Reigning Cats & Dogs

Truman State University
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Hosted by Kirksville Daily Express sports editor Henry Janssen, Reigning Cats & Dogs is your weekly deep dive into local sports in Kirksville, Missouri. Each episode features conversations with coaches from Truman State University and Kirksville High School, exploring their journeys in coaching, reflections on recent games, and insights into what lies ahead for their teams. From strategy and leadership to community and competition, this show offers an inside look at the people driving success in Northeast Missouri athletics.

Episodes

  1. Reigning Cats & Dogs 2/18/26

    4D AGO

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 2/18/26

    This episode of Reigning Cats & Dogs starts off with Kirksville HS Track and Field Coach Anna Grace who recaps the Tigers NCMC conference championships last spring and discusses the early season growing period for her teams as their spring season begins. Next, we sit down with Truman State Women's Golf Coach Clint Fitzpatrick as he walks us through his unique situation being the head golf coach and running the country club in town. Clint provides a breakdown of the composition of his team this spring with his standouts and hints at next year's team receiving some important reinforcements. Lastly, we are joined by Truman State Women's Basketball Head Coach Theo Dean who talks about the red hot Bulldogs who are 7-1 in their last eight games and discusses everything that went into making senior day a memorable event. Want to be a supporter of Truman Athletics? Join the Bulldog Backbone Booster Club today and make a difference! https://trumanbulldogs.com/sports/2026/1/12/bulldog-backbone-fund.aspx

    1h 1m
  2. Reigning Cats & Dogs 2/11/26

    FEB 11

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 2/11/26

    Keep your eyes peeled for the future, as this week of Reigning Cats & Dogs features a breakdown on the world of collegiate recruiting. First, we sit down with Truman State Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Jamar Johnson who discusses the realities of recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal in different levels of collegiate athletics in 2026. Next, we are joined by Truman State Head Football Coach Kellen Nesbitt who breaks down his 2026 signing class and walks through the village it takes to have a successful campus visit for prospective student-athletes. Lastly, we talk with Truman State Women's Soccer Head Coach Mike Cannon, as he talks about some of the advantages Truman presents from a recruiting perspective, and gives us a first look at his 2026 signing class. Want to be a supporter of Truman Athletics? Join the Bulldog Backbone Booster Club today and make a difference! https://trumanbulldogs.com/sports/2026/1/12/bulldog-backbone-fund.aspx

    1h 2m
  3. Reigning Cats & Dogs 1/28/26

    JAN 28

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 1/28/26

    The 10th edition of Reigning Cats & Dogs features a trio of first time guests from Truman State and KHS. We first sit down with Truman State Women's Basketball Assistant Coach Alexis Griffin who discusses her background coaching both high school and college hoops and how the Bulldogs have sharpened themselves after an intentionally touch early season schedule. Next we are joined by Kirksville High School Softball and Girls Basketball Coach Sydney Snyder who talks about the differences between being a head coach and an assistant coach for different sports and how her basketball knowledge has blossomed in the past year. Lastly, we sit down with Truman State Baseball Coach Dan Davis who is entering his 20th year at the helm of Bulldogs Baseball. He walks us through the early part of the season and how he has shifted his approach in recruiting and building his team. Want to be a supporter of Truman Athletics? Join the Bulldog Backbone Booster Club today and make a difference? https://trumanbulldogs.com/sports/2026/1/12/bulldog-backbone-fund.aspx

    52 min

  4. JAN 21

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 1/21/26

    Reigning Cats & Dogs features a pair of Truman coaches this week who are deep in the preparations for their spring seasons. Truman State Softball Coach Ron Ferrill joins us to talk about his journey through softball coaching, the support he has been grateful for during his time at Truman, and a deep dive of who his 2026 team is composed of. Next, we sit down with Truman State Women's Tennis Coach Steve Smith who discusses the intricacies of international versus domestic recruiting, what he hopes to get out of this spring season, and the great work in the community that his athletes have been leading. Want to be a supporter of Truman Athletics? Join the Bulldog Backbone Booster Club today and make a difference? https://trumanbulldogs.com/sports/2026/1/12/bulldog-backbone-fund.aspx

    46 min
  5. Reigning Cats & Dogs 1/14/26

    JAN 14

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 1/14/26

    The first edition of Reigning Cats & Dogs in the new semester features Kirksville High School Girls Basketball Head Coach Nick Totta as he discusses his team's current nine game winning streak and what he expects to see as the season reaches it's final month. We are also joined by Truman State Men's and Women's Swim Coach Doug Heighton who provides the highlights from Truman State's Swimming Senior Day and the team's approach heading into the GLVC Championships. Finally, Truman State Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Cory Sloan joins the set to talk about his wild journey that has led him to this point in his coaching career. Thank you for joining us for our best episode yet!

    1h 11m
  6. Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/17/25

    12/17/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/17/25

    This episode of Reigning Cats & Dogs features Truman State Head Football Coach Kellen Nesbitt as he discusses the team's postseason game against UINDY, the offseason recruiting trail, and what it means to him to be named the 2025 GLVC Football Coach of the Year. It also features Kirksville High School Boys Tennis Coach Lee Riley as he dives into his long coaching tenure and what this final season at the helm means for him with his retirement announced. Finally, we are also joined by Truman State Head Volleyball Coach David Gannon who breaks down the postseason award winners on his squad as well as how the team will attack this offseason.

    53 min
  7. Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/10/25

    12/10/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/10/25

    In this installment of Reigning Cats & Dogs. Henry Janssen sits down with Truman State Women's Basketball Coach Theo Dean for an extended interview where he discusses earning career victory #100 against Southwest Baptist, why he feels that this year team is moving to a new level offensively and defensively, and how his new coaching staff has helped elevate the team's performance.

    54 min
  8. Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/3/25

    12/03/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 12/3/25

    This episode of Reigning Cats & Dogs features Kirksville High School Head Volleyball Coach Missy Dempsay as she discusses their concluded 2025 season and graduating senior class, while giving an inside look at club volleyball in the Northeast Missouri area. It also features Truman State Head Cross Country and Assistant Track Coach Thomas Whittaker for a discussion about how the cross country season wrapped up at the NCAA Regional Championships. He goes on to talk about the transition to the indoor track and field season, how he and Head Coach Leslie Hardesty work together to lead the growing track and field program.

    37 min
  9. Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/19/25

    11/19/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/19/25

    This edition of Reigning Cats & Dogs features Truman State Head Volleyball Coach David Gannon and football offensive coordinator Austin Zoda as their teams prepare for the GLVC Tournament and the NCAA Playoffs respectively. Truman's Volleyball has qualified for the GLVC tournament for the first time since 2020 and Truman Football will being playing in their first NCAA Playoffs since 1994. We were also joined by Kirksville Boys Wrestling Head Coach James Alter and Kirksville Girls Wrestling Head Coach Nick Cook, as they get ready for their season openers.

    58 min
  10. Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/12/25

    11/12/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/12/25

    This edition of Reigning Cats & Dogs features Truman State Men's and Women's Soccer Head Coaches Duke Cochran and Mike Cannon as they discuss their now concluded 2025 seasons as well as their GLVC All-Conference players. It also features Kirksville Boys and Girls Soccer Head Coaches Shawn Meintz and Nathaniel Kennard as they talk about their boys team run to the district semi-finals and how they switch off responsibilities of being head coach and assistant coach during each other's seasons.

    1h 4m
  11. Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/5/2025

    11/05/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 11/5/2025

    This episode of Reigning Cats & Dogs features the father-son duo of Truman State Head Football Coach Kellen Nesbitt and Kirksville High School Head Football Coach Greg Nesbitt. This episode is jam-packed with everything from their current seasons and future plans, their wide coaching tree that has spread across the Midwest, and how the Nesbitt family has shaped so many lives through football all across Northeast Missouri.

    58 min
  12. Reigning Cats & Dogs 10/29/25

    10/29/2025

    Reigning Cats & Dogs 10/29/25

    The inaugural episode of Reigning Cats & Dogs features an introduction to the show and what it hopes to become and features four coaches from Truman State and Kirksville High School that are all in their first year as head coach of their respective programs. Joining us will be Truman State Men's Basketball Coach Mike Worley, Kirksville Boy's Basketball Coach Aaron Coombs, Truman State Cross Country Coach Thomas Whittaker, and Kirksville Cross Country Coach Austin Skyes.

    44 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Hosted by Kirksville Daily Express sports editor Henry Janssen, Reigning Cats & Dogs is your weekly deep dive into local sports in Kirksville, Missouri. Each episode features conversations with coaches from Truman State University and Kirksville High School, exploring their journeys in coaching, reflections on recent games, and insights into what lies ahead for their teams. From strategy and leadership to community and competition, this show offers an inside look at the people driving success in Northeast Missouri athletics.

Information

  • Creator
    Truman State University
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Truman State University
  • Show Website
    Reigning Cats & Dogs