The Dan Patrick Show
Episode: Hour 1 – Saints Narrow Their Search, Pro Bowl = Participation Trophy
Release Date: January 29, 2025
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick along with co-host Paul Pabst delves into the New Orleans Saints' ongoing search for a new head coach and critically examines the evolving perception of the NFL Pro Bowl. The discussion extends to broader topics such as coaching effectiveness, ownership influence in NFL teams, and the integrity of the game amid perceived biases. The episode is marked by insightful analysis, candid opinions, and engaging banter between the hosts.

New Orleans Saints' Coaching Search

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the New Orleans Saints' quest to secure a new head coach. The hosts evaluate potential candidates and the implications of the Saints' choices on the team's future performance.

• Paul Pabst highlights the Saints as the last team still searching for a head coach, pondering whether the eventual hire might already have Super Bowl coaching experience:

  "The New Orleans Saints are the last team looking for a head coach and maybe their coach is coaching in the Super Bowl." (02:19)

• Dan Patrick discusses Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator, suggesting he might be the frontrunner and speculates on his potential impact:

  "Kellen Moore can go to New Orleans and stay in New Orleans after the Super Bowl, day after the Super Bowl win or lose, hold a press conference and you got all the members of the media there." (04:15)

The conversation also touches upon other coaching candidates like Pete Carroll, Aaron Glenn, and Liam Cohen, evaluating their styles and how they might fit with the Saints' organizational culture.

The Pro Bowl: From Honor to Participation Trophy

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the NFL Pro Bowl, with the hosts arguing that it has devolved into a mere participation trophy.

• Paul Pabst proposes a solution to differentiate Pro Bowl alternates from primary selections:

  "I came up with a solution last year. All you have to do is add one letter. It's going to change things." (26:49)

• Dan Patrick agrees, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing true Pro Bowlers from alternates for legacy and Hall of Fame considerations:

  "Russell Wilson made the Pro Bowl nine different times as a Seahawk. Does he get credit for another Pro Bowl this year? He shouldn't." (27:08)

The hosts debate the relevance of Pro Bowl selections in evaluating a player's career achievements, particularly in comparison to All-Pro designations.

Coaching Effectiveness and Ownership Influence

The discussion shifts to assessing the effectiveness of current NFL coaches and the role of team owners in influencing coaching decisions and team performance.

• Paul Pabst criticizes owners who are overly involved in day-to-day team operations, using Jerry Jones of the Cowboys as an example:

  "If the owner is always there over your shoulder, you just can't let somebody be themselves. And I think that is the problem sometimes, certainly with the Cowboys, with the Jets." (08:59)

• Dan Patrick responds by reflecting on the need for owners to provide stability and allow coaching staff to evolve:

  "I think I'll have to let them evolve as in these positions, which I think they will." (08:59)

They further discuss how ownership styles can either support or hinder a coach's ability to lead effectively, highlighting the challenges faced by new coaches in establishing their authority and implementation of strategies.

Press Conferences and Public Perception

The episode also examines the impact of press conferences on public perception of coaches and teams, stressing that initial media interactions can influence a coach's reputation regardless of their actual coaching capabilities.

• Paul Pabst observes that charismatic press conferences, like those of Pete Carroll, can create a façade of success:

  "Pete Carroll's going to win a press conference. He's going to have energy in there." (06:10)

• Dan Patrick counters by asserting that consistent team performance ultimately validates a coach's effectiveness:

  "If your team's not any good, you won't be charismatic too long in front of the media." (07:50)

This segment underscores the tension between media relations and on-field performance in shaping a coach's legacy.

Integrity of the Game and Referee Bias

Toward the latter part of the episode, the hosts delve into theories surrounding referee biases and their impact on game integrity, particularly in favoring star quarterbacks.

• Paul Pabst shares a listener's conspiracy theory about referees subconsciously favoring quarterbacks from popular teams like the Chiefs:

  "I don't think that the NFL officials would conspire to make sure Mahomes continued to win. I just don't think they would go, you know, the team we want to be a dynasty." (38:25)

• Dan Patrick debates the validity of such theories, suggesting that team performance and coaching strategies are more significant factors:

  "They are awesome to watch. Then all of a sudden, they stopped being awesome to watch." (37:03)

The conversation reflects ongoing debates about fairness and consistency in officiating within the NFL.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Pabst on Pro Bowl's diminishing value:

  "It's going to be the Participation Trophy. It's become a joke almost for the NFL." (25:00)

• Dan Patrick on ownership roles:

  "I have to let them evolve as in these positions, which I think they will." (08:59)

• Paul Pabst on referee biases:

  "I don't think the NFL officials would conspire to make sure Mahomes continued to win." (38:25)

Conclusion

In this episode, Dan Patrick and Paul Pabst provide a comprehensive analysis of the New Orleans Saints' coaching search, offering critical insights into the NFL's Pro Bowl system and broader issues affecting team performance and game integrity. Their candid discussions highlight the complexities of coaching, ownership influence, and the evolving prestige of accolades within professional football.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the core discussions of the episode.