The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3

Episode Title: Curt Cignetti Isn’t Going Anywhere, Tony Dungy
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick with the Danettes (Seaton, Paulie, Marvin, Todd)
Guests: Tony Dungy (NFL Hall of Famer & NBC Analyst)
Notable Topics: College football coaching carousel, transfer portal chaos, NFL coaching firings, quarterback pressure, Tony Dungy’s insights

Overview

The third hour of this Dan Patrick Show episode dives deep into seismic changes shaking up both college football and the NFL coaching landscape. With Dan and the Danettes riffing on college coaches’ job security, NIL complications, and quarterback transfers, the hour is highlighted by a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Hall of Famer Tony Dungy about the firing of John Harbaugh, the volatility of NFL head coaching jobs, and the immense pressure facing QBs and coaches in the playoffs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Value of College Coaching Jobs

(00:35 - 05:19)

• Dan discusses the rumor of Curt Cignetti being a possible NFL target (Las Vegas Raiders), alongside his quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a “package deal.”

• The crew marvels at the idea that staying at Indiana University could now be more attractive — and lucrative — than jumping to the NFL.

• “The fact that the head coach at Indiana football is going to be the highest paid coach in America is remarkable... That’s wild.” (Dan Patrick, 04:36)

• Paulie lists past college coaches who tried their hand in the NFL, noting how rare it is for top college coaches to resist the pros (Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, etc.).

• “Modern day coach is moving… Eventually, if he takes an NFL job… it feels like that's inevitable now.” (Dan Patrick, 03:30)

Memorable Quote:

“Why would you leave and forego eligibility in college football and go to the pros when you’re not a surefire first round pick?” (Marvin, 05:55)

2. Quarterback Carousel & NFL Draft Decisions

(05:19 - 07:32)

• Breaking news: Ty Simpson (Alabama QB) going pro, despite not being a top draft pick.
• Marv and Dan puzzle over why QBs aren’t utilizing the transfer portal to boost their value or NIL earnings, rather than declare for the draft prematurely.
• Concerns about this year’s thin QB draft—“somebody has to be the third quarterback taken this year” (Paulie, 06:28)

3. Transfer Portal, NIL, and College Football’s Legal Gray Zones

(07:32 - 12:18; Revisited at 19:03)

• Demond Williams Jr. (Washington QB) signs a contract to stay—then enters the transfer portal days later. Now, Washington is exploring legal action to enforce the deal (value: over $5 million).
• Paulie’s contact at On3Sports suggests these “contracts” may not begin until the portal closes, allowing wiggle room amid portal chaos.
• The Danettes lampoon the hypocrisy of outrage over players breaking contracts when schools do it all the time.
  • Quote: “We’re breaking contracts at the highest of levels in college athletics.” (Dan Patrick, 12:12)
• Satirical segment on portal dates (the “Portal Potty,” 12:23), underlying how convoluted and fluid the transfer process has become.

4. Fashion Break: Dan’s “Burnt Orange” Top

(13:11 - 16:10)

• Lighthearted banter about Dan’s shirt color—suggesting “burnt orange,” “caliente,” “sienna,” or even “fall leaf.” The crew compares it to Texas Longhorns colors.
  • Quote: “If you were in the stands at a game, you would fit right in… You would be a Longhorn.” (Seaton, 14:06)

5. Meaningless Bets & Show Jests

(16:10 - 17:30)

• The Danettes joke about previous bets, pie-to-the-face punishments, “dad jeans,” and prophesying Arch Manning’s Heisman future.

6. Tony Dungy Joins: NFL Coaching Turmoil & Playoff Pressure

Interview Begins ~19:14

On the John Harbaugh Firing

(20:13 - 22:53)

• Tony Dungy expresses bewilderment at the Baltimore Ravens firing John Harbaugh after a sustained run of success:

  • “You look at the stats and what they’ve done… Why are you in trouble? …Hope they get a better coach than John Harbaugh. I’m not sure they will.” (Tony Dungy, 21:08)

• Dungy reflects on his own firing in Tampa after repeated playoff trips, noting sometimes teams want “a change for change’s sake.”

Where Next for Harbaugh?

(22:53 - 24:28)

• Dungy highlights Atlanta as an attractive destination for Harbaugh: good core, winnable division, strong defense.
• John Harbaugh advised to avoid the New York Giants due to “drama” and difficult press.

Strength of NFL Organizations

(24:28 - 27:20)

• Dungy extols the Steelers’ continuity, recalling his powerful sit-down with Art Rooney.

• Warns about volatile situations: “The Browns would make me nervous… that’s a dicey threesome there” (ownership, GM, QB uncertainty).

• Dan points out owners often meddle without football acumen; Dungy agrees, saying organizational vision is key.

  “Owners have to have a sense of what they’re looking for… It’s more than just money… What do you want?” (Tony Dungy, 26:30)

QBs & Coaches Under Playoff Pressure

(27:20 - 29:36)

• AFC: Josh Allen and Justin Herbert pegged as QBs under highest pressure.

  • “You’ve been Superman in the past. We need Superman again.” (Dungy on Allen, 27:44)

• NFC: Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold mentioned, with Dan highlighting Trevor Lawrence’s expectations.

• Coaches: Mike Tomlin tops the pressure list, mainly due to “narrative” and restless fanbase.

  “If they lose, it’ll be, ‘Oh, it’s the same narrative: we’re not very good… you lost another playoff game.’” (Tony Dungy, 29:03)

7. Listener Calls & Final Hot Takes

(30:14 - 41:39)

• Callers offer speculation on John Harbaugh’s future, coaching “best years,” Lane Kiffin’s contract success, and contemplate “fall leaf” as the name for Dan’s shirt color.
• The Danettes jokingly discuss QBs, Kirk Cousins’ future, and over-involved owners.
• Paulie shares sports trivia about the Harlem Globetrotters’ origins.

8. Rapid Fire: Super Bowl MVP Odds and Playoff Lines

(35:31 - 37:46)

• Dan shares DraftKings’ early Super Bowl MVP odds:
  • Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford top the betting charts.
  • “If I would have said to you back in August… Sam Darnold has the best odds to be the Super Bowl MVP!” (Dan Patrick, 36:44)
• Line shifts for playoff games and speculation about coach firings if teams lose.

Notable Quotes (with timestamps)

• “The fact that the head coach at Indiana football is going to be the highest paid coach in America is remarkable... That’s wild.”
  — Dan Patrick (04:36)

• “Why would you leave and forego eligibility in college football and go to the pros when you’re not a surefire first round pick?”
  — Marvin (05:55)

• “We’re breaking contracts at the highest of levels in college athletics.”
  — Dan Patrick (12:12)

• “You look at the stats and what they’ve done… Why are you in trouble? …Hope they get a better coach than John Harbaugh. I’m not sure they will.”
  — Tony Dungy (21:08)

• “If you were in the stands at a game, you would fit right in… You would be a Longhorn.”
  — Seaton (14:06)

• “Owners have to have a sense of what they’re looking for… It’s more than just money… What do you want?”
  — Tony Dungy (26:30)

• “If they lose, it’ll be, ‘Oh, it’s the same narrative: we’re not very good… you lost another playoff game.’”
  — Tony Dungy (29:03)

• “If I would have said to you back in August… Sam Darnold has the best odds to be the Super Bowl MVP!”
  — Dan Patrick (36:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:35 | Curt Cignetti’s NFL prospects, college coach pay | | 05:19 | Ty Simpson goes pro, QB draft speculation | | 07:32 | NIL, Transfer Portal, Demond Williams contract | | 13:11 | Dan’s “burnt orange” shirt debate | | 19:03 | Williams update, intro Tony Dungy | | 20:13 | Dungy on John Harbaugh firing | | 22:53 | Harbaugh’s next job speculation (Atlanta, Giants)| | 24:28 | Organizational stability: Steelers, Browns, Raiders| | 27:20 | Playoff pressure: QBs & coaches | | 30:14 | Listener calls: Harbaugh, coach speculation | | 35:31 | Super Bowl MVP odds, playoff point spreads | | 41:39 | Harlem Globetrotters trivia, show wrap |

Conclusion

This episode captures the chaotic inflection point in both college and NFL football, with candid talk about the instability of coaching jobs, the wild west of NIL and transfer rules, and the mounting pressure on top quarterbacks. Tony Dungy’s measured, old-school perspective offers a rare steadiness amid the sport’s “change-for-change's-sake” mentality. Interspersed, the show maintains its trademark locker-room banter and humor—from shirt color debates to roastings of fellow Danettes—providing an engaging listen even for casual sports fans.