Podcast Summary: "C&R - Nico Gets Whacked, Luka Gets Even"
The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich Episode) – November 12, 2025
Hosts: Covino, Rich, Dan Byer & Team
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the firing of Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison after a rocky start to the NBA season and significant roster moves, most notably the trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Covino and Rich use the high-profile sports firing as a springboard for a broader discussion on getting fired or dumped, personal growth, and "winning the breakup." The show also explores the oddities of sports fandom, failures in sports management, and brings the trademark blend of humor, reflection, and lively banter. Calls, guest insights, and a playful tone make it a relatable, engaging listen for sports and pop culture fans alike.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Firing of Nico Harrison (03:40–13:34, 26:41–36:29)
- Context: Nico Harrison fired as Mavericks GM after starting the season 3-8 and trading away superstar Luka Doncic the prior year.
- Theory on Getting Fired: The hosts argue that getting fired or dumped is essential for personal growth and being humbled.
- Sports Parallel: Coaches and GMs—even the best—aren't exempt; their jobs hinge on results.
- Rich’s Take: “To have character, you need to have been fired and dumped in your life.” [07:10]
Notable Quotes:
- “Being fired, it humbles you and it puts you on your ass into a real place that some people need to be.” – Covino [09:04]
- “I was a dude living in my parents' basement… They left me for dudes with money… That humbles you.” – Covino [10:28]
- “Everybody does need that. You can’t coast through life thinking you’re invincible because… If you do get knocked down, you don’t know how to recuperate.” – Covino [17:33]
2. Sports Fandom & the Human Side of Job Loss (18:30–24:05)
- Fans’ Reaction: The firing of high-profile sports figures sometimes inspires celebration rather than sympathy—a stark contrast to reactions in other careers.
- Moral Ambiguity in Fandom: Barstool’s KFC and Gary Vee are referenced (“Fandom is weird... you just put aside logic” [18:47]); fans become “illogical,” baying for heads, then immediately seeking the next win.
- Empathy for the Fired: Some coaches (“with the punchable faces”) are easier to root against than others, but generally, the callousness of fans is seen as an oddity.
Memorable Moments:
- Danny G: "The ones with the punchable faces… the fan base is like bye, go." [19:27]
- Rich: “As a fan, you’re illogical. Onto the next. Let’s win, win, win.” [22:31]
3. Bounce-Back Stories & Personal Parallels (13:34–16:44)
- Hosts’ Experience: Both Covino and Rich share their own stories of professional setbacks, getting fired from radio and TV gigs, and hustling their way back—a direct analogy to the sports figures discussed.
- Growth Mindset: The show frames bouncing back from firing or rejection as “the mission for what’s next.”
Notable Anecdotes
- “We were humbled… We had to pick ourselves up, do our own thing… and then, wouldn’t you know it, a blessing called Fox Sports Radio came our way.” – Covino [16:02]
- Rich: “If you’ve never been dumped or fired, I’m gonna have a hard time trusting you.” [22:31]
4. Was Firing Nico Inevitable? Evaluating the Luka Deal (12:04–13:17, 34:46–35:32)
- Dan Byer Insight: Harrison tried to justify moves with lines like “fortune favors the bold,” drawing some eyerolls; ultimately, the trade “was a colossal mistake.”
- Fan Debate: Was it time for a change, or should he have received more time with new acquisitions like Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis?
- Luka’s Revenge: Luka Doncic’s success in LA is viewed as “winning the breakup”; the Mavericks’ slump cements the narrative that letting him go was a grave error.
Memorable Quotes:
- “This is a full admission that they made a huge mistake.” – Covino [35:07]
- “Luka got new boobs, man. He won the breakup.” – Covino [36:20]
5. When Fans (or Hosts) Get People Fired (30:59–32:29)
- On Karma: Neither host likes to be responsible for anyone directly losing their job.
- Funny Anecdote: Accidentally contributing to a colleague’s firing by jokingly airing footage of him sleeping on the job—“That was just the last straw.”
6. Bill Belichick & Future of the Giants? (28:09–29:12)
- Brief aside speculating on Belichick potentially coaching the Giants, with nostalgic references to his legacy there. Dan Byer believes Belichick “would absolutely love it” if the ownership offered.
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Opening Banter, Veterans Day Salute [03:02–06:09]
- Theme Introduction – Getting Fired is Character Building [07:10–09:09]
- Personal Stories of Getting Fired/Dumped [08:32–14:40]
- Discussion of Fandom and Job Loss [18:30–24:05]
- Nico Harrison, Luka Trade Dissection, and Luka’s Redemption [12:04–13:17, 34:46–35:32]
- Belichick Giants Speculation [28:09–29:12]
- Fan/Listener Call: Firing and Relationships [32:34–33:39]
- Wrap Up on Sports as a Perform-or-Else Job [23:45–24:54]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- “To have character, you need to have been fired and dumped in your life.” — Rich [07:10]
- “Being fired, it humbles you and it puts you on your ass into a real place that some people need to be.” — Covino [09:04]
- “This is a full admission that they made a huge mistake.” — Covino on Mavericks firing [35:07]
- “Luka got new boobs, man. He won the breakup.” — Covino, joking about Luka flourishing post-trade [36:20]
- “If you’ve never been dumped or fired, I’m gonna have a hard time trusting you.” — Rich [22:31]
Overall Tone and Style
- Conversational: Banter-filled and humorous, but also authentic and sometimes self-deprecating.
- Relatable: Draws connections between sports drama and everyday life, especially concerning personal setbacks.
- Sports-Obsessed, but with Pop Culture Flair: Classic C&R, blending sports with pop culture analogies, relationship talk, and jokes.
Additional Topics Teased (Post-Primary Content)
- Jon Gruden’s viral critique of Thursday Night Football, arguing it shortchanges player recovery and coaches’ preparation. [At 44:53]
- The concept of failed experiments in sports (e.g., the glowing hockey puck, challengeable pass interference), positing Thursday Night Football may be another.
- Light-hearted topics teased for later: hypothetical state fair food questions, Shaq Diesel trivia.
Conclusion: Takeaways for the Audience
- Firing isn’t the End. Both in sports and life, setbacks catalyze growth and new opportunities.
- Sports Life ≠ Regular Life: Fandom can be oddly brutal toward figures who lose jobs, pointing to the peculiar psychology of rooting for teams.
- Performance Rules: In high-stakes sports, results are paramount—mistakes have consequences, and “winning the breakup” matters to narrative and fan perception.
For listeners, this episode stands out for its smart blend of sports news and personal reflection, serving as both a recap of a major NBA shakeup and an everyman’s meditation on bouncing back from setbacks—with plenty of laughs along the way.