Hour 3: Jets HC Search

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Jets HC Search

Release Date: January 8, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Title: Hour 3: Jets HC Search

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Introduction and Transition

The episode kicks off with Don LaGreca addressing the departure of Michael K., the show's midday host. Don and the team share lighthearted remarks about Michael's new solo venture, setting a collegial tone for the discussion ahead.

Don LaGreca [00:43]: "You know, though, yeah, we have a new midday host. You might have heard of him. His name is Michael K. That's right."

Michael K. humorously reflects on the challenges of solo hosting, emphasizing his love for his phone—a recurring joke throughout the episode.

Michael K. [02:17]: "Everyone knows. And everyone will say, oh, Peter always looking at his phone. Peter loves his phone. Michael K loves his phone."

Main Topic: Jets Head Coach Search

The core of the episode revolves around the New York Jets' search for a new head coach. Don presents a meticulously crafted list of top five candidates, sparking a detailed analysis and spirited debate among the hosts.

Don’s Top Five Coaching Candidates

1. Mike Vrabel
   Position: Number One
   Reasoning: Mike Vrabel is lauded for his recent success with the Patriots and strong rapport with the Jets' management. His familiarity with the team's dynamics positions him as the frontrunner.

   Don LaGreca [11:33]: "It's like Michael hours... Mike Vrabel... if I had my choice, he would be my number one choice to coach the Jets."

2. Rex Ryan
   Position: Number Two
   Reasoning: Rex Ryan’s previous head coaching experience and deep understanding of the Jets' organizational culture make him a solid contender.

   Don LaGreca [13:54]: "When you consider all the candidates again, somebody that has done the job before, that, he's not going to come in overwhelmed."

3. Bill Belichick
   Position: Number Three
   Reasoning: The legendary Patriots coach is considered a wildcard. While his expertise is undeniable, questions about his fit without a general manager and current contractual obligations are prominent.

   Alan Hahn [06:35]: "I think his out is after one. But that doesn't mean he's like, is he locked in right now or does it lock in like spring football begins and that's when he's."

4. Aaron Glenn
   Position: Number Four
   Reasoning: A former Jet with a robust defensive background, Aaron Glenn brings continuity and a deep connection to the team’s heritage.

   Don LaGreca [11:32]: "Aaron Glenn's got to be on the list. So he's number four."

5. Brian Flores
   Position: Number Five
   Reasoning: Despite some challenges during his tenure with the Dolphins, Flores's experience and local ties make him a viable candidate.

   Don LaGreca [11:32]: "Brian Flores... is certainly somebody that has experience as a head coach, although his players didn't really love him."

Hosts' Perspectives and Debate

Alan Hahn and Michael K. engage in a robust discussion, agreeing on the prominence of Mike Vrabel while debating the rankings of Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick.

Michael K. [14:07]: "If you could legitimately... I hate losing to him. He drives me nuts."

Alan Hahn [15:35]: "My only problem with Belichick is, like I said, with no general manager in place..."

The conversation delves into the complexities of hiring a coaching legend like Belichick, considering the absence of a dedicated general manager and the potential reshaping of team dynamics.

Further Candidate Analysis

The hosts extend their analysis to other potential candidates such as Jon Gruden and Matt Nagy, weighing their fit within the Jets' framework.

Don LaGreca [16:27]: "Jon Gruden... what do you think of him?"

Alan Hahn [16:34]: "Matt Nagy, who just finished his interview with the Jets. He doesn't do anything for me at all."

Listener Interactions and Humor

Throughout the episode, the hosts entertain callers who contribute both insightful comments and humorous exchanges, adding a dynamic and engaging layer to the discussion.

Richard [28:00]: "Firing La Violette would be one of the five worst New York firings..."

A running joke involves a character named Richard, which becomes a comedic highlight as the team playfully interacts with him.

Don LaGreca [33:28]: "I think Richard has all this knowledge."

Alan Hahn [33:26]: "There's no way that you're putting 300 bucks on you being Richard in Manhattan."

Notable Quotes

• Don LaGreca [07:33]: "If you're the Jets and you've already kind of said, no, thanks, according to reports. Right. That Belichick, through a... said, I think we're all set."

• Alan Hahn [19:56]: "You got to have somebody with some pedigree."

• Peter Rosenberg [32:11]: "He gets the best out of everybody. He is not a baptism by fire kind of guy."

Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Don emphasizes the importance of selecting the right coach to navigate the Jets towards success in a challenging market.

Don LaGreca [24:07]: "You got the best candidate. Right? Like that's the whole point."

The team reaffirms their top choices, underscoring Mike Vrabel’s position while acknowledging the strategic considerations involved in the selection process.

Final Remarks

The episode concludes with hearty laughter and final remarks, leaving listeners with a clear understanding of the Jets' coaching landscape and the thoughtful deliberation behind each potential hire.

Don LaGreca [43:37]: "I got a few things to do here at the Garden, but I know you guys can take it from here."

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Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the New York Jets' search for a new head coach. Through meticulous candidate evaluation, spirited debate, and entertaining listener interactions, the trio offers valuable insights into what could be a pivotal decision for the franchise. Whether you're a dedicated Jets fan or an NFL enthusiast, this episode delivers a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of the coaching landscape, punctuated by memorable quotes and lively discussions.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, rolling it to the five o'clock hour. And Don, you might have gotten a text from D. Pietro. Yeah, but I also got a text. Not from DiPietro.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, though, yeah, we have a. We have a new midday host. You might have heard of him. His name is Michael K. That's right. He leads into our show one to three. And as you guys were a little late to that last segment, so I was by myself at Little Han Solo, and he texted, Han Solo. Felt good for those two minutes, didn't it? Come on, admit it.

[Alan Hahn]

He's really happy to be done with us.

[Michael K]

He really. He really is.

[Don LaGreca]

When you. When I come in, I always put his show on in the car. I hear him open the show and all that. He sounds so liberated free. It's unencumbered. It's quite something.

[Michael K]

I'll tell you what, man. God bless him. I'm going to keep it honest with you guys, as I always do. I don't think this will come as any great surprise solo radio. Like, Alan did it at night. And I feel like it's even harder for some reason during the day. Like, night has a little bit of a looseness to it. That makes it a tad easier. You know, you mess around with your producers, more phone calls are loose. A midday solo show, the amount of focus that takes, God bless the man, if he loves it. But, Don, you and I both know a little secret about Michael K. You guys want a secret?

[Alan Hahn]

What's up?

[Michael K]

Everyone knows. And everyone will say, oh, Peter always looking at his phone. Peter loves his phone. Michael K loves his phone.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, loves.

[Michael K]

I mean, he'd make love to the phone. He'd marry it. Let me tell you something. It is hard to get a glance at that phone when you're solo dolo for two hours straight.

[Alan Hahn]

God bless God bless.

[Michael K]

God bless. I love. I love getting to talk to friends. And I guess what, I love working with Alan Hahn and Don Lagreca. And I loved working with the Caister. I don't know why he hated us so much. Much. It's unfortunate.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not sure what it was. I mean, we.

[Don LaGreca]

Do you think he hated you guys? I don't think he hated you. I think it was just something to hear.

[Alan Hahn]

The level of excitement he has now is a little. I gotta be honest with you. It's true. I had no. I had no interest in bringing this up. It wasn't anything that I felt was that important. But since it's on the table, just the absolute enthusiasm he has to be by himself is a little disturbing.

[Michael K]

It is a. It's a little off putting it to me. You know what? Since he opened, since. Since Alan's opened the can of worms. I'll say one last thing. If you ever wondered where Don and I really stood in the pecking order of the show, like what we really meant to the show. I remember asking someone afterwards, I went, well, when Michael moves to 1:00, what's he gonna call the show? Because, like, you know, it was the Michael K Show. The Michael K Show was Michael, Don and Peter. What's the show going to be? No, it's going to be the Michael K Show. And I went, well, what about the theme song? It's gonna be the same theme song. Don. What's less than wallpaper? We're less than wallpaper. Nothing changed. It simply just got. It's like Michael hours.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, it's just too fewer hours and two fewer voices. That's really.

[Michael K]

That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter and I are very excited for our new venture, but it's not like you, just that we're tweeting and just sending out like, oh, Peter, it's just so liberating to be without Michael now. And oh, my God, thank God for Alan Hahn. Just a breath of fresh. No, it just. Listen, we love working with Alan.

[Don LaGreca]

Would you say it, though?

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, how do you feel just to go public with it? But listen, good for him, man. He got his wish. He's by himself and I wish him nothing but the best of luck. I've listened to the show this week. It's been great. But listen, I'm being honest with you. I'm always honest.

[Michael K]

Destroy it.

[Don LaGreca]

You certainly are. All right. Well, I just. I wanted just to make sure because, you know, I thought Rick was going to. I was going to be the conduit of Rick humor on the show, I thought he would have chosen. That hurts too, since we have a. We have some. We have some history. But that clearly is not happening now. So I will now just. I guess I'll have to block him.

[Michael K]

You know what it means? I guess. I guess it means the three of us should really just love on each other because. Because obviously the other people don't love any of us. It's jailhouse. It's time to jailhouse rock. That's what. And by the way, if I'm not here, use a wooden chair. But we, we. We gotta just get together here, right?

[Don LaGreca]

All right, well, let's get to some other stuff here. 800 now. 193776 is of course, the number. We got tons of calls to get to. And we will, because there are some people that are going to discuss building a crib that Peter also will not be part of. But Tom Pelissero had this tweet earlier, and it caught my attention. Multiple NFL teams have inquired about whether legendary coach Bill Belichick would reconsider his move to college football. That includes the Raiders. As we know, Tom Brady is one of the minority owners of that team. And it says he spoke recently with his old coach, per league sources. That's a very interesting situation, is it not? Because that's. And you know, Mike, Mike Reese was nice enough to call into the show earlier. He has great long years of experience covering both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

[Don Hahn]

He.

[Don LaGreca]

He said it wouldn't shock him and he, he was surprised that he went to college. Does. Is there some weird, like, door open that teams might say, bill, you sure? Because now that we're looking at the candidates, maybe you might be a guy we'd want to bring in.

[Alan Hahn]

I, I gotta, I gotta think, guys, that he's got a clause in the contract that could be voided if he can get back into the NFL. He had to put that in there.

[Don LaGreca]

There's a guarantee for the first year, then the second year it disappears. So I think his out is after one. But that doesn't mean he's like, is he locked in right now or does it lock in like spring football begins and that's when he's. He can't get out because they're recruiting already, they're landing recruits, they're getting transfers. All that stuff's going on right now.

[Alan Hahn]

It'd be a crappy thing for him to do, I guess, considering all the people that might have committed to North Carolina any nil that was signed. But him getting a chance to get back into the NFL. I don't think he would bypass that opportunity. But it is kind of strange, the timing of the Pierce firing. It didn't come Sunday night. It didn't come Monday, it came Tuesday. You know, kind of like what happened to Mayo in New England, where it kind of felt like he was let go. So that Vrabel now can jump in after he interviewed with the jets, that at least he's kicking the tires on it. And I can't imagine that there isn't some sort of an out for him to go and take advantage of that, because you can't wait a year, guys. Right. They got to hire a coach.

[Don LaGreca]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And then that coach has success, and then the window of opportunity closes. So it's interesting. And now would Bill have an appetite to go back and then win under Brady? Because I think he wants to get that championship without him.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. But, yeah, work for him. And if you're the jets, for the jets or the Giants, but the Giants aren't making any moves, so let's. Let's take them off the table. Right. They're. They're keeping everybody in place. The owners already said that. But if you're the jets and you've already kind of said, no, thanks, according to reports. Right. That Belichick, through a. Through an intermediary, made it clear he'd be interested in the jets, through an intermediary, said, I think we're all set, which we all were stunned by. But wouldn't that. I mean, if this is the case, could the jets, with all the people that they have interviewed, and there's a long list already that they've interviewed, would the jets maybe say, you know what, maybe we should reconsider this and at least bring them in, we should talk to them something, shouldn't they? Because when you think about all the candidates available for this job, where would you.

[Alan Hahn]

Where.

[Don LaGreca]

Where would you put him as far as. If you could get anyone? This is the guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, the problem is you don't have a general manager. So. And the idea is, is that the new head coach may have a say on who the general manager is. Would you be comfortable with Bill being your general manager? Because that's probably who he would suggest.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, we've seen that work before, and I don't think.

[Alan Hahn]

I think that makes him less attractive, quite frankly, because I think he's been a pedestrian general manager. He's been an unbelievable head coach. But the risk you run with not having that in place is that Bill Belichick comes in, and then nobody's going to want to be your general manager because they're going to know Bill's going to be in charge, and then you're handing your franchise over to him, which I don't think Woody wants to do, because then Woody feels devalued, because now Bill is going to be the guy that gets the credit for all the success. And. And he's going to be the one that looked upon as being the guy in charge. So. No, I. For whatever. The reasons why they didn't want Bill, I think are still in place.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, guys, I have a list.

[Michael K]

Here we go.

[Don LaGreca]

You guys like lists?

[Michael K]

Oh, I love a list.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, by the way. Quickly, quickly. Kofi, who's just been unbelievable to our show, is that there's a $10 million buyout for Belichick before June 1. Belichick would owe UNC $10 million if he leaves before June 1. He would only owe UNC $1 million if he leaves after June 1. There's always been a possibility. He never coaches in Chapel Hill. So.

[Michael K]

Wait, wait, wait, wait. How does the number go down to 1 after June 1st?

[Don LaGreca]

I would need you.

[Michael K]

They're in a worse. They're in a worse position if he leaves after June.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

It should be 1 million before. And then once we get to June 1st. No, no, you can't go anywhere because we need you for the coming football season.

[Alan Hahn]

According to Nicole Auerbach, who had the original tweet, and she's for NBC Sports, that's what it says. Belichick would owe UNC $10 million if he leaves before June 1st. He would only owe UNC $1 million if he leaves after June 1st. So maybe it's something with IL that you would at least get those players to commit to North Carolina. I don't know. I don't know what the logic is, but is that something that Vegas would pay?

[Don LaGreca]

Are you.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

If they want them, yeah. Why not?

[Don LaGreca]

You see some of the names? All right, so we like lists. That's another thing we like to do on the show. I think we all agree with lists. I. I wanna. I wanna make a list right now of my top five, okay? Coaching candidates for the jets, who I believe now you could say to me, well, he's never taken the job. Doesn't matter. It's who I believe are the best candidates for the jets job, ranked five through one. Okay, guys. Ready?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm ready.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, well, let's get to a list.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the list with Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Don LaGreca]

Feel excited that I will be debuting the list.

[Michael K]

I love this.

[Don LaGreca]

I love turns with the list. So my turn out of the gate. I'm. I'm the leadoff batter, so. Top five head coaching candidates for the jets, in my opinion, at 5, he. He has made it clear that he will interview now with teams. And I don't find him to be an attractive name, but he is from the area. He has been a head coach before. I think those are important things. It's Brian Flores, all right. I'm not. I don't love it. But is certainly somebody that has experience as a head coach, although his players didn't really love him. Anyways, that's. That's number five. At number four, Aaron Glenn. He's got blood in the ground. A former Jet, he's never been a head coach. However, that worries me at this point with this franchise. He keep taking chances on coordinators, but because he's got jet blood, because, you know, the job might be personal to him and he certainly has a hell of a defense there. Aaron Glenn's got to be on the list. So he's number four at number three. Guys, I'm going to go there. Ever since I saw this Pelicero report, I said, you know what? I'm bringing it back in. Bill Belichick, I would bring him in. I would talk to him. Even if he can't talk, whatever. I would reach out. I'd find a way. How much is it? Is it 10 million? All right, let's wait till June 1st and it's only a million, and then we'll do it then, like, whatever it is, I got to figure it out. But Bill Belichick, you cannot possibly let him a second time. Just say, I'm all set. Number two, Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan is somebody that believes he should get the job. He's had the job before. He. He knows what it takes. He knows the owner very well and what he'll have to deal with. Whether he'll be different this time around, we have to take his word for it, but that all remains to be seen. But when you consider all the candidates again, somebody that has done the job before, that, he's not going to come in overwhelmed. You know what you're getting with Rex Ryan, it might be the bump you need at number one. It's obvious it's Mike Vrabel. Now, I know. We heard Mike, you know, Mike Reese said it. He's going to take the Patriots job. It's an obvious place for him to go. It's a homecoming For Vrabel. But the jets did interview him. He was there. He has met with the owner. The jets do have a roster that you could argue right now is a better roster than what the Patriots have. What they don't have is a young quarterback to build with. So. But Mike Vrabel, to me, if I had my choice, he would be my number one choice to coach the Jets. There's my list. What do we think?

[Michael K]

Recap it one more. You got to give us the clean recap at the end.

[Don LaGreca]

Number one, Vrabel. Number two, Rex Ryan. Number three, Bill Belichick. Number four, Aaron Glenn. Number five, Brian Flores. What do we think?

[Michael K]

I. I have. I have very little issue with this list. Maybe I would reverse Rex and Belichick. I. I agree. Vrabel is 1 2. Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Michael K]

If you could legitimately, I mean, you almost have it at three, I'd feel like. Because it's, like, not realistic. But if it was realistic, like, how does he not end up higher, certainly than Rex? Respectfully. But I think the most realistic, sound and decent pick that would make sense for right now is Mike Rabel. But again, Don, I don't know how you feel if you were to tell me tomorrow Belichick was a possibility. You know, Belichick annoyed the hell out of me. I was never amused by his press conferences. He. I hated losing to him. He drives me nuts. I find the young girlfriend to go into unc thing. All very weird, all of that. Said if he could coach my football team, I'm taking it. I'd probably put Belichick 1 in the end.

[Alan Hahn]

My only problem with Belichick is, like I said, with no general manager in place, it would be very difficult, I think, to hire one if you hired Bill. And I think that devalues the hire if he's also picking the groceries, because I don't think he's been great. Not bad at it, but I don't think he's been great at it either. And the jets still have work to do with this roster as talented as it is. So that makes it less attractive for me. Two names that I would throw out to just see where to gauge interest from you. Allen, since is your list any interest in Jon Gruden?

[Don LaGreca]

No. Where did he coach that? You felt like this guy was in full command of the franchise? They were very successful and his players loved playing for him.

[Alan Hahn]

I understand. But it wasn't Tampa.

[Don LaGreca]

That was somebody else's team. Was somebody else's team.

[Alan Hahn]

That is true. It was Dungey's team. I Get it?

[Don LaGreca]

That was Tony's team, and all the players knew it. And he went in there and he took all the credit, and no one liked that he did that. Then he went to the, like, the Raider thing was a disaster.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you're right, but he's also the. He would be the only offensive guy on your list, because all the guys you got listed there are defensive guys.

[Don LaGreca]

You're right about that. But Ben Johnson's. I. I didn't put Ben Johnson on the list because I think we all understand, like, Ben Johnson's not coming.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's not coming. And I don't think Rabel is either. I mean, you could take April off the list.

[Don LaGreca]

Maybe I should have put Ben Johnson on this.

[Alan Hahn]

But still, he hasn't been hired.

[Don LaGreca]

Flores off. All right, then I'll take Flores off and I'll put Johnson there now, because I really want somebody that's never coached before.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think he's coming here, but apparently he is interested in the Bears job. Would you throw Pete Carroll in the mix?

[Don LaGreca]

That got interesting second time around for him with the jets. Right. By the way, 72.

[Michael K]

Do you remember two years ago, Don, I was like. I was, like, the only one screaming that Pete Carroll should still get a job. I was, like, shocked that he was sort of run out. It seems like people think he's too old, but, man, he sure never seemed old.

[Alan Hahn]

But. But here's the thing. Like, nobody cares about the age of Bill. You put Bill on the list, and he's 71 years old, and I will tell you if. If you know to play the part. I mean, he might be 72 in age, but Pete Carroll does not act, conduct himself, dealing with players, anything. They even suggest that he's remotely close to 72. So. And I'm just throwing it out there. I mean, I don't think he'd be interested in the job, but I. I would try to find a way to put him on that list. I think if.

[Don LaGreca]

If he is, who are you taking off?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't. I. I'm not feeling Flores at all. I. Yeah, I'm not either, you know, so I would probably. Definitely.

[Don LaGreca]

Another Winthrop take, by the way, if you want to go back to the group chat. Right. I believe that was yesterday's conversation, right. Where Winthrop felt strongly. Maybe it wasn't in the chat. Maybe we were all together in the. In the studio yesterday. Winthrop was all about him. Like, talked about. No, I was on the chat where he's just. Oh, he's got. He's Got New York roots and he thinks he's. And I'm like, I take, I didn't like him in Miami.

[Michael K]

I take Flores over Aaron Glenn.

[Alan Hahn]

Aaron Glenn's interesting though, because for all the reasons that you like Rex in a sense, not, not the, the hype and the fans wanting him and he had success here before. But as Allen said, he's got blood in the ground like Rex and I think he would fix that defense. And he is coming from a winning program and he's been coaching more recently than Rex. I had Rex as the number one candidate the other day. The more I think about it, I think I would put Glenn slightly higher than Rex as a possibility to be the next Jet head coach.

[Don LaGreca]

Wow. Even though he's no head coach experience, no idea how to be a CEO. Like, that's different. When these guys and Salah talked about it as well. When they come in, they're used to, okay, I'm in charge of my, my defense and I do that. You're very tunnel visioned now. You're the CEO. You're not just handling the football aspects, you're handling the business, you're handling the schedule, you're handling so much about the team that you don't have enough time to focus on all the other stuff. He's never done that before.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, listen, I am not telling you that that's where I would go. I'm just saying I'm getting a sense that Glenn would be, maybe be a slightly, a better chance of being the head coach from a Woody standpoint. I can't get this wrong, guys. And experience is going to be very, very important. Now, Rex hasn't coached in a while. I guess he coached a couple of years. What was this, 2016? 2017 was his last year in Buffalo. Whatever it was, it wasn't that long ago. But you got to have some experience with this job, man. I can't keep going back to guys that have never done it before and asking them to fix this kind of a mess. I gotta have somebody with some pedigree.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, now with, with all the names now let's all just say the guy who we think will get the job, who do we all like? If right now, in your heart of hearts, out of everybody that we've talked about, if, when we get to like, it's, it's. It's April. We're talking about the NFL draft and we are saying jets head coach so and so joins us right now. Who is it?

[Michael K]

It's Rex to me.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, again, I'm on the fence about it. I think Glenn might have a slightly better chance. But I also have to factor in Glenn saying no. I know that he's got blood in the ground, as you said, but if he's. If he's gonna have other options. Rex wants this job so desperately. I mean, it's hard not to have Rex as the favorite. Right. He's. He said that he's getting the job. You know, the fan base wants it. Yet Greeny pitching it on McAfee yesterday pays attention to this stuff. You know, Deion Sanders tweeting out, you know, that he thinks it'd be a great hire. I mean, these are things that Woody pays attention to. Right.

[Michael K]

By the way, Woody. Woody's been getting embarrassed. Woody's been having a nightmare situation in the media. You. You know, I really could see Rex being sort of a comfort, you know, a comfort food for Woody Johnson right now. I'll take care of things. I got you. He's probably been talking to him clearly through this whole season, trying to probably shield. So I think he sees him as a shield. And if Aaron Rodgers is going to walk. I've said this a few times this week. If Aaron Rodgers walks, Rex gives that team some star power and some headlines.

[Alan Hahn]

And also, it's a great take. When did Woody take? Was it. It was 2000, 2001?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, it was. When, When, When Bill left. I don't want to be the HC of the nyj.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And.

[Alan Hahn]

And Aaron Glenn's last year as a jet was 01, so they crossed paths for maybe a season. So does. Is that something that you know, Is there any relationship there? Yeah, he knows he's a former Jet, but it's not like that they work together any length of time.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, that's good. How do you like the first list?

[Alan Hahn]

I like you guys like that.

[Michael K]

Well, I enjoyed it.

[Alan Hahn]

Intelligent.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's see. And we get right to the point, too.

[Michael K]

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[Unknown]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael K]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael K]

It's good, Don.

[Don LaGreca]

It's good. You know it, I know it. Yeah. Name that tune in one note.

[Alan Hahn]

Another name that we could have thrown out there is Matt Nagy, who just finished his interview with the Jets.

[Don LaGreca]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't do anything for me at all.

[Don LaGreca]

No, it doesn't move the needle. Again, New York's like, I know we tend to be so like myopic about where you know our market, but I do firmly believe it's different and it's not for everyone. And therefore not every candidate who might be a good candidate is a good candidate in New York. Does that make sense to you?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, sure. And also there's, there's a thing going on with the Jets. You haven't gone to the playoffs since 2010. You haven't won a championship since 1968. And you're in the biggest city in the world with a fan base that is just dying for some success. And, and you take a look at the laundry list of one and dones and guys that were failures other places like Gase in Miami, you gotta get it right. And if you go out there and you hire a guy that's had success someplace else and it doesn't work out, you say, well, hey, I did the best I could. I went out and got a guy that had been successful someplace else. Like if you hire Mike Vrabel and it doesn't work out, who's gonna kill you for hiring Mike Vrabel?

[Don LaGreca]

Right, exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

Who's gonna, who's gonna kill you? How would they kill you if you went out and was able to bring.

[Don LaGreca]

You got the best candidate. Right? Like that's the whole point. If you get a guy like Vrabel or you know, again, if it was a Ben Johnson's like everybody know he was the hot candidate. If you don't get on that one, everybody believed that was the way to go. You know, Rex is one though, that can come back to bite you. But I believe what Peter says, a great take. It could be a short term bump that gives you that you get some sizzle while losing Aaron Rodgers. If you're going to let him go, at least you get a little sizzle and you get a little bump and you Know, if you start out the season and the team's at least competitive, you know, people will start buying in.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, now suffering. Jim brings up a really interesting candidate he's coached in the xfl, and that's Anthony Beck. And then, listen, I like Anthony and he's done a good job with St. Louis in the XFL, but again, I got to get this right. Is there enough there to make me think that he's the right candidate? And again, no offense to Anthony, but this job is just. It's too much. It really is. It's too much much to take that kind of a chance.

[Don LaGreca]

800 now. 193776. Jay in Newark has another name for us. Go ahead, Jay.

[Caller]

Hey, fellas. So, and Peter, I need you to help me settle a bet once I speak to Hunt, if you don't mind. But Han a great, a great list. Better than anything Stephen A's ever done on first take, I'll tell you that much.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a great listen to his opinion.

[Michael K]

I still. Yeah, yeah, we like this new show.

[Caller]

But I was, I was curious. I was curious about Ron Rivera. I always thought he was a good coach, a solid coach. Why he wouldn't. Why he's not as well regarded, I guess. And see if. Where he would be on your list if you had to. Adam.

[Don LaGreca]

Rivera.

[Michael K]

Why would, why would Ron not be. Why did he not make Allen's list? You're asking?

[Caller]

Yeah, Well, I see. Yeah, I see his record. He's about a.500 coach and two pretty poor franchises. He does have some postseason experience, and I always thought he kind of resonated and reflected the type of guy you want at coaching. I just don't know why he's not a, A con, a candidate.

[Michael K]

He was talked about as an option. Right, Alan? His name's been thrown around.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, no, absolutely. It's. It's just for me, when I'm making this list, that's not a name that moves me when it comes to his previous two experiences. Now, he had, you know, again, a bit of success with Carolina. It did have that, but in Washington. Really didn't. Didn't do too much. I know a lot was going against him there on several occasions, but again, I'm looking for somebody that'll understand when you're coming into this market and you're taking this job. There's. I, you're gonna have to have a lot more stuff about you. And this is, this will be the third time around. Like, I don't know if that's where.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going, but, but at least it's a guy with experience, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, yeah, I'll give you that.

[Alan Hahn]

He's coached in a Super bowl, but again, it's been a while. He was 11 and 5 in 2017, had not had a winning season. You know, the next seven years he closed out poorly in Carolina, never got off the ground in Washington. Listen, he's over overly aggressive for my taste, but it seems like that's the direction the NFL is going now. I, I, I'm, I'm not interested. But I, I tell you what, I'd be a lot more interested in him than a guy that had never done it before in some kind of like, hot commodity that people are excited about and then fizzle out, you know? So I, I, but I can understand him not being on the list.

[Michael K]

I, I, listen, thank you, J, thank you, man.

[Alan Hahn]

But didn't he wanna, didn't he want to settle? Wait, oh, he's still there.

[Don LaGreca]

Let him go.

[Michael K]

All right, what do you got?

[Caller]

I'm here. Peter. Peter, I got $300 riding on a bet, and I need you to settle it to me.

[Michael K]

All right?

[Caller]

There are a few, there are a few people that work with me that think, and it's not me, don't kill the messenger. That think that there is no Rick from New York City. They think that's you in character.

[Michael K]

Wait, they think there's no. Who from New York City?

[Caller]

What is it? Rick. Rick from New York. The older gentleman who knows who the partner was from 1971 with the Giants.

[Alan Hahn]

Richard.

[Michael K]

Oh, Richard.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he's very much a real human being.

[Michael K]

No, there are people who think Richard from Manhattan is a, is a Rosenberg character, a fiction of my imagination. Listen, I, I, I appreciate that. And though I once did a, you know, cute bit with Gil from Bensonhurst, I, I wish I would. The genius who could have invented Richard from it. Well, I, I never could.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's see if, let's see if Peter can be in two places at one time. Richard in Manhattan joining us right now.

[Michael K]

Oh, yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Richard. Oh, yeah.

[Richard]

Hi, Don. Peter Allen. Listen, as far as Elvis's first movie, that was his best. Love Me Tender, 1956. Linda Padgett, his wife, Civil War movie, is still living. She's 94. Elvis was 22 at the time. Great movie. And fellas, this is just my opinion, Michael K. Misses you guys. He's trying to convince the audience that he's fine alone and that, you know, this and that with the kids and all. But believe me, as you get older, you need people around you even more. And he loved you guys. You guys loved him. So I just hope that's how my opinion is. I just think he really misses you more than he's letting on.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I have no doubt in my mind that he love.

[Don LaGreca]

He loves us.

[Alan Hahn]

But no, no, he is completely. He is.

[Richard]

Fellas, John Giannoni, 61. I'm 69. I'm going through what John went through with the active surveillance men. You got to be on top of the prostate with your psa. If it goes up, you get your mri, you do your biopsy. Just watch it. You don't have to do anything invasive. But John Giannone explained it great on the Michael K. Show exactly the way I was going. I'm 69. John is 60, 61. So we're in the same position. Fellas, firing La Violette would be one of the five worst New York firings. I put Kenny Atkinson, Willie Randolph, Joe Girardi and Mike Woodson. So you cannot fire that guy. And you know, Joe Beningo is quoted in the Post today making the decision of Rex Ryan coming in. Joe Beningo, I love him, but right before he was ready to retire two years ago, he was bragging on wfan, I'm going down to Florida playing golf. I'll never be back. I won't be broadcasting anymore. That's it. I'll be living. He was back in three months.

[Don LaGreca]

He's like Pookie from New Jackson, calling me.

[Michael K]

It's calling. He can't be. Can't leave it alone.

[Richard]

Fellas, last thing. Tonight, we got Cleveland, Oklahoma City tomorrow, the Rangers and Devils, Penn State, Notre Dame Friday, we got The Knicks and OKC, Ohio State, Texas. Saturday, we got the two great football games and St. John's Villanova. Sunday, the three great football games with the Knick game interspersed right there. And then, of course, Monday night, the 8:00 game. Fellas, you can't get better than this in sports. One last quickie and I'll give you last one. Alan, you'll love this. Thibodeau is never given credit for developing players. Look who's been better since he got hold of them. Hartenstein, Brunson, Josh Hart, to a lesser extent, Randall and defense Enzo. Then go way back, Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Carl Anthony Towns. This is what does. He gets the best out of everybody. Fellas, always a pleasure.

[Michael K]

Thank you, Richard. It's funny, I would push back Butler.

[Don LaGreca]

Nobody knew what Butler was going to be in the NBA. And then he became like a. He was just a beast. He was A demon.

[Michael K]

And I don't. I don't think. Respectfully, I don't think Randall was. To a lesser extent, I think Randall in New York versus Randall in la. He was a different level player here for sure.

[Don LaGreca]

And again, I'll remind people too, is like, when you watch how he develops players, he is not a baptism by fire kind of guy. He is. You have to earn my trust. You have to put in the work, and if I see it consistently, you'll start getting opportunities. And if it starts to click, then all of a sudden I'm going to ride you like Seabiscuit. And Deuce McBride is another great example of a guy like that. They traded away Emmanuel Quickley last year and they moved Deuce McBride into the role they could trade quickly because they felt like Deuce was ready. And by the. By the playoffs, he was, you know, so, like, it's a good example.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's my hot take. That caller was struggling a little bit with names in the city and everything. And he put $300 on a bet with a friend at work that Peter was actually Richard of Manhattan, but he didn't say. He said New York City. Is it possible. Hear me out, Peter.

[Michael K]

I'm listening.

[Alan Hahn]

That the actual bet was. And he got confused, maybe a little nervous that the bet is actually that you were Ray from North Carolina. That to me makes more sense than you being Richard in Manhattan. Because he was really awkward. He couldn't say the name right. Sounded like he was nervous. He said New York City because that would make more sense. He said the guy that was the punter.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. It sounded like he meant Richard.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

I think Richard has all this knowledge.

[Michael K]

But, like, it's so crazy. I've known everything. I've gone back and forth with Richard so many times.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. There's no way that you're putting 300 bucks on you being Richard in Manhattan.

[Richard]

Can you guys just quickie.

[Michael K]

Can you guys describe what the hell is happening when. When Richard attempts to pick up his phone every time.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, he's on speed diving.

[Michael K]

I know, but how many. How many times are you smashing the phone. Phone against? Like, what is.

[Alan Hahn]

Because. Because inside. Wait, wait, wait. Because he's inside.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a corded phone. Is it?

[Alan Hahn]

He is literally inside someone's mouth. And then he hears Richard back to Jailhouse Rock again. You're on ESPN radio and he's got to dive out of the mouth of grab. That's why he's fumbling around. If you know, you don't know what it's like to be in somebody's mouth, he's like knee deep.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, you know.

[Michael K]

You know what, Don? You don't know anything. You know, we should break. I think, I think we should really.

[Don LaGreca]

That last statement there.

[Michael K]

Let's, you know what, Alan? Let's just break. I think we should take a break.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a corded phone and he's diving for it. And it's just, it's, it's out of somebody's mouth. Lots of calls to get to 800 now. 193776. And all of them. Peter is not imitating. This is strictly. These are real callers, not Peter. We promise. So all that coming up. Stay with us. But now, guys, may I introduce you to an SUV where everything for every passenger feels just right. That, of course, is the all new 2025 Infiniti QX80. It's my family's favorite new car. It's the one that all the girls, whenever we go somewhere, can we take that? Can we take the Infiniti? Can we take the Infinity? They love this car. Why? Because it's Infiniti's most luxurious full size 3 row SUV. It's full of customizable and advanced features. I'll tell you all about the great speaker system, the fact that you can take calls that say, isolated to the driver's seat so it's personal. You don't have to have the whole car hearing your conversation. That's awesome. There's all kinds of customizable things in it as well. And by the way, so you know, my youngest daughter plays hockey. And so we have tournaments to go to, we have practices to go to, and we always carpool with other families. We had three hockey bags, three girls from the team, and of course my wife, myself and my other daughter all in the Infiniti all together, all comfortable, going for the ride, watching some hockey. And Callie had a hat trick, by the way. She was player of the game. So that's the kind of thing I'm talking about. This is the perfect family car. So I just gave you a few of the many amazing new features available on the all new Infiniti QX80. But how about you discover you just right? Visit infinityusa.com to learn more about the all new Infiniti QX80. Availability of features may vary by trim level, packaging and options.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael K]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don LaGreca]

I say we keep going with the calls here. 800-919-3776, boys, because it's been a really good call day. It's been a fun call day. We've had some very interesting ones. One's all part of the conversation. I want to go to Ramy though, in Denver real quick. Remy.

[Michael K]

Gotta be Rami. Ramy.

[Alan Hahn]

It's Rami.

[Michael K]

Yeah, it's gotta be.

[Rami]

Hey, guys.

[Michael K]

Hey, Rami.

[Rami]

Well, really big fan. I'm glad, I'm glad I'm leaning off her right off, right out of the break because I just wanted to make a richer point. And Peter hit it right on the head. I was gonna make the same point was what is he doing right before he picks up the call? The phone is just flying all over the place. He's running toward it. I don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

He's definitely diving. He's diving across something. And he's picking up basically an old fashioned corded phone handset. That's what it sounds like to me. Guys.

[Alan Hahn]

We were filthing up what I said. I, I was, I would say he's a dentist. Wait, probably pulling somebody's tooth. And then he jumps for the phone. The problem. Poor bastard sitting in there in a chair getting dental work done. And all of a sudden he's fumbling up the phone. You guys are filtering the whole thing up. He is literally inside someone's mouth. No, all you people, even people on Twitter, it's like, oh, Don, stop it. I was not being filthy, I was being literal. He is a dentist.

[Michael K]

Point at no point. When you kept repeating, he's inside their mouth at no point. Anything else crossed your mind?

[Alan Hahn]

You don't know what it's like to be in somebody's mouth. I'm gonna think about that with.

[Don LaGreca]

That's the line that got me. That's the line that got me.

[Alan Hahn]

I think of Richard. I go sterile, I like. So I'm not even thinking about anything like that.

[Michael K]

And Rami, you know how the show started today? The show started today with Don explaining Jailhouse Rock.

[Danny]

And then that is true.

[Rami]

But, But I'm totally with Don because I was in line with his thinking. And the only caveat I would add is he has a rotary phone. So his dental assistant, he doesn't even need her or him. He's just doing all the dental work himself. But he has her him on the by the rotary phone to give him a signal when he's up on ESPN New York. And that's when you hear him flying out of the chair. And just like running toward the phone. So I think it's pretty funny though.

[Don LaGreca]

It is Rami. Thank you. You guys are sick. What? You said it.

[Alan Hahn]

But I'm not even thinking about Richard of Manhattan. Why would I be? But why would you think that that's what I meant.

[Don LaGreca]

No, it's the next line. It's the line. We just play it again for him.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't know what it's like to be in somebody's mouth.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, how did that, how did.

[Michael K]

Nothing cross your mind?

[Alan Hahn]

Because it's Richard. Why would that cross my mind? Richard is what you think about so that you have some stamina.

[Michael K]

That's a great. You know when you're trying to hang on for dear life, you go, you go think of a Richard call. Think of a Richard call.

[Alan Hahn]

Some people do math sometimes about baseball. I think about Richard.

[Don LaGreca]

No, right. You're not thinking phone. It's what's gonna help you hold on a little longer.

[Alan Hahn]

There's.

[Michael K]

It's, it's the. You know what? If you guys, if you guys were really the professional producers, you. I know you are. I think I need a brief. Not today, sometime soon. I need a compilation of Richard's best phone fumbles. Like just back to back. Because it's every day, every time, it's. It's unreal.

[Don LaGreca]

It's tremendous. Let's continue. Danny in Long Island. Hey, Danny.

[Danny]

Don apparently still thinks they were doing job madness because now he won that even though there's not dramas. I just like that the winning drop. It's over.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Danny]

Interesting. If you. Before I went deaf from, from Peters from his phone call. It's always been Michael Don Peter and now it's Don Peter Allen. So it's strictly a. A longevity, is it like seniority. He opted to just, you know, put you at the end of the row. Alan.

[Michael K]

So it's the show's dhr.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, dhr, Don Han Rose.

[Danny]

But it was always Michael Don Peter and now it's Don Peter Allen.

[Michael K]

So you know, it's not.

[Don LaGreca]

But it's not.

[Michael K]

But again, I don't know, like, like we could, we could analyze this if the question was accurate. But the name of the show is Don't Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Danny]

I understand.

[Michael K]

But listen, third, if I could squeeze.

[Danny]

A little sports in once a while.

[Don LaGreca]

Danny didn't want to hear any of that. Okay.

[Danny]

From a strictly sports radio content point of view, Rex Ryan being the coach would be a godsend. Second only to Belichick's 23 year old girlfriend parading around the bikini but the truth of the matter is, is that is the ambassador and Mike T. Are going to pick the coach who wants to take the team in the direction that they want to go to. So they've decided we're not drafting a quarterback. We're getting, say, Kirk Cousins, and they interview, you know, Vince Lombardi, and Vince Lombardi says, no, I'd rather. I'd rather draft a quarterback than Vince Lombardi is not getting a job. So the entire process, the. You can throw all the names you want, and that guy might be a better coach than coach B, but whatever direction they want to go, they're going to hire the coach that is going to do that right now to the general manager. They're going to hire the general manager that says, what do you think of Kurt Cousins? I think that'd be a great idea. Let's bring Kurt in for three or four years. We get him on. Okay, good. You're right. They're going to take. That's what's going to happen here.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know if I agree with that.

[Danny]

Well, you think you're always the one who has the opposite philosophy.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, philosophy is the interesting thing. Right. You say you. You feel like this is. Woody wants somebody that's going to be a yes man, that's going to do what he wants.

[Michael K]

That's often the way these things go.

[Danny]

Right. If Mr. T has Woody's ear, I think Woody is completely clay like and he trusts who's ever talking to him. Last, if Mr. T wants to go in the direction of a draft choice, he's going to then convince the ambassador and please, let's. Let's give him proper respect, and then they're going to hire a coach that wants to go in that direction. If Mr. T wants the other way around, he will convince the ambassador to go the opposite direction.

[Don LaGreca]

But Tenenbaum is. First of all, he's not involved in the advisement. I think it's.

[Danny]

We don't know how deep that is, though. That's hypothetical.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. From what I understand it, Spielman is the one that's been helping them. It's just more an advising them on candidates that they can talk to and helping them arrange it, all that stuff. I don't think this is. Mike Tannenbaum is, you know, kind of the wizard behind the curtain. I don't think that's how this is going down.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I could be just. I think he's just helping produce candidates for Woody the same way that wasn't a Childress and Wolf back in the day when they hired or Casterly. Yeah, Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And Wolf. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And so it's. It's just an advisory role.

[Michael K]

Role.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. If I had to think, if I had to guess, Woody would probably want Aaron Rodgers gone. But I think they're gonna listen. I think he's honestly gonna listen and he's gonna hire who he thinks gives him the best chance to kind of turn things around.

[Don LaGreca]

And he absolutely has to. He absolutely has to. All right, fellas. Again, well, he have more calls. 800-919-3776. I got a few things to do here at the Garden, but I know you guys can take it from here. And Peter, I know you have some bath fitter.

[Michael K]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.