The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Local Hour – The Haunting Marino Chant
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from Miami’s Elser Hotel, the crew digs into a classic “Local Hour” blend: heated Dolphins debate, Miami Hurricanes playoff anxiety, and plenty of pop-sports absurdity. Anchored by Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, with contributions from Zaslo, Chris, Greg Cody, and Bobby, the episode features dissecting the Dolphins’ controversial 4th-down decision, the haunting echoes of Dan Marino’s overseas chant, and passionate gripes about college football’s playoff politics—all with the show’s signature blend of irreverence and sports fanaticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dolphins’ Controversial 4th Down Decision ([01:26]–[13:00])

• Background: The Dolphins, tied late in regulation, chose to go for a TD on 4th and goal (a “long two”) rather than kick a field goal. Debate rages: Was it bold, reckless, or mathematically sound?
• Greg Cody’s Take:
  • Blasts the call as “lame brain” and a “bad decision that backfired”:

    “They saved McDaniel from embarrassment. He made a bad decision that backfired and got immensely lucky for it.” – Greg Cody ([04:32])

  • Argues taking the 3-point lead is the logical move, especially given the defense’s improvement.
• Zaslo’s Perspective:
  • Says two years ago, fans would have celebrated McDaniel’s aggression, but now expectations are different.

    “Two and three years ago, if Mike McDaniel is doing that, we are all like, yes, he's different. Super aggressive team.” – Zaslo ([03:10])

  • Emphasizes that today’s kickers make field goals less meaningful.

    “It's just under two minutes left, which is an eternity now in today's NFL. And the Dolphins go up three... you're 30 yards away from tying.” – Zaslo ([08:15])

• Analytics vs. Gut:
  • Dan frames it: Only 2 coaches since 2000 have made McDaniel’s call; analytics suggest a small win probability edge by going for the TD.

    “The analytics say you get a 3.5% better chance to win... But the mathematics say that.” – Dan Le Batard ([06:16])

  • Greg Cody dismisses analytics for “late in a tight game;” Stugotz and Zaslo challenge this with the shift in NFL coaching philosophy.

Notable Quote:

“Why don't you care what the analytics say and what the percentages say? Because they say you're wrong.” – Stugotz ([03:55])

2. Tua Tagovailoa Debate and The Marino (Im)Mobility Comparison ([14:25]–[16:59]; [20:14]–[22:32])

• Zaslo on Tua’s Mobility:
  • Declares Tua “less mobile than Dan Marino in a boot,” intensifying Dolphins fan skepticism.

    “I've never seen a more immobile quarterback. And my entire childhood was Dan Marino... Marino is more mobile than Tua was.” – Zaslo ([15:15])

• Stugotz’s Defense:
  • Acknowledges Tua could move through progressions more fluidly at full health but says now, Waddle is often the only option.
• Mike McDaniel Offense Critique:
  • Bobby: “What if we just take away the first read... Oh, wait a second. Tua can't scan the field.” ([16:15])
• Dan Marino’s Awkward Overseas Moment:
  • The crew riffs on Marino’s ungainly attempt to lead a “Let’s Go Dolphins” chant in Madrid; they describe it as “haunting” and “anxiety-inducing.”

    “It feels a bit death metal.” – Stugotz ([22:26]) “It gives me a little bit of anxiety hearing him do that, because that's not the way that it's supposed to go.” – Dan Le Batard ([22:30])

3. Miami Hurricanes Playoff Narrative, Notre Dame, and CFP Politics ([33:01]–[43:41])

• Dan’s Rant on Notre Dame’s “Charmed” Playoff Path:
  • Outraged at the idea that Miami, with comparable record and a head-to-head win, is being omitted from playoff consideration while Notre Dame is considered a shoo-in.

    “Why am I living and dying watching Clemson... while Notre Dame just gets to beat up on Navy and Pitt... If Notre Dame is in the playoffs, Miami better be in the playoffs, too. Ahead of Notre Dame, too.” – Dan Le Batard ([34:08])

• Ranking Nitpicks:
  • Dan blasts Miami being behind Utah and Vanderbilt, both of whom he sees as less deserving.
• Stugotz on College Football Parity:
  • Highlights the chaos of the season and the “batshit insane” landscape that could help Miami sneak in.
• Greg Cody’s Reminder:
  • Miami’s playoff troubles are partially self-inflicted:

    “Let's not lose track of the fact that UM did this to itself... They got spanked.” – Greg Cody ([39:53])

• Group Cynicism:
  • Consensus that Miami is ignored nationally, and that Alabama, Notre Dame, and other teams get the benefit of “brand bias.”

4. Marino Chant “Haunting,” South Florida Sports Quirkiness, and Show Hijinks ([22:32]–[29:36])

• Chant Analysis:
  • The crew mocks the awkwardness of Marino’s Madrid chant, comparing it to horror movie soundtracks and Halloween doorbells.

    “Let's conjure other situations...You’ve come down the stairs at midnight because you’ve heard a bump... Now I’ve got a crazy stranger... Haunting is the exact way to describe it.” – Stugotz ([28:34])

• South Florida Legends in Public:
  • Marino’s discomfort with public speaking and Barkov’s similarly odd celebration attempts are riffed for minutes, blending sports reverence and comedic irreverence.
  • Stugotz: “As long as Dan Marino lasted on that CBS pregame show because he was always notoriously bad talking in front of people, hated doing it and was boring on purpose.” ([24:19])

5. Absurdity, Old-Man Dolphins Logos, and Classic Show Humor ([44:54]–[46:41])

• **Stugotz unveils his “Dolphins logo replaced by an old man’s ass” art project, which the crew gleefully roasts.

  “The Miami Dolphins should name their team the Miami Ass and change their logo to an ass. Not a nice ass like an old man's ass.” – Stugotz ([45:07])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:54 | Greg Cody | “It was a lame brain decision by him…They saved McDaniel from embarrassment. He made a bad decision…” | | 03:10 | Zaslo | “Two and three years ago…we are all like, yes, he's different. Super aggressive team…” | | 04:32 | Chris | “If Dan Campbell does it, you're like, yep, good call.” | | 06:16 | Dan Le Batard | “Only two since 2000 have ever done what McDaniel did… you get a 3.5 better percentage chance…” | | 15:18 | Zaslo | “I've never seen a more immobile quarterback. And my entire childhood was Dan Marino…” | | 22:26 | Stugotz | “It feels a bit death metal.” (on Marino’s chant) | | 34:08 | Dan Le Batard | "Why am I living and dying watching Clemson run fullback dives... if Notre Dame is in the playoffs, Miami better be in the playoffs, too." | | 45:07 | Stugotz | "The Miami Dolphins should name their team the Miami Ass and change their logo to an ass..." |

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Dolphins 4th Down Debate: 01:26–13:00
• Tua vs. Marino Mobility: 14:25–16:59, 20:14–22:32
• Dan Marino’s Madrid Chant Segment: 21:12–29:36
• Miami Hurricanes/Notre Dame Playoff Rant: 33:01–43:41
• Old Man’s Ass as Dolphins Logo / Wrap-up Humor: 44:54–46:41

Tone & Style

The episode is peak “Local Hour”—argumentative, self-deprecating, neurotic about Miami sports, and never far from the next laugh or absurd tangent. Whether discussing analytics, haunted chants, or playoff committee injustices, the panel melds their lived anxieties with layered jokes and voices, making it accessible and entertaining for both die-hards and casual listeners alike.

Recommended Segment:
For pure comedy, jump to the discussion of Dan Marino’s “haunting” Madrid chant ([21:12]–[29:36])—a quintessential Le Batard Show moment marrying local legend, sports awkwardness, and Halloween horror vibes.

[End of Summary]