The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 1: Hit Em With The Hot Stove (feat. Dusty May)
Date: April 9, 2026
Location: The Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Guests: Michigan head coach Dusty May
Episode Overview
In this lively first hour, Dan, Stugotz, and the crew dive into major storylines in football and college basketball. The show spotlights Lamar Jackson's evolving legacy and contract dynamics in Baltimore, before welcoming NCAA basketball champion Dusty May. The team explores the pressures of coaching, the continuous grind after victory, building trust within programs, trading pizza party stories, and poking fun at awkward on-air moments. The segment offers characteristic humor, honest sports analysis, and insider glimpses into high-level athletics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens: Collusion, Leadership, and Legacy
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Lamar's New Era in Baltimore:
Dan hails Lamar Jackson for seizing control of the Ravens—“now it's Lamar Jackson's [franchise].” (02:20) The conversation emphasizes the rarity of a franchise quarterback, especially one who negotiated his own contract and overcame both skepticism and alleged league collusion.
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Concern about Hitting Physical Limits:
The panel debates whether Lamar is losing his edge: “If Lamar Jackson loses a step, the Ravens are doomed.” – Dan (05:43)
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On Franchise Stability and Risks:
“The Ravens have been... right there with the Patriots... the best organization. And now it's Lamar Jackson's. It belongs to him.” – Dan (02:27)
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The "Half-Step" Dilemma:
The team humorously attempts to quantify how much Lamar might have lost. “The net loss is half a step, bordering on two thirds of a step.” – Greg Lobo (08:51)
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The Collusion Conversation:
“The league colluded to keep costs down by not giving an MVP quarterback... what they would have given him...” – Dan (11:46)
“Collusion can't be proved and is never admitted.” – Greg Lobo (11:51)
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Star Privileges & Power Struggles:
Mike suggests Lamar has “privileges with the Ravens that other Ravens do not have”—without divulging specifics due to “valuing his sources.” (13:19)
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Pressure on Lamar:
“Right now he's the great two time MVP who has been a career disappointment. ...He's never led his team to a Super Bowl. He's three and five in the playoffs.” – Greg Lobo (10:33)
2. Interview with Dusty May: The Grind of Coaching & Building Championship Culture
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Business as Usual after a Title:
Dusty May reveals the relentless pace post-championship, with recruiting and roster management taking immediate priority:
“Hopefully we get our roster done and then we can take a deep breath and enjoy it a little bit.” – Dusty (22:35)
“Delayed gratification, Dan.” – Dusty (22:54)
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Maintaining Team Chemistry in the Portal Era:
“It's tough now because... every time you get one player, everyone on your roster feels like that might affect them.” – Dusty (23:39)
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Where’s the Joy?
Dan questions if the demands of the job rob coaches of the joy after a championship. Dusty counters:
“That moment on the stage is very touching, but the joy is every day in practice. It's how these guys interact with each other...” (25:04)
“I almost had a human emotion... but someone honked at me at a red light.” – Dusty (25:44)
“Those emotions are going to flow, I just don't know when or where.” – Dusty (25:57)
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On Unique Leadership Challenges:
Dusty weighs in on NBA coach Michael Malone’s transition to North Carolina:
“If he can get everyone in that organization moving in the same direction... then he'll be successful. …It's tough to predict. It's a crapshoot.” (27:06)
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Embracing Program Legends:
May values the involvement of Michigan’s Fab Five:
“They’re iconic, they're synonymous with Michigan basketball. ...We've got to do more to honor them.” (28:29)
3. Team Building, Pizza Parties, and Chemistry
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Championship-Building Events:
Addressing team bonding, Dusty is candid about the popular “pizza party” story:
“I don't think it was one moment... our guys really believed that their best interests are the most important thing we do... winning is a byproduct of us pouring into them.” (29:58)
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The Pizza Party Debate:
“You think we're champions because I had a pizza party?” – Dusty, jokingly (31:16)
“That was the firestarter, the pizza party.” – Greg Lobo (31:31)
4. Zaslow's Awkward Question & Team Banter
- Most Memorable Moment:
Zaslow asks: “Did the winning feel better than losing in the final four with FAU?” (33:06)
The room erupts:
“You just asked the man if winning felt better than losing.” – Dan (34:01)
“We looked at each other, we're like, man, that was a stupid question.” – Mike (42:15)
5. Coaching Tactics and ‘Hot Stove’ Defense
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Coaching Physicality:
“In basketball, how do you coach violence?” – Mike (39:51)
Dusty explains tactics: “...the hot stove, where you just stick [the opponent] and then show your hands. ...The officials... don't really want to stop play…” (40:28)
“That's good. That's good. Evolution.” – Dan (41:05)
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On Recruiting Bigger Players:
“...this year we went and got guys that looked like Merez Johnson... and threw those guys out there into the warfare.” – Dusty (41:05)
6. Lighter Segments & Promotions
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Tipping on an $18.50 Beer – Ethical Dilemma:
“I think you get guilted into it.” – Dusty (38:08)
“No tip is $1 for me.” – Dusty (38:13)
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Plug for "Made in March" Docuseries:
“It’s actually real. It's how we are behind the scenes.” – Dusty (37:07)
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Best Teams Faced:
“UConn and Arizona both were exceptional in their own way... Arizona was deeper... and UConn, with their winning pedigree... just so physical...” – Dusty (38:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- On Lamar’s Power & Risks:
“When you lose a half step around Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, might result in death.” – Mike (05:48)
“If Lamar Jackson loses a step, the Ravens are doomed.” – Dan (05:43)
- On Collusion:
“The league colluded to keep costs down...” – Dan (11:46)
“Collusion can't be proved and is never admitted.” – Greg Lobo (11:51)
- On Coaching Joy:
“That moment on the stage is very touching, but the joy is every day in practice…” – Dusty May (25:04)
- The Pizza Party Myth:
“You think we’re champions because I had a pizza party?” – Dusty (31:16)
“That was the firestarter, the pizza party.” – Greg Lobo (31:31)
- Zaslow’s Viral Flub:
“Did the winning feel better than losing in the final four with FAU?” – Zaslow (33:06)
“You just asked the man if winning felt better than losing.” – Dan (34:01)
- On Defensive Tactics:
“...the hot stove, where you just stick them and then show your hands.” – Dusty May (40:28)
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment/Quote |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 01:09 | Dusty May intro; preview of topics |
| 02:20 | Dan on Lamar Jackson’s influence in Baltimore |
| 05:43 | "If Lamar Jackson loses a step, the Ravens are doomed." |
| 08:51 | Discussion of Lamar’s “half-step” loss (Greg Lobo, Dan, et al) |
| 11:46 | Collusion around Lamar’s contract (Dan, Mike, Greg Lobo) |
| 13:19 | Mike reveals Lamar’s “star privileges” |
| 22:35 | Dusty May on post-title coaching grind |
| 25:04 | Dusty on finding joy in daily coaching |
| 28:29 | Fab Five and Michigan basketball legacy |
| 29:58 | Building chemistry and trust—beyond the pizza party |
| 31:16 | Pizza party myth & gentle teasing |
| 33:06 | Zaslow’s “winning vs. losing” question; ensuing banter |
| 37:07 | Dusty plugs the docuseries "Made in March" |
| 38:08 | Dusty’s thoughts on tipping for an $18.50 beer |
| 38:48 | Best teams faced: UConn, Arizona, Duke |
| 40:28 | Dusty explains defensive “hot stove” technique |
Episode Tone & Style
In true Le Batard fashion, the show blends sharp, sometimes contrarian sports takes, humor, and a willingness to poke fun at both sports culture and themselves. The banter is playful but insightful: expert sports analysis is wrapped in jokes, gentle ribbing, and self-deprecating storytelling. Dusty May matches the crew’s candor, offering revealing thoughts on the reality of coaching, the precariousness of joy after success, and the importance of genuine connection in high-level athletics.
For Further Listening
- Tune into the "Local Hour" for more South Florida-centric commentary.
- Dusty May: Watch "Made in March" docuseries (“really pulled the curtain back” – Dusty, 37:07).
- For future episodes, track the evolving storylines around Lamar Jackson’s legacy and Stugotz’s next hot take.