Former Houston sports radio host thriving in Austin

When Brad Kellner was growing up in the Dallas suburbs, he cheered for the local professional sports teams. But he never quite shared his peers’ disdain for the Astros, Rockets and Texans.

Kellner’s mother, Marci Cohen-Kellner, grew up in Galveston, and his father, Mark, was raised in Missouri City. They now live in Houston where they have a lot of extended family.

It’s for these reasons that the dyed-in-the-wool North Texan enjoyed working in the Houston sports radio market between 2021-2023. He co-hosted “The Wheelhouse” on weekdays from 5-7 p.m., for ESPN Radio 97.5 FM.

“I loved the job,” Kellner said. “I always wanted to work in sports radio. The opportunity to work in a top-five media market was a dream come true and the culmination of a lot of hard work. I love the culture that Houston provides. Everybody talks about the food scene, which is second to none.”

During his time in Houston, Kellner covered the Astros’ 2021 World Series appearance and 2022 World Series victory. He also reported on Rockets and Texans rebuilds during that era.

“Walking around the streets of downtown Houston after the 2022 World Series was an unforgettable night,” Kellner said.

Although sports is a big part of Kellner’s life, his love of Judaism and Jewish culture comes first. He attended services at Congregation Brith Shalom in Bellaire during his time in the Houston area.

“I’ve always considered myself very fortunate to be Jewish and I take a lot of pride in it,” Kellner said. “It’s been instilled from generation to generation in my family. I’m very open with my faith on radio shows and podcasts. Some people have been scared to talk about it or hide away from it. I’ve always leaned into it and that will continue into the future.”

Kellner was very involved with BBYO in high school and became a Bar Mitzvah during a ceremony with his cousin at Camp Young Judaea Texas in the Texas Hill Country.

When Kellner was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu at The University of Texas, he went on a Birthright Trip to Israel, which he described as “amazing.”

“I stepped off the plane and right away I felt the significance of being there,” Kellner said.

Now 32 and a proud journalism graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Kellner returned to the capital city in 2023 to host a variety of Longhorn-themed programs. He is the owner and co-host of “Bucky and BK,” along with former UT assistant football coach Bucky Godbolt, on Austin’s 1300 AM The Zone radio stations. He also hosts the “Locked on Longhorns” podcast and “Texas Women’s Sports Talk.”

Kellner’s love for the Longhorns runs deep. His parents are UT graduates, as are two of his sisters and a brother-in-law. He was just 11 years old when the Longhorns defeated USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl to win its first national championship in 35 years.

“I’ve watched that game a million times, and it’s the greatest or one of the greatest college football games that’s ever been played,” Kellner said. “When it’s on television, I’ll stop what I’m doing and watch it.”

Growing up in Dallas, Kellner has attended his fair share of Red River Rivalry games, first as a fan and later as a sports broadcaster. Now, he annually hosts a pre-game radio show on the Texas State Fairgrounds before the big game.

Last November, Kellner attended his first Texas vs. Texas A&M game as the Longhorns derailed the Aggies’ perfect season.

“The Red River game is an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve seen in sports,” Kellner said. “Unless it’s on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, I will be in the building.”

Kellner and Godbolt host pre-game shows but when it’s a road trip game, they’ll do so at a local bar or restaurant that partners with the radio program.

Much of their show focuses on analysis. Many Longhorn fans have high expectations as last season’s 10-3 season – which would be deemed successful in many places – fell short of lofty UT goals. UT opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Texas State in Austin.

“2025 was disappointing,” Kellner said. “UT started as the preseason No. 1 and failed to reach the playoff. I expect Texas to get back to the playoff. They had a really good offseason, attacked the transfer portal and they have a really talented roster.”

Kellner said it’s been bittersweet to see the Longhorns join the Southeastern Conference. They’re now entering their third year in the conference.

“The SEC is the best conference in college sports and generates the most revenue every year,” Kellner said. “It’s cool that we have the A&M rivalry and the Arkansas rivalry again. But it’s different not going up against teams like Baylor, Texas Tech and TCU. The move made sense from Texas’ standpoint.”

Kellner started the “Texas Women’s Sports Talk” due to both rising interest as well as growing success among the teams. UT Softball is the two-time defending national champion; volleyball is a consistent national contender; and basketball reached the past two Final Fours.

“The athletes deserve a platform, and fans deserve a place to go to learn about the women’s teams,” Kellner said.