Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Damien Woody, That Guy & Rachel Herzog

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guests: Damien Woody, Rachel Herzog, Anthony Pusich

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into recent NFL coaching drama, controversial playoff officiating, and the culture-building approach of John Harbaugh with the Giants. Sideline reporter Rachel Herzog joins to preview Don La Greca’s first ever sushi experience, while the crew breaks tradition with classic “That Guy Thursday.” The chemistry among co-hosts is lively as they mix hard sports analysis with trademark jabs and banter.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Buffalo Bills’ Coaching Search & Franchise Culture

(00:52–04:45)

• Brian Daboll Interview: The Bills completed an interview with former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, a rare move for a team to rehire a recently fired head coach from another franchise.
  • Don La Greca: "It would be the first Giant coach fired that was hired by another organization, Dan Reeves nearly 30 years ago." (01:21)
• Damien Woody’s Perspective on McDermott’s Firing:
  • McDermott is credited for transforming Buffalo’s culture but seems to have “hit his ceiling.”
  • Damien compares McDermott to Andy Reid in Philly and Tony Dungy in Tampa—coaches who built up teams but didn’t reach the ultimate goal.
  • "Sometimes the message can get stale. You hit your ceiling." (02:40)
• Who Should Replace McDermott?
  • Woody leans toward Mike McCarthy as a better fit than Daboll due to his Super Bowl credentials and quarterback development history.
  • "Going from McDermott to Daboll, how do you sell that to the fanbase?" (04:03)
  • McCarthy’s experience makes him an “easier sell in Buffalo.”

2. Officiating Controversy: Was It a Catch or an Interception?

(06:59–08:53)

• The crew reacts to a hotly debated playoff call—a would-be receiver catch ruled an interception.
  • Damien Woody: Agrees with the officials by the letter of the law, but believes the play "was too big not to have some type of replay at that very moment. The fact that Sean McDermott had to blow a timeout…is egregious." (08:23)
• All agree poor officiating and the need for more reliable replay is a growing issue.
  • "The NFL has an issue with refereeing right now." (08:53 – Woody)

3. Playoff Previews: Seahawks vs. Rams & Broncos’ Chances

(09:04–11:19)

• Rams vs. Seahawks: Woody expects a tight, defensively driven rematch where execution, not surprise, will decide the winner.
  • "You're playing a team for the third time within your division. You're not fooling each other…It's who's going to out execute the other team." (09:45)
• Denver’s Shot: Despite their QB situation, Woody gives the Broncos a chance because of their defense and home field.
  • "If you just play turnover-free, you will have an opportunity to win." (11:19)

4. Coach-Driven Turnarounds & Most Exciting Super Bowl Matchup

(11:19–13:45)

• Discussion of Harbaugh’s effect on win totals and whether a coach like Sean Payton is “the most important player left in these playoffs.”
  • Woody: "Sean Payton's not on the field…But he's going to have to earn his money now."
• Woody’s ideal Super Bowl: New England vs. Seattle—calls them the two best remaining teams.

5. NFL Parity & Perennial Contenders

(13:09–13:45)

• The hosts remark how the AFC title picture has been dominated by the Chiefs and Patriots “for the last, what, 15 years?”
  • Damien Woody: "We talk about parity all the time and here we are and the same two teams have basically dominated the AFC."

6. John Harbaugh’s Team-Building Philosophy

(14:03–17:02)

• Harbaugh’s viral press conference: Emphasized bringing in players who “love football”—all-consuming effort and culture.
  • Harbaugh: "If you don't love football, you're not going to love it here, because we'll be doing football…all the time, every day." (14:35)
• Damien Woody’s Take:
  • Draws distinction between guys who “love the game” vs. those who “love what the game does for them.”
  • "Guys who love what the game has done for them, get them the hell out of the building." (15:01)
  • He’s played with plenty who didn't truly love football—says it's crucial to "weed out those guys."

7. Show Banter: Group Chat Camaraderie & Giants Fandom

(19:12–22:56)

• Lively debate about internal text groups, loyalty, and how press conference "football isms" influence fan perception.
  • Anthony Pusich notes excitement about “bloodbath” staff changes, that real organizational overhaul is happening with the Giants.
  • Peter Rosenberg: “Anthony is happy about the bloodbath, and he should be.” (22:41)

8. That Guy Thursday: The “I Win, Google Me” Coach and Mark Cuban

(25:22–36:06)

• Kurt Signetti (Indiana Football Coach) recognized for his bold claim “I win, Google me”—now validated as Google auto-suggests “Yep, he won.”
  • Alan Hahn: “He was being that guy when he said 'I win, Google me.' And he won. Now Google said, 'yep, he won.'” (27:29)
• Mark Cuban’s Hot Take:
  • Cuban calls Indiana’s football championship the “most unlikely in American sports,” even above the Miracle on Ice.
  • Don LaGreca (mock outrage): “Nothing will ever touch ... There will never be an upset that will ever compare.” (32:44)
  • The crew debates, citing “Leicester City,” the “Miracle Mets,” and even the Revolutionary War as upsets.

9. Rachel Herzog Joins: Don’s Sushi Adventure

(40:19–50:26)

• Rachel Herzog (MSG Networks) joins to prepare Don for his first sushi experience in Vancouver—he’s very nervous.
  • Rachel: “I’ve been eating sushi since I was, I think, seven years old ... We make it at home and everything.” (42:59)
  • Recommends starting with California roll, maybe shrimp tempura; “You’re gonna have to try the raw fish at some point tonight.” (44:28)
  • Don: “This is not performative at all. I am legit nervous about this.” (45:18)
• Lively planning for documenting Don’s reaction and jokes about his wife’s influence on dinner choices.

Highlights & Notable Quotes

• On McDermott’s Firing:
  Damien Woody (02:40): "Sometimes, you know, you hit your ceiling. I kind of liken the situation to Andy Reid in Philadelphia and Tony Dungy in Tampa."
• Officiating Critique:
  Damien Woody (08:23): "It was malpractice by the refs... that is egregious."
• Harbaugh’s Team & Player Philosophy:
  John Harbaugh (14:35): "If you don't love football, you're not going to love it here. Because we'll be doing football. That's the plan."
• Giants’ House Cleaning:
  Anthony Pusich (21:50): “Red Wedding. Game of Thrones.”
• On Greatest Upset Debate:
  Don LaGreca (32:44): “Nothing will ever touch [Miracle on Ice]. ... Don’t even have the conversation.”
• On That Guy Thursday’s Subject:
  Alan Hahn (27:29): “Now Google said, yep, he won. He won.”
• Rachel Herzog on Sushi:
  Rachel Herzog (42:59): “We make it at home ... If we got good grades, we’d have a big sushi night.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:52 – Daboll interviews for Bills job; historical context
• 02:40 – Woody breaks down McDermott’s firing
• 04:03 – Woody compares McCarthy and Daboll for Bills
• 06:59 – Catch vs. interception playoff controversy
• 08:23 – Referee “malpractice” and NFL replay woes
• 09:45 – Rams-Seahawks playoff preview
• 11:19 – Broncos playoff chances
• 14:18 – John Harbaugh’s “love football” speech & Woody’s reaction
• 21:50 – Giants’ Red Wedding analogy
• 27:29 – “That Guy Thursday”: Signetti's "I win, Google me" now reality
• 31:09–36:06 – Mark Cuban vs. Miracle on Ice greatest upset debate
• 40:19–50:26 – Rachel Herzog’s sushi intervention for Don; detailed planning

Tone & Banter

The show maintains its trademark blend of New York sports wit, sarcasm, inside jokes, and honest analysis. Listeners feel the camaraderie and the real friendship behind the mics, especially with recurring bits like “That Guy Thursday,” internal jabs over text chats, and food adventures.

For New Listeners

This episode is balanced: deep-dive football analysis (especially on coaching drama and officiating), debates that span the history of sports upset lore, and a friendly window into the hosts’ off-air friendships. Rachel Herzog’s segment offers a fun pivot from sports to lifestyle. This hour is a spirited slice of sports radio, rich with insight and memorable moments—no need to have listened before to enjoy the ride.