Happy Hour with John Gaskins

FULL SHOW: Kalen DeBoer & Kurtiss Rigs on the USF glory days, DeBoer 1-on-1, and Thirsty Thursday with Trent Singer (SDSU baseball vs Huskers, Jacks & USD football TV games, Melsted's first days in Minnesota, Stampede title stamp

1 h 51 min · 29. maj 2026
episode FULL SHOW: Kalen DeBoer & Kurtiss Rigs on the USF glory days, DeBoer 1-on-1, and Thirsty Thursday with Trent Singer (SDSU baseball vs Huskers, Jacks & USD football TV games, Melsted's first days in Minnesota, Stampede title stamp cover

Description

The record-breaking University of Sioux Falls receiver went on to win three national titles and post a 69-3 record as head coach at his alma mater before several offensive coordinating jobs in Div. I led to head coaching gigs at Fresno State, Washington, and Alabama. Perhaps you're familiar with Kalen DeBoer's 124-20 career record and 86 percent winning clip and the two College Football Playoff appearances of the last three years. His new seven-year extension with Alabama places him among the Top 5 highest-paid coaches in the sport at $12.5 million per year. The quarterback who threw DeBoer the ball stayed in Sioux Falls and coached in high school and professional indoor football — where he won 11 titles in 21 seasons with the Storm — in addition to playing a substantial role on DeBoer's USF staffs during that 69-3 run. Perhaps you're also familiar with Kurtiss Riggs, the football director of the Sanford Sports Academy, which continues to develop youth and prep players, churns out college football players at every level, and provides ample opportunities for those players to become more visible to colleges. And then, there's the decade he has spent as a local TV analyst on live high school and college broadcasts, which has led to his emergence as in IFL game analyst for Yahoo Sports. And, maybe you're well aware these two men were the best of friends in college and still are to this day. But what you may not know is how it all came to be. How did DeBoer and Riggs end up at USF, then become the Montana and Rice of the NAIA in the mid 1990's? After separating for a decade, the two then combined to make USF's offense a runaway train during those dominant DeBoer-led USF years. What were some of those headset discussions like? The two Cougars take us back in time in the latest Happy Hour. DeBoer sticks around to further explain Riggs' football prowess and genius as a coach and announcer, then talks about: * Being a softball dad to Alexis, who was a first-team All-Big Ten softball player at Washington the last two seasons * How a crushing, blowout playoff loss after his first season as USF' head coach — the season before the first of his three USF national titles may help him navigate how he'll react to Crimson Tide's bruising 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to eventual national champion Indiana. * How his coaching experience at USF has helped him handle the NIL/portal landscape and constant roster turnover Before all this, Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for a Thirsty Thursday at Orion Pub, where they discuss: * South Dakota State's baseball matchup with Nebraska in the NCAA Regional * Recently announced national TV games for SDSU and USD football this season, plus what nine nationally televised games could do for NDSU * How one legendary Minnesota sportswriter reacted to the Golden Gophers hiring now-former Augustana coach Gretta Melsted * The Sioux Falls Stampede's perfect ending to a special Clark Cup season

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297 episodes

episode FULL SHOW: Ben Leber (Vikings analyst) and Patrick Lalley's mayoral runoff preview artwork

FULL SHOW: Ben Leber (Vikings analyst) and Patrick Lalley's mayoral runoff preview

Down the stretch they come! J.J. McCarthy vs. Kyler Murray to become Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback. Christine Erickson vs. Jamie Smith to become the next mayor of Sioux Falls. Both races have heated up over the last few weeks as the finish line draws closer. Who will win? What have the combatants done to position themselves for a win? If only there was a local talk show that could bring on experienced, well-connected and well-studied analysts to provide deft commentary on these races. Thankfully, there's Happy Hour. Ben Leber The former Minnesota Vikings linebacker (2006-10) and South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer has had almost unparalleled access for over a decade as a sideline analyst and postgame locker room interviewer for the Vikings Audio Network. The Vermillion High School alumnus has seen the performances of Arizona Cardinals import Murray and Vikings top 10 draft pick McCarthy up close at recent Vikings mini-camps. Leber also knows Coach Kevin O'Connell's complex and at times wildly effective offensive system well. He has a breakdown on how those two QBs have run the offense so far and what their advantages are within it. Yes, Leber has a prediction on who will win the job and when "splitting reps" will — or at least should — turn into "No. 1 gets most of the reps." Leber also weighs in on a Vikings defense that was top 5 in the NFL in many metrics last season but has lost some playmakers. He also assesses the hiring of first-time general manager Nolan Teasley, who has brought over two of the top three lieutenants from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' front office. Patrick Lalley Sioux Falls Live's editor and primary political reporter has spent over 30 years covering city and state government and elections in his hometown of Sioux Falls. He was part of a panel that peppered mayoral runoff candidates Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith in one of the recent head-to-head debates. What are his observations from those debates? How much more have we learned about them since our last discussion right after the June 2 mayoral election, when Lalley said he could not decipher major difference in their platforms and views on the city's most pressing issues? What main differences can we decipher in how the two would lead the city? How much does the endorsements of Smith from two of the other candiates — Greg Jamison and Joe Batchellor — matter? And how much does gubernatorial runoff finalist Toby Doeden's scorched earth condemnation of Jamison, Batchellor, and Smith—plus, his endorsement of Erickson—matter?

19. juni 20261 h 8 min
episode SF Mayor Runoff Election preview with Patrick Lalley artwork

SF Mayor Runoff Election preview with Patrick Lalley

Sioux Falls Live's editor and primary political reporter has spent over 30 years covering city and state government and elections in his hometown of Sioux Falls. He was part of a panel that peppered mayoral runoff candidates Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith in one of the recent head-to-head debates. What are his observations from those debates? How much more have we learned about them since our last discussion right after the June 2 mayoral election, when Lalley said he could not decipher major difference in their platforms and views on the city's most pressing issues? What main differences can we decipher in how the two would lead the city? How much does the endorsements of Smith from two of the other candiates — Greg Jamison and Joe Batchellor — matter? And how much does gubernatorial runoff finalist Toby Doeden's scorched earth condemnation of Jamison, Batchellor, and Smith—plus, his endorsement of Erickson—matter?

19. juni 202645 min
episode Ben Leber digs into Vikings QB quandary, defense, Harrison Smith comeback odds, new GM & front office artwork

Ben Leber digs into Vikings QB quandary, defense, Harrison Smith comeback odds, new GM & front office

The former Minnesota Vikings linebacker (2006-10) and South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer has had almost unparalleled access for over a decade as a sideline analyst and postgame locker room interviewer for the Vikings Audio Network. The Vermillion High School alumnus has seen the performances of Arizona Cardinals import Murray and Vikings top 10 draft pick McCarthy up close at recent Vikings mini-camps. Leber also knows Coach Kevin O'Connell's complex and at times wildly effective offensive system well. He has a breakdown on how those two QB's have run the offense so far and what their advantages are within it. Yes, Leber has a prediction on who will win the job and when "splitting reps" will — or at least should — turn into "No. 1 gets most of the reps." Leber also weighs in on a Vikings defense that was top 5 in the NFL in many metrics last season but has lost some playmakers. He also assesses the hiring of first-time general manager Nolan Teasley, who has brought over two of the top three lieutenants from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' front office.

18. juni 202622 min
episode FULL SHOW: SDSU JFPA president Ryan McKnight and Summit League TV-streaming talk on an early Thirsty Thursday with Trent Singer artwork

FULL SHOW: SDSU JFPA president Ryan McKnight and Summit League TV-streaming talk on an early Thirsty Thursday with Trent Singer

Ryan McKnight tackles the meatiest issues facing South Dakota State football the same way he blocked tacklers in the old Great West conference: He comes right at you, fearlessly and with abandon. The former All-American center who was part of the Jackrabbits' first FCS playoff team in 2010 returns to Happy Hour a year after walking us through his unique football journey [http://sports/happy-hour-sdsu-all-america-center-ryan-mcknight] from Sioux Falls Washington Warrior to SDSU walk-on to All-American. This time around, McKnight looks back on the 2025 season and predicts big things for 2026. He also weighs in on a possible FBS future for SDSU, how well NDSU will compete right away in the Mountain West, and the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech. McKnight is closer to the players and coaches in the Jacks program than most people on the planet. He is the founder and president of the Jackrabbit Former Players Association (JFPA), which regularly uses former players' resources to help fund the program's endeavors. For example, players consume thousands of pounds of beef during the summer months—beef sourced directly from farms owned by alumni who are cattle ranchers. Another example: Next Friday's JFPA Football & Cheer Youth Camp and the following days JFPA golf outing. Both events will feature "A-List" former SDSU football players, including some who currently play in the NFL. Thirsty Thursday on a Wednesday with Trent Singer Before the McKnight conversation, Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday" podcast from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls. This week's episode airs on Wednesday and covers: * The Summit League's decision to stick with its streaming and national television package [https://www.inforum.com/sports/college/summit-league-extends-current-tv-rights-package-another-four-years] partners from Midco Sports (streaming) and CBS Sports Network (live games — 7-9 games in regular season, plus both men's semfinals and both championship games). Happy Hour garnered insight from a local Summit League school official who was part of a 7-0-1 vote to continue with Midco and CBS. What were the main reasons to continue the partnership and not go back to a deal with previous streaming and over-air carrier ESPN (via ESPN+ streaming and tourney title games on ESPN2 and ESPNU)? Other recent local headlines discussed: * Sioux Falls Christian hoops stud Brant Wassenaar's commitment to former SDSU coach Eric Henderson and Drake [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/sioux-falls-christian-hoops-star-brant-wassenaar-commits-to-drake] * Harrisburg setter Josalyn Samuel's commitment to Nebraska [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/harrisburg-standout-josalyn-samuels-commits-to-nebraska-volleyball] * Rapid City native Simeon Birnbaum's NCAA championship in distance running with Oregon [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/from-rapid-city-to-ncaa-champion-simeon-birnbaum-reaches-the-top] * Augustana volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs steps down at odd time [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/jennifer-jacobs-steps-down-as-augustana-volleyball-head-coach]

17. juni 20261 h 47 min
episode Summit League TV & streaming stays with Midco & CBS Sports Network & other local topics on a Thirsty Thursday (but Wednesday) with Trent Singer from Orion Pub artwork

Summit League TV & streaming stays with Midco & CBS Sports Network & other local topics on a Thirsty Thursday (but Wednesday) with Trent Singer from Orion Pub

Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday" podcast from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls. This week's episode airs on Wednesday and covers: * The Summit League's decision to stick with its streaming and national television package [https://www.inforum.com/sports/college/summit-league-extends-current-tv-rights-package-another-four-years] partners from Midco Sports (streaming) and CBS Sports Network (live games — 7-9 games in regular season, plus both men's semfinals and both championship games). Happy Hour garnered insight from a local Summit League school official who was part of a 7-0-1 vote to continue with Midco and CBS. What were the main reasons to continue the partnership and not go back to a deal with previous streaming and over-air carrier ESPN (via ESPN+ streaming and tourney title games on ESPN2 and ESPNU)? Other recent local headlines discussed: * Sioux Falls Christian hoops stud Brant Wassenaar's commitment to former SDSU coach Eric Henderson and Drake [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/sioux-falls-christian-hoops-star-brant-wassenaar-commits-to-drake] * Harrisburg setter Josalyn Samuel's commitment to Nebraska [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/prep/harrisburg-standout-josalyn-samuels-commits-to-nebraska-volleyball] * Rapid City native Simeon Birnbaum's NCAA championship in distance running with Oregon [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/from-rapid-city-to-ncaa-champion-simeon-birnbaum-reaches-the-top] * Augustana volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs steps down at odd time [https://www.siouxfallslive.com/sports/college/jennifer-jacobs-steps-down-as-augustana-volleyball-head-coach]

17. juni 202652 min