Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 2 - Rich Samini & Celebrity NY Fans
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Hosts:
- Don Hahn – ESPN New York and New Jersey voice
- Peter Rosenberg – Hip Hop veteran and WWE personality
- Rich Samini – Renowned sportswriter and broadcaster
1. The Mike Tomlin Trade Proposal
Timestamp: [00:04] - [03:23]
The episode kicks off with a passionate discussion about the potential trade of Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin to the New York Jets. Don Hahn vocalizes a strong desire to bring Tomlin on board, emphasizing his track record of consistent winning and cultural transformation.
- Don Hahn states:
"You wouldn't want to have Tomlin as your head coach and be above .500 every year with a chance to go to the playoffs every year. And you haven't sniffed the playoffs since 2010. Who, seventh overall is going to turn your franchise around the way Mike Tomlin would turn the Jets around?"
[00:04]
Peter Rosenberg supports this sentiment by questioning the Jets' reluctance to trade their seventh overall pick for Tomlin, highlighting the transformative impact Tomlin could have on the struggling franchise.
- Peter Rosenberg remarks:
"The jets want to be the Steelers. Right. They want that kind of consistency. And I would just wonder. It'd be worth the phone call because I don't know if anybody else would be in a position to offer as high a pick as the jets would."
[03:00]
Rich Samini agrees wholeheartedly, elaborating on the cultural changes Tomlin could instill and drawing parallels with the Jets' past coaching decisions.
- Rich Samini concurs:
"I do agree with Don on that I would trade the seventh pick to get Mike Tomlinson. ... anybody who was in earshot of this radio station knows that the jets need a culture change. So I would do it."
[01:50]
2. Potential Head Coach Candidates for the Jets
Timestamp: [04:29] - [07:34]
The conversation shifts to other viable head coaching candidates for the Jets, with Rich Samini highlighting Aaron Glenn and Brian Flores as top contenders.
- Rich Samini notes:
"The names that intrigued me and I think intrigue the jets most right now are Aaron Glenn and Brian Flores."
[04:37]
Aaron Glenn, lauded for his defensive prowess and previous tenure with the Jets as a player, is seen as a strong candidate who understands the team's culture.
Brian Flores, with his head coaching experience and success in Minnesota, is another favored option. However, his pending lawsuit and previous management issues in Miami are potential hurdles.
- Rich Samini addresses Flores:
"The downside is, you know, he’s got the pending lawsuit against the league. ... he went through offensive coordinators there."
[04:45]
3. The Mike McCarthy Angle
Timestamp: [06:29] - [07:34]
Peter Rosenberg brings up Mike McCarthy, who became available recently, questioning why the Jets might overlook an established coach like him.
- Peter Rosenberg asks:
"So there'd be no interest in Mike McCarthy who became available today."
[06:29]
Rich Samini responds by expressing skepticism about the Jets pursuing McCarthy, citing his past interview experiences and the team's preference for other candidates.
- Rich Samini explains:
"I do not think the jets would be pursuing Mike McCarthy."
[07:34]
4. Jets’ Quarterback Situation and Its Impact on Coaching Decisions
Timestamp: [07:34] - [11:56]
The discussion delves into the critical role Aaron Rodgers plays in the Jets' future, pondering whether the next head coach will stay or move on from Rodgers.
- Rich Samini observes:
"The Rodgers thing is question number one. It'll be the first question in the press conference. ... how do you feel about Aaron Rodgers?"
[07:48]
The hosts debate the likelihood of Rodgers remaining with the team, especially under new leadership, and how this uncertainty affects potential coaching hires.
5. Wide Receiver Room Overhaul
Timestamp: [08:51] - [10:35]
Attention turns to the Jets' wide receiver lineup, with Rich Samini predicting significant changes.
- Rich Samini predicts:
"I do not believe he [Devonte Adams] will be back with Jets. ... but Garrett Wilson is a 50, 50. I think right now he's taking some time away to think about things."
[09:00]
The discussion highlights the potential departure of key players like Devonte Adams and questions the future of Garrett Wilson, contingent on contract negotiations and team direction.
6. General Manager and Head Coach Hiring Process
Timestamp: [10:35] - [11:56]
Rich Samini outlines the Jets' approach to hiring a General Manager (GM) before finalizing the head coach, emphasizing the structured interview process.
- Rich Samini explains:
"I think they're in the home stretch on this. GM okay. Talked. ... they could have that guy sit in on the second round of coaching interviews."
[11:56]
7. Celebrity NY Fans Segment
Timestamp: [22:03] - [27:56]
Transitioning from coaching discussions, the hosts engage in a light-hearted conversation about celebrity New York sports fans. They playfully identify various celebrities associated with different New York teams, mixing well-known figures with humorous takes.
-
Peter Rosenberg mentions:
"They've got a lot of Jet fans. Jets, right. Adam Sandler."
[26:40] -
Rich Samini adds:
"Billy Crystal would be the biggest Yankee guy... Jay Z's a Yankee fan."
[27:30]
The segment includes humorous takes on celebrities like Liam Neeson, Susan Sarandon, and Method Man, capturing the vibrant intersection of New York's entertainment and sports scenes.
8. Listener Interaction and Final Remarks
Timestamp: [15:37] - [28:29]
The episode concludes with interactions among the hosts, addressing listener comments and maintaining their signature banter. Despite digressing into humorous territory, the hosts wrap up the discussion by reinforcing their insightful takes on the Jets' coaching prospects and celebrating New York's celebrity fanbase.
Notable Quotes:
-
Don Hahn on Trading for Tomlin:
"Who, seventh overall is going to turn your franchise around the way Mike Tomlin would turn the jets around?"
[00:04] -
Rich Samini on Coaching Candidates:
"These are the two favorites at this point, the way I see it."
[05:00] -
Peter Rosenberg on Aaron Glenn:
"He wants the job. You heard Rich say he's always wanted to come back to the job."
[15:37] -
Rich Samini on Garrett Wilson:
"From what I've been told, I think there's a good chance he's back."
[09:00]
Conclusion:
In this episode, Don Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Rich Samini delve deep into the New York Jets' coaching prospects, passionately advocating for transformative leadership to revitalize the struggling franchise. They analyze the viability of high-profile candidates like Mike Tomlin, Aaron Glenn, and Brian Flores, while also navigating the complexities surrounding the team's quarterback situation with Aaron Rodgers. Transitioning seamlessly, the hosts also celebrate New York's rich tapestry of celebrity sports fans, blending sports analysis with entertaining anecdotes. This edition provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the Jets' strategic decisions and the vibrant intersection of sports and celebrity culture in New York.