The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2 – Lane Kiffin Adding Fuel to the Fire, Ross Tucker

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Dan Patrick, Seaton, Paulie, Marvin, Todd
Guest: Ross Tucker

Episode Overview

This hour focuses on:

• The ongoing drama around Lane Kiffin's departure from Ole Miss to LSU and his ability to "add fuel to the fire"
• The week's ups and downs for key figures in college and pro football, including Jackson Dart, Brian Kelly, and others
• The challenges of former players transitioning to TV analyst roles, especially Russell Wilson's upcoming stint with CBS
• An analytical and humorous conversation with Ross Tucker on coaching changes, last night's Lions-Cowboys game, and the broader football landscape

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Poll Questions and the Week in Recap

• [03:56] Poll Question: Would you rather your team have a great kicker or a great wide receiver? Wide receiver is running away with the votes.
• [04:05] Snarky Alternative: Who had the worst week in sports (other than Penn State)? Suggestions include Lane Kiffin and Jackson Dart.

2. Lane Kiffin: A Messy Departure

• [04:34] Marvin nominates Lane Kiffin for "worst week" (not financially, but PR-wise).
• [04:44–05:53] Dan Patrick: Breaks down how Lane Kiffin's leaving Ole Miss for LSU was “a messy divorce”—more dramatic than necessary, with conflicting stories including one about someone trying to run Lane off the road (which state troopers denied).
  • “It just felt like he kept adding fuel to the fire instead of trying to put it out and didn’t do a good job at all. His PR team is not as good as his Ole Miss football team.” (Dan Patrick, 05:24)
• [05:53] Paulie: Discusses Kiffin as someone people liked to root for at Ole Miss, but with the recent upheaval, national sentiment may turn against him similarly to how it did to Brian Kelly.

Comparisons: Brian Kelly vs. Lane Kiffin

• [06:20–08:27] The crew discusses how Brian Kelly left Notre Dame on much better terms ("a window had closed"), and Notre Dame seemed ready to move on: "I think Notre Dame was like, you want to go? Okay." (Dan Patrick, 08:19)

3. Jackson Dart: Toughness vs. Wisdom

• [08:40] Marvin nominates Jackson Dart for "worst week," referencing his willingness to take damaging hits while playing through injury.
• [08:54] Dan Patrick: Emphasizes he wants his QB to be tough but smart: "I want my quarterback smart. You have to be tough to play the position, but I want you to be smart because if you pick your spots... I get it. But this wasn’t for a first down." (Dan Patrick, 08:54)
• [09:37] Paulie remembers Jimmy Garoppolo’s similar mistake, reinforcing the importance of smart play over reckless toughness.

4. Russell Wilson and the Player-to-Analyst Pipeline

• [10:36] Dan Patrick: Notes that Russell Wilson will join CBS as a studio analyst during the Giants’ bye week, suggesting this could be his next career.
• [12:23] Dan's Advice: The hardest part is being analytical, not mean-spirited. Points to Troy Aikman's philosophy: “My job is to analyze, not to be critical.” (Dan Patrick, 12:02)
• [13:41] On Studio Presence: It’s important for analysts to offer genuine, sometimes critical insight, but in a fair, knowledgeable way—“Tell me something we don’t know.”
• [15:36] Challenge for Russell Wilson: Will Wilson be able to switch from the “almost robotic, Mr. Positivity” persona to providing honest, engaging analysis?

5. Ross Tucker Joins the Show (25:23)

Coach Changes and Fan Expectations

• [25:23–27:40] Ross Tucker: Draws a parallel between Penn State fans wanting to move on from James Franklin, and Steelers fans feeling similarly about Mike Tomlin:
  • “There’s a commitment to just above mediocrity. ... Steelers fans ... would rather the team go 3–14 and get a high draft pick.” (Ross Tucker, 26:59)
• Key Point: Both Franklin and Tomlin are well-respected, but fan demand and standards remain high. Tucker notes Tomlin would have multiple job offers if let go: “He’ll have three or four NFL offers ... teams would be thrilled to get Mike Tomlin.” (Ross Tucker, 27:22)

Lions vs. Cowboys Recap

• [27:54–29:25] Ross Tucker: Recaps the high-scoring game, noting he “thought taking the Cowboys +3.5 made all the sense in the world.” Surprised Amon-Ra St. Brown played and believes he made a significant difference.

George Pickens Contract Discussion

• [29:59–31:15] Dan Patrick & Ross Tucker on Cowboys’ George Pickens:
  • “Pick your word: Erratic behavior, enigmatic... He is a very unique person.” (Ross Tucker, 30:32)
  • Ross says he’d “be scared to death to give him a long term deal. ... Feels like a guy you want to date and not marry. And if you do choose to marry him, you better have a heck of a prenup.” (Ross Tucker, 30:49)

Most Important NFL Game This Weekend

• [31:29] Ross Tucker: Picks Chiefs vs. Texans as most must-win, comparing playoff implications and highlighting Houston’s scary pass rush with both KC's tackles out.

The Smart vs. Tough Quarterback Debate

• [33:24–34:34] Ross Tucker: “Smart. I would say smart. ... Intelligence is a massive, massive differentiator in football.”
  • “Tough can get you in trouble. You know who’s tough? Jackson Dart stuff... But I love smart if I’m trying to win big.” (Ross Tucker, 33:48 & 34:23)

Linemen and Quarterback Toughness

• [37:04] Dan asks Ross if linemen think less of QBs who avoid hits.
• [37:04–38:16] Ross Tucker: “We wanted them to do that... All of our lives, our jobs, our playoff money, it's all in their hands. We can't have him getting hurt.” Echoes how Tom Brady's pre-snap management was “operating at a much higher level.”

Russell Wilson’s CBS Gig

• [38:24–39:40] Ross Tucker: “It’s always interesting when someone that’s been playing this long... transitions.
  • “He’s always been the prototype... gives as little information as possible... Can he actually say something interesting or is he still sort of in computer mode?” (Ross Tucker, 38:46–39:21)
  • “I think it’s great. I might tune in and watch it.”

6. Other Notable Topics

• Brief chat about Jameis Winston on Fox’s pregame show, with Seaton less than excited, calling him non-amusing ([40:43]).
• The “dart or smart” gag becomes a running bit, contrasting intelligence and recklessness in athletes.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick on Lane Kiffin:
  "It just felt like he kept adding fuel to the fire instead of trying to put it out and didn’t do a good job at all. His PR team is not as good as his Ole Miss football team." (05:24)

• Ross Tucker on Steelers/Tomlin:
  "There’s a commitment to just above mediocrity. ... Steelers fans ... would rather the team go 3–14 and get a high draft pick." (26:59)

• Ross Tucker on George Pickens:
  "He feels like a guy you want to date and not marry. And if you do choose to marry him, you better have a heck of a prenup if you’re going to marry George Pickens to a long term deal." (30:49)

• Ross Tucker on Smart vs. Tough QBs:
  "Tough can get you in trouble. You know who’s tough? Jackson Dart stuff... But I love smart if I’m trying to win big." (34:23)

• Ross Tucker on Russell Wilson transitioning to CBS:
  "He’s always been the prototype... gives as little information as possible... Can he actually say something interesting or is he still in computer mode?" (38:46–39:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Wide Receiver vs. Kicker Poll [03:56]
• Lane Kiffin Drama Unpacked [04:34–05:53]
• Brian Kelly Leave Notre Dame vs. Kiffin [06:20–08:27]
• Jackson Dart, Toughness, & QB Play [08:40–09:37]
• Russell Wilson as Analyst [10:36–13:41]
• Ross Tucker Interview Begins [25:23]
  • Steelers and Tomlin, College/Pro Coaching Changes [25:23–27:40]
  • Lions vs. Cowboys Breakdown [27:54–29:25]
  • George Pickens’ Contract Debate [29:59–31:15]
  • Chiefs vs. Texans Preview [31:29]
  • Smart vs. Tough QB Debate [33:24–34:34]
  • Offensive Line and QB Play [37:04–38:16]
  • Russell Wilson as CBS Analyst [38:24–39:40]
• Jameis Winston on Fox Pregame [40:32–41:02]
• Dart or Smart Segment [41:16]

Memorable Moments / Tone

• The show's signature humor is present throughout, especially as the hosts rib each other about "dart or smart," analyst clichés, and the oddities of sports broadcasting.
• Ross Tucker brings sharp insight but dives into fun as well (see: the “master blasted”/Mad Max tangent [35:53–36:47]).
• The episode is a blend of knowledgeable sports debate, pop culture references, and friendly banter.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a thoughtful, humorous breakdown of the week's biggest sports stories, with deep dives into Lane Kiffin’s headline-grabbing move, the challenge ex-players face on TV, and the evolving expectations of fans and franchises. Ross Tucker’s guest appearance supplies expert analysis and entertaining storytelling as always.

Ideal for listeners who want:

• Insightful analysis of the week's football drama
• A peek behind the media curtain
• Entertaining group chemistry with both sharpness and wit