The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: College Football Coaching, Charles Barkley

Date: October 31, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Episode Focus: College football coaching drama, NFL midseason breakdowns, and an extended, candid interview with Charles Barkley on NBA themes and controversies.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Hour two of the show brings together Dan Patrick’s signature blend of sports talk and humor, this time focusing on current college football coaching situations, dissecting NFL narratives, and featuring an in-depth, often hilarious, conversation with NBA legend Charles Barkley. Barkley discusses his move to ESPN, ongoing NBA gambling scandals, load management, and legacy debates with his trademark candor and wit.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. College Football Coaching Carousel & Athletic Director Drama

• LSU Head Coach and AD Shake-Up:
  • Discussion about LSU’s current vacuum with both its head coach and athletic director positions open.
  • The governor of Louisiana openly criticized LSU's athletic director over football decisions, leading to speculation about administrative buyouts and job security.
  • Paul Pabst quips: “Which job would you want? LSU head football coach, LSU AD or the governor of Louisiana?”
• Buyout Numbers:
  • Dan reads out guesses on the AD’s buyout, surprising with a $6.3 million figure.
  • “Holy crap. What is going on?” – Dan Patrick (17:43)
• Nick Saban’s Remarks:
  • Saban claims the Ole Miss job is more attractive than LSU or Florida right now, citing changing roster strengths.
  • Discussion on Lane Kiffin and the shifting job market for high-profile coaches.
• Nebraska Football Relevance:
  • Matt Rhule’s extension and the persistent struggle for Nebraska to regain national relevance.
  • “Nebraska just wants to be relevant.” – Dan Patrick (14:01)
• Poll Questions:
  • Listeners asked if they believe more in the struggling Ravens or the successful (7-1) Colts – highlighting confidence in certain teams despite records.

2. NFL Insights & Weekend Preview

• Ravens’ Recent Form:
  • “It feels like a dangerous 3 and 5.” – Dan Patrick (03:07)
  • Audience seems split on whether Lamar Jackson running less is a positive evolution.
• AFC North Parity:
  • Nine or ten wins could take the division, showing how unpredictably close things are.
• Texans' Outlook:
  • Dan predicts, “The Texans are coming,” citing their impressive point differential despite their record (17:44).

3. Pop Culture, Movies, and Meat Friday

• Harry Potter & Fantasy Series:
  • Lighthearted debate among the crew on Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings and the merits of each franchise.
  • “Harry doesn’t actually do anything. All of his friends do all the work...eight straight movies...Harry gets all the credit!” – Paul Pabst (05:46)
• Halloween & Horror:
  • Admitting distaste for horror, Dan says: “I don’t like scary movies...I mean, I liked Get Out, that was pretty awesome. Jordan Peele is brilliant at this. But I don’t do scary.” (08:13)
• Meat Friday Menu:
  • Celebratory mood as they announce a gourmet Meat Friday spread, showing off the show’s unique culinary tradition.

FEATURE INTERVIEW: CHARLES BARKLEY

Segment: 24:11 – 49:47

1. Adjustment to ESPN & NBA Coverage

• “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with ESPN. Every kid who’s ever touched any type of ball, if they’re being honest, if you go on ESPN you feel like you’ve made it. So it’s an honor to work for them.” – Charles Barkley (25:53)
• Barkley shares how little has changed about his approach despite the new platform and says ESPN has allowed creative freedom.

2. On NBA Gambling Scandals

• Outspoken on the seriousness of the latest NBA gambling investigations:
  • “If you’re out here shaving points, that’s just bad...We’re so lucky and blessed, we get to do something so stupid and make more money. To do something this stupid, it’s just stupid, plain and simple.” (27:13)

3. Gambling in Poker Games

• “I would never gamble at somebody’s house. I’m not going to lie...Nobody's coming to my house to gamble either.” (28:49)

4. NBA Player Legacies & Load Management

• Victor Wembanyama:
  • “The only question about Victor is health...He’s probably the most unique player we’ve ever had in the NBA.” (36:14)
• Steph Curry’s Longevity:
  • “Steph is clearly on the downside of his career...you can’t expect a 37-year-old to go November, December, January, averaging 35 a game, and get through three or four rounds in the playoffs.” (38:18)
• Load Management Rant:
  • Barkley is ferociously critical of modern load management and contrasts with Michael Jordan’s era:
    • “Load management. These guys can’t play basketball two days in a row? We played two days in a row. They got better equipment, medical, private planes. If we could do that for $2 million a year, they damn sure can do it for $40 million a year.” (39:45)
    • On the impact of Jordan’s recent comments on load management:
      • “It’s interesting how it took up a life of its own because it was Michael Jordan...But when we start having guys making $70 million a year—God bless them—and they say, ‘Yeah, I played last night, I can’t play tomorrow.’ We can’t just keep crapping on the fans.” (41:37)
    • Suggests players should at least be honest: “Just say, ‘I’m trying to extend my career.’ Don’t try to tell me it’s not healthy.” (43:35)

5. Championships vs. MVPs

• When asked if he’d trade his MVP for a Suns championship:
  • “Yeah, I would rather win the championship. But nobody can take away what I accomplished that year.” (45:31)
• On ESPN’s narrative focus:
  • “It’s not who’s the best player; it’s the person who had the best year...Now guys like to start: LeBron should have won—like Derrick Rose was the best player in the world that year he won MVP. The Chicago Bulls had the best record.” (46:49)

6. Measuring Up to Michael Jordan

• Barkley thought he was Jordan’s equal—until the 1993 Finals:
  • “I did not realize that I was not as good as Michael Jordan until I played him in the Finals...I had 50 and he had 55…That was the first time.” (47:42)
• “You can’t be a great player unless you think you’re better than everybody else... But there’s a lot of guys who are delusional. They’re just good, just...alright, good player. They think they’re better than they are.” (48:41)

7. On LeBron James Aging

• Barkley: “He just old. Everybody gets old…You can dress it up like a ‘sciatica’...LeBron is old.” (49:16)

Notable Quotes from Charles Barkley

• “If you’re out here shaving points, that’s just bad...We’re so lucky and blessed, we get to do something so stupid and make more money. To do something this stupid, it’s just stupid, plain and simple.” (27:13)
• “These guys can’t play basketball two days in a row? We played basketball two days in a row...If we could do that for $2 million a year, they damn sure can do it for $40 million a year.” (39:45)
• “You can’t be a great player unless you think you’re better than everybody else...There’s a lot of guys who are delusional.” (48:41)

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & HUMOR

• Barkley’s repeated video connection issues becoming a running joke—“Chuck, you froze again!” (Throughout interview).
• Barkley’s mock threats about the early-morning interview:
  • “I must love doing your damn show. You make me get up at 6 o’clock in the morning. I want to kick you and Todd’s ass.” (40:47)
• Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fandom riffs (“Harry doesn’t actually do anything—all of his friends do all the work!” – 05:46), and film banter about Hunger Games.
• Barkley on LeBron: “He just old. Everybody gets old...You can dress it up like a 'sciatica'… LeBron is old.” (49:16)

TIMESTAMPED IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Charles Barkley Interview Begins: 24:11
• Discussion on LSU coaching/AD drama, Nick Saban’s comments: 11:00–14:00
• NFL poll & midseason discussion: 17:44
• College football vs. the old days (Nebraska): 13:00–15:00
• Harry Potter & Fantasy Franchises Banter: 05:00–07:00
• NFL/College Football Weekend Preview: 49:50–51:30

BROADER TAKEAWAYS

• The hour is a classic blend of sports news, lighthearted culture chat, and Barkley’s unfiltered takes.
• Barkley brings in weighty points about responsibility, legacy, and the responsibility to fans—while never losing his irrepressible sense of humor.
• The college landscape is depicted as volatile but opportunity-rich, with old powerhouses like Nebraska searching for relevance and coaching jobs more complicated than ever.
• Load management and NBA financial stakes emerge as controversial, with Barkley advocating for honesty and accountability.

If you missed this episode, you’ll catch up on the latest in college football drama, NFL races, NBA controversies, and get trademark Barkley truth bombs—served with sides of humor and sports nostalgia.