The Big Suey: Joey's Star Turn (feat. Dianna and Joey Russini)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: The Big Suey: Joey's Star Turn (feat. Dianna and Joey Russini)
Date: January 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Big Suey, recorded at the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, revolves around the NFL coaching carousel, job security of high-profile coaches, and the evolving nature of leadership in professional sports organizations. Dan Le Batard and Stugotz are joined by show regulars and special guest Dianna Russini (The Athletic, Scoop City podcast) – and her young son, Joey – for an irreverent, deeply football-nerdy, and constantly digressing roundtable. They break down recent NFL coaching firings, speculate about front office moves, discuss the synergy between quarterbacks and coaches, and share anecdotes on family, holidays, and the unique madness of parenting while working in sports media. Dianna’s son Joey frequently interrupts, becoming a comedic star of the episode.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL Coaching Carousel: Firing and Hiring Frenzy

(02:06 – 12:04)

• Dianna Russini offers real-time insights on the surging wave of NFL coaching firings and speculation about replacements.
• She points out that teams are making decisions about their own coaches partly by waiting to see who other teams will fire, creating a domino effect:
  • "A lot of organizations are kind of making a decision almost based on what other teams are going to do as well." (03:06 – Dianna Russini)
• Notable firings, such as Pete Carroll after only a year in Vegas, receive debate. While some panelists cite Carroll's age, Dianna notes deeper issues:
  • "I always felt like there wasn't a good connection between what they wanted to do in the front office, what the coaching staff want to do. It just felt a little disjointed there from the start..." (04:10 – Dianna Russini)
• The focus turns to Bill Belichick’s job prospects:
  • Dianna doesn’t believe he is a serious candidate for NFL head coaching roles at this time (05:23).

Memorable Exchange:

• (04:48) Brief comic aside when Dianna’s camera goes askew and her son Joey is heard vomiting in the other room, highlighting the real-life chaos behind her media appearances.

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2. College Coaches and NFL Opportunities

(06:19 – 08:29)

• The panel addresses whether college coaches are likely to get looks from NFL teams. Dianna says no teams are currently tapping college coaches, as first-time NFL head coaches from the NCAA haven’t seen much success.
• Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions OC) is identified as the archetype of in-demand coordinators.

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3. The Joy and Struggle of Parenting in Sports Media

(05:04 – 13:09, recurring)

• Dianna describes the chaos of Joey’s return to daycare and subsequent illness, punctuating football talk with stories of Play-Doh eggs and parenting disasters—reflecting the show's humorous cross-current of sports and real life.

  • "They go back. I got a call right before I hopped on, come get Joey, throw up on everybody. So he's in the other room watching trains." (05:04 – Dianna Russini)

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4. Miami Dolphins Front Office Search & Troy Aikman's Role

(20:45 – 24:24)

• The Dolphins' front office search is dissected, with the panel highlighting Troy Aikman’s advisor role and the team's apparent focus on candidates closely linked to coach Mike McDaniel.

  • "If you notice almost every single person on the list that they put out has a connection to Mike...that tells me that they probably want someone that can work well with their head coach rather than start over with two guys speaking two different languages." (21:35–22:27 – Dianna Russini)

• The panel notes the lack of an unequivocal public statement affirming Mike McDaniel's job security, which Dianna sees as "strange":

  • "No one has really come out from the Miami side to say Mike is safe...every other team that is safe puts out a statement." (21:02)

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5. Max Crosby’s Future with the Raiders, Tom Brady’s Influence, and Brian Flores

(10:24 – 12:04, 24:23 – 26:47)

• Dianna shares that the Raiders may be forced to contemplate trading Max Crosby, due to injury and team direction.
• She addresses Tom Brady’s emerging organizational influence in Las Vegas, suggesting that familiarity (including with Brian Flores or Brian Daboll) could shape further hires.

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6. NFL Tactical Trends: The Analytics Revolution

(28:44 – 39:50)

• Extended discussion on how attitudes toward fourth downs and aggressive play-calling have shifted dramatically in the last five years, with analytics replacing gut instinct for both young and veteran coaches:
  • "Everyone has stopped with that criticism. Correct. There is now no criticism of coach who goes forward on 4th and short." (33:35 – Chris Cote)
  • "It's easier to get 10 yards with four downs than it is with three." (29:34 – Chris Cote)
• The hosts reflect on Bill Belichick’s infamous 4th-and-2 call and compare it to today's new normal.

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7. Changing Leadership Models: Quarterback-Coach Alignment

(35:01 – 42:35)

• The consensus emerges that modern success relies much more on the alignment of a young, talented quarterback with an innovative coach—preferably both rising together:
  • "It's not just the coach. The coach has to be at the hip with a quarterback and the quarterback has to have the stability...It's the new model." (40:02 – 40:55 – Chris Cote)
• San Francisco (Shanahan), Detroit, and Chicago are cited as examples of how offensive innovation and stability determine franchise futures more than grizzled veteran leadership.
• The discussion includes skepticism on whether Raiders’ pick Mendoza is a "can't miss" QB, as well as Chicago's optimism around finally having a franchise quarterback (Caleb Williams).

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8. Joey’s Comic Interludes

(Throughout, e.g., 24:24 – 25:42)

• Joey Russini repeatedly steals the show: his enthusiasm (and occasional chaos) lightens the football-heavy discussion, with panelists jokingly interviewing him and riffing on his answers—especially regarding eggs and coaching firings.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the cutthroat reality of the coaching cycle:

  • "It is kind of sick how we quickly will report a firing, and the responses are always, 'Well, who's the who? Who are they hiring?' Right? Like, there's no grace, there's no mourning. Everyone's just ready for the next."
    (03:06 – Dianna Russini)

• On building organizations around familiar leadership:

  • "If they're all in on the head coach, and if that's the decision that they're doing to move forward, then you need to give him somebody that's going to be able to work with him..."
    (23:52 – Dianna Russini on Dolphins' GM search strategy)

• On football’s new analytic paradigm:

  • "Everyone has stopped with that criticism. Correct. There is now no criticism of coach who goes forward on 4th and short."
    (33:35 – Chris Cote)

• Parenting in chaos:

  • "Joey's puking in the other room right now."
    (04:48 – Dianna Russini)

• Joey’s comedic timing, asked about a firing:

  • "Bad."
    (24:53 – Joey Russini)

• On the evolution of the quarterback-coach relationship:

  • "You have to have some stability with one of these young people learning this position over five years."
    (42:35 – Chris Cote)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:06] — Coaching carousel and firings: Dianna Rossini’s insider takes
• [04:10] — Pete Carroll’s Vegas tenure and organizational dysfunction
• [05:04] — Dianna describes parenting chaos with Joey
• [21:02] — Dolphins' GM search and Mike McDaniel’s job security
• [22:27] — Troy Aikman’s influence, alignment with McDaniel
• [10:24] — Brian Flores to Dallas/Minnesota? Tom Brady’s Vegas influence
• [28:44 – 35:01] — Analytics-driven coaching, 4th-down aggressiveness, Belichick reappraised
• [40:02 – 43:24] — The importance of coach-QB partnerships, and changing leadership models
• [24:53, 25:21] — Joey’s moment in the spotlight

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Tone and Style

In typical Le Batard Show fashion, the episode is conversational, self-deprecating, improv-heavy, and full of inside jokes and digressions. Dianna Russini seamlessly weaves breaking NFL news with parenting anecdotes, while the rest of the cast riff on sports trends, question old wisdom, and embrace the chaos of live radio/podcasting with kids and colleagues entering and exiting the action.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a must for NFL obsessives and fans of sports media who relish both insider info and personal chaos. Even if you haven’t followed every coaching move or draft rumor, the combination of real-time news, sharp commentary, and comic real-life interruptions provides a rich, authentic, and entertaining window into the sports world and the lunacy of modern media living.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

Today's episode is brought to you by Venmo. Look, no matter how your favorite team does this season, there's still one way to feel like a winner, and that's with Venmo. That's because when you use venmo to transfer 50 or more to a DraftKings DFS account for the first time or the first time in three plus months, you'll get $25 in DraftKings bonus credits. Terms apply. Just go to draftkings.com venmoffer to activate your offer. Then choose Venmo to add Funds to your DraftKings account. Add $50 or more and boom, 25 bonus credits will appear in your DraftKings account if you're eligible. This offer is only good through February 15, 2026, or while supplies last, so don't fumble your chance before time runs out. Here's the deal. Venmo is a fast, easy way for you to add money onto DraftKings. And if you don't have a Venmo account yet, don't sweat it. You can download the app and sign up in minutes.

[Stugotz]

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[Dan Le Batard]

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[Chris Cote]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings. Why are you listening to this show, the podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast?

[Greg Cote]

I'm sorry.

[Chris Cote]

I'm not going to apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging. I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys.

[Stugotz]

I've done it.

[Chris Cote]

And now here's the Marching man to nowhere, Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[Greg Cote]

This episode of the Dan Lebatard show is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Chris Cote]

Mike McDaniel without Tua. Without Tua is 4. 9 and averages 14.3 points per game. Without Tua. And I don't know what you guys think a coach brings or can bring, but I did not have the. The Seattle Seahawks being able to make Kyle Shanahan's rushing offense and offense in general look totally incompetent. That's the most incompetent I have seen the 49ers offense look empirically. It's not even just me making it up. That's the worst that that offense can look because they can run against anybody, and they could not run against Seattle. Diana Rossini is on with us now. She's the senior NFL insider for the Athletics. She's the host of the Scoop City podcast. She is immersed in all of this coaching carousel stuff. Look at her. I could see her taking texts, getting text. She needs to find out what's going on with Eber Flutes in Dallas. He's been fired in Dallas. She needs to know. Tell us what's going on, Diana, what's got you. Everyone's insane with coaching carousel stupidity.

[Diana Rossini]

Well, it moves so fast, but also, it is kind of sick how, you know, we quickly will report a firing, and the responses are always, well, who's the who? Who are they hiring? Right? Like, everyone. There's, like, there's no grace, there's no mourning. Everyone's just ready for the next ripping it through. But it's. It's an interesting time right now. Okay. Because you have a lot of teams actually watching to see what coaches are going to become available or which. You know, coordinators are going to maybe get fired here, too. So a lot of organizations are kind of making a decision almost based on what other teams are going to do as well. Like, that's always, like, the second layer to this. Yesterday we had those firings that. I don't think. I don't think any of those were surprising to you guys. Maybe. Maybe the Raheem one got you Pete.

[Chris Cote]

Carroll after a year.

[Diana Rossini]

Pete, that. That surprised you?

[Chris Cote]

He's a million years.

[Jeremy Schaap]

He's a million years old.

[Chris Cote]

No, but I just. Look, he's pretty accomplished a year, and he can't do it anymore. He doesn't know how to do it.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Yeah.

[Chris Cote]

Correct.

[Greg Cote]

Okay.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah. No, no.

[Jeremy Schaap]

You watch them.

[Chris Cote]

Okay.

[Diana Rossini]

Respectfully, I think we can have a conversation about Pete Carroll as a head coach as being Tremendous. Okay. But I don't think we're going to remember this time in Vegas. I don't want to remember this time in Vegas. When I think about Pete Carroll, I think what he had there in terms of how that was set up, I always felt like there wasn't a good connection between what they wanted to do in the front office, what the coaching staff want to do. It just felt a little disjointed there from the start, and this is what happens. You don't win a lot of games.

[Chris Cote]

Any chance Bill Belichick gets a head coaching job in the NFL?

[Diana Rossini]

How are you not commenting on the fact that my camera looks like it's drunk right now and it's totally sorry I kicked it. It's ridiculous. I gotta say. Joey's puking in the other room right now.

[Chris Cote]

What happened with Joey? What's going on with Joey?

[Diana Rossini]

Oh, man, we got it. You know, 10 days off from daycare. They go back. I got a call right before I hopped on, come get Joey, throw up on everybody. So he's in the other room watching trains. He gave me this. This is gonna be something I'm gonna give him in a little while.

[Chris Cote]

He's still got the egg obsession. He hasn't. He hasn't outgrown the egg obsession?

[Diana Rossini]

No, he's obsessed with it. So we got him one of those Play DOH eggs, you know, so it's like, it's not a real one, so we don't keep finding the rotten eggs around the house. And he just. He knows, like, this is a fake egg. I need real. I want. I want to be able to see the yolk and crack it all over the house. So, yeah, no, I don't think Bill Belichick is a serious candidate in the NFL. I don't. I think his best shot was probably before North Carolina. And when I say best shot, meaning at least some organizations talked about it, right? And obviously, we knew with Atlanta before they fired Raheem the year before, there was a chance there. But I. I have not spoken to a team right now.

[Chris Cote]

You guys aren't doing the coaching carousel stuff with enthusiasm.

[Diana Rossini]

All your vibes are very low today. What is it? Are you not entertained by this cycle? Because there's not a lot of squatting.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Doing squats for 15 minutes, and Dan thinks it's sustainable doing it for three minutes. Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick's a college coach. Marcus Freeman announced that he's returning to Notre Dame. Are there any other college. College coaches in play for NFL jobs?

[Diana Rossini]

No, I know. I'm not in touch with any team right now that is in the college market. Um, I just think a lot of these teams are nervous about that first time head coaching experience. Right. Because we've seen not a lot of had success. Ben Johnson is obviously the poster for. Wow. If we could just get someone like this. I just don't think in this crop of candidates there's someone like that. Liam cone done an amazing job with Jacksonville and Duval. Although, I mean, we're kind of. What better way to give it back to all of us for mocking him for that then these guys are making.

[Chris Cote]

Fun of me saying my carousel's no good. I'm not on one of the horses. I'm on one of the. The chariots. You weren't. That's horse.

[Diana Rossini]

Get on the horse, horse.

[Chris Cote]

What were you saying?

[Diana Rossini]

Ow. Picks the chariot. No one goes on that.

[Chris Cote]

Put it on the poll at Lebitard show on the Mario Merry go round. Does anyone pick the chariot?

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. When you go on last, there's nothing left.

[Diana Rossini]

Yes. That was the worst. Right? As a kid, when you're like, can.

[Greg Cody]

I wait for the next one?

[Chris Cote]

Give me something exciting on the coaching carousel. Something that's not Eber Floose flooding your text.

[Diana Rossini]

Oh, yeah, we're already past that. That was. I'm watching Washington. I want to see what they do here. There's been some reporting that I've done over the last few days about Cliff Kingsbury. What's his future going to be there? Is it. Is he going to get another job as a head coach somewhere? Or is Washington also going to consider moving on from him?

[Chris Cote]

I mean, come on, though, Diana. He looked pretty good when Jane Daniels was healthy. Him and McLaurin played three games together this year.

[Diana Rossini]

Correct. And the quarterback and Cliff have a very good relationship and you can't blame him for injuries. But I think there's also another factor in all this when you're looking at the Washington offense, which is teams figured it out as well. Right. So there has to be, I think, a part of this that has to evolve. And look, Dan Quinn wants it to be a certain way, so I'm interested in that. I'm watching that. And then the bigger one is Baltimore. Right?

[Chris Cote]

You think that's going to happen? That's a real thing. The last four seasons of Baltimore have ended in unbelievably heartbreaking fashion. All four of the seasons are sort of a randomness at the end that ends up happening. That is just totally crushing. That. That is just random. Ball Diana, it's not the coach's fault.

[Diana Rossini]

It's not. But look, how many times have we looked the. At these organizations and said, you know, maybe change is good. Maybe this would be good Now, I don't actually think Baltimore will. Will fire him. Of course, now that I said it, that's gonna happen, because that's what happens on the show. I do think there could be some tweaking, some changes. Right. We'll see what they do at the coordinator position. But to. To end it like that at a time in a year where, you know, you don't have Joe Burrow playing the playoffs, and you've got a shot to go. Roy damage.

[Chris Cote]

Like, why are you not carouseling? Why are you. You're sitting there staring into your phone, telling me you're carouseling correctly. I'm trying to check my heart rate right now.

[Greg Cote]

Whoa.

[Jeremy Schaap]

And I'm in the cart.

[Dan Le Batard]

What was that?

[Greg Cote]

Whoa.

[Chris Cote]

Diana, what is the text you just got? I need people to pay attention to this show and what we're doing here. I need Roy to be doing the carousel with some enthusiasm. I'm having a heart attack, Dan, and I need Diana to get it.

[Diana Rossini]

I got a text from somebody about Brian Flores. They just asked. They said, what do you think the chances of Brian Flores getting a head coaching job? And it's a good question. I think the Dallas Cowboys are keeping an eye on Brian Flores. I know Minnesota wants to keep him around. I know he loves being in Minnesota. I. The only reason I know that is I just saw him last week on Christmas when I was doing that Netflix thing, and he told me straight up.

[Chris Cote]

Told you straight up that he.

[Diana Rossini]

That. That he enjoys being there, and he. And it's. It's a good organization to be part of. We'll see how. How this shakes out, though, because I do think he'll get. He'll get some calls. The one I want to. Okay, since we're just gonna go down this rabbit hole of, like, what I'm curious about, because, look, part of my job is to go find it out, but there's some questions I don't know the answer to yet. Is Tom Brady gonna try to bring familiarity into that building, right, with a Brian Flores, With a Brian Dable? Right. Could that be something he's comfortable with? Because did you guys notice yesterday in the press release, you saw Tom Brady's name in there? It's like he came out from the shadows. Like, thank you for admitting that you are all over this organization and that you're part of it. You Know, so I'm interested to see what they do there. Now, the other part of the Vegas thing that I'm watching is the Max Crosby scenario. Do you guys think that the Vegas Raiders would trade Max Crosby?

[Chris Cote]

So he leaves the facility and he wanted to play in the last game, and they did. They didn't make him have surgery. Right. But he needed surgery. What is the status? Anybody would want him, obviously.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah. So I think, look, Max is that ultimate competitor type. He's the face of that franchise. He doesn't ever want to not play. And from what I understand, they told him to sit because they thought he was injured. Right. But I think when you look at it from his perspective, I'm. He's been injured since October.

[Greg Cote]

Right.

[Diana Rossini]

So it's like they're obviously shutting him down for the sake of the organization. Why are you gonna put Max Crosby out there when you're losing and maybe even trying to lose? Right? Like, not. Maybe not trying. But I think it's all obvious that Vegas was really hoping to get that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Number one overall saddest carousel ever. I'm looking at in this other room.

[Stugotz]

That'S not a carousel.

[Dan Le Batard]

Like, what if I just had this know.

[Chris Cote]

I don't know what Z and and Cody are doing disappointed by.

[Diana Rossini]

Every time I look up at Greg, he looks like a floating body. And I'm worried about his health.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's just like, thank you, Diana.

[Greg Cote]

Thank you.

[Chris Cote]

Yes. I don't know why you're thanking her.

[Greg Cote]

For wearing my horses.

[Diana Rossini]

Greg, how was your holiday? I didn't even ask you.

[Greg Cote]

It was great. It was really, really nice. We had a wonderful time. You know, it. It just. It's maybe the best ever.

[Dan Le Batard]

That kind of.

[Greg Cote]

Maybe the best holiday ever.

[Chris Cote]

You're in midsummer.

[Dan Le Batard]

Really?

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah. You know what's funny? My family member. Guys, I told you that I wasn't going to host Christmas because I had to work that day.

[Greg Cote]

Yes.

[Diana Rossini]

I don't know if they're doing this to just be annoying or just be mean. I cannot tell you how many of my family members have messaged me to tell me what a wonderful Christmas day they had at my house. Like, wouldn't you try to avoid telling me that because I wasn't there, I wasn't here.

[Greg Cote]

They're laying a guilt trip on you.

[Chris Cote]

Oh, I think they're celebrating the fact that you did a lovely thing while you were away. And everyone. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was successful. And they're sharing with you. They're pulling. They missed you, and they're pulling you into it. Chris, Cody, did you tear your.

[Diana Rossini]

Did. No one said we missed you. My mom said that's what you left Christmas for. I saw you for two seconds holding a piece of steak. I'm like, that's what I did.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Hey, Jeremy. Happy holidays.

[Stugotz]

Happy Januka.

[Jeremy Schaap]

I want to toast you. Actually, I don't. I will toast with you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[Jeremy Schaap]

We're co workers.

[Dan Le Batard]

Mm.

[Stugotz]

Friends, you could say.

[Jeremy Schaap]

No, we cannot say that. But we both enjoy an ice cold Miller Lite.

[Stugotz]

That's true.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Especially around the holidays. You know, it's a 50th anniversary Miller Lite.

[Stugotz]

It's really amazing every time we say that. I can't believe it.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Well, it's crazy because, like, they've basically been partners with the Dan LeBatard show for half of their existence.

[Greg Cote]

Wow.

[Jeremy Schaap]

When I put it to you that way. We got an old ass show.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, we do. That's crazy.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Hey, let's look around at our friends, not each other and our family, even though they're not here. I do miss your brother, though.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I know.

[Jeremy Schaap]

I'll bring him back and take that first sip, look around and know that we made the right decision. When it comes to a domestic light lager, Miller Lite is the best. And it's the holiday season, as we mentioned. Why don't you enjoy that holiday season by drinking a beer that won't weigh you down? The original light beer since 1975, still hidden, different 50 years later. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, rich balanced toffee notes, and that iconic golden color that you can see from across the room. The best holiday beers are the ones you don't expect. Miller Lite, great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tis Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Chris Cote]

Smirnoff.

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Greg Cote]

Smirnoff, yes.

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[Greg Cote]

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[Stugotz]

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[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Chris Cote]

Wow.

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Stugotz]

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[Diana Rossini]

Doing a live show on the draft, Rick. Is it Channel 7?

[Chris Cote]

Stugats.

[Diana Rossini]

Those girls on Eyewitness News, they look good. They're mothers. They look good, though.

[Chris Cote]

This is the Don Levatar show with the stugats. Foreign. Did you rip your pants doing the coaching carousel?

[Dan Le Batard]

It's unconfirmed whether it happened during the carousel or just got revealed during the carousel, but yeah, there's little tear there.

[Chris Cote]

Diana, can you explain something to me? Because I think this is foolhardy. To assume that Tom Brady, Troy Aikman and Matt Ryan all have the skills to run entire organizations just because they were great quarterbacks is foolhardy.

[Diana Rossini]

I think a lot of people are looking at the organizational setup in Jacksonville right now. You see, Bacelli is part of that front office, right? And he, from everything I understand, is, has done a really good job of kind of keeping that front office together. Because you have new people there, right? You have James Gladstone there. You have Liam Cohen. And I think that's been the example I think people are seeing in San Francisco with John lynch, obviously, the former player now, because a lot of these owners just are copying because they don't know. Look, the Tom Brady thing, I have said this whole time, it's obvious he's part of it. But this, it's that it's a half in, half out that I'm curious about, right? Because Tom lives in Florida. He's doing fox. Matt Ryan wants to do tv. You can't do that job half, right? Like, you got to be there all the time. Because I think that's important for the building.

[Greg Cody]

Diana, do you think there was much conversation with the jets to get rid of Aaron Glenn after just the one year?

[Diana Rossini]

I think that they want to give him a chance. I think there's been some really good things there that they believe in. And I don't think Woody Johnson wants to fire another coach already. I think there's a lot of different factors. I can just tell you a few weeks ago, I felt better about the direction of the New York Jets. And then just based on talking to people and talking to some of the teams that they faced afterwards and the way they reviewed what they just saw, it's not good. And I do think a lot of times in first year opportunities, coaches are in over their head and they have to learn. I can't tell you how many conversations I've had over the years with coaches after their first year and they're in their second year or they're finishing up their second year, and they reflect like, oh, my God, I didn't know what I was doing. In fact, coaches now talk about it that were just been fired. I had no idea what I was doing the first year. I think it's that hard. I don't think anyone's ever really prepared.

[Greg Cote]

Diana, what did you think of the Dolphins hiring Aikman as a general manager advisor in their search? And do you have any names of people who you think the Dolphins are or should be looking?

[Chris Cote]

And what are you hearing about whether McDaniel will actually be there next year or not?

[Diana Rossini]

Have you guys noticed that no one has really come out from the Miami side to say Mike is safe? Like, I'm watching that right now of just like that seems strange. Every other team that is safe puts out a statement. I know he did his press conference, but some of the quotes right are like, I'm safe until I'm told I'm not. Do you hear Joey, by the way, just losing his mind?

[Chris Cote]

I'm worried about Mikey. Joey's getting a little bit too much of the attention, and I want to know what's going on with Mikey. But before we do that, because we've got limited time with you, give us what you have here on the Dolphins.

[Diana Rossini]

Okay, so the Dolphins tapped into Troy Aikman because of Troy's actual connections to all these teams. And they really wanted, from what I understand, get an honest assessment of which direction they need to go in. And look, I know you guys know this, but a lot of organizations ask reporters their thoughts, their opinions. Miami didn't want to do that. They're like, we don't want. We don't want any bias. We want someone to come in here and say, here's who I think is a good leader. Here's who I think is a good coach. And obviously, for right now, they think that's Mike. Now, in terms of the direction of gm, there's also a pattern. If you notice almost every single person on the list that they put out has a connection to Mike. Right? So that tells me that they probably want someone that can work well with their head coach rather than start over with two guys speaking two different languages.

[Greg Cody]

Half the list is 40 niners people.

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah. Well, where's Mike come from? Right? And even the guy from Green Bay is familiar with Mike. So until I see a name that Alec Halaby, I think was the. Was the only one that I saw that I don't think has a direct connection. But I'm sure there. There's something there that I'm Missing. I haven't seen any names that's not connected to Mike, so that's good. That bodes well for the head coach, but I think they're really just trying to get on the same page. And look, they've had a head start. They've had a. They've had the whole year almost right to figure this out and sort this out, and I don't know what the plan is, so.

[Greg Cody]

So hold on a second. It's just a coincidence that, you know, Aikman's been brought in to help them search for a GM and almost the entire list of people that they're interviewing right now have connections to Mike McDaniel.

[Diana Rossini]

Meaning? Like. Like, are you asking me? That's what Troy thinks works.

[Dan Le Batard]

Maybe that was the list. And now they brought Troy in and they're going to have new names.

[Greg Cody]

Well, I mean, I guess maybe that's possible, but that's. That's just. It seems like a hell of a coincidence that Aikman's suggestions are guys that are all also tied to Mike McDaniel.

[Diana Rossini]

Well, maybe that's Troy Aikman's counsel. Maybe that's Joey's.

[Chris Cote]

Do you have to go take care of your son? Why don't you go do that? I can't have your son throwing up in another room and the mother being negligent just sitting here because she's taking Eber flu's text. Come on, Joey. There's an A? Yes. Everything's okay now. You have an A.

[Diana Rossini]

No, Look, I think Troy Aikman understands there has to be alignment, right? You can't bring in a general manager that doesn't. If they're all in on the head coach, and if that's the decision that they're doing to move forward, then you need to give him somebody that's going to be able to work with him the way. Now, remember, this is another thing that I think is interesting. Everyone likes to model the 49ers scenario, right? Kyle Shanahan is the one that has all the say there, right? He's the one who brought in John lynch. And Mike's going to have a say here in these interviews. He told us that.

[Chris Cote]

Joey, what are your thoughts on the Eagles sitting all their starters this weekend? Joey, they sat all their starters to get rest, and now they're going to be rested in the playoffs. What do you think of that?

[Diana Rossini]

Do you like the Eagles speechless? No. No. You like eggs?

[Greg Cote]

Yeah.

[Diana Rossini]

What's your name? Joey. Yeah, I'm Joey.

[Greg Cote]

Joey.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Hi, Joey.

[Greg Cote]

Joey, what do you think of the. Greg's. Lobo's firing defensive coordinator Turd Cartwheel.

[Diana Rossini]

Say bad. Bad.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Chris Cote]

All right, Joey, how old do you.

[Greg Cody]

Think that man is?

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's show my dad here. Let's show Greg.

[Stugotz]

How old is this?

[Dan Le Batard]

How old is that?

[Greg Cody]

How old's that man?

[Diana Rossini]

Who's that?

[Dan Le Batard]

He's thinking, who's that?

[Chris Cote]

Hello.

[Diana Rossini]

What's his name?

[Chris Cote]

Not too many questions. Joey, how old is the person you're presently looking at? How old is he?

[Diana Rossini]

Yeah, how old?

[Stugotz]

How old?

[Diana Rossini]

Three.

[Chris Cote]

All right, Joey.

[Greg Cote]

He used to be.

[Chris Cote]

Joey, we love you. We talk a lot about you. You need some work on the interviews, but it's okay. We are big fans of Joey. Be careful with the germs on the mic flag. Mike. Sh. We appreciate the time. Diane, I wanted to ask you about Mikey. He went to Nobody Cares.

[Diana Rossini]

I got pulled over.

[Chris Cote]

She did get pulled over.

[Greg Cote]

Diana, real quick.

[Diana Rossini]

Okay? So Joey and I are in the car the other day, and all this coaching stuff is starting. I left my purse on the counter. I. I didn't have my license. Guy pulls me over. He's losing his mind, just like he just did. Cop. Cop comes to the window. And I must have just looked like a wreck, right? Because I'm like, here we go. I don't have my wallet. My son's screaming. I'm getting pulled over because I'm on my phone. I'm a horrible mother. And I open the window, I said, hi, sir. I go, I know, I know. He goes, you seem like you have enough problems. Have a good day, ma'.

[Stugotz]

Am.

[Diana Rossini]

He let me go.

[Chris Cote]

Oh, look at that. The benefits of a demon child.

[Diana Rossini]

Basically, the cop was like, the danger that I'm in standing here dealing with you is much greater than you texting.

[Chris Cote]

And she is the senior NFL insider for the Athletic. She's the host of the Scoop City podcast. We love having her around. Thank you, Diana. We will talk to you again next week.

[Diana Rossini]

All right. There's more news tomorrow on the Dolphins. I want to hop back on, if that's cool.

[Chris Cote]

Yes, of course. Always welcome here. Open door. So we had a lot of football stuff from yesterday that we did not get to, including the Eagles sitting there, starters. And I think as defending champions, I'm not going to question their decisions to rest people and try to get them healthy when they seem to know more about how to keep people healthy than all the other teams in the league because they don't lose many people to injury very often. I was watching that telecast on Sunday, and they were saying that the Washington team has more games lost to injury than any other. And that Philadelphia has been remarkable the last two years in terms of not losing people to injury. But among the things that happened yesterday that we just did not get to because now it's normal. Cam Little had a 67 yard field goal. Just that's what he does. So Jacksonville. There is the chance that Jacksonville against Buffalo is getting the game decided not by Trevor Lawrence or by Josh Allen, by just Jacksonville being able to get to its own 40 yard line. If Jacksonville can just get to its own 40 yard line and has a kicker that can kick 67 yard field goals, then they're in a better position than most of the teams who don't have that.

[Stugotz]

Imagine if they get to the AFC championship and they're facing Denver in Denver and he hits like a 75 yard field goal, he, he'd be capable Mile high. Like if that ends up being the difference that he's just able to hit multiple from 70, it really, it feels like changes the sport, I think.

[Greg Cody]

Well, yes, and I think the most interesting part of that, and I know we had this conversation in that Dolphin game where Mike McDaniel went for fourth and goal inside the five and it's high game under two minutes after he went for the touchdown and they actually got stuffed like we've had this conversation before. The most interesting part to me is with that kicker in particular. If it's a late game situation and maybe the Jaguars or you know, the team that has the football against Jacksonville is down one or down two and instead of going for a field goal like no, we kind of got to go for a touchdown here.

[Chris Cote]

Well, I wanted to ask you guys this question based on just how much has changed and it's insane, college pros, it is truly insane to see all of these people, I'm going to say in the last five years realize together we've been doing it all wrong on fourth down. Do you, you guys remember the amount of shit that Bill Belichick got one time for going forward on fourth and one on the other side of the 50 because he didn't want Peyton Manning to have because he had Tom Brady. It was fourth and one and instead of punting he went for it, failed and then Peyton Manning won the game. How ridiculous does that week of conversation seem now?

[Jeremy Schaap]

It was one of the stories of the year.

[Greg Cody]

He was Belichick's coach.

[Chris Cote]

That fourth and short check for me what yard line he was on. I'd like to remember the specific.

[Greg Cody]

It was like just inside the week 40 shows we did.

[Chris Cote]

Belichick got criticized so much for going forward on fourth and short with Tom Brady because he didn't want to give the ball back to Peyton Manning. Because all of these coaches have realized over the last four years, hey, it's easier to get 10 yards with four downs than it is with three.

[Greg Cote]

Yeah, but that used to be the hard and fast line. If you were in your own territory, you punted even if it was 4th and 1 at your 40.

[Chris Cote]

I don't think Belichick was in his own territory. He may have been. He may have been close.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's on 28.

[Chris Cote]

4Th and 2 wasn't his own.

[Stugotz]

It wasn't 4th and 2 from his own 28 yard line. The Patriots led Peyton Manning and the undefeated Colts by six points with just over two minutes to play.

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[Greg Cote]

Wow.

[Chris Cote]

I didn't remember that as his own 28 though.

[Greg Cote]

That's crazy.

[Dan Le Batard]

I remember one where he was like in his own territory and it was crazy.

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[Jeremy Schaap]

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[Greg Cody]

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[Diana Rossini]

Did Mike Greenberg call you yet? Are you ever gonna go back to espn? People think it's so weird you're a writer now. All those years on tv, all those years and now you write. Who reads that?

[Chris Cote]

Stugarts.

[Diana Rossini]

Why did he take a job at the Atlantic? Mom, I work at the Athletics.

[Greg Cote]

What?

[Diana Rossini]

You on YouTube?

[Chris Cote]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. The whole thing has changed where all of these guys have realized, no, I'm going to bet on me. I'm going to bet on my offense. I'm going to bet on the ability to get 1, 2 or 5 yards. And largely even given America's general allergy to math, everyone has stopped with that criticism. Correct. There is now no criticism of coach who goes forward on 4th and short.

[Dan Le Batard]

We're all.

[Chris Cote]

That's the new normal. Everyone understands that fourth and short. The analytics now demand just go for it. It's the smarter play.

[Greg Cody]

That's an absolute.

[Chris Cote]

What criticism have you heard? I heard you got. We were yelling for a little while because of Mike McDaniel on the goal line. Greg Cody did that. But largely, I don't hear very much criticism anymore of aggressive coaches on 4th and short. You can't be sitting here coaching and leading that sport where you're demanding aggression from others. And then your sphincter gets too tight on 4th and short because you're afraid to lead.

[Greg Cote]

I think a lot of it has to do with the time on the clock. In the case of McDaniel, going for it and eschewing a winning. What would have been a winning field goal in less than two minutes left. And by the way, in that game, the opponent did not have any timeouts left. In that case, you have to trust your defense a little bit, especially when the opponent doesn't have any timeouts.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

I think the only time that it's met with criticism is like, someone's all, take the points. You know, is passing up a potential field goal in order to go for four. That's the only time.

[Jeremy Schaap]

I think I'm usually pretty aggressive when it comes to that stuff, but the lack of taking the points and applying, like, what's the game flow here? The possessions are shrinking. Yeah, take. Take the points. That's kind of bothering me a little bit.

[Dan Le Batard]

You think there'd still be a coach out there, like, doing it old, but to dance, but like, they're all kind of afraid now and they go the opposite. Like, I'm going to go over aggressive. So I don't get.

[Greg Cody]

Probably is. There's probably still.

[Chris Cote]

But. So if we were getting all of this wrong, okay, if for. For all of the time we've been watching football before the last five years, everyone had it wrong on fourth down. Given the number of young coaches having success now, given the number of Mike McDonald's that come out of, you know, or Ben Johnson's that come out of being a coordinator and totally changed the way that franchises are built, don't you think that we now have to make a movement toward understanding that the Pete Carroll's of the world are not the guys that you go to anymore?

[Jeremy Schaap]

I'm not sure what you're doing there. You're applying this as if it's like some, like, wave of the future that is only ushered in by young guys. Pete Carroll's going for it. Dan Quinn is going for it. Everybody, everybody in the NFL is doing.

[Chris Cote]

I'm not, I'm not. I'm changing subjects here. I'm not talking anymore about the 4th and short. I'm talking about who you give your organization over to because it was the new thinkers that changed that. I remember Jon Gruden and Bill Parcell saying, I go with my gut. I don't do it on 4th and short. That's not how we do it. They were the expertise there. I'm just using that as one example. Mike McDonald, I'm going to give you this stat here on what it is. You just saw where Seattle took away, went to San Francisco. San Francisco has been for the last five years, whether you like it or not, or whether you think that Kyle Shanahan is overrated. They've been the model franchise for whatever players we have out there. We're going to be able to do those things, impressive things with those players. We're going to run the ball, even if it's the last guy in the draft at quarterback. We're going to figure out if it's Garoppolo. We're going to get to the final game somehow, no matter who's out. So Kyle Shanahan's the standard bearer here on new guys coming in, can do it with anybody. And Mike McDaniel. Mike McDonald comes in to San Francisco with the number one seed on the line and shield Capadia, right? Sunday was the worst rushing performance for the 49ers since Kyle Shanahan became their head coach. According to success rate, a span of 9 years, 161 games, and no other defense had shut them down quite like the Seahawks did. That's a 38 year old person. Two years ago, three years ago, we thought Bill Belichick was the way to go there. Sean McVeigh has given us a new model, right. Because he was 33. Mike. Mike. Locally, Mike McDaniel had the number one passing offense in the sport as a very young man. Are you guys ready to let go of the idea that your coach has to be the grizzled veteran who has done it before, like Andy Reid or like Pete Carroll or like Bill Belichick? Because you're going to have an assortment of people who are under 40 coaching these teams.

[Greg Cote]

I think if you're an older coach and you've always gone by your gut feeling, quote, unquote, you're never going to change. But now all the younger coaches and many of the middle aged coaches are slaves to analytics. And there's actually a book on when you go for it and when you don't, depending on what yard line you're at, like 4th and 2 from here, you go for it. 4th and 2 from 8 yards back, you don't go for it. And people are just slaves to that book, to what analytics tells them they should do. Based on what the likelihood is. I think.

[Greg Cody]

I think we're already past that. I think the Raiders, Pete Carroll thing is an outlier. I think that what the Raiders were doing there, and probably Tom Brady in particular, the Raiders are such a lousy organization that I think they probably felt like, let's bring in someone who can stabilize things here, Pete Carroll. Let's also bring in Geno Smith. Smith, decent quarterback. We got him. He could stabilize things. We got Pete Carroll could help put us in the right direction as an organization. And then two years, two, three years from now when we're kind of on solid footing, that's when we bring in the young head coach who's going to wind up taking over moving forward. And obviously it did not work out, but that's what I think was likely the line of things.

[Jeremy Schaap]

But sometimes it does. Even though Diana just said Washington's evaluating what's going on there, Dan Quinn did bring stability in a time of huge transition for that franchise and they made it to an NFC Championship game and they just got hurt. I do think situationally, bringing in the grizzled veteran type does make sense for a lot of people, but I think fans have moved on before in the NFL coaching carousel. If one guy got fired, it wasn't all that rare to see him get another job as soon as he hit the market. And just people hoping for a change of landscape. Now I think most fans are like, give me the next big thing. Because guys like Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay have come into the league and taken it by storm.

[Chris Cote]

One of the reasons I think that Giants job is a good job is because I think we've reinvented the way all of this leadership has to work right now, at least in part because of what's happening in Chicago. Okay, you just saw Detroit's best window in organizational history close because their offensive coordinator went with the young quarterback in the division. They're going to be good for 10 years if their quarterback is healthy.

[Greg Cote]

Right.

[Chris Cote]

Their window just closed like that on Dan Campbell and Jared Goff because the young coordinator waited, waited, waited, and he's like, where's the first round pick that I can get who's a young quarterback that another coach has squandered? Jackson Dart looks like a quarterback that somebody could do something like that with. You cannot look at what's happened in Jacksonville and Chicago and not have your mind altered on what leads this organization. It's not just the coach. It's the coach has to be at the hip with a quarterback and the quarterback has to have the stability of we're not going to have five offensive coordinators. We're going to keep getting better as a young quarterback during an actual prime, not a chronological prime, a Caleb Williams prime. We're going to keep getting better because we're going to keep giving this quarterback the stability of he knows he has the boss's trust, he knows he's aligned with the boss and they're both going to grow in their careers together. It's the new model.

[Greg Cody]

So by that logic, wouldn't the Raiders job be a really good job?

[Chris Cote]

There's no quarterback there.

[Greg Cody]

Well, but they got the number one.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Number one pick.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, but. There's no but.

[Greg Cote]

Yeah, but Mendoza, he's the number one pick in a bad quarterback draft. I don't know that he's a consensus.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Have you seen his numbers against pressure? Like, Mendoza's a solid number one.

[Greg Cote]

You think?

[Jeremy Schaap]

I know. Todd McShay came out and he said he'd rather have Dante Moore. You have two options there.

[Chris Cote]

This is how the Cuban quarterback has always been held down through time by the white sportswriter exclusion. That's how it's always happened.

[Jeremy Schaap]

You could argue that you don't like either of those quarterbacks. You have the number one overall pick. You now have draft capital to if, like, if there's another quarterback around the league. That's why I think you draft one. Because what's the season? Kyler Murray? Maybe you could see if Joe Burrow is really pissed off and maybe you offer that number one overall pick. But that's a good situation.

[Greg Cote]

Yeah. No, I've seen a couple of mock drafts that have the jets moving up and drafting Mendoza number one. You don't know, but. And I think Mendoza is great. He's a great college quarterback. Deserved the Heisman. I'm just saying, I don't think there's universal consensus that he's, you know, the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.

[Chris Cote]

Everyone. Everyone actually says that this is a bad quarterback draft. But Trevor Lawrence was a consensus number one overall pick. And it took many years and many offensive coordinators to get the right one and many years of growth from the quarterback to turn him into somebody who's got 18 touchdowns and one interception over the last five games. And now all of a sudden, they. And trades that you had to make. But finally, how many coordinators has Trevor Lawrence have like you? You have to have some stability with one of these young people learning this position over five years.

[Greg Cody]

Is it a bad quarterback class because of Mendoza and Dante Moore, or is it a bad quarterback class because it's only two?

[Chris Cote]

It's a. It's. It's considered both, actually. It's considered a. The reason Cam Ward went to number one the way that he did is because it was a weak overall year. Everybody wants. There's nothing more valuable than value at quarterback. You have to have a. You have to have a contract like Drake Mays at the Beginning so that you could build everything else. He's got to be good faster than he's ever been. And the Chicago Bears specifically. Such a great football town. Do you know how hard it is to be that great of a football town when you've never had a good quarterback? Like Caleb Williams is the first time that franchise has had a quarterback where you're looking at them now and you're like, oh, my God, they're going to be good for the next 10 years if that guy doesn't get hurt. And they could just keep the coach there, aligned with him.

[Greg Cote]

No, that's true. They thought Jake Cutler was good and that's how bad they were. In context, it's all. And this has never changed. It's all the quarterback. It's not the head coach. That's why Sean Payton has reinvented himself in Denver, because Bo Nix happened to be pretty good. That's why the Giants job is considered really good. If you think Jackson Dart is really good, it's all the quarterback. And that's why the Dolphins in this town are spinning the wheels right now.

[Chris Cote]

I don't think the Raiders job is a good job. I really don't.

[Greg Cote]

I don't either because they don't have a quarterback.

[Greg Cody]

Gosh, if you're the number one overall pick, I feel like it's a really good place to start.

[Jeremy Schaap]

But they can get the quarterback.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Schaap]

No one can skip them for the quarterback. If they like any of these quarterbacks.

[Greg Cody]

I think it's a good job. I mean, it's a bad job because they're a lousy organization. But just, just the place that they're in, I think it's a good job.

[Jeremy Schaap]

What don't we like about Mendoza? I'm just like. Like, he seems perfectly fine. What's the hole in his game?

[Chris Cote]

Oh, the only thing I'm doing is everyone told me that Trevor Lawrence was the consensus number one overall. Nobody disagrees. That's a sure thing. And it's just a really difficult position to learn. And if you tell me that someone's not a prize that you think of, someone like Mendoza has made himself all of that because of the year he had. But I also saw a quarterback, while he was very good in the red zone, also saw a quarterback that I could see that not being. Can't miss like that. No one's saying every quarterback. No. I don't know. But Trevor Lawrence was regarded as someone who can't miss. Like everyone said, number one, Right? Number one.

[Jeremy Schaap]

It was Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence, and it's Caleb Williams, and Caleb Williams was considered that guy.

[Chris Cote]

Mendoza is not that.

[Jeremy Schaap]

No, no, I don't think he's that. But there was like, it's three guys in 15 years.

[Chris Cote]

But. But what I would say to you is that even if Mendoza is that, I just saw the year Cam Ward had. Because Tennessee is surrounding him with what the Raiders would be surrounding Mendoza with. Like, they traded Myers, they've got Brock Bowers, and Janti didn't show you anything.

[Jeremy Schaap]

Genti, Brock Bowers, like, we're off to a pretty good start here in team building.

[Chris Cote]

Genti didn't show you anything bad.

[Jeremy Schaap]

He's got a Hall of Fame tight end already as a weapon. They got some young receivers. They have either. Now, it seems like a trade, Chip, but they have a great pass rusher. And Max Crosby, like, I don't think it's that bad. I really don't. I think it's a pretty good spot.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think it's.

[Chris Cote]

I think it's a decent job.

[Greg Cote]

Yeah. I think other than the tight end and Max Crosby, I don't think there's anybody on that roster who you go, wow, I wish we had him on our team. Including the running back, Jonti, who. Who had a bad rookie season, a bad rookie season.