PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Fired!
Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Guest Analyst: Booger McFarland

Episode Overview

This PTI episode opens with the bombshell news of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s firing "for cause" due to alleged misconduct and arrest. Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon dissect the fallout for Michigan’s program, discuss Notre Dame's playoff controversy, debate Joe Burrow’s public comments on his future, and tackle NFL storylines alongside Booger McFarland. The episode maintains the hosts’ trademark candor, humor, and quick pivots through college football, the NFL, and a few offbeat moments.

Major Discussion Points

1. Michigan Fires Coach Sherrone Moore (00:46–04:52)

• Background: Sherrone Moore was fired for cause amid reports of "an inappropriate relationship with a staff member," and following an arrest for alleged assault.
• Immediate Fallout:
  • Wilbon stresses player instability and poaching from other Big Ten programs:
    • “There’s going to be a rush to the portal, both maybe to block their own current players from running into it and to snatch players out of it…" (01:51)
    • Actively hiring a coach is imperative: “You gotta hire a coach that you think is gonna keep you in the mix in these times that are very expensive. The profile of these coaches is incredible.” (02:21)
  • Kornheiser adds perspective on just how fast the coaching search conversation shifted, noting wide speculation for possible successors:
    • “I was so surprised this morning… Not only did they quickly say this, but they almost unanimously said this, go after Kaylen DeBoer… Do you leave Alabama quite that quickly?” (03:01)
    • Entertains coaching musical chairs: “My ultimate dream would be if Kaylen DeBoer took the job, left to go to Michigan, and then Lane Kiffin told LSU, no, no, I’m going to Alabama.” (04:09)
  • Both agree Michigan cannot wait long: “I think you got to get a guy soon.” (04:29)

2. Notre Dame Playoff Backlash (04:52–08:05)

• Issue: Reported special playoff access for Notre Dame (auto-bid with Top 12 ranking) triggers other schools’ complaints and threats of boycott.
• Kornheiser's view:
  • No real freeze-out will happen: “A game with Notre Dame is a financial bonanza…” (05:35)
  • Predicts Notre Dame will eventually join the Big Ten for better positioning: “I think as soon as they are contractually able... Notre Dame will leave the ACC and go to your conference, the Big Ten, where I think they will be welcomed with open arms.” (05:51)
  • Calls the memo “amazing”: “They don’t guarantee Alabama or Georgia or Ohio State... This says Notre Dame just gets in. I find that amazing.” (06:19)
• Wilbon's skepticism/admonition:
  • Wants to see proof before judging: "I’ll wait till I get a copy of that… Maybe I’ll wait until then." (06:46)
  • Notes Notre Dame’s attitude wears out goodwill: “No matter how much goodwill is shown to you during your time, you wear out your welcome… some people… will tell Notre Dame where to shove it.” (07:32)

3. Joe Burrow’s “Not Having Fun” Comments (08:05–11:15)

• Context: Bengals QB Joe Burrow ponders his football future:
  • “If I want to keep doing this, I want to have fun doing it. I’ve been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?” (08:05)
• Wilbon's reaction:
  • Finds Burrow whiny despite understanding his honesty: “They were whiny. It’s okay. And maybe just honest, it’s fine… I don’t want to hear the whining. When you make $50 million… you made your bed, so lie right there in it.” (08:38)
• Kornheiser’s angle:
  • Sympathetic: “He gets hit a lot, much more than the average quarterback… I think his offensive line has failed him and his defense is nonexistent.” (09:44)
  • Ponders a potential early retirement “like Andrew Luck,” or hints Burrow might want to force a move: “Maybe he’s trying to lay the groundwork to go somewhere else. I mean, there’s 32 teams in the league. I think 28 would jump through 40 fire in order to get Joe Burrow.” (10:06)
  • Compares Burrow's situation to NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Giannis: “It’s got a very NBA quality. To me, it sounds like Kevin Durant, where every other year Kevin Durant’s ready to move… Joe Burrow doesn’t want to say I want to move, but he wants you to know that he wants to move.” (10:37)

4. NFL and College Football with Booger McFarland (“Five Good Minutes”) (12:40–18:20)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Swoon (13:11–14:03)

• Booger:
  • “The quarterback’s not been playing well here lately and anytime the quarterback doesn’t play well, it snowballs down the entire team… their defense just can’t get any pressure…” (13:11)
  • Anticipates return of key starters, but insists, “Their defense has to play better, especially when they’re a defensive driven team with a defensive head coach.” (13:52)

Patriots Defense vs. Bills (14:03–15:23)

• Booger: “This Patriots defense is fundamentally sound. They’re built the right way…stop the run…force Josh Allen to be Superman and put the cape on. If he can, then the Bills have a chance. But if he can’t, the Patriots will win this game.” (14:24)

Packers and Lions Upset Prospects (15:30–16:56)

• Booger: Picks Packers as more likely to pull off an upset:
  • “It’s a team led by Jeff Hafley, the defensive coordinator. They can absolutely get after you on defense… Rashan Gary, it’s Quay Walker… every level.” (15:52)
  • Sees a potential starring role for Micah Parsons: "Myles Garrett is running away with it right now. Micah Parsons needs one of those Virtuoso performances… get three, four, five sacks." (16:48)

Philip Rivers’ Comeback with Colts (16:56–18:07)

• Booger: “If you’re 44, you got 10 kids and grandkids, why the hell are you going to chase a football?... it’s almost disrespectful, guys…for a guy that hasn’t played football in five years to get off the couch and come and do what we’ve been doing, that’s almost disrespectful, guys.” (17:17)

5. Quick Hits & Memorable Moments

• Kornheiser on transfer portal: Jokes after Burrow discussion, “I wish there was a transfer portal for me.” (11:24)
• Wilbon on Jacoby Brissette: Compares him to the ultimate backup, Steve DeBerg: “I know backup kind of describes who he is. But he’s better than that and your team could need him...” (21:51)
• Classic John McKay quote: Kornheiser recalls: “What do you think of your team’s execution? McKay said, I’m in favor of it.” (22:08)
• On Thunder blowout: “Oklahoma City beat Phoenix by 49, the most lopsided loss in franchise history…Perk predicts the Thunder will top the Warriors single season record of 73 wins, hands down.” (23:08)
• Wilbon ribbing Kornheiser: “You root for my man Doc Rivers, but, man, they’re struggling hard not to take the Celtics right now.” (24:42)
• Birthday wishes: Kornheiser closes with “Happy birthday to my sweet Baboo Elizabeth.” (24:49)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wilbon on Michigan’s urgency:
  “You gotta hire a coach that you think is gonna keep you in the mix in these times that are very expensive.” (02:21)
• Tony Kornheiser on Notre Dame’s power:
  “A game with Notre Dame is a financial bonanza.” (05:35)
• Booger McFarland on Bucs’ struggles:
  “The quarterback’s not been playing well here lately and anytime the quarterback doesn’t play well, it snowballs down the entire team.” (13:11)
• Tony Kornheiser on Joe Burrow’s mindset:
  “Maybe he’s trying to lay the groundwork to go somewhere else…This is, it’s got a very NBA quality.” (10:06)
• Booger McFarland on Philip Rivers’ comeback:
  “If you’re 44, you got 10 kids and grandkids, why the hell are you going to chase a football?... it’s almost disrespectful, guys.” (17:17)
• Kornheiser on classic football humor:
  “Coach John McKay was asked, what do you think of your team’s execution? McKay said, I'm in favor of it.” (22:08)

Highlight Timestamps

• [01:03] – Breaking: Michigan fires Coach Sherrone Moore
• [02:21] – Wilbon on the challenges for Michigan’s future
• [05:35] – Kornheiser on Notre Dame's massive leverage
• [06:19] – Shock at Notre Dame's reported guaranteed playoff spot
• [08:05] – Joe Burrow “whining” debate begins
• [09:44] – Kornheiser speculates about Burrow’s future/strategy
• [13:11] – Booger McFarland on Bucs’ woes
• [14:24] – Patriots’ defensive strengths versus Bills
• [15:52] – Packers seen as dangerous
• [17:17] – Philip Rivers’ unlikely NFL comeback

Closing Thoughts

This episode captures a dramatic inflection point for Michigan football, exposes mounting playoff politics, addresses quarterback discontent, and features fresh NFL breakdowns from Booger McFarland. The discussion style remains playful but probing, spotlighting the instability—and intrigue—of both college and professional football at the close of 2025.