Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 3 — Upsets & Jets DC Search

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and free-flowing third hour, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg tackle two major topics: the greatest upsets in sports history (sparked by recent college football debates and, of course, the "Miracle on Ice") and the New York Jets’ increasingly fraught search for a new defensive coordinator. The trio bring their trademark wit, storytelling, and New York sports perspective to lively debates, audience calls, and a deep-dive into why high-profile football coaches are spurning the Jets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Bets, Playoff Picks, and Math Debates

(00:41–06:00)

• The hosts mull over their weekly picks competition, debating whether Peter Rosenberg still mathematically has a shot to catch Alan Hahn in the standings.
  • Notable moment: Peter protests point allocations and recounts a week his picks were “stolen” due to illness.
  • The group jokes about “charity props” at the Super Bowl to keep the stakes alive if someone is mathematically out.
  • “I don’t want charity!” — Peter (02:40)
• A lively back-and-forth on the Patriots/Broncos point spread and picking strategies.
  • “Can they score enough to get distance from a Broncos team? How are they scoring?” — Alan (03:26)

2. NFL Playoff Scenarios and Travel Plans

(06:00–12:12)

• Don discusses possible travel plans to Seattle for the conference championship, including trying to secure press credentials, even joking about calling Stephen A. Smith for a favor.
  • “You should reach out to Stephen A. and say, ‘Stephen, never ask you for anything... I just want to go to the Seahawks game.’” — Peter (12:39)
• Banter about upcoming snowstorms in New York and weather media dramatics.

3. The Greatest Upsets in Sports History

(14:32–23:09, with calls to 26:31)

• Caller Earl sparks spirited debate by comparing recent college football upsets to the “Miracle on Ice.”
  • Miscommunication over upsets, professional vs. amateur status, and historical context for the 1980 US Olympic hockey team’s victory over the USSR.
• Don and Alan emphasize the difference in magnitude between team and individual upsets.
  • “When you talk about individual sports, all you need is Tyson to just not take it seriously or just have an off night. When you're talking team sports...the whole Russian team has to not care or give up.” — Don (22:46)
  • Peter brings up Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson as at least conversation-worthy for greatest upsets:
  • “This is not Mike Tyson who had lost to Evander Holyfield... This is a guy who you'd only seen crush people.” — Peter (22:13)
• “It really is. I'm sorry, it—No, it's remarkable. No one's taking away—Don is literally saying you can't even have a conversation about anything else.” — Peter (21:43)
• Alan highlights opportunity and social context in Texas Western’s NCAA basketball upset over Kentucky in 1966.

4. Jets Drama: Defensive Coordinator Search Woes

(26:55–38:02)

• With Joe Douglas interviewing elsewhere and top DC candidates spurning the Jets, the hosts dissect why New York struggles to attract quality coaches.
  • “Zach Rosenblatt, The Athletic...the Jets having a hard time getting anybody to actually interview for a D.C. job.” — Alan (28:39)
• Don and Alan speculate the team's dysfunction and Woody Johnson's reputation is sinking the franchise's appeal:
  • “If the answer is because there's dysfunction there, their owner's out of his mind, doesn’t the league then have to step in?” — Don (31:12)
• The group ponders solutions, like bringing in a high-profile former player as a minority owner to fix the Jets’ rep (similar to Tom Brady with the Raiders).
  • “We are going to sell 10% of your team to somebody that is going to change the image of your franchise... Peyton Manning is going to come in.” — Don (36:08)
• General sense of alarm about the Jets hitting “rock bottom”—not even able to attract coaching staff for key roles.
  • “This is kind of reaching, sort of alarming... He can’t get anybody to come coach for him.” — Alan (38:02)

5. Weather, Nostalgia, and New York Culture

(38:02–49:29)

• Extended segment predicting the upcoming snowstorm—banter about local TV weathermen (Lee Goldberg, Sam Champion, Jim Cantore), and cold weather memories.
• Playfully morbid digression about how old is “good enough” to live to, using the late Willard Scott as a reference point.
  • “Don, you taking 87 right now?” — Peter
    “Offered it, yes.” — Don (49:00)
• Typical show camaraderie on local news, generational wisdom, and NYC pride.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On “Miracle on Ice”:
  “They were professionals. They were paid to play hockey. …This was literally amateurs versus professionals.” — Don (17:04)
• On Jets' Dysfunction:
  “If the no is because we just think the owner's nuts and I don't want to go there, how are you ever going to get better?” — Don (30:12) “When I read that story, it felt like we've now hit rock bottom.” — Don (38:19)
• On weather panic:
  “The New York Post front page was, you know, New York region to be pummeled with snow burst in decades. The Big Apple's gonna be buried... But as you go on, you realize that it's a chance.” — Peter (08:39–09:32)
• On being a credentialed reporter:
  “We call Bristol on behalf of Stephen A. Stephen A. wants to go to the game. But because Stephen A. doesn't want to be recognized, he'd like the credential to say Don La Greca.” — Don (12:25)
• On coaching the Jets:
  “So you're going to end up getting somebody with no experience...this just makes life worse.” — Alan (29:56)
• On upsets/underdogs:
  “That's the equivalent of Indiana playing the Super Bowl champion in three weeks. … If Indiana beat them, then we'd have a conversation.” — Don (20:36)
• On team reputation repair:
  “It's got to be...someone of that level. And I'm sorry, it's Tom Brady. Like, he's one of the all-time greats. So it's really hard to say.” — Alan (36:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Weekly Picks Standings & NFL Playoff Debates: 00:41 – 06:00
• Travel Plans, Press Credentials, Stephen A. Joke: 06:11 – 13:13
• Greatest Upsets Discussion, “Miracle on Ice”, Listener Calls: 14:32 – 26:31
• Jets DC Search, Franchise Dysfunction: 26:55 – 38:02
• Weather Forecasts, NYC Banter, Willard Scott Digression: 38:02 – 49:29

Summary for New Listeners

This episode epitomizes the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg experience: passionate, informed, and irreverently funny New York sports talk. From analyzing the “Miracle on Ice” to exposing the raw nerves of Jets fandom, the hosts balance wit and insight. Whether debating mathematical playoff eliminations, theorizing about the future of a struggling franchise, or simply reminiscing about New York winters, the trio offer an essential listen for anyone who thinks–or feels–like a New Yorker.

For full sports banter, tune in weekdays at 3 on ESPN New York.