The 5Star Preps Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jesse Smithey
5Star Preps is East Tennessee's newest yet most experienced staff of covering all things high school sports in the Greater Knoxville Area.
Episode 64 - State Football Championships move to Chattanooga. We bring on Stephen Hargis of the Times Free Press to give us the details and tell us what to expect downtown. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 63 - Newly hired Lakeway Christian Academy football coach Steve Haywood talks about how he got the job, his time at CPA and his vision for Lakeway. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 62 - Former Knoxville Catholic standout Chase Kuerschen on playing FBS football, playing against Josh Heupel, transitioning from HS football to college and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 61 - Oneida football coach Tony Lambert discusses his career's evolution, starting from a coal mine worker to now leading one of the top 2A football programs in the state. by Jesse Smithey
Ep. 60 - Longtime Alcoa defensive coordinator Brian Nix discusses his career, the evolution of coaching defense, coaching some of the area's great players and against the area's top coaches. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 59 - Jacksonville Jaquars special teams gunner Nathan Cottrell discusses his career journey from Knoxville to Georgia Tech to NFL. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 58 - John Varlas (Daily Memphian) and Stephen Hargis (Chatt Times Free Press) join the pod to discuss HS football in their areas. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 57 - Former Carter High and Tennessee Vols basketball standout Jordan Bowden. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 56 - The Michael Jordan Impact on Knoxville, part III - The 3-on-3 tournament of 1986 by Jesse Smithey
Episode 55 - The Michael Jordan Impact on Knoxville, Part II - The Golf Course by Jesse Smithey
Episode 54 - The Michael Jordan Impact on Knoxville, Part I - The Baseball Visits by Jesse Smithey
Fulton basketball coach Jody Wright discusses his career, his teams and players, Pat Summitt's influence, answers social media questions and tells some fantastic stories.
Episode 52 - TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress discusses football classifications, championship venues, transfers and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 51 - Former Vol center and NBA player Steve Hamer discusses his playing career, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 50 - Josh Snead of SEC Shorts joins us to discuss the creation of their viral videos and what goes into them each week. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 49 - Jeff Phillips discusses his life story and his journey into coaching his alma mater at Austin-East, as well as having a sister in WWE by Jesse Smithey
Ep. 48 - WATE sports director Marshall Hughes discusses covering HS football in Texas and Tennessee, growing up with Andrew Luck and his career in TV media. by Jesse Smithey
Ep. 47 - Brett Kendrick discusses his days at CAK and with Tennessee Football, the NFL and now high school coaching. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 46 - Trent Dilfer discusses his new journey as a high school coach at Lipscomb Academy, as well as his time in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and with Elite 11 by Jesse Smithey
Episode 45 - Kingston native & former ESPN the Magazine editor LaRue Cook discusses his journey through sports journalism, being an Uber driver and now published author of "Man in the (Rearview) Mirror"
EPISODE 44 - Big Ed's Pizza Review, Former NFL coach Ryan Slowik discusses his transition from NFL to Webb School of Knoxville by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 42 - Grace Christian coach Rusty Bradley discusses his life as a coach's son and his own trajectory through the coaching world. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 41 - The Real Coach K. We went to Rockwood Golf Course to meet with longtime basketball coach Paul Kamikawa of Rockwood. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 40 - Former Vols kicker James Wilhoit joins the podcast to discuss his time at Tennessee and his upcoming camp at Alcoa High School. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 39 - Wes Caldwell discusses the Greenback state baseball title, his postgame quotes and his new tattoo. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 38 - So you want to play Pro Basketball? Knoxville's Dre Mathieu tells you about playing overseas. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 37 - New Kingston girls bball coach Kayla Christopher Rather & new Morristown East football coach Caleb Slover by Jesse Smithey
Episode 35 - Bearden guard Ques Glover on his commitment to the Florida Gators and the 2019 season by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 34 - Knoxville Catholic 2020 OL Bryn Tucker, a 2020 Under Armour All-American, announces his college football commitment. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 33 - The 20th anniversary of "Varsity Blues - Josh Ward and Jesse Smithey review its place in the realm of football movies and how the film was ahead of its time. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 32 - What it's like to play 36 Holes with Tiger Woods (Part I) by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 31 - 2020 Catholic OL Bryn Tucker discusses his life in the game of football, his recruitment and more. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 30 - Nick Senzel, a former Farragut High and UT Vols standout, joins us to discuss his career; and, we also get into Catholic football and Greeneville football news. by Jesse Smithey
EPISODE 29 - Former Vol and former Bearden star Devrin Young discusses his football career and now rugby career. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 28 - We talk Breaking News, Oak Hill Academy and National Signing Day. Danny Parker joins us to offer his insights. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 27 - Former NBA G-League player and NCAA Mid-Major POY Ty Greene discusses his upcoming camp, marrying a basketball star, playing at Bearden, D1 and NBA G-League and more! by Jesse Smithey
Episode 26 - Interviews from BlueCross Bowl Media Day ... Greeneville coach Caine Ballard, Alcoa coach Gary Rankin, Central WR Demetrien Johnson, Oakland coach Kevin Creasy, Greeneville QB Cade Ballard and Central coach Bryson Rosser by Jesse Smithey
Episode 25 - TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress discusses transfer rules, football classifications, chain gangs, state venues and spring practice by Jesse Smithey
EMERGENCY POD - Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalists announced by TSSAA by Jesse Smithey
Episode 24 - Campbell County coach Justin Price shares his thoughts on 5A football, being a twin, being a former Mr. Football and the future of the game. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 23 - Anderson County QB Stanton Martin shares his thoughts on his future, the season and the Mavericks' entrance onto the field last week. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 22 - "Eight Hateful Miles" author Stephen Hargis joins us to talk about the most intense rivalry in Tennessee ... South Pitt vs. Marion County by Jesse Smithey
Episode 21 - South-Doyle coach Clark Duncan discusses his coaching career, playing at UT, almost playing in the USFL and keeping fit at 60. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 20 - Central football coach Bryson Rosser talks about his rise in the coaching game, his program, beating Maryville in 2008 and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 19 - Former Vol RB Jabari Davis talks Florida week, playing at UT, his life after football and helping HS athletes in East TN. by Jesse Smithey
Epsiode 17 - John Brice joins the podcast to bring his perspective and thoughts on the Alcoa:Maryville rivalry - from its history to the top players, coaches and memorable moments. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 16 - PGA Tour player Peter Malnati discusses his return to the PGA Tour, playing with Jordan Spieth, the Tiger Effect and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 15 - Playing for David Cutcliffe, playing with Harrison Smith and how to get UNC:Duke tickets, former Catholic OL Conor Irwin schools us on that and good:bad OL play. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 14 - Powell football coach Matt Lowe on his return to Powell, relying on Mountain Dew during football season, playing scout team QB, Last Chance U and the Halls vs. Powell rivalry by Jesse Smithey
Episode 13 - Fulton head football coach Rob Black on this season, his upbringing around Fulton, getting into coaching, Last Chance U and working the sidelines at Tennessee football games. by Jesse Smithey
Bonus Episode 2 - Last Chance U QBs coach Frank Diaz joins us to talk about the series, Tennessee DT Emmitt Gooden, coaching in Independence and what he's up to these days. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 12 - Wil Crowe, the former Pigeon Forge HS star is now 11-0 this season with the Potomac Nationals and discusses his ascent into pro baseball, his high school days, road trips, Fortnite and more! by Jesse Smithey
Episode 11 - Former CAK quarterback Charlie High discusses his life now as an assistant coach at Grace Christian, his games against Alcoa, why he left Tennessee and more. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 10 - Furman offensive coordinator and former Maryville head coach George Quarles joins the 5Star Preps Podcast presented by WBBLeague.com by Jesse Smithey
Episode 9 - Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith talks about his time in the NFL, at Catholic HS, flying planes and visiting Iceland and more by Jesse Smithey
Episode 8 - Former Coalfield star, 2-time Mr. Football and Tennessee signee Zach Stewart shares his story and what he's doing today. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 7 - Former UT and CAK receiver Josh Smith talks NFL, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, UT, CAK and how he met his wife by Jesse Smithey
Episode 6 - Former Bearden star Lane Thomas discusses life in the Minor Leagues by Jesse Smithey
Episode 5 - 3-time PGA Tour winner Scott Stallings of Knoxville talks about his life changes, the 2018 US Open, talking with Tiger Woods, his bucket list and John Ward by Jesse Smithey
Episode 4 - Mike Keith, voice of the Tennessee Titans discusses his roots in Knoxville HS football, working with John Ward, making legendary calls with the Titans and his penchant for finding Dairy Queens anywhere in the South. by Jesse Smithey
Episode 3 - Knoxville Catholic football coach Steve Matthews discusses his time at UT, Memphis, the NFL, NFL Europe and high school coaching by Jesse Smithey