The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: Shut Up, Paul Maurice Is Talking (feat. Paul Maurice)
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and wide-ranging episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Zaslow, Greg Cote, and company blend their trademark humor and irreverent analysis on the state of South Florida sports. The episode’s highlight is an in-depth, candid interview with Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice—a two-time Stanley Cup champion—who opens up about leadership, team culture, coaching intensity, and the unique bonds in hockey. Interspersed throughout are segments on baseball, football, television trends, and more, creating a dynamic mix of sports talk and cultural commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matthew Tkachuk's Transformative Impact on Miami Sports

• The crew lauds Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk for his unique presence and cultural footprint—on and off the ice.
  • Dan compares Tkachuk’s acquisition to LeBron’s, calling it equally “franchise-changing” for a sport still striving for relevance in Miami.
  • "What a great ambassador for South Florida sport." – Dan Le Batard (03:26)
  • Tkachuk is celebrated for taking time with fans, being the first hockey player on College GameDay, and integrating into Miami’s “event town” vibe.
  • Greg Cote: “If I’m Gary Bettman…I pick Matthew Tkachuk. He plays for the two-time championship team, he’s engaging, he’s arguably the best American player in the league.” (03:47)
  • Lighthearted banter about fan interactions and expectations for Tkachuk as a hockey ambassador.

2. Baseball Segment: Trevor Rogers & Giancarlo Stanton

• The crew reflects on previous (bad) betting advice about Orioles pitcher Trevor Rogers—now on a historic run.
  • Notable quote from Stugotz: “If I know anything in this world, it’s you bet against Trevor Rogers.” (06:42)
  • Rogers defies expectations with an MLB record season.
• Discussion of Giancarlo Stanton’s 450th home run sparks debate about Hall of Fame credentials.
  • The panel discusses steroids, injuries, and evolving standards for Hall of Fame induction.
  • Stanton’s lack of scandal noted: “He’s not a guy that has steroid allegations following him…” – Dan (09:05)
  • Greg Cote: “He’d be over 500 [home runs] if he were healthier.” (09:30)

3. Paul Maurice Interview: Candid Coaching Reflections

[13:16 – 28:01 | Interview Highlights below]

a. On Exceeding Expectations and Building Culture

• Zaslow asks about Maurice’s highest hopes upon joining the Panthers:
  • “This is so far beyond that, and it’s beyond the winning...Beyond the Cups, the professional experience here is fantastic...These men are incredible to work with.” – Paul Maurice (14:03)
• Tight team culture is explained—families vacation together, genuine bonds are forged, and “love” is not hyperbole.
  • “They treat each other great, but they also treat everybody else...They’re very appreciative of the situation that they’re in.” (14:27)

b. Comparing Championship Teams & Coaching Styles

• On last year's championship Panthers team: “Probably a higher talent level through, better depth and possibly better role definition…We could play the game in a bunch of different arenas and be successful.” (15:50)
• On his intense in-game coaching style:
  • “You get into those games now, they're wired too…It’s not a personal assault. We’re trying to get the whole group to another level and they’re all smart enough to understand that.” (16:40)
  • “There’s no doghouse…We’re here to perform every single day…We need failures.” (17:38)

c. On Personal Meaning & Panthers’ Model

• Greg Cote asks about personal significance:
  • Maurice admits the Cups “made a huge difference,” but emphasizes the joy of building something meaningful: “It’s not just about the money…They have friendships, they’re brothers…you get to have this completely different pro sport experience.” (18:23)
  • “Hopefully at some point…this is looked at as a way you can win…We want to work harder, but also have more fun than anybody in the league.” (18:23)

d. Managing Wear and Tear After Multiple Final Runs

• Panthers are adapting by changing their camp schedule to help veterans recover and train most efficiently.
  • “We’re not going to spend any time worrying about fatigue…Everybody’s tired in January. Everybody is. You just got to get used to it.” (20:14)

e. Rapid Fire: Toughest, Craziest, and Best Leader

• On the toughest player:
  • “I got four guys on the back end who separated shoulders…If I give you one guy, I’m being disrespectful…Whoever the most injured guy in our room, that’s the toughest guy we got.” (23:55)
• On leadership:
  • Maurice answers with a fishing joke: “About an 18-inch steel one for pike fish.” (24:35) Panel then discusses the deeper message: no single leader, just the right leader for the moment.
• On acquiring tough-guy Brad Marchand:
  • Maurice describes initial disbelief (“I thought you’re crazy, you’re not getting Matthew Tkachuk…Then he calls back 15 min later and says, I just made the trade.” 25:00)
• Responding to ‘disliking’ his own players before they joined: “Oh, of course…[But] he handled [playoff losses] like such a leader, such a man.” (25:44)

f. On Goalie Sergey Bobrovsky (Bob) and Coaching Goalies

• Maurice candidly admits leaving goaltending to specialists: “I don’t know anything about goaltending…Robbie Tallis is the goalie coach and he's brilliant, so I just leave them to that.” (22:27)
• “Robbie does a great job of telling me I have no idea what I’m talking about without making me feel that...” (22:27)

g. Signature Humor and Mutual Admiration

• The segment turns affectionate and comedic by the end:
  • Stugotz: “Coach, my final question is. I love you.” (27:19)
  • Maurice: “I love you, too.” (27:22)
  • “You called you the murder of fun when you first got here.” “That would be accurate.” (27:39)

4. Sports Media and Technology Segment

• Critique of Barstool's low-rated FS1 show segues into the difficulties of attracting young viewers to TV.
  • “There’s a gulf of difference between how the mainstream tries to get young people to watch things and how young people actually watch things.” – Zaslow (36:10)
  • Dan notes the emerging model: “They’re just taking podcasts and putting them on television because it’s just cheaper programming...you want viral clips.” (37:17)

5. TV, AI, and Football Sidebars

• Discussion of AI-generated sports videos fooling people (35:17), and throwback NFL TV graphics making broadcasts seem ‘older’ (36:46).
• Quick reactions to Patriots, Belichick-Kraft relations, Nick Saban’s Miami legacy, and NFL games worth watching this week.
  • “My favorite part about that is how quickly [Saban] dismissed it...Not at all. Something I ever want to consider doing again with my life.” – Dan (41:23)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Matthew Tkachuk as a Sports Ambassador

  • “He’s the first ever hockey player to make picks on college game day. He’s a star. His play deserves being a star.” – Dan Le Batard (03:26)
  • “[Tkachuk is] everything you want [in a star]…If I’m Gary Bettman, I pick Matthew Tkachuk.” – Greg Cote (03:47)

• On Trevor Rogers Betting Advice Gone Wrong

  • “If I know anything in this world, it’s you bet against Trevor Rogers.” – Stugotz (06:42)

• On the Panthers’ Unique Culture

  • “They treat each other great, but they also treat everybody else…They’re very appreciative of the situation that they’re in.” – Paul Maurice (14:03)
  • “The guys are fun to be around because they won together…They love each other.” – Paul Maurice (15:24)

• On Coaching Style and Team Buy-In

  • “It’s not a personal assault…it’s, we’re trying to get the whole group to another level and they’re all smart enough to understand that’s what’s going on.” – Paul Maurice (16:40)
  • “There’s no doghouse…we’re here to perform every single day…we’re going to have our failures and we need those.” – Paul Maurice (17:38)

• On Leadership and Team Grit

  • “[Our toughest]—whoever the most injured guy in our room, that’s the toughest guy we got.” – Paul Maurice (23:55)
  • “There are different leadership styles in a room, but it’s the guy we need that night that’s the best leader.” – Paul Maurice (24:35)

• On Brad Marchand and Player Reputation

  • “Of course [I disliked him], but...he handled it like such a leader, such a man.” – Paul Maurice (25:44)

• On Goalie Coaching

  • “I don’t know anything about goaltending…I just leave them to [goalie coach].” – Paul Maurice (22:27)

Additional Segments

• Television Trends: Frustration with “old” TV; trend of podcast simulcasts; seeking viral over ratings.
• Football Reactions: Discussion of NFL “witching hour” drama, quarterback injuries, and fluctuating fortunes for storied franchises.
• Pop-Culture asides: Nick Saban’s Miami return pleas, the oddities of AI sports highlights, and a brief aside on Tua’s standing with Alabama and Miami fans.

Conclusion

This episode is a quintessential blend of the show’s strengths: warm humor, sharp sports analysis, and an ability to draw out openness from high-profile guests. Paul Maurice’s segment stands out as a masterclass in leadership, authenticity, and understanding modern athlete culture, while the rest of the hour delivers everything fans have come to expect from the Le Batard universe—unpredictable, funny, and deeply insightful.