The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Hour 1: Dan's Favorite Rohden (feat. Lucy Rohden & Lucy's Dad)
Date: October 21, 2025
Episode Overview
Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their extended crew bring their trademark mix of sports irreverence and community banter, with this "Local Hour" centering on Lucy Rohden’s triumphant return to Iowa for a Hawkeyes football gameday—complete with her dad, wild tailgates, and plenty of takes on college football chaos. The conversation weaves stories from the field with deep dives into the shifting landscape of NCAA coaching, playoff scenarios, and even a touch of baseball, all served with the crew’s usual blend of humor, sarcasm, and affectionate needling.
Key Discussion Points & Segments
Iowa Game Day: Lucy’s Homecoming & Tailgate Legends
- [02:24-03:45]
- Live from Iowa: Lucy Rohden and her dad, joined by Chris Cody and Mike Ryan, paint a vivid scene of the Iowa game day.
- "We're here in Iowa. Go Hawks. Your favorite employee, Rohden is here. And we're gonna do a handshake." – Chris Cody
- Nostalgic and comedic recounting of the unique dad-daughter handshake, Iowa traditions, and the family vibe.
- [03:55-05:28]
- Tailgate Feature: “Hawks to Go” tailgate stands out as it combines boozy revelry with charity—selling themed shots and raising over $400,000 for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
- “Everything we do here is about the kids … let’s do shots for the kids.” – Chris Cody [05:12]
- [06:02-07:38]
- Pre-game trash talk: Penn State coaching woes, fan expectation management, and the time-honored low-scoring offense of Iowa ("You can’t have high expectations. Kind of just feels like a tradition to not score that many points.”).
Sudden Swings in the College Football Coaching Market
- [08:29-12:56]
- Wild shakeups: Iowa's resurgence, Vanderbilt’s historic start, and Georgia Tech’s undefeated record—nothing in college football is normal this season.
- In-depth analysis: Firing of James Franklin at Penn State, Billy Napier at Florida, and the growing instability at Wisconsin with Luke Fickell.
- “I want young, hot sex appeal. Give me Joe Brady!” – Lucy Rohden on Penn State’s next coaching hire [07:00]
- [13:30-16:56]
- The coaching dominoes: How Penn State and Florida’s moves impact the broader market.
- Marcus Freeman's name comes up as both schools hunt for head coaches—debate on job attractiveness between Penn State and Florida.
- “When you tell me the successful Notre Dame coach can be bought by Florida… we’re in a new time.” – Lucy Rohden [15:54]
Deep Dive: Why Wisconsin Is Floundering with Luke Fickell
- [20:51-23:53]
- Detailed breakdown from Lucy and Mike on how Fickell has lost Wisconsin’s identity by forcing an “air raid” offense and migrating away from the power running game that defined the program.
- "Luke Fickell came in… decided, 'We're gonna do the air raid here.' Where are you gonna get the talent for that in Wisconsin?" – Mike Ryan [22:09]
- Loss of culture, missed opportunities, and how regional traditions are vital in college football’s middle-tier programs.
Miami, Louisville & Playoff Math: College Football’s Silliest Conference
- [23:53-31:18]
- The crew explores upsets—Louisville over Miami, Miami's playoff scenario, Carson Beck’s struggles (“When he is good, he is really, really good. But… it’s all or nothing with him.” – Mike Ryan [24:29])
- Conference chaos: Detailed explanation of bizarre ACC scheduling, the impacts of non-conference conference games, and Miami’s playoff hopes despite possible "dumb losses."
- "ACC is so stupid… they’re just gonna play each other but it’s non-conference. What? That is so ACC. I love this silly little conference." – Mike Ryan [31:12]
Pop Culture & Lucy’s Internet Minute
- [37:46-38:44]
- Lucy covers Kim Kardashian’s odd “Call Her Daddy” podcast moment (“I don’t know the price of things. Like, I'd love to figure out how much a milk carton costs.”)
- Playful roasting of Kardashian’s distance from reality; tie-ins to online culture and Skims “bush thong” launch.
Baseball Postseason: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers & The Greg Cody Bet
- [39:32-45:14]
- Shift to MLB: Toronto ousts the Mariners, setting up a classic Blue Jays–Dodgers World Series.
- “The greatest Mariners season of this century dies… because Toronto clubs the baseball.” – Lucy Rohden [39:41]
- Bet fulfillment: Greg Cody, having lost a bet, must walk to Seattle—luckily from a neighboring suburb, due to his "trick knee."
- In-depth preview: Blue Jays praised for lineup potency, the Dodgers’ dominant pitching is dissected, and context for why this feels like a “real” World Series with true national stakes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You can’t throw a football at a stroller. Put it on the poll at 'Le Batard Show': Can you throw a football at a stroller?”
– Lucy Rohden [10:51], after mayhem at the Iowa tailgate. - “Kinnick [Stadium] is a very difficult place to play if you’re a top five team. Like, that’s kind of a thing that has sort of fallen away… but it used to be a given if you were a top five team and you went into Iowa, you were going to lose.”
– Mike Ryan [12:24] - “Any team that only has one loss that’s in the Power 4 is going to make the playoffs. Like, that’s just going to happen.”
– Mike Ryan [28:50], on the revised college football playoff landscape. - “He seems like a not nice guy, and he’s always been a not nice guy. I don’t care for him and I hope he has the day he deserves.”
– Mike Ryan [34:01], firing zingers at an undisclosed “enemy.” - “Vanderbilt is 6-1 for the first time since 1950… They can play with Alabama. Everyone can see that.”
– Lucy Rohden [35:53] - "Congratulations to Bellevue, Washington. You're the closest city we deemed worthy of Greg Cody walking from."
– Chris Cody [44:55], on resolving Cody’s punishment for the lost bet.
Structure & Segment Timestamps
| Segment | Time Range | |--------------------------------------------|------------------| | Iowa Tailgate w/ Lucy & Dad | 02:24 – 07:38 | | Iowa Game Recap & College FB Shakeups | 08:29 – 12:56 | | Coaching Carousel: Penn St, Florida, Wis. | 13:30 – 20:51 | | Deep Dive: Wisconsin’s Crisis | 20:51 – 23:53 | | Miami’s Playoff Chances & ACC Oddities | 23:53 – 31:18 | | Lucy’s Internet Minute (Pop Culture) | 37:46 – 38:44 | | MLB: Jays vs Dodgers, Cody’s Bet | 39:32 – 45:14 |
Tone & Style
The episode captures the Le Batard Show’s blend of sharp-witted debate, regional pride (especially around Iowa), and deep sports knowledge cut with zany inside jokes. There’s a genuine affection for college football’s chaos and rituals and a running theme of bemusement at the pettiness and weirdness of both sports institutions and media personalities.
If you missed this episode: expect tailgate stories, scorching takes on coaching firings, serious but playful debates on what makes college football tick, a smattering of baseball, and the signature communal warmth that’s made Le Batard’s show a sports radio staple.
