The Dan Patrick Show (C&R): "McDaniel Out & 6 Game Wild Card Parlay"

Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis, with Danny G, Iowa Sam, Isaac Loincron, and Spot
Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This lively installment of Covino & Rich dives deep into the upheaval of NFL coaching jobs, focusing on the firing of Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. The crew discusses the ripple effects on other NFL franchises, speculates on future coaching hires, and debates whether returning to coordinator roles is a "step back" for fired head coaches. The second half of the episode is dedicated to comprehensive picks and hilarious banter for every NFL Wild Card game—culminating in their now-traditional six-game parlay challenge. The conversation is seasoned with comedic asides, sports life wisdom, and the signature chemistry of the C&R crew.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Mike McDaniel Out as Dolphins Head Coach

• McDaniel’s Dismissal:
  The news of Mike McDaniel’s firing is broken and dissected. The team debates why the Dolphins made the move (failure to reach the playoffs two years in a row) and what it means for McDaniel’s career.
  • "Oh, man, no longer Mr. Miami Vice, Mike McDaniel out. To quote Vince McMahon, you're fire." – Rich Davis (04:43)
  • McDaniel's record: 35-33 over four years; back-to-back winning seasons in ’22 and ’23 but 7-10 this year.
• Coaching Carousel Speculation:
  The Lions have already reached out to McDaniel for their offensive coordinator vacancy after losing Ben Johnson. The hosts debate if McDaniel is cut out for head coaching or better suited to a coordinator role.
  • "Does he reek of head coach to you? ... I don't know." – Rich Davis (06:03)
  • "He's still 42 years old. So he can go be what he's great at, and become a head coach again if he wants." – Steve Covino (07:58)
• “Step Back” or Smart Move?
  • Multiple hosts agree that moving from head coach back to coordinator isn't necessarily a demotion and could prep McDaniel for another shot at the top job.
  • "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward... Sometimes in life, you have to move backwards to move forward." – Steve Covino (26:23)

2. Life Lessons from Sports Leadership

• Behind the Curtain Reality Check:
  The team shares anecdotes about interacting with ex-players, GMs, and actors, revealing that top jobs are held by regular people, not untouchables—dispelling mystique about the sports world.
  • "You expect there to be some unlocked, mystical dimension of insight ... but actually, you're absolutely right." – Isaac Loincron (15:09)
• Coaching Interview Insiders:
  Pod members muse on the intangibles of hiring a head coach: personality fit versus X's and O's, and the importance of chemistry with GMs and owners.
  • "How much of the conversation is about X’s and O’s ... versus, do I like you?" – Danny G (13:44)

3. The NFL Coaching Carousel: What’s Next?

• Harbaugh Mania:
  The crew discusses the heated pursuit of John Harbaugh and how coaches sometimes have the leverage to wait for the perfect situation.
  • "He's waiting to see all ... there's speculation that if the Packers lose, Matt LaFleur could be on the hot seat." – Rich Davis (17:26)

4. Is Moving from HC to Coordinator a “Step Back?”

• C&R and crew square off on the stigma attached to coaching "demotions."
  • "I think employment is the most important thing ... they're getting work." – Rich Davis (25:44)

NFL Wild Card Weekend: Game-by-Game Picks, Banter & Parlay Challenge

[28:08] Rams at Panthers (Rams -10.5)

• Majority leans Panthers to cover; some think Rams dominate.
  • "I don't think they win the game, but 10 and a half ... backdoor cover." – Rich Davis (28:35)
  • "I agree—Rams win, but just not by that much." – Steve Covino (29:15)

[30:53] Packers (-1.5) at Bears

• Panel split
  • Bears praised for special season, ability to control clock.
  • "I feel like Chicago can control the clock enough ... I'm taking Chicago." – Danny G (31:15)
  • "Gotta be a family homer ... I'm gonna go Packers." – Rich Davis (31:55)

[34:05] Bills (-1.5) at Jaguars

• Tightest consensus—Jags have top defense, Bills have best RB (Cook).
  • "Can they bottle up the best back in the league with their top ranked run defense?" – Danny G (34:20)
  • "I'm going Jags, too ... I don't think they beat the Jaguars." – Steve Covino (34:51)
  • Some picks for Bills by Rich and Sam, though with little confidence.

[36:03] 49ers at Eagles (Eagles -5.5)

• Niners fans bullish; others expect a close contest.
  • "I think the Niners cover. I want them to win, obviously..." – Rich Davis (36:41)
  • "I think your 49ers win this game." – Steve Covino (37:14)
  • Only Spot, whose girlfriend is an Eagles fan, picks Eagles to cover.

[38:17] Chargers at Patriots (Patriots -3.5)

• Split panel; emphasis on Patriots’ home edge vs. Chargers’ O-line worries.
  • "O-line is too suspect—Patriots will find a way to get to Herbert." – Danny G (39:04)

[48:34] Texans at Steelers (Texans -3)

• Covino and Danny G want to ride the Aaron Rodgers/Pittsburgh storyline, but Rich and others pick Houston for their formidability.

Contest for Listeners

• "If you would like to pick your six and you hit all six, we will mail you a C&R prize package." – Danny G (48:02)
• Submit picks using spread (DraftKings) to crprisesmail.com.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McDaniel’s Miami “Glow Up”:
  “He went from like a nerd to, like, look like a coke dealer in Miami.” – Rich Davis (08:23)
• On football’s unpredictability:
  “Week 13 might as well be 10 years ago in the NFL.” – Rich Davis (28:08)
• On sports leadership reality:
  “They're just regular people... There goes my hero, he's ordinary.” – Rich Davis & Steve Covino (15:00)
• On the NFL coaching process:
  “I want a coach who is ascending, not a coach who's slipping back. I guess the word is retread.” – Danny G (12:38)
• On Life Lessons/Arrows:
  “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward... sometimes in life, you have to move backwards to move forward.” – Steve Covino (26:23)
• On Parlay Predicament:
  “It’s not easy to get all these. Let’s go game by game...” – Steve Covino (27:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:43] – McDaniel firing/potential landing spots
• [08:10] – McDaniel’s transformation and “Glow Up” in Miami
• [13:32] – Inside the NFL head coach interview process
• [15:00] – Dispelling the myth of sports GMs/coaches as “geniuses”
• [25:44] – The “step back” stigma: head coach to coordinator
• [26:23] – Covino’s "arrow" analogy: setbacks fueling comebacks
• [28:08] – Start of NFL Wild Card game picks and parlay challenge
• [48:02] – Listener parlay contest announcement

Tone & Style

True to C&R’s brand: irreverent, fast-paced, and conversational. The crew mixes sports analysis, playful ribbing, and motivational tangents—maintaining their “just fans talking” vibe. No one is beyond a little jab, least of all themselves. The fun never overshadows honest analysis and nuanced sports takes.

Summary Takeaways

• Mike McDaniel’s firing sparks broader debate about NFL coaching futures and the realities behind the scenes in professional sports.
• Covino & Rich see the head-coach-to-coordinator move not as a setback, but as a valuable chance for reinvention in sports and life.
• Wild Card weekend is as unpredictable as ever—nobody expects a 6-for-6 parlay win, but everyone’s got a take.
• Tons of laughs, life wisdom, and insight into how the NFL’s off-field drama is often as compelling as the games themselves.

For more picks, banter, and the full Covino & Rich experience, catch their daily show or subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform.