The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3 (October 7, 2025): Bill Belichick’s Future & Conversation with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo

Episode Overview

In this hour, Dan Patrick and his crew dive into two central topics: the uncertainty around Bill Belichick's coaching future—especially in light of critical reporting about his North Carolina tenure—and the baseball playoffs, highlighted by an extended, candid segment with Chris "Mad Dog" Russo. The conversations blend sports analysis, industry rumors, and classic radio banter, interspersed with listener calls and engaging debates about Hall of Fame credentials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AFC Landscape: The Jaguars and Chiefs

• Topic: Are the Chiefs in decline, and are the Jaguars for real?
• Analysis:
  • Chiefs’ 2–3 start is noted as historically unusual (“just the second time in the last 10 years”) [03:18].
  • Jaguars off to their best start since 2007. Trever Lawrence’s resilience on the game-winning drive is highlighted—including the “stumble-rooski” play [05:38].
• Notable Quote:
  • “Maybe that gap between the Chiefs and everybody else in the AFC is not as wide as it used to be.” —Dan Patrick [03:16]

2. Bill Belichick’s Future & North Carolina Turmoil

Media Rumors and Poll Question

• Poll Question: Where will Belichick be next fall: North Carolina, another NFL team, media, or unemployed? [06:15]
• Insider Insight: Suggestion that Miami Dolphins might consider Belichick if things change, but Dan is skeptical. “I don't see him coaching. I don't know if he has the enthusiasm to do this... He’s not a ‘rah rah’ guy” [06:37].

North Carolina Program Issues

• Cited Report: WRAL piece details a “divided locker room, disorganized staff, failure to communicate” under Belichick.
• NIL Fallout: Division attributed to a lopsided distribution of NIL money between transfers and existing players [08:05].
• Stats: “Tar Heels rank 128th in points allowed per game... out of 136 FBS teams” [08:57].

Broader Discussion

• Coaching Reputation: Debated whether Belichick’s recent struggles mean he can’t rebound like Saban or Spurrier—Dan says, “The brand of Belichick has been so hurt the past year and a half that it’s not even salvageable in the NFL” [10:09].

• Transfer Challenges: Compared to Deion Sanders, but acknowledged, “Dion’s got a personality. Bill doesn't... You're lucky to play for him; it's not he's lucky to have you” [12:34].

• Enthusiasm & Age: Crew agrees Belichick’s age (73) and perceived lack of enthusiasm are major obstacles for another NFL or college stint [10:09].

• Notable Quote:
  “You’re bringing in 70 players, new players, and then a quick turnaround... Bill hasn’t coached in college, not as a head coach. And you’re bringing in 70 players, new players, and then a quick turnaround.” —Dan Patrick [11:36]

3. Listeners Weigh In and Light Moments

• Calls Discussed:
  • Enthusiasm in local sports broadcasting when calling negative plays [13:38].
  • Chiefs’ regression: “Are the Chiefs getting worse or is the rest of the NFL learning how to play them?” [14:54].
  • Personal stories about being taken out of school for sports events [17:35].

4. MLB Playoffs & Analytics – Chris “Mad Dog” Russo Joins

Yankees Underperformance

• Blue Jays series puts Yankees in tough spot; Russo predicts “big embarrassment” if swept, but no drastic changes (“Boone is going nowhere...the Yankee brass loves him”) [25:35].

• Quote:
  “Since 2009, they [Yankees] won one World Series game. That's it.” —Mad Dog Russo [26:19]

Analytics and the Death of the Starter

• Too many relievers, lack of drama from starters going deep in postseason.
  • “The entertainment aspect of baseball, we’ve lost it... You and I grew up with Gibson, with Seaver... always fun to see the big Hall of Famer…” —Russo [27:31]
• Major Critique: “The analytics have become more important than the entertainment aspect of the sport. And it's a problem.” [28:56]

Dodgers: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Starting rotation praised, but bullpen flagged as the main weakness—“If the Dodgers are going to lose, it's going to be that, you know, eighth, ninth, seventh innings where they're going to lose a terrible game.” [29:38]
• “I mean they are a great, great team. Let's be honest.” —Russo [30:44]

Hall of Fame & the 'Ring' Debate

• Metric Nuance:
  • Championships essential for QBs/NBA stars, but not so much in baseball—because “Ted Williams never won a title... only gets up four times a game” [31:38].
  • Pitchers (e.g., Kershaw) scrutinized for postseason failings more than position players. “Maddox was never great in the postseason... that's why a guy like Smoltz, or Schilling, you like them in a big game.” [33:24]

Football Hall of Fame Talk: Manning, Wilson, Stafford

• “Manning is about five games... if my life came down to it, I would definitely take Stafford over Manning. Would you take Wilson?” —Russo [35:57]

• The ‘what-if’ surrounding Eli Manning and David Tyree’s catch: “You can make a very strong case that David Tyree is the reason Eli is going to be in the Hall of Fame.” [37:23]

• Notable Back-and-Forth:

  • Dan: “If David Tyree doesn't make that catch, Chris, they don't win.”
  • Russo: “He doesn't go to the Hall of Fame. I agree with you. Excellent point.” [36:46-37:00]

• On Russell Wilson’s diminishing reputation: “Wilson is going to end his career... in a way that is not impressive. That is going to be your lasting memory.” [39:37]

Kershaw’s Postseason Legacy

• Russo maintains Kershaw is not a great postseason pitcher, but Dan pushes back: “Maddox and Glavin weren’t good postseason pitchers…” [41:02]
• Discussion of Astros’ cheating/tipping pitches debate wakes up the old 2017 series [42:28].

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If Saban announced today he wanted to work again, he would have 50 teams calling.” —Christopher Russo [10:38]
• “Dion’s gonna sell. You know, he’s got a personality. Bill doesn’t have that.” —Mike Greenberg [12:45]
• On Yankees’ postseason: “Biggest payroll in baseball... and they’ve won one World Series game in 15 years.” —Russo [26:19]
• On Wilson vs. Manning: “That pass hurts him, too. The interception against the Patriots... one of the worst. That hurts Pete Carroll. It’s one of the worst plays of all time.” —Russo [34:30]
• “The analytics have become more important than the entertainment aspect of the sport.” —Russo [28:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Show content resumes after ads | 02:52 | | Chiefs/Jags analysis | 03:52 – 05:52 | | Poll Question: Belichick’s future | 06:15 | | WRAL report on UNC/Bill Belichick | 08:05 – 09:28 | | Coaching legends going to college | 10:09 | | NIL and transfer portal challenges | 11:36 | | Comparison to Deion Sanders | 12:44 | | Listener calls + local radio enthusiasm | 13:35 | | Chiefs’ regression, defensive changes | 15:01 | | Yankees/Baseball analytics w/ Russo | 25:35 – 29:29 | | Dodgers’ bullpen woes | 29:29 – 31:17 | | Championships as metric for greatness | 31:38 – 33:52 | | Manning/Wilson/Stafford HoF debate | 34:30 – 39:37 | | Kershaw in the postseason | 40:56 – 42:50 |

Memorable Segment: The 'Stumble-Rooski' Play

• Recreation of the radio call for Trevor Lawrence's “stumble-rooski” touchdown, where he falls, gets up, and scores in a messy but successful play—capturing the fun and unpredictability of live sports [05:38].

Episode Tone & Style

The tone is conversational, energetic, and opinionated, blending statistical analysis with anecdotal and irreverent banter typical of Dan Patrick’s style. Russo’s segments are especially passionate and rapid-fire, adding vintage sports talk flair.

Useful for New Listeners Because:

• Offers sharp, synthesized examination of a high-profile coaching drama (Belichick)
• Delivers strong perspective on the state of top NFL and MLB teams, contoured by major personalities
• Brings in legacy media voices (Russo) for classic and current debates alike
• Provides water-cooler-ready context and arguments for ongoing sports stories

In summary:
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show is a comprehensive, fast-paced ride through NFL coaching drama, the shifting landscape of pro sports success metrics, the analytics-vs-entertainment debate in baseball, and notable playoff storylines—brought to life by two of sports radio’s most experienced voices.