The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Cowboys Win, Lane Kiffin Has Options, Pat Forde

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Pat Forde (Sports Illustrated), listeners via call-ins
Theme: Sports talk covering NFL storylines, college football coaching drama, and insightful banter with a dose of classic Dan Patrick humor.

Episode Overview

This episode opens with discussion on the Dallas Cowboys’ convincing win over the Raiders, explores the intrigue surrounding Lane Kiffin’s potential move from Ole Miss, and dives into a broader analysis of the college football coaching carousel—including insights from Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated.
Dan and his crew tackle NFL teams in trouble, revisit the Michael Jordan “Flu Game” legend with their own playful twist, and take calls from passionate sports fans. The hour balances sports analysis with candid, relatable conversation and Dan’s dry wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cowboys' Victory Over the Raiders

• Dallas takes care of business:
  Dan Patrick opens by framing the Cowboys win as expected but still significant given how many NFL teams trip in "trap" games.
  • "Cowboys roll the Raiders… This is one of those you expect to win. The Raiders aren’t good." (03:24)
• Player praise and concerns:
  • CD Lamb and George Pickens stood out; Dak Prescott played well.
  • Defensive improvements noted with Quinnen Williams, but Dallas’ secondary remains a concern for playoff prospects.
  • “When Quinnen Williams is really good, he is an All-Pro type of defensive tackle. And this is what they need.” (06:38)
• Upcoming challenges:
  • Cowboys will soon face Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Detroit—games that will reveal if the team is true playoff caliber.

2. George Pickens’ Standout Performance

• Team and media reactions:
  • Prescott and others praise Pickens’ playing style and energy.
    • “[Pickens is] a special individual, elite, has a great feel for the game... And the discipline right there is a part of that that we’ve all got to tighten up.” — Marvin as Prescott (06:05)
  • Pickens’ contagious spirit is noted as both inspiring and something to balance with discipline.

3. Lane Kiffin Coaching Speculation

• Kiffin’s “college tour”:
  • Reports of Lane Kiffin’s family visiting Florida and LSU fuel speculation about his future.
  • Dan expresses hope Kiffin will stay at Ole Miss for personal and family reasons, referencing an ESPN documentary showing Kiffin “found peace” there.
  • “You gotta stop chasing. At some point, it's okay to say, this is where I want to be.” (10:27)
• Coaching carousel context:
  • Phone lines buzz with reactions; Dan and the crew debate the impact of transfer portals and NIL on coaching moves.
  • Parallels drawn between coaches perpetually seeking the next job and real estate turnover in New York: "When you buy an apartment... you’re immediately thinking of the next." (08:38)
• Pat Forde’s take:
  • Forde calls Kiffin’s actions “brazen... I think, insulting to the current Mississippi team. But it’s Lane Kiffin, and Lane loves to toy with people’s emotions, loves to grandstand.” (24:24)
  • Coach-agent machinations: “The agents have massive powers—the hiring cycle is completely ridiculous and stupid and unfolds during the season.” (25:52)
  • Ole Miss fans’ patience is running thin; public “tours” are tough to swallow despite Kiffin’s success.

4. College Football Coaching Carousel

• Virginia Tech Hiring James Franklin:
  • Forde supports the move: “Franklin’s biggest problem was Ohio State and Michigan. Guess what? They’re not in the ACC… That’s a good program. When they’re up and going… James Franklin can win you 10 games. Absolutely.” (27:07)
  • Penn State’s search is wide and uncertain, with names like Brian Hartline and Joe Brady in the mix.
• Other notable openings:
  • Arkansas, UCLA, Oklahoma State discussed as programs seeking new direction—fit and financials key to their search strategies.

5. NFL “Messiest Situations” Poll

• Teams discussed: Raiders, Saints, Titans, Falcons, Cardinals, Jets.
• Dan distinguishes between “messy” and “irrelevant” teams:
  • “There are times we look at messy and then irrelevant. Messy means we’re still talking about you. The Saints, they’re irrelevant.” (14:01)
• The Jets are noted for long-term planning; the Raiders, Falcons, and Cardinals are denounced for disarray.

6. The Michael Jordan 'Flu Game' Revisited

• Dan and crew playfully question the true cause of Jordan’s legendary NBA Finals performance (flu vs. food poisoning vs. hangover).
  • “How would that change people if they realized that Mike was just hungover?... He did have a great performance even being hungover, but it might change that story just a little bit.” (15:53)
• Dan shares anecdotes from Utah locals and Park City, adding playful speculation about NBA legends.

7. Listener Call-Ins & NFL Player Value

• Caller questions on Cowboys' strategy: Will trading Micah Parsons pay off long-term?
• Dan’s nuanced take: The trade could balance out, especially if the savings are used strategically, but Parsons is a rare talent.
  • “There’s… three or four players, maybe… that’s just a difference maker.” (32:46)
• Discussion of college running backs (Jeremiah Smith vs. Jeremiah Love) and NFL draft priorities, emphasizing the value of strong offensive lines over drafting running backs too high.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lane Kiffin’s future:
  • “I think he thrives on chaos to a degree… sending your family to Florida and LSU… is pretty on brand for Lane.” — Pat Forde (24:24)
• Dan on career moves:
  • “You gotta stop chasing. At some point, it’s okay to say, this is where I want to be. I like where I am.” (10:27)
• On NFL “Flu Games”:
  • “He relates to the common man. A lot of people have gone to work hungover, had a great performance, man. You see how Scotty did the accounting today, man.” — Marvin (16:19)
• Distinction between messy and irrelevant teams:
  • “Messy means we’re still talking about you. The Saints… they’re irrelevant.” — Dan Patrick (14:01)
• Pat Forde on coaching drama:
  • “Agents have massive powers… the hiring cycle is completely ridiculous and stupid.” (25:52)
• On offensive line value:
  • “Everything starts there. That dictates everything. If I have an offensive line that can control the ball, my defense isn’t on the field.” — Dan Patrick (37:10)

Important Timestamps

• [03:24] – Cowboys’ win analysis; defensive concerns; upcoming tough games.
• [06:05] – Dak Prescott and crew on George Pickens’ standout performance.
• [08:32] – Poll question: Lane Kiffin’s next move—Ole Miss, Florida, LSU or other.
• [10:27] – Dan on coaching “churn” and the need to stop chasing.
• [12:35] – Poll: Messiest NFL situation — Raiders, Saints, Titans, etc.
• [14:01] – The meaning of “messy” vs. “irrelevant” teams.
• [15:35] – Dan’s “flu game/head cold” and the Michael Jordan legend.
• [24:24] – Pat Forde on Lane Kiffin’s drama (“insulting to Mississippi team”).
• [27:07] – Pat Forde on James Franklin to Virginia Tech.
• [32:46] – Caller Q&A: Cowboys’ trade for Quinnen Williams & future with George Pickens.
• [34:03] – Running back value in NFL draft; offensive line importance.
• [37:10] – Dan’s draft strategy: “Everything starts on the offensive line.”

Overall Tone

Dan Patrick’s tone is measured, witty, and slightly sardonic, as usual—balancing sharp sports analysis with relatable, dry-humored banter among his crew and guests. The episode is accessible for casual fans yet detailed enough for deep sports followers—the perfect showcase for Dan’s style and the show’s enduring popularity.

This summary covers the most relevant sports content and memorable insights from Hour 1, structured to provide a clear, engaging recap for listeners who missed the episode.