The Dan Patrick Show
Hour 1 – All Hands on Deck at Michigan, Tony Garcia
December 11, 2025
Episode Overview
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show centers on the explosive off-field crisis engulfing Michigan football after the abrupt firing and arrest of head coach Sherrone Moore, allegedly for violating university policy (an inappropriate relationship with a staff member) and for a reported incident involving threats of violence. Dan Patrick and his crew break down the cascading repercussions for Michigan’s staff, players, and recruiting, discuss what’s next for the program, and welcome Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press for the latest from the courthouse. Along the way, the show examines broader college football topics, including transfer portal chaos, the conference championship landscape, a possible expanded playoff, and some lighter NBA talk.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Michigan Scandal: What Happened? [03:33-11:25]
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Sherrone Moore’s Immediate Firing and Arrest:
- Moore was fired for cause (inappropriate relationship with a staffer, violation of university policy).
- Details emerge about him reportedly threatening the staffer and himself after the firing, leading to a police response:
“Did he go to the staffer's apartment? Did he threaten her and threaten himself or threaten to kill her and him? … He has a knife. Now, this is what's reported. Goes to the apartment of the woman that he's having an affair with and threatens her life and his life.” (Dan Patrick, [07:17])
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Recruiting & Transfer Fallout:
- Chaos for incoming recruits and current player stability with the transfer portal set to open January 2nd.
- Debate over whether athletes were misled or kept in the dark before signing:
“Did these players who signed with Michigan, did they have any idea that their coach might be fired? Should they have been told something? Could they have been told something?” (Dan Patrick, [08:05])
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Coaching Search Carousel:
- Michigan is now behind many schools in filling their vacancy with the coaching market already thinned.
- Dan throws out multiple potential names from inside and outside the Michigan family, including a left-field suggestion of Brian Kelly:
“I go after Brian Kelly. He knows the landscape. Back in the Midwest. No ties.” (Dan Patrick, [09:52-10:05])
2. The Broader Crisis: Program, Players, and Recruits [11:25-16:50]
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The Human Impact:
- Focus on Moore’s family, coaching staff, the staffer, and all those suddenly uprooted.
“You got three little kids at home. … He's still the guy that said to all of these kids, you're my guy and I want you to come here. And now he's not there anymore. And the next guy who comes in might like a totally different type of player.” (Dan Patrick, [14:58-15:18])
- Focus on Moore’s family, coaching staff, the staffer, and all those suddenly uprooted.
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Recruit Fallout Stats:
- Michigan had 27 recruits, ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 11th nationally on signing day ([16:33–16:39]).
- Speculation that NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals could be renegotiated to retain recruits:
“We're all renegotiating. And your initial deals for NIL have now all been bumped up 20%.” (Paulie, [16:50])
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Transfer Portal Rules Clarified:
- Players get a special 15-day portal window when a head coach leaves ([13:41–17:09]).
3. Live Update from the Courthouse with Tony Garcia [23:53–31:28]
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Status of Sherrone Moore:
- No official charges yet as of broadcast time, Moore is being held in connection to an alleged assault:
“As of now, there are no official charges to this point that have been made publicly. So Sherrone Moore was investigated for assault. Investigation that is going on. … Moore has been detained by the Pittsfield Township Police and he was transported to the Washtenaw County Jail overnight where he was held.” (Tony Garcia, [23:53–24:59])
- No official charges yet as of broadcast time, Moore is being held in connection to an alleged assault:
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Timeline of the Investigation:
- University's internal investigation began late October (week of the Michigan State game). Momentum increased recently after “a smoking gun” surfaced.
- Moore was not present for the staff/team meeting when his firing was announced.
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Communication with Players/Recruits:
- No indication recruits were transparently informed before signing ([26:41]).
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Early Candidates for Michigan’s Coaching Vacancy:
- Jed Fisch (Washington; former Michigan staff), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Brian Kelly (dismissed by Garcia as unlikely due to “brass that are not Brian Kelly fans” [31:05–31:25]).
4. College Football Playoff Expansion Rumblings [34:25–36:48]
- Big Ten pushing for a 24-team playoff, SEC wants more “guaranteed spots.”
- The likely expansion for next year is to 16 teams, but negotiations are ongoing.
“The Big Ten is pushing for 24 teams to make sure they have at least four schools in there. … The only way 24 happens is the replacement of conference championships.” (Dan Patrick, [35:07–37:03])
- The likely expansion for next year is to 16 teams, but negotiations are ongoing.
5. Lighter Segments – NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder’s Rise [43:39–47:23]
- OKC Thunder’s dominance highlighted by massive point differential, deep talent, and a bounty of draft picks, all from the Paul George trade.
- Discussion about how their picks and youth could translate into a dynastic run.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Dan on Michigan’s Day of Chaos:
“Imagine you show up for work and you go, let's prep for a bowl game … you end your day in jail. You end your day losing your job. That's what happened at Michigan yesterday with Sherrone Moore.” ([03:33])
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Paulie on Recruiting Impact:
“No disrespect to Sherrone Moore, but he hasn't earned the right to be the reason kids went to that school … he's been the shortest stint coach in the past 100 years for that team.” ([14:36])
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Tony Garcia on the Coaching Search:
“There is brass that is not Brian Kelly fans. And I will leave it at that.” ([31:05])
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Dan Patrick on Modern College Coaching:
“Everything is year to year. All of this is year to year. It feels like it's year to year with the coaches. It's year to year with the players.” ([16:04])
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On College Football’s “Destination Jobs”:
“If Kaylin DeBoer leaves Alabama to go to Michigan, there's officially no destination jobs in America as far as college football is concerned.” (Marvin, [33:18])
Headline Timestamps
- “Calm Before the Storm” – Michigan News, Coaching Fallout: [03:33–11:25]
- Recruiting and Player Portal Implications: [08:05–17:09]
- Tony Garcia Live Report from Courthouse: [23:53–31:28]
- Expanded Playoff Rumors, Power Conference Leverage: [34:25–36:48]
- NBA – Oklahoma City Thunder Playoff and Picks Analysis: [43:39–47:23]
Overall Tone
Dan mixes urgency, disbelief, and humor as he and the crew process the rapidly-shifting Michigan story, toggling between hard news, fan perspective, and speculation. The conversation is candid and unsparing—sometimes sardonic about the state of modern college football’s cutthroat environment. The pace is brisk, the analysis is thorough, and the show remains accessible for both insiders and casual fans.
Summary Takeaways
- Michigan football is in deep crisis: Coach firing, criminal investigation, recruiting class at risk, and high uncertainty for the future.
- The broader college football world is just as turbulent: The transfer portal is in full swing, major programs could raid each other for coaches, NIL has changed the game, and playoff expansion looms.
- Immediate questions:
- How fast can Michigan stabilize its football program?
- Which big names will be open to taking the job?
- Will recruits and current players bolt?
- Is this just the new normal for major college football?
- Dan’s show remains a must-listen for sports fans wanting breaking news analysis, informed speculation, and the day’s lighter moments—all in a brisk, conversational format.
For the next hour, Dan promises more insight, robust guest analysis (Dan Wetzel joining), and to keep fans ahead of every twist in this developing Michigan saga.
