In Episode 56 of the Talking Grammer podcast, ahead of Sunday's Pitino vs. Pitino game in the Pit between the Iona Gaels and UNM Lobos, we hear sound from both head coaches -- Rick and Richard Pitino -- and have conversations with the great Dick Vital and with Dan McHale, the former Lobo assistant who has the unique perspective not only of having coached under both Rick and Richard Pitino, but having been on the flight home with both men after the last time the two coached against each other in 2015. We touch on why the game is being played, the attention its garnering, and most important of all, will Richard Pitino try to match his dad's elite suit game on Sunday?

Ep 56: Rick Pitino vs Richard Pitino (TG 12.16.22)

In Episode 59 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a brief conversation with new Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, who was in Albuquerque this past week. Just the second-ever commissioner in the Mountain West, Nevarez and I talk about the leagues current positioning in the college athletics landscape, how realignment might affect the league, what the future of the mutlimedia rights deal is and just how important a healthy basketball league is to the conference as it hopes as many as five teams could play in this year's NCAA Tournament.

Ep 59: MWC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez (TG 1.28.23)

In Episode 61 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with now former UNM starting power forward Josiah Allick who caught Lobo fans by surprise this past week when he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. What went into his decision? Was there a problem with coaches, teammates or will he be getting more NIL money by going elsewhere? He explains his decision and discusses his one season with the Lobos basketball program.

Ep 61: Transferring Lobo Josiah Allick (TG 3.26.23 )

In Episode 73 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with former UNM Lobos hoops star Hugh Greenwood. The fan favorite, 4-year starter from Australia is back in Albuquerque visiting friends and the family of his Albuquerque-native wife, Kjiersten Straub, ahead of the upcoming Australia Football League season, where he will start his ninth season as a professionally footballer (playing "footie", not hoops and not American football). We talk his current sport, catching up with old friends and some fun memories of his time as a Lobo.

Ep 73: Former Lobo hoops star Hugh Greenwood (TG 11.14.23)

In Episode 93 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with UNM Lobo junior point guard Donovan Dent, who takes over as the lead guard in this, his junior season, after having shared the backcourt his first two seasons with two other ball-dominant guards. Dent, a preseason ALl-Mountain West selection, talks about his role on the team now, his evolution on the court and the special connection he's developed on the court with one teammate.

Ep 93: UNM Lobo point guard Donovan Dent (TG 11.03.24)

In Episode 99 of the Talking Grammer podcast I catch up with Lobo senior guard C.J. Noland, who this week is playing his first ever NCAA Tournament. We go through his journey from Texas to Oklahoma out of high school to the University of North Texas and then his transfer to UNM for his final season. We also talk about support — from fans, teammates, coaches and his family during his basketball career.

Ep 99: UNM Lobo guard C.J. Noland (TG 03.18.25)

In Episode 101 of the Talking Grammer podcast I have an exit interview of sorts with the now former UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino, who about 36 hours prior accepted the head coaching position at Xavier University, ending his four-year run in Albuquerque. We talk about the decision to leave, taking staff, his talking with current Lobos, skyline chili vs. New Mexico chile and more important stuff like where all his Lobo gear is now.

Ep 101: Former UNM Lobo basketball coach Richard Pitino (TG 03.27.25)

In Episode 102 of the Talking Grammer podcast I get to know new UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Eric Olen, who has coached at UC San Diego the past 21 years and led he Tritons to a 30-5 record, a Big West championship and the NCAA Tournament this past season in the program's first year eligible for the Big Dance. The 44-year-old is considered a rising star in coaching and we talk offense, defense and some background on his coaching history.


Ep 102: New UNM Lobo basketball coach Eric Olen (TG 03.30.25)

In Episode 103 of the Talking Grammer podcast I talk with UNM Vice President for Athletics Fernando Lovo who in his first 120 days on the job conducted a national search for a new football coach, navigated the 60-day legislative session with intense lobbying efforts to secure money for UNM Athletics, conducted a national search for a new coach of Lobo basketball, put together most of his leadership team and moved a family of four from Austin to Albuquerque. 

Ep 103: UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo (TG 04.10.25)

In Episode 104 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with new UNM Lobo basketball assistant coach Tom Tankelewicz, whose primary role with the team is coordinating the offense under new coach Eric Olen. We discuss style of play, the type of recruit this system is looking for, his playing and coaching history, whether "Coach Tank" could have coached "Player Tank" in college and we even discuss the Blue Hose. 

Ep 104: UNM Lobo basketball assistant coach Tom Tankelewicz (TG 04.28.25)

In Episode 105 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with Albuquerque's own Lauren Green, who just completed her first season in the NBA as a sideline reporter and host with the Utah Jazz. The Volcano Vista High School graduate who went on to run track at the University of Nevada and get a graduate degree from Arizona State before returning home to work for KOB, is now in the world professional sports journalism. 

Ep 105: Utah Jazz sideline reporter Lauren Green (TG 05.11.25)

In Episode 106 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with one of the new UNM Lobo men's basketball assistant coaches, Michael Wilder. He played at UC Irvine and coached there the past 11 years. We talk about what he learned from successful head coach Russell Turner, which former Lobo great ended his high school career, his role with the Lobos, whether Kobe on his all-time starting 5 and, of course, his glorious head of hair.   

Ep 106: New UNM Lobo assistant Michael Wilder (TG 05.20.25)

In Episode 107 of the Talking Grammer podcast, as the NBA Finals are upon us this week, I caught up with former New Mexico State and UNLV coach Marvin Menzies, who recruited and coached Pascal Siakam. The former Aggies great was a 2016 first round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors and is now with the Indiana Pacers, who are in the NBA Finals, which start this week. I talk with Menzies, who is now the head coach of the Kansas City Roos, about Siakam's growth as a player and a person at NMSU and when he knew Siakam was destined to be great.

Ep 107: Former NMSU coach Marvin Menzies on recruiting Pascal Siakam (TG 06.03.25)

In Episode 108 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we get to know new UNM Lobo assistant men's basketball coach Sam Stapleton, one of three assistants who followed head coach Eric Olen from UC San Diego. Sam, a former D-III player, says he knew since 5th grade he wanted to be a basketball coach.


Ep 108: New UNM Lobos assistant coach Sam Stapleton (TG 06.09.25)

In Episode 109 of the Talking Grammer podcast, UNM had its first open summer practice on Tuesday with the entirely new men's hoops roster under first year coach Eric Olen. I give some of my quick, first reaction thoughts on some players, even projecting a way-too-early starting five and we hear audio from Olen and senior guard Chris Howell, one of the players who followed Olen to UNM from UC San Diego.

Ep 109: First look at the new Lobo basketball team (TG 06.18.25)

In Episode 110 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with New Mexico State University men's basketball coach Jason Hooten. He enters his third season as coach of a program he took over amid a complete rebuild. How will the Aggies be this season? How does he feel the rebuild is going? And a whole lot more.

Ep 110: NM State Aggies basketball coach Jason Hooten (TG 06.25.25)

In Episode 111 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos assistant coach Mike Roberts, the former Indiana player whose experience coaching defense and developing big men will be part of his role on this year's staff. It's the fourth in the five-part series with the new Lobo assistant coaches. 


Ep 111: UNM Lobo basketball assistant Mike Roberts (TG 07.01.25)

In Episode 112 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos assistant coach Mikey Howell, a former point guard at UC San Diego who played for new Lobos head coach Eric Olen and for the past three seasons also coached under him at UCSD. It's the fifth and final episode in the five-part series with the new Lobo assistant coaches. 

Ep 112: UNM Lobo basketball assistant Mikey Howell (TG 07.22.25)

In Episode 113 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Grand Canyon University men's basketball coach Bryce Drew, the newest member of the Mountain West conference. What should the league expect of the Lopes this year? How familiar is he with the league and its venues? And this NMSU grad even gets him to say something nice about NMSU the Aggies.

Ep 113: Grand Canyon University basketball coach Bryce Drew (TG 07.31.25)

In Episode 114 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new Colorado State Rams head coach Ali Farokhmanesh. We talk his coaching influences, growing up with highly successful college volleyball coaching parents, baggy shorts, big shots and whether CSU and UNM will continue playing basketball when the Rams leave the Mountain West next year.

Ep 114: Colorado State Rams head coach Ali Farokhmanesh (TG 08.11.25)

In Episode 115 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball coach Josh Pastner, who despite never having had a sip of coffee in his life, brought enough energy to light up the Vegas strip. We talk coaching influences, hand writing more than 1,000 letters to college coaches to try and get recruited, playing for and coaching with Lute Olson, Bill Walton, A.J. Bramlett, his desire to get booed relentlessly in the Pit and much more. 

Ep 115: UNLV Runnin' Rebels head coach Josh Pastner (TG 08.19.25)

In Episode 116 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Kimberly Eck, the wife of new UNM Lobo football coach Jason Eck trying to get a glimpse of the coach we won't see just watching him on game day. She talks about how they met, how he dances, their family's love of Bluey, and the strains of the coach's wife life, including how their five children were born in five different states as Jason moved from job to job in his career, and her superstitions before a game (did she or didn't she wash her car before last week's game at Michigan?).  

Ep 116: Kimberly Eck, wife of UNM football coach Jason Eck (TG 09.04.25)

In Episode 117 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos point guard Deyton Albury, a native of the Bahamas. The senior transfer from Utah State is going to be relied on heavily to lead the new-look Lobos in the first year under head coach Eric Olen. We talk basketball in the Bahamas, compare New Mexican and Bahamian food, he gives three bold basketball predictions, and explains why we're all probably better off that he's here playing basketball and not playing the trumpet. 

Ep 117: Deyton Albury, UNM Lobos point guard Deyton Albury (TG 10.06.25)

In Episode 118 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos guard Luke Haupt. The sixth-year senior transfer from Division II Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego is the son of one of the winningest active coaches in California High School basketball, Mike Haupt. We talk taking the D-II route, his love of big dogs, whether he's got a chip on his shoulder to prove he can play at the DI level and did he really once fly a plane?

Ep 118: UNM Lobos guard Luke Haupt (TG 10.13.25)

In Episode 119 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez at the 2025-26 men's basketball media day event in Las Vegas, Nevada. We talk about the state of the league, both football and basketball, but primarily give the commissioner an opportunity to discuss ongoing litigation about exit fees and poaching penalties with five schools departing the league after this season to join the rebuilding Pac-12. This podcast was recorded BEFORE the Mountain West officially filed later in the day an 86-page court filing, including counterclaims made against the Pac 12. 

Ep 119: Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez (TG 10.23.25)

In Episode 120 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I give my annual team-by-team breakdown of the Mountain West conference season ahead with audio from head coaches of all 12 teams. Here's a time breakdown for each team if you'd like to jump ahead (and not hear me talk so much): Air Force, 8:30; Boise State, 12:07; Colorado State, 16:05; Fresno State, 20:00; Grand Canyon, 24:05; Nevada 29:34; New Mexico 34:05; San Diego State, 39:20; San Jose State, 43:15; UNLV, 46:40; Utah State, 50:30; Wyoming, 53:40.   


Ep 120: 2025-26 Mountain West hoops season preview (TG 11.03.25)

I sat down with first year UNM Lobos men's basketball coach Paul Weir to discus his philosophy on building his team and the recent "Weir's Science" four-part series published in the Albuquerque Journal. (Cover art via Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)

Talking Grammer, Episode 1: Lobo basketball coach Paul Weir (08.16.17)

In Episode 6 of the Talking Grammer podcast I have two interviews to share with you, one with former NBA All Star and former Lobo basketball great Danny Granger, who is now working with CBS Sports Network, the network broadcasting nest week's Mountain West Tournament games. Danny talks about his time with the Lobos, his dabbling in the television world and the current scandals in college hoops. In the second interview on this episode, I interview my 8-year-old daughter, who by flipping a coin to all seasons is beating me, the college basketball writer, in picking college hoops games this season and I'm not too happy about it. I post all the picks on social media and fans and coaches across the Mountain West have been rooting for the coin over me all season. I've decided to ground her until she starts letting me win some games.

Talking Grammer, Ep. 6: Danny Granger and my daughter Jaedyn

Episode 15 is a conversation with Indiana Pacers scout and former Cleveland State coach Kevin Mackey, the architect of the Run and Stun press that UNM Lobos head coach Paul Weir is trying to implement with his program. Mackey flew to Albuquerque a year ago to help the Lobos coaching staff with the system. He's back a year later. What did he see with the Lobos using the press in Year 1, what started his use of the Press in the 1980s and what is Paul Weir's level of commitment to it moving forward?

Talking Grammer, Ep. 15: Run & Stun architect Kevin Mackey and Lobos coach Paul Weir 9.19.18

In Episode 29 I catch up with UNM Lobo basketball rising seniors Makuach Maluach and Keith McGee (the team's third senior, Zane Martin, was not available). They talk about the odd offseason being away from teammates, expectations for next year, who is the best at video games and what they're learning watching 'The Last Dance' documentary on the Chicago Bulls.

Ep 29: Makuach Maluach, Keith McGee (TG 04.29.20)

Albuquerque Journal staff writer Geoff Grammer shares some of the conversations he has on the beat covering a wide variety of sports in New Mexico, primarily UNM Lobos basketball, through his Talking Grammer podcast.

Talking Grammer Podcast

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