The Bobby Bones Show: 25W — Bobby and Eddie on What’s Going on with Puka Nacua? + Is Eddie Giving up on Cowboys? + Oklahoma State Coach Eric Morris on his "Batman Room" and 600 Unread Texts + Bill Belichick Steps Out Again with Girlfriend

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones (Premiere Networks)
Notable Guest: Eric Morris (Oklahoma State Head Coach)

Episode Overview

This episode of the 25 Whistles podcast, part of The Bobby Bones Show, dives into a blend of college and NFL football stories, with banter about referees, player controversies, fandom frustrations, a deep-dive interview with Oklahoma State’s new head coach Eric Morris, and some fun asides about sports celebrity life. Key discussions include the Puka Nacua controversy, the viability of the Dallas Cowboys, the transition of coach Eric Morris, plus some lighthearted takes on Bill Belichick’s public outings and sports world oddities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Puka Nacua: Public Comments & Brother’s Legal Trouble

[03:50–08:11]

• Referee Critique:
  • Puka Nacua (LA Rams) publicly accused refs of making bad calls “just to get TV time” (referring to an Aiden Ross stream).
    • Co-host: “Like, dude...these are the people that call...you can’t do that...I feel like now there’s a target on his back from all refs.” (04:08)
  • Bobby and co-host discuss whether refs hold grudges and the impact of technology on their accountability.
    • Bobby Bones: “A ref's job is actually affected by how bad a job he does.” (04:36)
• Brother’s Arrest:
  • Story breaks about Nacua’s brother, Samson, being arrested for allegedly stealing Lakers player Adou Thiero’s SUV.
    • Bobby Bones: “They stole it and valeted.” (06:28)
• Family Fallout for Famous Relatives:
  • The hosts debate whether it's fair to tie crimes to a famous family member.
    • Bobby Bones: “When you get famous, your family comes into it with you...If you’re going to take the pros, you gotta take the cons.” (07:28)
    • Co-host: “That just sucks for Puka. He had nothing to do with it. But his name gets brought.”
    • Bobby Bones: “Yeah, but you gotta make sure your brother's not an idiot.” (08:03)

2. College Football Picks, Parlay Building, and Coaching Carousel

[08:11–15:52]

• Alabama vs. Oklahoma Preview:
  • Discussion about the matchup, betting lines, and family rooting interests.
• Coaching Changes:
  • The impact of coaches leaving (e.g., Lane Kiffin) and how teams respond.
  • Bobby Bones: “It probably is a disadvantage...I don't think it matters here.” (10:12)
• Betting Picks Parlay:
  • Bobby details his picks: Alabama Moneyline, Texas A&M Moneyline, Oregon -21 over James Madison.
    • Bobby Bones: “That's a lot of points to give up, but I'm going to go Oregon -21.” (15:17)

3. Nick Saban Buys into the Nashville Predators

[12:35–14:27]

• Life after Football:
  • Saban purchases a minority stake in the NHL’s Nashville Predators.
  • Philosophical talk about wealth, youth, and passion for the work itself.
    • Bobby Bones: “You don't do the work for the money. You work for the work, and then the money comes.” (13:12)
• Saban in New Colors:
  • The hosts joke about how odd Saban looks in Predators’ yellow.
    • Bobby Bones: “Him wearing that color would be weird.” (14:23)

4. Feature Interview: Oklahoma State Coach Eric Morris

[21:20–39:47]

Intro and Personal Transition

• Batman Room Mystique:
  • Bobby asks Coach Morris about his “Batman Room”:
    • Eric Morris: “This is a Batman room. I don't know exactly what it's called...I've learned so many new things...I'm a little discombobulated.” (21:50)
• Adapting to Oklahoma State — wardrobe overhaul and living accommodations.
  • Eric Morris on orange gear: “Zero [orange]. We’re in the transition phase to turning that green into bright orange right now.” (22:14)
  • On moving: Prefers small-town living; family will move after spring break for kids’ sports and stability.
    • “Everything...kind of has switched...They moved us in into an Airbnb...We just bought a home.” (25:38)

Playing Career Memories

• Favorite TD as Texas Tech Player:
  • Eric Morris: “I scored the game-winning touchdown against Nebraska in the 08 run...Mike Leach called my number...He used to call me the elf.” (23:25)
• Offensive Philosophy:
  • Explains the “air raid” system:
    • “It’s more of a philosophy now, and I think it’s the way we practice...My position coaches...were Dana Holgorsen, Sonny Dykes, and Lincoln Riley…” (27:39)
  • Trick plays and origins of funny play names, e.g., “Lollipop”:
    • “[We have] a play called Lollipop...named after a player...showing us a YouTube video of the ‘Lollipop’ song on roller skates…” (28:58)

Coaching Method & Staff Building

• Hiring Approach:
  • Eric Morris: “I bird dog all of it on the front end because I don’t want to micromanage on the back end. I want to hire smart people and allow them to do their jobs.” (31:14)
    • Reflects on learning from mentors Mike Leach, Cliff Kingsbury, and adapting to the financial/management aspects of modern college football.

Life as a New Coach

• Inundated with Inquiries:
  • “Day two, after it was announced, my wife...my text messages were up to like 650 texts.” (34:34)
  • Balances congratulatory texts, job seekers, and building relationships with the alumni base.
    • “You’re drinking from a water hose...I love being on the grass and having a whistle on.” (35:49)
• Family, Roots, Favorite Stories:
  • Morris shares that his wife is from Rector, Arkansas, and he now owns multiple cotton farms there. (27:01)
• Fun, Personal Q&A:
  • Could Morris dunk? “No. Are you kidding me?....I could always grab the rim…but actually dunk a full-size men’s basketball…I could not.” (36:22)
  • On being fearless as a punt returner:
    • “Wes Welker told us...we don’t fair catch around here...If you want to returner, it should be you guys.” (37:05)
  • On Bedlam Rivalry:
    • “For the fans in the state, from an economical standpoint, it makes so much sense...for the both places, I think it’d be awesome to find a middle ground and be able to play that game once a year.” (38:40)

Notable quote:

“The first six months...you’re drinking from a water hose. It’s never going to feel like it slows down until you get everything…your culture, your offseason program. But...being on the grass and having a whistle on...that’s my happy place.”
— Eric Morris, [34:34–35:49]

5. NFL Anxiety: Cowboys, Fandom, and Playoff Odds

[45:57–54:35]

• Eddie’s Cowboys Fatigue:

  • Bobby Bones: “Do you care at all about the Cowboys?”
    • Eddie: “Not really...I think I’m done after that loss.” (45:59–46:01)

• Fans' Emotional Roller Coaster:

  • Debate on whether it’s worth investing hope with slim playoff odds.
    • Eddie: “It hurts for a week.” (50:43)
    • Other Co-host: “It’s just not worth it to get all worked up when you know the outcome.” (50:58)

• Statistical Playoff Scenarios:

  • Bobby runs through the elaborate possible playoff percentages for the Cowboys.
    • “If you win all three [games] and the Eagles lose all three, you’re in the playoffs — 100%.” (49:19)

• Spurs Talk:

  • Turning to NBA, there’s enthusiasm for the revitalized Spurs and Wembanyama’s impact.
    • Co-host: “They are so good...They’re so fun to watch.” (46:32)

6. Fun, Odd & Offbeat Sports News

[54:35–61:19]

• Bill Belichick’s Relationship Makes Headlines (Again):
  • Amusement and bemusement about photos of Belichick with his girlfriend at an adult cheerleading competition.
    • Bobby Bones: “I fully felt grandpa-granddaughter. It was very much grandpa vibes.” (54:49)
    • Age gap noted: She’s 24, he’s 73, her dad is 49.
• Other Sports Oddities:
  • Sacramento State’s new coach, Alonzo Carter, is a former MC Hammer dancer.
  • NFL-related crime: House of Titans’ Jeffrey Simmons robbed during a game — speculative discussion if such break-ins are “inside jobs”, referencing a similar Joe Burrow incident. (58:01–60:11)
• Funny Moment:
  • Bobby and crew joke about a viral moment where Josh Hart of the Knicks puts his thumb up Jalen Brunson’s backside in celebration, comparing it to their own locker room hijinks.
    • “Josh Hart tweeted it was AI. And then the next post is, oh, dang, it's in 4K and from 80 different angles.” (61:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On referees being human:

  • “Like, they are human. But I mean, the only calls would really be holding. Maybe some pass interference. But still, it’s on camera so much that a ref’s job is actually affected by how bad a job he does.” — Bobby Bones [04:36]

• On being related to someone famous:

  • “When you get famous, your family comes into it with you...your family is just part of it.” — Bobby Bones [07:28]

• On coaching chaos in college football:

  • “The pendulum swung and it was so violent and nobody's been able to catch up...all of a sudden it's just become a free for all.” — Eric Morris [29:51]

• On why it's about the work, not the money:

  • “You don't do the work for the money. You work for the work, and then the money comes and then you're like, well, I still love doing the work for the work.” — Bobby Bones [13:21]

• On Cowboys heartbreak:

  • “I just need to guard my heart a little more because when they do lose, it hurts for a week.” — Eddie [50:43]

• On Bill Belichick’s girlfriend:

  • “I fully felt grandpa-granddaughter. It was very much grandpa vibes. Yeah. And let it rip. Ain't nobody doing anything wrong. Let it rip. But it is weird. It can be weird and not wrong.” — Bobby Bones [54:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timeframe | |----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Puka Nacua: Refs & Brother’s Arrests | 03:50–08:11 | | CFB Playoff/Bets/Coaching Changes | 08:11–15:52 | | Nick Saban & Hockey Money Talk | 12:35–14:27 | | Interview: Oklahoma State Coach Eric Morris | 21:20–39:47 | | Cowboys Fandom and Playoff Math | 45:57–54:35 | | Bill Belichick Comment, Sports Oddities, NFL Crime | 54:35–61:19 | | Knicks’ Josh Hart and Locker Room “antics” | 61:11–61:19 |

Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, and humorous — Bobby Bones and the crew blend serious sports analysis and interviews with quirky banter and blunt, often self-deprecating honesty. The show feels like friends hanging out, swapping stories, and ribbing each other as much as dissecting sports news.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a layered blend of football chat — from sharp critique and player controversy, to coaching insights, to hilarious off-the-cuff commentary on sports celebrities’ personal lives and viral moments. The interview with Coach Eric Morris stands out as a highlight, offering a rare, candid look at the realities of a college coach’s life and philosophy.

For more: Follow Bobby Bones on Instagram at @BobbyBonesports and check out the daily full replay for complete interviews and ongoing sports banter.