Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast: Hour 2 – "Joe Schoen & Fraud Alert"
ESPN New York | January 2, 2026
Hosts: Ty Butler, Jake Asman (guest), Peter Rosenberg
Episode Overview
Hour 2 of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg show dives into pressing New York sports debates, headlined by the future of the New York Giants' GM and head coach leadership, playoff chaos in the NFL’s final week, and the recurring "Fraud Alert Friday" segment—a humorous, cathartic roast of questionable sports and fan behavior. The hour features lively analysis, candid takes, listener calls, and friendly banter, capturing the tone and emotion of devoted New York sports fans.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. NFL Week 18: Playoff Seeding Chaotics & Fan Frustration
[01:51–07:49]
- League Resting Starters: Ty Butler highlights how Week 18 is dampened by teams (Eagles, Bills, Chargers) resting core players despite still having something to play for in playoff seeding.
- “...the Chargers aren't playing anyone. These are teams with technically still something to play for. Seeding, which creates chaos… There’s not really a lot of intrigue in the 1 and 4 o’ clock windows.” (01:24)
- Fan Experience: Ty laments the lack of drama and meaningful Sunday matchups, saying:
- “As a die-hard football fan, you know, closing out the season, would like to see more of these games on Sunday [that] matters 100%.” (05:14)
- Rosenberg notes on playoff matchups: The intrigue is diminished due to the prior week’s results, and teams’ rest strategies depend heavily on desired matchups and travel.
- Unexpected Scenarios: Ty and Rosenberg discuss how scenarios set up by the league don't always play out as intended, with the Atlanta Falcons' upset of the Rams throwing playoff plans into disarray.
2. New York Giants GM & Coaching Crossroads
[09:00–16:51]
- Joe Schoen Retention: Despite a poor record (21-45-1), insider reports say Giants GM Joe Schoen will return. Ty and Rosenberg question if this is due to owner John Mara’s health and organizational inertia.
- Ty Butler: “That’s just not the resume of a guy who deserves to… pick a second one [head coach].” (11:07)
- Power Dynamics with Coaching Candidates: They speculate whether a top-tier coaching candidate (e.g., Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh) would demand personnel authority or new GM alignment—a situation reminiscent of Jacksonville with Liam Cohen and the Jets with “Glenn.”
- Rosenberg: “Could we see something similar with a power dynamic situation with one of these top coaches?” (09:58)
- Attractiveness of Giants’ Job: Despite a dismal recent history, the hosts believe the Giants' prestige and roster (with a young QB) still make it an appealing landing spot for big-name coaches.
3. Who Should Giants Fans Want: Tomlin or Harbaugh?
[15:08–18:48]
- Mike Tomlin vs. John Harbaugh: Ty & Rosenberg agree Tomlin is preferable due to his program-building and leadership, positing he’s “never had a quarterback” to pair with his top-tier coaching.
- Rosenberg: “The Giants need their Tom Thibodeau... They need someone to get them out of hell.” (15:27)
- Ty Butler: “So I think... his resume fits exactly what they need to try and stabilize things and get their program back on track.” (16:11)
- Listener Callout: Ryan Clark’s bold prediction (via Rich Eisen clip) that Tomlin could end up Giants HC catches their attention.
- Rich Eisen: “[Ryan Clark’s] bold prediction: Tomlin—I'd be so envious as a Jet fan. But Tomlin, the next head coach of the New York Giants.” (18:03)
- Rosenberg: “They would instantly turn things around and be at the bare minimum, a team that is in the hunt next year.” (18:48)
- They note that either choice—Tomlin or Harbaugh—would be hugely positive, but Tomlin’s lack of an elite QB in Pittsburgh gives him a better excuse for recent playoff struggles compared to Harbaugh, who “consistently has one of the best [QBs] in the NFL.”
4. “Fraud Alert Friday” Segment
[25:26–38:57]
A recurring comedy roast focusing on sports, fans, and pop culture fraudulence, judged by wielding a real gavel.
- Anthony Pusek’s Delayed Proposal: Ty calls out producer Anthony for failing to propose when promised.
- Alex Monaco's Dual Padres/Mets Fandom: Called “fraudulent” for rooting for both teams and not choosing a side when they played each other.
- Rosenberg: “When you say in a playoff series you couldn't pick, that's fraudulent. You have a team. You can't have more than one team.” (30:25)
- ChatGPT as a Betting Fraud: Listener Uncle Evan accuses AI (and nephew Jake Asman) of fraudulent sports betting advice.
- Lane Kiffin’s “Support” for Ole Miss: Ty roasts Kiffin for wanting to “support” his old team in the playoffs immediately after abandoning them for LSU, calling it performative and self-promotional.
- Ty Butler: “The idea that you care so much about these players, that you’re rooting for them, that you want to be in attendance for this game is such fraudulent BS, my man.” (36:38)
- Draymond Green's Selective Rest: Critiqued for only sitting out when Steph Curry is unavailable, coupled with complaints about playing on Christmas.
- Ty Butler: “I guess Draymond is just not allowed to play if Steph Curry's not in the lineup.” (38:09)
5. NBA Roundup & Knicks Aspirations
[41:11–44:12]
- Knicks’ Outlook: Ty and Rosenberg preview Knicks–Hawks and debate future championship possibilities.
- Rosenberg: “With Jalen Brunson on the Knicks, they will win a title.” (44:08)
- Nets-Wizards Banter: Rosenberg calls the game so boring, quoting Don La Greca:
- “If Nets Wizards was being played in my backyard, I would close the blinds, man.” (42:29)
- Knicks’ Window: Ty presses Rosenberg to go on record—will this team win it all? Rosenberg affirms it’s possible with Brunson at the helm.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Joe Schoen Debate:
- Ty Butler (11:06): “After the organization told you you failed in picking your first head coach, you get to pick a second one? That's just not something I think Joe Schoen deserves.”
- Rosenberg (12:52): “If the reason why Joe Schoen is being retained is because the Giants don’t feel...equipped to lead both a GM and coach search, that's unacceptable.”
- Coach Preference—Tomlin or Harbaugh?:
- Rosenberg (15:27): “The Giants need their Tom Thibodeau...They need someone who could stabilize things, build a program, hire a good staff. I think Mike Tomlin has proven he could do that.”
- Ty Butler (16:39): “With Harbaugh, you've got not just a quarterback, but one of the best in the NFL, a top-three guy, a two-time league MVP. And I consistently come away from Raven seasons feeling underwhelmed.”
- "Fraud Alert Friday":
- Rosenberg (30:25): “You can't have more than one team. It's like...‘I win either way’—no man, you have to. You can't ride the fence. You have a team.”
- Ty Butler on Lane Kiffin (36:38): “The idea that you care so much about these players...is such fraudulent BS, my man. You dipped on them.”
- NBA Roundup:
- Rosenberg (42:29): “If Nets Wizards was being played in my backyard, I would close the blinds, man.”
- Rosenberg (44:08): “With Jalen Brunson on the Knicks, they will win a title.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment/Topic | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:51–07:49 | NFL Week 18 playoff chaos & fan intrigue | | 09:00–16:51 | Giants GM/HC future: Joe Schoen, Mara health, coach search | | 15:08–18:48 | Tomlin vs. Harbaugh: Giants’ best option, Ryan Clark take | | 25:26–38:57 | "Fraud Alert Friday": Fan/coach/player/media “frauds” | | 41:11–44:12 | Knicks future, NBA banter, Nets-Wizards jokes |
Listener Calls & Interactivity
- Frank (21:35): Advocates for Tomlin as Giants HC due to his ability to keep teams competitive despite injuries; doubts credit for Schoen’s “obvious” draft picks.
- Uncle Evan (33:14): Humorously accuses ChatGPT of being a “fraud” after poor sports-betting results with nephew Jake Asman.
Tone and Style
The hour is bustling with trademark New York radio energy: rapid-fire exchanges, passionate opinions, friendly trash talk, pop culture references, and an interactive, community-driven style. The hosts deftly balance serious football analysis (especially regarding the Giants’ uncertain future) with comedic takes and relatable fan anxiety.
Summary
This episode captures the emotional landscape of New York sports fandom, combining real frustrations (Giants’ ongoing struggles, NFL schedule quirks) with hope (big-name coach possibilities, the Knicks’ championship window). The “Fraud Alert Friday” provides comic relief and community engagement as a highlight, skewering everything from multi-team MLB fans to college football drama. The hosts’ chemistry and commitment to fan-centric authenticity make the show as much about the culture of sports as the weekly headlines themselves.