The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Kyle Whittingham, NIL Madness

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts/Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show, Dan and the crew dive into the constantly shifting landscape of college football, focusing on issues with the transfer portal, Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) compensation, and rampant rumors about packaged coach-quarterback deals. The hour’s centerpiece is an interview with newly appointed Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham, who speaks candidly about his move from Utah, Michigan’s recent turmoil, NIL madness, and his outlook on the state of college athletics. The regulars (Seaton, Todd, Marvin, and Paulie) weigh in on hot NFL coaching rumors and the unsustainable economics of the sport. The tone is witty, skeptical, and sharp as always.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Coaching Carousel & Package Deal Mania (01:07–09:15)

• The crew revisits Mike Tannenbaum’s prior musings about possible college coach and quarterback "package deals" to the NFL – specifically the fantasy of a duo like Kurt Signetti and Fernando Mendoza going to the Raiders.

• Dan and Seaton highlight how sports media falls in love with improbable "package deal" rumors every offseason, though they almost never materialize.

  "Sports media is about a calendar and what are the topics that happen this time every single year. And package deal is one that happens every single time this year."
  — Seaton, 06:33

• The segment pokes fun at how speculation becomes pseudo-news and how fan bases get swept up with these stories despite no actual reporting behind them.

• The contrast between college and NFL money and the increased difficulty of jumping from one to the other is discussed (coaches now get 7–9 year, $100 million contracts in college vs. the chaos of the NFL).

2. NIL & College Football Economics: Chaos and Unsustainability (05:50–10:53)

• Dan reiterates data from sources suggesting $40M+ is now typical annual NIL spending for elite college football programs.

  "I gave you this information yesterday from my source who said you kind of have to. That's your ballpark figure."
  — Dan Patrick, 03:46

• They reference the example of Texas Tech reportedly paying $5M for a quarterback transferring from Cincinnati, emphasizing how wild the landscape has become.

• Blanket approval for college athletes getting paid but skepticism about how sustainable this system is, especially as spending balloons on recruiting and retaining talent.

3. Fan Calls & Sports History (09:58–13:18)

• Listeners weigh in with curiosities about coaching changes, playoff bye week statistics, and the infamous 1994 Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding incident.

• Dan reflects humorously on past interviews and the broader cultural impact of certain sports scandals:

  "Sometimes I can give myself credit for having a good idea. And then other times where I'm doing an interview...well, it's a bad idea. While I'm doing the interview, I know it's a bad idea."
  — Dan Patrick, 12:07

4. Interview: Michigan Head Coach Kyle Whittingham (20:57–30:45)

Whittingham’s Move from Utah to Michigan

• Whittingham was set to take an advisory role at Utah after a 32-year tenure, but took the call when Michigan's job opened.
  • "21 years as the head coach...I figured I'd done pretty much all I could do there...Just so happens about two or three days later had some contact with Michigan and they were on that list."
    — Kyle Whittingham, 21:30

State of Michigan Football and Culture

• He does not see a need for a rebuild, but feels a "reboot of trust" and end to drama is necessary:
  • "It needs a reboot of trust and get rid of the drama and just get back to playing Michigan football without all the distractions."
    — Whittingham, 23:02
• Emphasizes the university culture is strong and that the recent mess didn’t come from players.

NIL Chaos and the Transfer Portal

• Whittingham sees the current NIL-driven system as "not sustainable" and predicts D1 football will soon resemble a minor league NFL, complete with salary caps and CBA.
  • "It is not sustainable. There's no question about that. Something has got to give. I think within two to four, five years...you're going to see a major overhaul..."
    — Whittingham, 26:18
• He advocates for a commissioner to oversee college football, believing such change is inevitable as "super conferences" become the norm.
• On Quarterback market rates:
  • "One university in the state of Texas is paying $5 million for a starting quarterback for this year."
    — Whittingham, 27:46

Rivalries and Adaptation

• Confesses Utah’s three wins over Michigan in the past helped his candidacy.
• Jokes about learning to "hate Ohio State" and gives playful answers about rivalries.

Bryce Underwood Staying?

• On QB Bryce Underwood's status (whose decision was still pending when the interview took place):
  • "We think we're in a good place with Bryce. He's a terrific young man. I've sat down with him and, and really the heart and soul of this football team. And I think we're making good progress towards that end."
    — Whittingham, 28:17
• Dan later reveals that after the interview, Underwood declared he was staying at Michigan.

Personal Reflections

• Enjoys banter about sending his old Utah gear to Dan; expresses surprise at switching from red to blue; appreciates the intensity of Michigan–Ohio State compared with Utah–BYU.

Memorable Exchange

• Dan: "Could you take Ryan Day when you were younger? ...Could you take Ryan Day right now in the octagon?"
• Whittingham: "There's one way to find out, I guess. I don't know. I like Ryan. I think I got a lot of respect for him..."
  (30:08)

5. Aftermath & Reflections on NIL/Transfers (30:47–37:38)

• The panel speculates why Whittingham hedged on Underwood’s status, suggests it might have been contract negotiations, and underscores the ever-present uncertainty with high-value transfers.
• Dan and Seaton discuss whether the glut of money will keep some players in college longer (better development), but note the three-year minimum for football.
  • "You have a built-in system that protects college football from the standpoint of these names may bounce around, but they stay."
    — Dan Patrick, 35:26
• They contrast the systems with college basketball’s one-and-done reality.

6. Fun with NFL Coaching Moves & Listener Calls (39:31–42:32)

• They play "Guess the Firing" after the Dallas Cowboys move on from their defensive coordinator, poking fun at Tuesday being a "midweek" day for such news.
• Brief discussion on Geno Smith’s surprise at Pete Carroll’s firing; debate on where certain QBs and teams go from here.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On NIL Madness:

"It is not sustainable. There's no question about that. Something has got to give. And I think...you're going to see a major overhaul of Division 1 football."
— Kyle Whittingham (26:18)

On the Package Deal Speculation Craze:

"We, God, we love that story. We can't resist even. It's never going to happen. We do it every single year."
— Seaton (06:22)

On Transfer Portal Uncertainty:

"You don't know anything yet. I mean, shoot, it's the wild, wild west here, Dan."
— Kyle Whittingham, re: Bryce Underwood (28:17)

On College Football Culture Change:

"I think it's going to become more of a minor league NFL model. I think you're going to see a salary cap, collective bargaining, players as employees. I think all that's coming..."
— Kyle Whittingham (26:46)

On Legacy vs. NFL Temptation:

"Do you even want to be that guy who had this great thing...at Indiana and you go 6 and 11 or 7, 10 as the Raiders coach?"
— Todd (07:57)

Important Segment Timestamps

• NFL Coaching & Package Deals: 01:07–09:15
• NIL Economics Discussion: 03:46, 05:50–10:53
• Kyle Whittingham Interview: 20:57–30:45
  • Whittingham on Michigan's Rebuild: 23:02
  • NIL Unsustainability: 26:18
  • Bryce Underwood's Status: 28:17
• Whittingham vs. Ryan Day (octagon banter): 30:08
• Reflections Post-Interview: 30:47
• NFL/Geno Smith & Listener Calls: 40:44–42:32

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Dan Patrick's signature blend of skeptical analysis, sharp humor, and industry insight. The crew is quick to challenge rumors, poke fun at media habits, and dig into the financial realities behind the headlines. Whittingham’s interview feels direct, practical, and refreshingly honest about the chaos in big-time college sports.

Summary Takeaways

• NIL and transfer portal chaos is reshaping college sports, making the system unsustainable and driving eventual calls for a commissioner, salary caps, and unionization.
• Classic package-deal "coach and quarterback" rumors are sports media catnip, but rarely real.
• Kyle Whittingham is candid and clear-eyed about Michigan’s benefits, baggage, and the near-term future of college football.
• The show’s wit and media-savvy skepticism sharpen the coverage, making it accessible and engaging even for listeners unfamiliar with the latest NCAA headlines.