The Dan Patrick Show: Best of the Week — April 11, 2026

Overview

This “Best of the Week” episode of The Dan Patrick Show delivers a jam-packed slate of conversations with top sports figures, mixing in trademark humor, insightful commentary on the sports world, and a touch of pop culture. Dan welcomes a roster of high-profile guests including Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley, Bucks coach and Hall of Famer Doc Rivers, and comedy icon Will Ferrell, each sharing timely reflections from a busy week in sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dusty May on Michigan’s Title Win and Coaching Philosophy

Segment Start: [02:56]

• Transfer Portal Success: Dan opens with a lighthearted apology for a co-host’s skepticism of “building a team out of transfers.” Dusty May responds, noting, “He just won the title.” ([02:39] Dusty May)
  • “It’s recruiting, whether you're recruiting somebody who's 22 or somebody 18.” — Dan Patrick ([02:51])
• Championship Afterglow: May reflects on the surreal experience, having barely slept after the win, and describes celebrating with hundreds at the hotel in a “prom-like” atmosphere ([03:17]–[03:55]).
• Immediate Transition: Dusty admits roster-building starts instantly, with the transfer portal opening “at 12:01 last night” even as celebrations were winding down ([04:13]).
• Game Insights: May discusses halftime strategy (“We were optimistic that if we found a little bit of offensive rhythm, then we could…at least tie or, or lose by no less than three...” [05:08]) and downplays the “arena effect,” attributing poor title game shooting to UConn’s defense rather than depth perception ([05:57]).
• Bob Knight Memories: Dusty shares anecdotes about being a student manager for Knight, including a covert mission to remove tree evidence, reflecting on mentoring influences and lasting lessons ([07:52]).
• Building at Michigan: May breaks down how he rebuilt Michigan through pragmatic recruiting, turning to transfers like Vlad Golden and Danny Wolf when the roster was depleted ([09:38]).
• School Identity: Asked if Michigan is a football or basketball school, May calls it “an everything school,” crediting communal pride for both programs ([11:31]).
• Legacy and Mentoring: May credits the Fab Five’s impact and recalls recent interactions with Jalen Rose, emphasizing the importance of tradition and representation ([12:31]).

Notable Quotes:

“As a young kid, my mom would bring me up to these clinics at the Final Four...where the college coaches back then were actually working stations and teaching us how to shoot and dribble...” — Dusty May ([06:34])

“It's an everything school, but football is incredibly important at Michigan...We've piggybacked on that. Our first game, there's probably 3,500 people. I can't remember the last time we played in front of a crowd that wasn't a sellout.” — Dusty May ([11:31])

2. Rob Manfred: MLB Commissioner on ABS, Labor, and the Future

Segment Start: [18:51]

• Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System: Manfred praises the fan reception to the new challenge system, surprised by “how popular it’s been with fans” watching the jumbotron reviews ([19:53]).
• Umpire Response: Acknowledges the challenge on umpires’ pride, but emphasizes “94% accuracy” and the game’s focus on improvement: “In general, our umpires want the game to be as good as possible.” ([20:46])
• Fan Engagement: The ABS system is treated like a game show, making for “a fun element” in the stadium ([22:04]).
• Controversial Rules: Points to the “runner on second in extra innings” as the most divisive rule among fans—“I hate it,” Dan responds; Manfred defends it for health, safety, and player support ([23:19]).
• Future of WBC (World Baseball Classic): The popularity of WBC could lead to a more regular event schedule. “Our broadcast partners were out in force...this is going to be a piece of our national broadcasting agreements.” ([29:32])
• Labor Issues: Manfred insists focus is on negotiating a deal while maintaining a high-quality 2026 season, demurring on specifics about labor holdups ([25:55]).
• Personal Reflection: Shares that he’ll take a prized Mickey Mantle drawing when his term expires, recalling his Yankee roots ([31:30]).
• On Stadiums & Rules: Explains the commissioner's role in stadium approval and basic standards but notes clubs control design features like retractable roofs ([24:56]).

Notable Quotes:

“The [umpires] are right nearly 94% of the time, which is an astounding number...most of the challenges are pitches in or out by less than half an inch.” — Rob Manfred ([20:46])

“The runner on second base [in extra innings]...players like it. It does prevent the 18 inning game…and as a health and safety issue...But in playoff games, we play them out still.” — Rob Manfred ([23:19])

3. Dave Roberts: Dodgers Strategy, Analytics, and Ohtani

Segment Start: [35:44]

• Off-Day Routine and Augusta National: Roberts prefers golf or playing “contractor,” and shares stories of playing at Augusta, shooting “89 and 86” from the member tees ([35:59]).
  • “On 18, it feels like those trees are growing when you’re on the tee...they get tighter and tighter.” — Dan Patrick ([36:38])
• Thoughts on ABS: Roberts supports it, saying, “It might be a little too perfect...but the umpiring for me is getting better. They bear down more, and I think that’s better for the game.” ([37:21])
• Strike Zone History: Reflects on the days when pitchers got an extra “3, 4, 5 inches off the plate,” saying, “As a rookie, they’re like, hey, man, he’s gonna get that pitch. You better swing the bat.” ([38:35])
• Shohei Ohtani’s Legacy: Believes Ohtani’s Cy Young chances would further cement his unique stardom and notes the “honor” and stakes for Japanese teammates ([39:41]).
• Managing Personalities: Roberts discusses the fairness vs. sameness dynamic: “You definitely treat them as individuals...but you treat them fairly. When you're Freddie Freeman, you get treated differently than Alex Freeland.” ([40:14])
• Bat Sound and Hitting Philosophy: Cites Miguel Cabrera and Ohtani's unique sound off the bat. He disputes the notion that analytics should dictate “all or nothing” approaches, valuing batting average and RBI ([42:56]).
• Evolving Pitcher Usage: Reflects on the push for longer outings: “We’re starting to get back to that now…having your best pitcher out there, taking more outs.” ([41:38])

Notable Quotes:

“You don't treat them the same, but you treat them fairly. And...those things are earned.” — Dave Roberts ([40:30])

“I haven't watched game 7 [of the World Series] in its entirety ever...maybe for fear the result might change.” — Dave Roberts ([44:00])

4. Dan Hurley: UConn’s Future, the Transfer Portal, and NIL

Segment Start: [49:51]

• Championship Run and Recovery: Hurley describes the emotional swings post-season—“proud is kind of overriding disappointment.” ([50:40])
• Navigating Modern College Basketball: Hurley expresses unease about college basketball’s future, especially with rampant transfer market activity, NIL, and program-building strategies ([57:57]).
• Roster Turnover: Hurley anticipates possibly only 4–5 returnees out of 15, due to pro departures, transfers, or seeking bigger roles elsewhere ([61:47]). He notes persistent tampering: “even players that aren’t in the portal...everyone’s in the portal” ([61:38]).
• Honesty in Coaching Moves: Hurley recalls never negotiating with other schools until his team’s season ended, emphasizing integrity ([62:49]).
• NIL and Player Cars: On seeing players driving Teslas and BMWs: “I'm a Ford guy. Got my Ford Raptor truck. So I'm built tough.” ([60:15])
• Parent Perspective: Admits he’d want reasons if his kids transferred repeatedly, voicing concern for too-easy moves ([60:48]).

Notable Quotes:

“This is terrible right now, what's going on...I think college programs are — they got, we got to start being run like an NBA organization or a pro sports organization.” — Dan Hurley ([59:18])

5. Doc Rivers: Hall of Fame, Giannis, and NBA Storylines

Segment Start: [68:42]

• Retirement Reflections: Rivers jokes with Dan about who will retire first, but admits, “Retirement means you don’t work at all. I don’t think I’m going to do that.” ([69:41])
• First Losing Season: Candid about this season’s challenges—“this is my first losing season in 20 seasons. Losing is no fun for anyone.” ([69:57])
• Giannis’ Future: Discusses the star's uncertainty: “If we had all the pieces here, I have no doubt he'd want to stay. But we don't, and so that puts him in a tough spot.” ([70:48])
• On the Hall Call: Shares a moving story about missing the initial phone call from the Hall of Fame, his brother’s emotional reaction, and the many mentors who helped him ([73:31]–[75:53]).
• Rookie of the Year Debate: Rivers splits the difference between standout rookie Cooper Flagg’s numbers and Con Knippel’s culture-impacting role, suggesting this is a year for potential co-MVPs ([76:23]).
• Player Leadership: Gives high marks to Kevin Garnett’s unique brand of locker room leadership but jokes KG’s "zero patience" would make him a tough coach ([77:25], [79:25]).
• Humor with Todd Fritz Impersonation: Rivers enjoys (and good-naturedly critiques) the show's co-host’s impersonation of his voice ([80:19]).

Notable Quotes:

“I've never had a leader like Kevin [Garnett] ever. Kevin cleaned up the locker room for me every single day...it makes coaching a whole lot easier.” — Doc Rivers ([78:46])

6. Will Ferrell: Show Farewells, Showbiz, and 'Family is Overrated' Wisdom

Segment Start: [86:24]

• Congratulating Seaton: Will offers heartfelt, comical advice for Seaton’s departure and reminisces about their trip to Ireland together ([86:58]).
• Comic Banter: Banters with Dan about “retiring” in February 2028 and feigning regret at passing up major film roles to prioritize “family time”: “Family is overrated.” ([91:57])
• Soccer Connections: Mentions his involvement with soccer ownership and jokes about “scouting” Seaton’s son ([89:12]).

Notable Quotes:

“I know everything about taking time off for family…. In my opinion, you may feel differently — Family’s overrated.” — Will Ferrell ([91:57])

“I was going to play both guys [in Brokeback Mountain].” — Will Ferrell ([92:25])

Timeline of Notable Segments

| Timestamp | Content / Speaker | Highlights | |----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 02:56–13:45 | Dusty May | Building a title team, Bob Knight, Michigan | | 18:51–32:12 | Rob Manfred | ABS in MLB, rules, labor, personal stories | | 35:44–45:14 | Dave Roberts | Masters stories, analytics, managing Dodgers | | 49:51–64:01 | Dan Hurley | Modern CBB challenges, transfer portal, NIL | | 68:42–81:07 | Doc Rivers | Bucks, Giannis, Hall induction, NBA rookies | | 86:24–93:06 | Will Ferrell | Seaton farewell, showbiz wit, family jokes |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We have our first national champion that was comprised of all portals or all transfers in Michigan.” — Dan Hurley ([57:57])
• “I always correct the fact that it is a system that assists a live person in doing his job better...we always call it ABS.” — Rob Manfred ([28:13])
• “Miguel Cabrera. That's the guy for me that when that dude hit a baseball, it was a different sound. But yes, when Shohei hits a baseball, it's a different sound.” — Dave Roberts ([41:06])
• “[Kevin Garnett] cleaned up the locker room for me every single day. ...When you got something like that on your team, it makes coaching a whole lot easier.” — Doc Rivers ([78:46])
• “You may be out in the wilderness on this new adventure… and you'd be like, boy, I miss that chair.” — Will Ferrell ([92:05])

Tone and Style

Throughout, the episode maintains Dan Patrick’s classic blend of dry wit, earnest insight, and deep respect for his guests’ expertise. Moments of gentle ribbing (see: apologies for “dumb” questions, Fritzi’s impersonation), emotional candor (Doc Rivers’ Hall calls), and sports nostalgia (Bob Knight stories, Mickey Mantle art) ensure an engaging listen for sports fans, coaches, and pop-culture enthusiasts alike.

Summary

This Best of the Week episode is a tour de force of sports media, spotlighting leadership in college and pro sports, the evolving landscapes of college basketball and baseball, and the personalities behind the headlines. Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes stories, thoughtful takes on evolving issues (like NIL, labor negotiations, and analytics in sports), and some classic big laughs—all delivered by one of sports radio’s sharpest and friendliest hosts.