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Dan Patrick
This is an iHeart podcast.
Bill Cowher
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Dan Patrick
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Bill Cowher
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Dan Patrick
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Bill Cowher
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Go to tirerack.com dan see their continental test results, tire ratings and reviews and be sure to check out all the special offers. Tirerack.com the way Tire buying should be Introducing family freedom from T Mobile. We'll pay off four phones up to $3200 and give you four free phones, all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com familyfreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg. Apple iPhone 16 128GB8 2,999 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off earlier. Contact T Mobile. You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio, Hour two on this Tuesday. We'll talk to Bill Cower. He'll join us in 20 minutes from now. More of your phone calls. 8773- DP-SHoSH Email Address dp@danpatrick.com Twitter handle the DP Show. Good morning. Those watching this program, you can do so by downloading the Peacock app, NBA on NBC and Peacock every Tuesday in primetime coast to coast. Tuesday, it's the spurs and Thunder. Then it's the Blazers and Warriors. It starts at 8 Eastern on NBC. And Peacock, Reggie Miller part of the broadcast. He'll join us coming up next hour. We'll have a new poll question today and more of your phone calls as well. Once again, Bill Cower will stop by the Steelers exit stage left. But it's more than just that. It's the future of Aaron Rodgers, the future of Mike Tomlinson. And we spent a lot of time in the first hour talking about Aaron Rodgers won't have many options. He may not even have the option of coming back to Pittsburgh. Unrestricted free agent Mike Tomlin will have options. He'll have a lot of options. Is Pittsburgh one of those options and does he hold those cards that if he wants to come back, he can coach again next year in Pittsburgh? If he wants to do tv, he will have ample opportunities to do that as well. I don't see him coaching another team next year, but I do see him coaching Pittsburgh again. And if not, then he'll be in tv. All right, Satan. Poll question from hour one. Let's clean up the results on that. And what are we going to go with hour two? Yeah, we had two of them up there. Has Aaron Rodgers played his last game, yes or no? 82% say yes. And has Mike Tomlin coached his last game with the Steelers? That's 50, 50, 50.1 say no. It's about as close as you could get. Okay. Yeah. I hope he still coaches. I mean, he's a great coach. And, and I say this all the time. When you want change, who were you bringing in? Remember when Steeler fans couldn't stand their offensive coordinator? You brought in another offensive coordinator and you want to bring in another offensive coordinator. You can have change, but you have to have correct change. Yes. You know how we say all the time like not every coordinator is A head coach? Yes. And, you know, some people go up and like, man, you're not. It's a totally different job where Mike Tomlin's a head coach. Yes. He's not a coordinator. It's like Mike McDonald is. Mike McDaniels is not a head coach. I thought he was an offensive coordinator. Yeah, he might be. And I could see him if he went to Detroit. That's. That's the kind of offensive coordinator you want who's not getting another head coaching job. And there was a report that they were inter interviewing or willing to interview with Detroit. I think that would be a wonderful hire for the Lions because when you get these coordinators, they want to be a head coach, but not everybody should be a head coach because it takes away from what you did really well. You're really good at this. Now you got to be really good at all, or at least you have to be good, not great at all of this. When you become a head coach, you got to be overseeing the defense, special teams, offense, salary cap, all of this stuff. Draft. Sometimes when you go, all I have to do is worry about the offense. And if that's what you said that Mike McDaniel was going to be doing, I think with Detroit would be awesome. Yes, Marv, but how do you know if somebody's not a head coach or not if you don't give them the opportunity? I have to know about your personality. Like, there, there are certain guys that when they go in, they command a room. Now, it might not be fair, but you are. You're the CEO. You're the face of the franchise. When you're at these press conferences, you're meeting with the media, you're performing, and they're guys who, like Charlie Weiss, I didn't think he was a head coach. Romeo Cornell, I didn't think he was a head coach. Josh McDaniels, I didn't think he was a head coach. But these are really like hall of Fame worthy coordinators. But you know what? I never thought Bill Belichick was going to be a great coach because I didn't think he had the personality to be a great coach, to connect with people. But he became the greatest NFL coach of all time. Nick Saban. The more I was around him, the more I understood why he became a great coach. Mike Shashevsky. The more you're around him, the more you realize why he became a great coach. And, you know, you command a room. You're, you know, talking. You got to connect with players. It, it's, it's running a company. You got to meet with the media. You got to put up with us. Big plays, big moments. Now it's on you to make the call. Not, hey, I put the offense in place. What is the call? Coach? It's just different. And I've seen this so many times where I want somebody to get that opportunity. I hate to be in a position where there's a glass ceiling and I didn't get that opportunity. It's like Adam Gaze. I didn't think he was a head coach. You know, Robert Sala, I thought was gonna be a good head coach. I did. Liam Cone, I don't know enough about. Don't know enough about his personality. I knew he did a great job in Tampa, but because you turned Baker Mayfield around doesn't mean you're going to be a great coach. Yes, Marv, but Robert Salah was the coach of the Jets. That's a mulligan. You got to give him another shot. Vince Lombardi could have taken over that jets team. It would have been gone in two years. Salah looked like a head coach. Yes, he did. Okay. There's certain guys that look like a head coach. He got a great skull, you know, he just. He had everything. He's still head coachee. He still had coachee for sure. Head coaching said coachy. Yeah. All right, we'll get to phone calls coming up. Of course, the situation with the Steelers is fluid, as they like to say. When. When do you need answers from? No, you start with Mike Tomlin. Then do they know what their answer already is on Aaron Rodgers and I, I, you know, there was. There was a fumble and Aaron Rodgers was down on the ground, and then he's kind of getting back up. And it just felt like in that moment, if I had a thought bubble, Rogers would be like, why? Why am I doing this? What? I mean, I wake up after a nap and have more energy getting up than Aaron Rogers. It was just like, oh, my God, I get older and they get younger. What was that? Dazed and Confused. Every year I get older, they stay the same age. Yes, that's Aaron Rogers. These young guys coming in, man, and they are coming at you. He's just not the guy that he used to be. And, you know, we can't expect him to be that. All right, we'll get phone calls coming up. By the way, there was a report yesterday on the mothership, and it had to do with the College Football Playoff situation. And are we now it's a week from this Friday that they're going to be deciding if they're moving to 16 games. Now, I told you six weeks ago. You know what they were. There were strong consideration for going to 16. I did say there's a caveat of the Big Ten wants to go to 24 teams. So I told that to you six weeks ago. Nothing has changed. The Big Ten's push to go to 24 remains the sole stumbling block for all of this. If the. Now, this is from my Source. If the SEC and Big Ten can't agree, we will stay at 12 teams next year and nobody has any interest in that result. Which means in the world of college athletics, it's possible they stay at 12. And then he adds college athletics, the proud daily study of dysfunction. Here was something that happened with Mike McDaniel. He's in the middle of talking to players. So this was when he was coaching the Dolphins. At the end of the season, he's. You don't exit interviews with players. This is last Thursday. The owner interrupted the interview with this player or players to fire him. Wow. Boy, that seems like John Harbaugh is available. You're fired. Like, can't you wait till the end of the day? Maybe when he is going to interview another player. Hey, Mike, you don't need to interview players anymore, okay? You're. You're. You're fired. So this. I just got this information. Mike McDaniel was in the middle of a player exit interview last Thursday when owner Stephen Ross interrupted him to fire him. Yes, Paul. Imagine you're the middle linebacker in the room, you know, 25. And.
Dan Patrick
And the guy walks in, the owner.
Bill Cowher
Goes, you don't have to call him coach anymore. Yeah, just call him Mike. Let's call him Michael. Just Mike. Yes. Hey, sorry to interrupt. Not. Sorry to interrupt. Not. Sorry to interrupt. Can I get your swipe card, Mike? Hey, sorry to interrupt, fellas. Can I get you for a second, I'd like to be referred to as coach. Oh, not anymore. Not anymore. Is that how he talked? Kind of like he does. There's a little bit of that Napoleon Dynamite kind of. And Steve Nash that, I don't know, like life on Mars? I. I don't know. I think. Yes. Marvin. This is a prime example why the Dolphins need to be in the same.
Dan Patrick
Category as the jets and the Browns.
Bill Cowher
As terrible, dysfunctional franchises. Yeah. Yes. Todd, Couldn't he do a little suggestion box thing? Just slip a note under his door.
Dan Patrick
And it was fired?
Bill Cowher
Remove the awkwardness of it. And then when he gets around to bending down and seeing there's A note by the door. Then he knows you're the king of the suggestion box. Though I think that would still be better, as awkward as that is, than in the middle of an interview. Yes, pa. Imagine he walks in the room and says, bring your playbook.
Dan Patrick
Not you.
Bill Cowher
Yeah, not you. Wow, that's rough. We waited like 12 seconds after hearing that story from you before he started popping jokes. Oh, yeah. Hey, you know what? Oh, Mike gets the last laugh, ends up with Detroit. We did invite him on. He's always been a good guest, so. All right, couple of phone calls in here. Bill in Houston. By the way, Fritzi has his Houston Astros jersey. You got sweat bands on.
Dan Patrick
I have my navy blue wristbands.
Bill Cowher
I figured, why not?
Dan Patrick
You know, the Texans won a big.
Bill Cowher
Game, and I'm not a Texans fan, but for the city of H town, for Hugh Town, as I like to call them. Yeah, I gave a little love to the city of Houston. Not so much the Texans themselves. Oh, okay. So you're. You're adjacent. Shout out to the masters.
Dan Patrick
Do I have anything Houston related?
Bill Cowher
I always like to try to come.
Dan Patrick
Up with a themed little outfit, so.
Bill Cowher
That'S what I chose. Bill in Houston. H town. Hugh Town, as Fritz, he likes to say. So there's irony that you just mentioned Fritzi, because I was going to give a belated congratulations for his MVD LVD awards at the end of the year. But my question to you, Dan, is Fritzi the Mike Tomlin of the Danets, good enough to win, but not good enough to win? Inquiring minds want to know. No, because he is super bowl caliber at times, but then he's Cleveland Browns at times. So he. He can win it all, but he can lose it all as well. Yes, Todd, that seems very reasonable.
Dan Patrick
It's a good assessment. It's a quite the roller coaster ride it's been.
Bill Cowher
Yes, yes. Caleb Williams. Ish. Just not quite the age right. Where there's moments of like, nah, ain't it? Whoa. That was unbelievable. You see what he just did? That was great. And then a bunch of. I don't know. He's a home runner strikeout. That's when you want to pat me on the back, it turns into a fist or I've got a knife and oh, wow. Yeah, I'm gonna pat you on the back with a knife in my hand. We're getting violent. Tony in Ohio. Hi, Tony. What's on your mind? Hey, Dan, how you doing? Good, good, good, good. I just got something real quick. I don't think Tomlin should be on the hot seat. You know, since the last two years of Roethlisberger. I mean, the Steelers actually didn't have a quarterback.
Dan Patrick
They stink.
Bill Cowher
If Tomlin had Lamar, you know, they might be playing for Super Bowls. Well, I don't think he's on the hot seat. I think if he wants to coach, he'll get to coach. And if he doesn't want to, then he'll do something else. John Harbaugh, turns out, was on the hot seat. I mean, he got fired. I don't think Mike's getting fired. It might be, hey, what do you want to do? And then hopefully Mike Tomlin says to the Steelers, this is what I would like to do. This is what I think is best for everybody. This is best for me. So I don't. I don't view it as a hot seat. I think people, because we're talking about the Steelers, need to move on from Mike, or there's been that narrative, then it kind of is viewed as, is he on the hot seat? I just think that, you know, you haven't won a playoff game in 10 years. And lesser coaching for the Cincinnati Bengals. Most coaches get fired if you have that long of a drought. Congratulations. We got into the playoffs. We have some nice consolation prices. That's what it's been the last 10 years. Yes. Todd, what do you want to do is a lot different than we want you back?
Dan Patrick
If I'm at a place of employment, I want to hear, you know what? We want you back.
Bill Cowher
We still believe in you.
Dan Patrick
I know there's been a lot of.
Bill Cowher
Bumps in the road. We're exactly where we want to be yet. But anything other than that feels like.
Dan Patrick
They'Re waiting for you, hopefully, to say.
Bill Cowher
They want you to say, like, yeah, maybe we part ways.
Dan Patrick
They're giving you that opportunity to say, yeah, maybe that's the end of it.
Bill Cowher
Well, you could say it in a different way. You could say, we want you back. What do you want to do? That's a little bit. Okay. Is that better?
Dan Patrick
Yes.
Bill Cowher
All right, Mr. Sensitivity.
Dan Patrick
It's just, what do you want to do?
Bill Cowher
It's like, you know, you want to stay, I guess. But that happened to me at the mothership when my former boss said, all right, take it or leave it. And it bothered me that he said, take it or leave it, because I'm like, man, I spent 18 years here, and you're saying, take it or leave it. Hey, all right, I'm going to leave it. Yes. Paulie, the other thing about the Tomlinson situation It's going to be interesting whatever decision is made. The national coverage versus the local coverage, I think it's going to be the opposite. Oh yeah. Locally, I'm sure they want to move on from Mike Tomlinson, but he's got so many friends in the media and so many former players and so much respect that people don't want to come down hard on him. And I do think they overachieved this year. I didn't think they were that good. And I think I said first team to nine wins is going to make the playoffs. All right, we'll take a break. Bill Cower, CBS analyst, former Steeler head coach. What does he think about the situation? Find out next. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube and you can be a part of it. Pay attention. Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. Hit that subscribe button and smash that notification bell and catch all the videos from your favorite shows. Two pros and a cup of Joe Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Doug Gottlieb Covino and Rich the Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington, the Jason Smith show with Mike Harmon and the Ben Ma Show. Fox sports radio on YouTube. Subscribe. Hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. Picture this Me, Reese Witherspoon in London ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autographed Journey card, so I earn rewards wherever I book travel five times points with hotels four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. This is Jonas Knox from Two Pros and a Cup of Joe. And are you ready to tackle your financial goals? Kick off your journey with We Bull, who makes it simple to start investing powerful tools, next level data and an easy to use platform for stocks, ETFs, prediction markets and more. Whether you're on the go or trading overnight, We Bull is built for you and your schedule. Don't sit on the sidelines. Visit webull.com or download the app and take control of your financial future today. Start with just $1. That's webull.com We Bull Financial LLC member SIPC FINRA investing involves risk. For more information, visit webull.com disclosures alright, time to break down the stats from this week's major games. Mike, let's talk about switching up the lineup. I switched to T Mobile with their new Family Freedom offer. That's not why we do this man. I'm trading up from AT&T and making a power play with T Mobile. They paid off my family's four phones up to $3200 and gave us four new phones on the house. Wow. Game changer. Introducing Family Freedom Our lowest cost will switch our biggest family savings all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com FamilyFreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg Apple iPhone 16 128GB 8299 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off early or cancel contact T Mobile. The show is not officially over the week. 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Dan Patrick
Offer valid January 8th through the 28th.
Bill Cowher
US only C store Online for details. More of your phone calls coming up. Reggie Miller will join us coming up next hour. We make way for the hall of Famer Bill Cower. NFL Today on cbs. Studio analyst Coach, good to see you again. If I didn't see the game last night, how would you describe it to me?
Dan Patrick
A tale of two halves. I think missed opportunities by the Pittsburgh football team in the first half, two turnovers they had taken away twice and yet they were still losing at halftime. So I think it was kind of what we thought going in. It was going to be a defensive battle. This dude had the hardest team in football. The Houston Texans coming in with a nine game winning streak, arguably maybe the best defense as well. And as we talked about the team no one really wanted to play, I think they lived up to that building last night.
Bill Cowher
What's the one question, the main question you would want answered today in regards to the Steelers?
Dan Patrick
Oh, I mean, I think we have to sit back and assess. Where are we going from here? What is the plan moving forward? There was a lot of things. I think we try to piece this football team together the last couple of years in terms of some of these free agents we brought in, which I understand, but I think now we have to have kind of a long term plan in place as to what we want to do. And it doesn't mean it's, you're going to lose a lot of these pieces. I think there's a lot of things to build on, but I think you need some kind of consistency on the offensive side of the ball that you can kind of take over to next year. I don't think it's fair to Arthur Smith to sit there and take the whole quarterback room and change it, the whole receiving room and change it and expect you just to pick up where you left off. I think we've tried to piece this together. I think we had to philosophically go into this next year with a plan in place as to how we want to do this. And if changes need to be made, we need to do that.
Bill Cowher
If Rogers wanted to come back, what would you do if you were still the head coach?
Dan Patrick
Dan, for everything I've heard and talked to people that are in that building, he's been exemplary. I mean he's been, he's been a tremendous leader, holding people accountable, playing at a high level. I think it's something you have to kind of make sure that he's all in. And one thing I would say you could give him his time, but to be able to have a backup plan in place in terms of the development of the next person. And if you can bridge it with him for one more year, I think that would be ideal.
Bill Cowher
What question would you have for the Steelers with Mike Tomlin?
Dan Patrick
Well, I think those questions will be talked about. I think you can't be impulsive. I think you can't take 19 years of being together and make a decision in 19 hours. I think you got to make sure we sit back, take some time off, come together. And again, you know, this will be something with Art. Omar and Mike will sit in a room, they'll talk in what they see. I mean, they know it better than I know it from the outside looking in and try to put in place a plan moving forward. And if they can do this together, they'll do it together. And if they can't, they won't. So, I mean, I think there's a lot of soul searching needs to be done at this point, but I think Mike's earned the right to do that. And I think from the standpoint standpoint, also, Art and Omar have a chance also to talk about what's the direction that we have. So those conversations will be had. It's a long standing relationship. There's a lot of respect there. But as we saw in Baltimore, sometimes these things have a life cycle. They come to an end.
Bill Cowher
Well, that's what I was going to bring up. You know, they're parallels here. These guys, you know, kind of in the same position for the same number of years. Both have a Super bowl win, but that was a long time ago. Not sustained success in the postseason. Baltimore moves on. Could you see a scenario where Pittsburgh does as well?
Dan Patrick
Yeah, and I don't think it's just been John Harbaugh. I mean, we talked about Pete Carroll was there for 14 years and he won a Super Bowl. You talk about Bill Belichick, been there for 24 years and they moved on. So, you know, again, there is a life cycle to everything. Again, I think there's a lot of respect, and I think the people that have been there have the right to sit down and talk about what they want to do. And so sometimes it becomes a parting of the ways, and sometimes it's in the best interest of everybody. So. But again, those are things that I think you need to be able to sit down and make sure you put some thought into it and get a period of time where you can get away from it, reflect objectively, not subjectively and emotionally with what you're going through. I mean, listen, that was a. That was a gut wrenching no loss that they went through to get there the week before. The epitome of the highs that they had went into vision. And also, you sit there and it's seven days or eight days later, you sit there and you're eliminated. And when you're losing playoff games, it's like. It's. It's like a crash, dan. You're going 65 miles an hour. You're in this adrenaline rush, and it's like hitting the wall. And all of a sudden it comes to an end. So I think that's why it's really good to kind of back away and not let the emotions of the moment seep into something and saying something or doing something that you may not give enough really thought into.
Bill Cowher
Yeah, but Pittsburgh has been good enough to not be bad enough to get in a position to get somebody like a quarterback, a franchise quarterback. They've been searching for a long time, and they get Aaron Rodgers on the tail end of his career, Russell Wilson on the tail end of his career. Like, there's no. It's not sustainable if you keep having musical chairs at that position.
Dan Patrick
Well, I think the attempt was made with Kenny Pickett to do that. I think Mason Rudolph, the attempt was to do that. And I think, again, you're looking at also maybe looking at a roster where you were trying to kind of expedite that process because of, you know, Cam Hayward, because of T.J. watt, trying to make sure that they're in prime of their careers and later part of their careers. And so, you know, so I think there was an attempt to kind of have that sense of urgency, but also, I don't think that they've not. Because, listen, they've got some young offensive linemen, they've got some young defensive linemen. I think Joey Porter Jr. Stepped up to be a very good defensive back. You got DK Metcalf now moving forward. So there's a lot of pieces in place right there. I think what you kind of try to do, I think, again, was piece this thing together these last couple years. And I think, again, we've seen it before. There's been a lot of four win teams, and I, you know, and everyone's looking for the quarterback. There's not. There's not like there's 32 of them in a National Football League. There's still some guys even trying to prove themselves now in these playoffs, some of these young guys. So you got to be able to build a team around you that allows you to win and get into the playoffs. And you create that culture, you create that expectation. And when that guy does come along, you don't build it around him. You insert him into that team. And that's how to me, that's what we were able to do with Ben Roethlisberger and, you know, for many years, we won a playoff game with Neil o'. Donnell. We want to playoff game with Mike Tomic. We're going to playoff game with Cordell Stewart. Want a playoff game with Tommy Maddox? Do we get eliminated? Yeah, we did, but we won a championship because we had a special quarterback that came in and got us over the hump. Defenses will get you into the playoffs. Quarterbacks will win your championships.
Bill Cowher
Talking to Bill Cower, the Hall of Famer, you stepped away from football, what were you, 49 or 49 or 59?
Dan Patrick
Okay, 49 when you stepped. You're not going down this path again?
Bill Cowher
No, I'm just. I.
Dan Patrick
Okay.
Bill Cowher
I want to know what you thought as far as your coaching future when you stepped away from the Steelers like that week. If I would have asked you, what is your coaching future, what would you have said?
Dan Patrick
Well, I mean, I love coaching. Even to this day, I've got so much respect for it. My mind was a lot more involved with that, Dan. It wasn't just about coaching. I made a decision that I prioritized my family and particularly my wife at the time who needed me to be there. And it was a very. It was a time where we moved to Raleigh. My youngest daughter was going to 10th grade. And we made a commitment for three years with whatever we were going to do with our kids, because coaching could be one of those professions that I didn't want my kid going from three different high schools and they're 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. So they went down. And so I coached that last year in Pittsburgh and I sat back at the very end and I think it was a case that did I love that team? Yeah. And it was a team. We didn't go to playoffs. But Ben also had that off season injury. He had the accident and we finished out six and two. And I knew it was a good team, was a good staff, but I had to sit down and prioritize my life and what I thought was important. And I have no regrets to this day. Having walked away, did I think I would probably come back? I did. But the more I got involved with this life that I'm living right now, the normalcy that was involved with my wife, who I'd met and had been there before, I've enjoyed this platform. I've been on now at CBS for 19 years because I do have normalcy. I do have an off season and I still love the game though. And I did miss coaching and I still to this day at times I miss the strategizing of it. I talked to a lot of coaches around there. There's nothing better than the scheme up at blitz when you get a guy running free, you know or buck the trends. And also we were going five wise when nobody was doing five wise and super bowl against the Dallas Cowboys because we're supposed to be a running team. I love to do what you didn't expect. The illusion of one thing and doing something else. That to me what football is all about. It's chess. To this day I still miss that part of it. That's why I think it's what it's the greatest game that's out there. And so that being said, I love my life and I understand and respect the hours that these coaches put in the sacrifices that their families make as well. Because it's more than just you. It's your family because your family adorned football season becomes those guys that you're seeing every day. You walk in there and you're asking them to make the sacrifice and the commitment to what we're asking them to do. So it's those wives that are at home that are raising the families and also you have to burn back into that normalty degree of normalcy in off season even though there's not much of an off season these days for coaches. So it's a very demanding job. It's a very absorbing job. I respect that. Understand that. And at the same time it's a performance related job and we all know the consequences that go with that.
Bill Cowher
There's an opening on the NFL Today scent. Could you see Mike Tomlin joining you on the set next year?
Dan Patrick
I. I don't know. Hey listen, he's welcome. Mike and I, we could share a lot of stories. Like I have a lot of questions for him through his 19 years. We don't really have to talk that often. So I did. I actually left him a beer in the refrigerator. So I don't know if he does leave.
Bill Cowher
He's got.
Dan Patrick
I wonder if that beer is still there. I mean it might seem he even still be. It's probably skunk by now. I'll just tell the next guy you might not want to open it. It's kind of like just a memorable thing. Just leave it there.
Bill Cowher
It might have been an iron city.
Dan Patrick
It Was an Iron City. Yeah, actually, I got, I got. Now I actually got a commemorative can. I have to send you one. It's got my face on it. So I, you know, so I, I actually, I really feel like I made it in life. I got an Iron City beer can with my. A commemorative can with my face on a beer can. What else can you do in life.
Bill Cowher
Man, that's really appealing to be drinking a beer with your face staring right at me.
Dan Patrick
Coach, I'm going to send you a six pack.
Bill Cowher
If you're John Harbaugh, what's the best place?
Dan Patrick
I don't know if there's a best place. I mean, there's a lot of openings right now. I think for John, he's going to go through it and I think he has to sit down to see where he's most comfortable working with. You know, I look at the players. You can look at quarterbacks. Well, who has a quarterback and who doesn't have a quarterback? But I look at John like you've done this with multiple quarterbacks. It's more about developing the team and building something that's got, like, you talk about longevity, that's got sustainability. And that to me is being able to get with a front office that you can work with, that you feel comfortable with. There's transparency, there's also collaboration, there's also creativity in what you're trying to do in terms of what you have on your roster, who you want to bring in in a manner with which you want to do it. So I'm sure he'll have a choice of many. Just like Kevin Stefanski, I would think would have the choice of places to go as well. These are very successful coaches that have had success in National Football League. They're like the first time head coaches, but there are a lot of really good first time head coaches as well out there. So listen, there's eight openings right now and it's kind of like what it usually is. It's, it's. You know, I love seeing young guys getting, getting opportunities for the first time, not just have to be offensive coordinators. As a matter of fact, these eight teams. Now, Dan, for these head coaches, have defensive backgrounds. Okay? So just make sure, like leave the fact we're not looking for the offensive guru.
Bill Cowher
Okay. All right.
Dan Patrick
So. So sometimes developing a young quarterback, the best thing to do is have a very stout defense and a good running them come along in a very nice posture with which you can develop them along the way and not ask me to do too much too early.
Bill Cowher
You talked about raising two daughters. What were you like when guys.
Dan Patrick
Three.
Bill Cowher
Three daughter.
Dan Patrick
Oh, three daughters. Yeah.
Bill Cowher
What were you like when guys came over to date your daughters?
Dan Patrick
Well, I told them the same thing that I told my daughters and I told my guys at the work because I actually had the same theory. Three things, Choices and consequences. So you got my daughter. Choices and consequences. Just remember that. Okay. That's first and foremost, the people you surround yourself with. So I don't know, we're sure where you guys are going tonight. It's the people you surround yourself, understand and recognize what you're walking into. Same thing with players, same thing with coaches. And the last thing, the most important thing, just understand something. And nothing good happens after midnight. And I expect her back here by midnight. So there you go, those three things.
Bill Cowher
You treated these guys like they were your players in Pittsburgh.
Dan Patrick
Yeah, yeah. Because like I always said, I had three daughters at home and had 53 boys at work.
Bill Cowher
Did you write it on a chalkboard? Did you diagram anything?
Dan Patrick
No, I just. I was always very good with my expression. So they knew and I was not happy about things, as you know. I wore my emotions on my sleeve. So that was never problem.
Bill Cowher
I remember asking Charles Barkley about that, you know, when somebody was going to come by and he said, if I shoot the first one, word will get around. Don't come over here anymore. Not the greatest philosophy, but that's Barclays approach to this.
Dan Patrick
I think we get the idea.
Bill Cowher
Give me who you like in the nfc, who you like in the AFC now.
Dan Patrick
You know, it's so funny, I always go back to our run in 2005 and you start to look at some of the teams and I'm seeing two six seeds again. We were six seed. And I look at the Denver, Buffalo Bills, they played the third seed, Jacksonville, we beat the third seed, Seattle, Cincinnati, our first round divisional round, we had to play the best team in the AFC. That was Indianapolis. Colts were 14 and 2. They're playing the best team in the AFC in Denver. And then we went on to play Denver in the championship game. And if they were net, we would have to go play the number two seed. Who we did play to, that would be New England. So in San Francisco, kind of same thing. I think these two teams, these, these wild card teams, I think arguably you could say, I think every one of them you could look at and say Buffalo. Josh Allen maybe puts his cape on San Francisco. Right now you're looking at a team that they're going against, the Seattle Seahawks, the third Time they meet divisional game. So they know each other very well. And Cal Shanahan got them playing very well last week. Robert Sal is taking this no name defense and they're playing at the highest of levels. And then you look at Houston best defense maybe left in the, in the, in the deep in the team going up against the New England Patriots and all of a sudden you got Drake Mays is only a second playoff game. Then you may have the MVP Stafford going into Chicago. So I again, I think this weekend could match what I thought was one of the most exciting wild card weekends last weekend. I think this weekend could be just as much even on even more so.
Bill Cowher
Yeah, you know, aside from the Chargers Patriots, everything else was crazy great. Yeah.
Dan Patrick
And last night, and I think last night was another game that kind of got away in the second half. So I. But I think like you said, you had four game winning drives. You sat there and watched Caleb Williams do it. Then we saw Matthew Stafford do it, then we saw Josh Allen do it, then we saw Brock Purdy do it. Ford fourth quarter game winning drives. The lead changes that went back and forth in the course of these games. That's why I'm saying this. The margin of in the National Football League this year in the playoffs is more here we've been first seed, six seed, seven seed. They are all right there. They're right there. I think any of these teams could get on a run and as we can see right now can beat anybody on any given Sunday.
Bill Cowher
Before I let you go, you saw the sort of handshake between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur and you know he's embracing the rivalry. Did you have one of those moments with another coach that you know you just didn't. You did sort of a drive by with the handshake.
Dan Patrick
You ever see our Baltimore games?
Bill Cowher
So you and you and Billock, like.
Dan Patrick
I said, go watch our Baltimore games.
Bill Cowher
But did you not like him or you didn't like the Ravens?
Dan Patrick
They were all the same to me, Dan. They were all the same. One guy's leading them. So I probably didn't like him because he was leading them. Okay. So I embraced robberies. I don't think there was anything wrong with that. I hope right now that Matt stays there, Ben stays there and it's cold and it's mad and they don't even shake next time. They just wave and salute each other and that's the way it should be. That's how robberies are made. Because you know what, when you're two good teams Fighting for that division, that makes those games special.
Bill Cowher
But are you okay with Billick today if. If you ran into Billick?
Dan Patrick
Oh, yeah, yeah, we're great today.
Bill Cowher
Oh, okay.
Dan Patrick
And I was great with him in the off season. Now, that particular day, I didn't like anybody even over there.
Bill Cowher
That's fair.
Dan Patrick
I knew Kevin Byrne was a PR guy. He was a good friend of mine from Cleveland. On that particular day. Stay on your side of the field. I'll stay on.
Bill Cowher
See you're fired up again. I got you.
Dan Patrick
I know. Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate that. Robbers. There's nothing wrong with it. San Francisco, Seattle. Watch that game this week. Kyle and Mike McDonald. Let's say that. Let's. Hey, we'll see how they shake after this game.
Bill Cowher
All right. What are you going to do the rest of the day?
Dan Patrick
I don't know. Probably watch some tape. I don't know, scheme of a blitz or two, somewhere along the way. I love this time of year. I'm gonna probably watch some of these games. I'll watch Pittsburgh, see what happened last night. But, you know. But I love it. I think this is the greatest time of the year for playoffs. You put all the hard work in, there's finality to it. One last thing. We just leave you this. And I do have this pet peeve. The fourth downs, okay? I think the one thing we talk about, I'm okay with analytics, but fourth downs, when you don't go for it, and you go for it early in the game, game, and you don't make it, you lose momentum. And momentum is one of those metrics that you can't quantify. Momentum creates pressure, okay? You create momentum, you put the pressure on them every time. That's what momentum does. It creates pressure. And trust me, playoff pressure is greater than regular season pressure. So anytime I have a chance to take the points, pin them down in there, make them go 90 yards and punt the ball, I'm putting the pressure back on you. So I think to me, we stay focused, cool, calm, and collect. Trust our special teams, trust our defense, trust our offense, trust our kicker. But any chance I have to put pressure on you, which is take momentum, control the momentum because I just scored or I pinned you, I'm going to. I'm going to seize it. And so that, to me, is one of those things. Never lose a feel for the game. I get the regular season because there's always next week. And these things tend to even out. They don't even out in the playoffs. There's finality. And to me, the biggest thing is that momentum is one of those metrics you can't quantify. And playoff momentum is greater than regular season momentum.
Bill Cowher
Go take a lap.
Dan Patrick
Okay? Yeah, I'm gonna watch some tape.
Bill Cowher
Go take a lap. Thank you, coach.
Dan Patrick
Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you for. Thank you for letting me vent a little bit. Thank you.
Bill Cowher
You're welcome. You're welcome. I'm here. I'm here for you. Your therapist, that's Bill Cower, hall of Famer. I'm always ready to play whenever he comes on, like I'm ready. I can't play, but I'd be ready to play. We'll take a break here. Your phone calls coming up. And interesting situation with at least one player on the live tour. Coming back to the PGA Tour, Reggie Miller in about 45 minutes from now. Take a break. We're back after this. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows@foxsportsradio.com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live. Picture this. Me, Reese Witherspoon in London ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card. So I earn rewards wherever I book travel five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. This is Jonas Knox from Two Pros and a Cup of Joe. And are you ready to tackle your financial goals? Kick off your journey with WE Bull who makes it simple to start investing powerful tools, next level data and an easy to use platform for stocks, ETFs, prediction markets and more. Whether you're on the go or trading overnight, WE Bull is built for you and your schedule. Don't sit on the sidelines, visit webull.com or download the app and take control of your financial future today. Start with just $1. That's webull.com Webull Financial LLC member SIPC FINRA investing involves risk. For more information, visit webull.com disclosures alright, time to break down the stats from this week's major games. Mike, let's talk about switching up the lineup. I switched to T Mobile with their new family freedom offer. That's not why we do this, man. I'm trading up from AT&T and making a power play with T Mobile. They paid off my family's four phones up to $3200 and gave us four new phones on the house. Wow. Game changer Introducing Family Freedom Our lowest cost will switch our biggest family savings all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com FamilyFreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg Apple iPhone 16 128GB829 99 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off earlier, cancel contact T Mobile Save on appliances at the Home Depot with up to thousand dollars off plus up to an extra $500 off select appl like Whirlpool that can keep up with your busy routine. The Home Depot has Whirlpool Laundry appliances with Fan Fresh. This feature fans and tumbles your laundry after it's done to help keep your clothes fresh until you're ready to grab them. Shop now and get up to $1,000 off plus free delivery on select appliances at the Home Depot. How doers get more done Free delivery on appliance purchases of $999 or more.
Dan Patrick
Offer valid January 8th through the 28th.
Bill Cowher
US only C store online for details New Year, new goals and in this economy, a better money plan is more necessary than ever. I am Matt and I' Joel. We are from the how to Money podcast and every week we help you to spend smarter, save more, and make sense of what's going on out there. If you want 2026 to be the year, you finally feel in control of your money, we're here to give you the tools and advice to help you make it happen. Listen to how to Money on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Stat of the Day brought to you by Panini America the official trading cards of the Dan Patrick Show. Actually, we just got a package, a shipment from Panini America, a trading cards, draft picks. I got a Dan Marino the University of Pittsburgh card. Gorgeous. So you can check out all the great stuff from Panini. The official trading cards of the Dan Patrick Show. Yes. I just. I'm sorry. I never thought I would see the day. But you fired Paul in the middle of the show. I have to comment on this. It was just. I feel it's out of line, Dan, and I'm sticking up for Paul. I'm walking off. No, Paulie's Paul. Paul's under the weather Fired Paul in the middle of the show. I did not. I'm treating him the way I would treat Mike Tomlin, with respect. And he decides what he wants to do. Paulie said that he was under the weather and he said that he had to tap out. You know, I've known Paulie for over 20 years. I don't think he's ever called in sick. I don't, I don't remember any time that he didn't go the distance. But I, this morning he said, hey, I'm not doing well. Well, can't keep anything down. And I said, all right, well, this show's not going to help your digestion, certainly with Fritzi. And so he said, I'm gonna try to get two hours in. And so if you're watching, Paulie is not in his seat. And hopefully he'll be back to. He'll be back tomorrow. Knowing Paulie, I saw where Books Koepka coming back to the PGA Tour about that. Now there's some things that he has to do. He has to make a 5 million dollar charitable donation. Ineligible for the FedEx bonus payout. No sponsor exemptions for the signature events. So it's John Rom, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith are the only other live players who are eligible to come back to the PGA Tour. And I think what they, the announcement was, it's a one time only. And there had been reports that Brooks Koepka was hoping to come back. I can't see DeChambeau doing that. Rom. I, I thought that he might come back. Cameron Smith, I don't see him coming back. These guys, you know, you got to travel the world. And before you say, wow, you get to travel the world, you still travel the world as opposed to pretty much just the United States for these, these guys who play on the PGA Tour. But I don't know where we're headed with this. You know, it's. I, I don't think you can have both of these and continue to have both of these. But, you know, they're changing the format for live. I mean, the format was silly. You know, hey, we get to wear shorts and we play loud music and we, you know, play three rounds, not four rounds. Like that doesn't mean I want to watch you. I want to watch the best golfers go against each other. I want to have them play in the big events. I don't care about an event in Singapore or Sri Lanka or any of that. You want to make your money, make your money. And if you get the opportunity to play in majors then you get the best of both worlds. But Brooks Koepka, you know, and he hasn't been healthy, he's had knee issues. But still he's great player. Yeah. Seaton. It's not a bad return on investment though perhaps. No. If you, you step away for a couple years, bank a quick like 175 million and then come back, I guess. Yeah, I'd sign up for that. That's pretty good. The Colonel in Tampa. Hey Colonel. Dan and Dan S. Have another year. Hey Dan, I know nothing about sports.
Dan Patrick
So just two uninformed, ignorant questions.
Bill Cowher
One, why not let Aaron and Mike.
Dan Patrick
And Steelers have another year, especially if they do have a 33 million dollar cap space.
Bill Cowher
And Dan, that's one more year to develop Mason Rudolph. Win. Win. All right, Colonel I don't know. I don't think Mason Rudolph's the future. I don't think so. If Mike Tomlin wants to come back, great. Like, well, that's between him and the Steeler organization. They build up, you know that trust, you know, you got to do right for, for both the, the franchise and, and the coach. Do I think Mike Tomlin, if he coaches is coming back? Yes, I do. To Would I be shocked if he did? TV I would not. Reggie Miller will join us. More of your phone calls as well. Final hour this Tuesday, right after this. The new year brings new health goals and wealth goals. Protecting your identity is an important step. Your info is in endless places that could expose you to identity theft leading to lost funds. LifeLock monitors millions of data points per second. If your identity is stolen, Lifelock's restoration specialist will fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Resolve to make identity, health and wealth part of your new year's goals. With LifeLock, save up to 40% your first year. Visit LifeLock.com sports terms apply. Picture this me, Reese Witherspoon in London ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in paper. Paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo autograph Journey card. So I earn rewards wherever I book. Travel five times points with hotels four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply. Running a business is hard enough. Don't make it harder with a dozen apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, another for inventory, a separate one for accounting. That's software overload. Odoo is the all in one platform that replaces them all. CRM, Accounting, Inventory, E Commerce, hr. Fully integrated, easy to use and built to grow with your business. Thousands have already made the switch. Why not you try Odoo for free@odoo.com that's odoo.com tires matter. They're the only part of your vehicle that touches the road. Tread confidently with new tires from Tire Rack Whether you're looking for expert recommendations or know exactly what you want, Tire Rack makes it really easy. Fast. Free shipping, free road hazard protection, convenient installation options and the best selection of Firestone tires. Go to tirerack.com dan see their Firestone test results, tire ratings and reviews and be sure to check out all the special offers. Tirerack.com the way Tire buying should be everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plan plus the.
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Bill Cowher
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Date: January 13, 2026
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show centers on Dan's in-depth conversation with Hall of Fame coach and CBS NFL analyst Bill Cowher, focusing on major storylines in the NFL: the uncertain futures of Aaron Rodgers, Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin, and high-profile coaching changes across the league. The discussion explores what’s next for the Pittsburgh Steelers, analyzes broader NFL coaching trends, and showcases Cowher’s uniquely candid, humorous perspective.
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| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:56 | Show begins; set up Steelers’ and Aaron Rodgers questions | | 03:00 | Discussion of poll questions: Rodgers’ and Tomlin’s future | | 08:30 | On coordinators vs. head coaches | | 12:42 | Jokey segment on Dolphins’ coaching change | | 14:41 | Call-in: Fritzi as the “Mike Tomlin” of the Danettes | | 15:22 | Calls: Tomlin’s job security and the franchise’s playoff drought | | 22:42 | Bill Cowher joins: Steelers’ loss, roster construction, and moving forward | | 24:45 | Cowher: Tomlin’s future, Pittsburgh’s need for deliberate decision-making | | 25:38 | Life cycles of coaching tenures, parallels to other franchises | | 29:29 | Cowher on his own coaching exit and life after coaching | | 31:57 | Could Tomlin join TV? (NFL Today set) | | 35:00 | Cowher’s advice to his daughters’ dates: “Choices and consequences…” | | 37:56 | AFC/NFC playoff picture analysis | | 41:12 | Cowher’s rant on momentum, playoff pressure, and fourth-down decisions |
Dan and Cowher’s conversation is candid, introspective, and laced with humor, especially when comparing team leadership to parenting or poking fun at rivalries ("You ever see our Baltimore games?" – Cowher, 38:55). The tone is conversational—direct but never harsh. Both speakers seamlessly move from professionalism to playful banter, making the analysis accessible and enjoyable.
This episode delivers a deep, engaging look at the NFL through the eyes of a legendary coach and a powerhouse veteran broadcaster. Key topics include the future of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, legacy and endings in coaching careers, the pitfalls of quarterback “quick fixes,” the value of deliberate leadership changes, and how momentum and culture shape the postseason. Cowher’s reflections on his own departure from coaching, his family priorities, and enduring love for the game add warmth and depth to the analysis.
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This hour is a must-listen for fans of the Steelers, students of NFL culture, and anyone curious about leadership both on and off the gridiron.