The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: LSU Coaching Search and Jay Bilas Interview
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick and The Danettes
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Overview
This episode of The Dan Patrick Show focused on two central themes:
- The fallout from LSU’s decision to part ways with football coach Brian Kelly, including the unusual involvement of Louisiana’s governor in the ongoing coaching search and national trends in college football contracts.
- A deep dive into NBA and basketball conversation, anchored by an extended interview with ESPN's Jay Bilas. Topics included insights on Victor Wembanyama, international players' impact in the NBA, and the shifting landscape of talent evaluation.
Throughout, Dan and the Danettes maintained their signature blend of humor, banter, and insightful sports analysis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Dodgers’ Postseason Struggles (02:57 – 06:51)
- Dan Patrick opened with baseball talk: The Dodgers’ ongoing troubles scoring in the postseason—averaging just 3.5 runs in their last 13 playoff games and struggling against a “hitting-dominant” Blue Jays team.
- Dan discussed the Dodgers’ lack of momentum going into a must-win game against Toronto, highlighting stats about their recent postseason struggles.
Notable Quote
“Four runs in the last 29 innings against the Blue Jays. And the Blue Jays aren’t a pitching dominant team, they’re a hitting team.”
— Dan Patrick (03:20)
Poll Questions & Light Banter (06:52 – 11:31)
- Ongoing Polls: Listeners were surveyed on whether the Ravens or Mike McDaniel had a more pressing “must-win” situation, and World Series outcomes.
- Show Banter: The Danettes teased each other about mistakes made on previous quizzes and recapped a mix-up involving Oscar Robertson and the number 11, sparking running jokes (“11!” still referenced by producers).
- Paulie and Todd discussed generational slang: “6, 7” joke’s time-lag between kids and adults, poking fun at local news being behind on youth trends.
LSU Coaching Search Chaos & College Football Contracts (11:48 – 21:10)
Governor’s Public Rebuke (Clip 1: 12:32 – 13:14, Clip 2: 13:57 – 14:15)
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticized LSU athletic director Scott Woodward:
- Slammed Woodward for Brian Kelly’s “10-year, $95 million” contract, which left LSU with a $54 million buyout.
- Noted Woodward’s similar “bad contract” for Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.
- Declared Woodward would not be involved in the next coaching hire, joking, “I’d let Donald Trump select before I let him do it.”
- Governor pressed for contracts with more accountability, decrying the “rewarding failure” climate in college football.
Notable Quotes
“This is a pattern. The guy that’s here now...cost Texas A&M 70-something million dollars. Right now we got a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again...I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill.”
— Gov. Jeff Landry (12:32)
“Scott Wood is not selecting the next coach. Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump select [him] before I let [Woodward] do it.”
— Gov. Jeff Landry (14:01)
- Dan and the Danettes weighed in on contract trends:
- Dan: "Don’t go over five years. In today’s college football climate, nobody’s staying for ten years.”
- Paulie made the point that “no current coach is going to consider LSU” on a leaner deal, listing Lane Kiffin as the one big name who might force LSU’s hand.
- The group contemplated established names (Lane Kiffin, Dabo Swinney, Dan Lanning) but largely agreed that a long-term mega-contract is increasingly impractical.
Notable Quotes
“No one’s staying around for 10 years, whether they want to leave or you want them to leave. Sustainability is so difficult now.”
— Dan Patrick (15:13)
“He [Brian Kelly] was never a good fit. But I can’t give you 10 years—that’s an eternity in college football now.”
— Dan Patrick (16:23)
NBA: Victor Wembanyama and International Stars (27:26 – 39:50)
Austin Reaves’ Big Game (27:15 – 28:34)
- Paulie highlighted Lakers’ Austin Reaves dropping 28 & 16 against Minnesota, noting “he had the jumper over Rudy Gobert.”
- Banter about the Hall of Fame status of “the Stifle Tower,” Rudy Gobert, and the changing criteria for All-NBA teams.
Feature Interview: Jay Bilas (28:45 – 39:50)
Wembanyama Hype & Unique Talents
- Jay Bilas described Wembanyama as the most unique player he’s ever seen since Zion Williamson, drawing a Ralph Sampson comparison:
“If Ralph Sampson were born 21 years ago, he’d probably be in the Wembanyama atmosphere...He was put down the post. If he were allowed to play today’s game...I think he could be in that atmosphere.” (28:55)
- “He’s like a 7-foot-6 praying mantis with the skills of a 6’1” guard...He’s playing his game more in the paint and making his presence known from 15 feet and in. His effectiveness has gone way up.”
— Jay Bilas (30:03) - Bilas dismissed the “Europe vs. USA” narrative around development, stating that now, “the world’s too big...Basketball [is] the second most popular sport, behind soccer.” (31:20)
International vs. U.S. MVPs
- Jay Bilas predicted a non-US five would be “really hard to beat” and named Jokic, Wembanyama, Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis as frontrunners.
“The top five candidates for MVP are all foreign born...We're not going to have all the best players anymore.” (32:39)
- Compared the situation to the Ryder Cup format in golf.
Cooper Flagg & NBA Young Talent
- On Cooper Flagg’s rookie performance: “He was asked to play the point guard position in his first NBA game...That's a challenge...But he’s the real deal. Like most rookies, he’s going to have his ups and downs.” (34:13)
Austin Reaves’ Path
- Bilas reflected on undervalued NBA prospects: “Austin Reaves...can really shoot it and he's tough. But did I think, 'okay, he’s going to be a great NBA player at that time?' No. That's happening more and more now, where players blossom later.” (35:24)
- On scouting: “All 30 teams missed on Jokic. It’s not like someone’s got a magic formula.” (36:56)
Evaluation Misses and College Game Outlook
- On biggest misses in projections: Bilas cited Anthony Bennett and Markelle Fultz, adding, “Players are so young, it’s hard not to over-project at times. The longer I do this, the more I realize…we’re kind of guessing here.” (37:00)
- Best NCAA player now: Braden Smith (Purdue PG), cited for skill and fit.
“He’s the best point guard in the country, and I don’t think it’s close...You can do it the ‘right’ way, like Matt Painter does [at Purdue].” (38:31)
More Listener Calls and NFL/College Coaching Banter (41:39 – 54:32)
- Debate on Defense in the NBA: Discussion on rim-protection's decline; Wembanyama’s block stats.
- College to NFL Coaching Path: Listener floated Mike Tomlin for LSU; Dan explained why NFL coaches aren’t interested in college jobs given recruiting, NIL, and headaches.
- “I can’t imagine Mike Tomlin having the patience to deal with that...He has a hard time dealing with just questions at a press conference, it feels like.” — Dan Patrick (51:38)
- Alternative LSU coach names: Talk of rising coordinators like Kelvin Sheppard but skepticism about taking a jump without head coaching experience.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
“You could get a BBL, you could come in flat and leave thick as a Snicker...Ain’t nobody got no patience no more!”
— Deion Sanders, on American impatience in coaching turnover (48:55)
“If you pay attention, then you don’t have to apologize.”
— Paulie, on Danette’s quiz mix-ups (09:34)
“I just think somehow, some way I’m gonna end up missing...You just threw a pop [quiz]...these things happen.”
— Todd Fritz, on the anxiety of live shows and quiz segments (09:29)
Important Timestamps
- Dodgers playoff struggles: 02:57 – 06:51
- Poll results and quiz banter: 06:52 – 11:31
- LSU coaching search & governor’s press conference: 11:48 – 18:52
- Governor Landry’s press conference: 12:32, 13:57
- NBA stats, Wembanyama, Hall of Fame chat: 27:15 – 28:44
- Jay Bilas interview: 28:45 – 39:53 (key sections: Wembanyama hype, international players, Cooper Flagg, scouting misses, NCAA standouts)
- Deion Sanders on ‘impatience’ in coaching: 48:55
- NFL/College coaching banter: 51:26 – 54:32
Tone and Style
- The show’s style stayed conversational, humorous, and opinionated, balancing deep dives with plenty of good-natured ribbing amongst the Danettes.
- Even serious subjects, like buyouts and public firings, were addressed with wit and accessible analogies for average sports fans.
Summary for New Listeners
If you missed this hour, you missed a rapid-fire mix of sports news, inside information, sharp debate on college football’s business side, and an extensive, information-packed discussion with Jay Bilas about the NBA’s new wave led by Victor Wembanyama. The episode also features famously irreverent show banter and calls, making it lively and accessible whether you’re a hardcore fan or a casual listener.