 --> 23:04.483 - Well, we're going to play man-to-man defense primarily. 23:04.483 --> 23:05.851 That's what I believe in. 23:05.851 --> 23:08.053 And we're really going to emphasize doing a great job 23:08.053 --> 23:12.625 getting back in transition, forcing people to have to really 23:12.625 --> 23:15.761 work hard to score against us, against our half court 23:15.761 --> 23:16.996 set defense. 23:16.996 --> 23:19.932 And offensive, we're going to push it every time we get it. 23:19.932 --> 23:21.533  Made or missed   shots by our opponent. 23:21.533 --> 23:24.570  And if we don't have a good   shot early in the possession, 23:24.570 --> 23:27.640  then we're going to really try   to execute and set good screens 23:27.640 --> 23:30.409 and move the ball and change it from side-to-side, 23:30.409 --> 23:33.846 get it inside and back out, set good screens for one another and 23:33.846 --> 23:35.748 play unselfishly. 23:35.748 --> 23:38.083  (off-screen male)    What are   your expectations for this year? 23:38.083 --> 23:39.852 - Well, I'm really excited about this year. 23:39.852 --> 23:42.288 You know, we're still finishing up our schedule right now. 23:42.288 --> 23:44.056 We've got a couple more games to do. 23:44.056 --> 23:45.891 I know the SEC is going to get very, 23:45.891 --> 23:47.826 very tough when you look at the conference. 23:47.826 --> 23:49.628 But we're excited to get started. 23:49.628 --> 23:51.664 And we're looking forward to competing. 23:51.664 --> 23:53.866  (off-screen male)   What's your message today   for the fan faithful? 23:53.866 --> 23:56.302 - Just appreciate the opportunity to be their coach 23:56.302 --> 23:59.672 and I'm so excited to be here at Mississippi State. 23:59.672 --> 24:02.274 And I really hope that everyone will come down to the Hump next 24:02.274 --> 24:04.610 basketball season and support the team. 24:04.610 --> 24:08.947 Because the key to having a home court advantage is having great 24:08.947 --> 24:12.217 fans there to support their team. 24:12.217 --> 24:14.420 - Howland is already off to a great start at Mississippi State 24:14.420 --> 24:17.423 with the April signing of the nation's top ranked guard, 24:17.423 --> 24:19.892 Malik Newman, whose father also played at Mississippi State. 24:19.892 --> 24:25.364 Speaking of hoops, Grizzlies fans are breathing a big sigh of 24:25.364 --> 24:28.534  relief after the team's signing   of all-star center Marc Gasol to 24:28.534 --> 24:34.340  a new five year max contract   worth around $110 million. 24:34.340 --> 24:37.876  He will have a player option   after four years of that deal. 24:37.876 --> 24:40.579  It was not a shocker that Big   Spain decided to stay with the 24:40.579 --> 24:43.816  Grizzlies, but getting him for   five years was incredible news 24:43.816 --> 24:46.218 for the organization. 24:46.218 --> 24:47.486 And that will do it for this week's show. 24:47.486 --> 24:49.555 Don't forget you can see any of our previous shows by going to 24:49.555 --> 24:52.324 our website, WKNO.org. 24:52.324 --> 24:56.095 Next week it's a special Sports Files program with NBA legend 24:56.095 --> 24:58.564 Ervin Magic Johnson. 24:58.564 --> 25:01.066 Until then have a great week and we'll see you next time. 25:01.066 --> 25:38.804 [theme music] 25:38.804 --> 25:40.973   (female announcer)   Production funding   for "Sports Files" is 25:40.973 --> 25:43.509  made possible in part by.. 25:43.509 --> 25:45.477  (male narrator)    Infiniti of Memphis    has moved to Germantown 25:45.477 --> 25:48.614  road just half mile north of   Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 25:48.614 --> 25:51.850  to support WKNO for its quality   broadcasting and service 25:51.850 --> 25:52.651  to our community. 25:52.651 --> 25:55.020  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 25:55.020 --> 25:57.456  feels at home on WKNO. 25:57.456 --> 26:01.456 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY WKNO, MEMPHIS.