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Gary Danielson
This is an iHeart podcast.
Dan Patrick
Guaranteed Human. You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on FOX Sports Radio. Happy new year gangs. All here ready to go. Final hour, we'll talk to the great Steve Young, hall of Famer and the great college football analyst Gary Danielson calling games for 36 years. We'll talk to Gary. Coming up, we have a new poll question for the final hour of the program. Good morning. If you're watching on Peacock, thank you for downloading the app to watch the program. And we say good morning to our radio affiliates including iHeartradio, Fox Sports Radio, over 400 cities that carry this award nominated program. If you're just joining us, the Browns will need a new head coach. Kevin Stefanski has been fired. The Cincinnati Bengals announced that they were not firing anybody. Still waiting to see what happens in a couple of spots including the Miami Dolphins. And John Harbaugh is at a tenuous situation with Baltimore. The Raiders with Pete Carroll feels like that's obvious, that they will move on from him. And trying to think if we had Albert Brear, the Monday morning quarterback on, he thought that Arizona might keep Jonathan Gannon. But it feels like there's a few things that are, you know, it, there's openings, potential openings. But then you also have to go, well, who are we bringing in? Like, who is better than the person that we have? And maybe that's what the Bengals thought or they want to be fair. They want to, you know, have a healthy roster there. I don't know if John Harbaugh is going to stay. What happens to Mike Tomlin if they bow out in the first round. They're an underdog by the way. Texans are favored by 3 1/2 at the Steelers. The Rams are favored by nine and a half in Carolina. Packers on the road favored by one and a half. Bills one and a half against the Jags. The Niners getting three and a half against the Eagles and the Chargers getting three and a half. Eight, seven seven, three DP show college football lines Miami against Ole Miss. Miami is a 3 1/2 point favorite. Oregon is getting four against Indiana as we make the segue to Gary Danielson, longtime CBS college football analyst. Final broadcast New Year's Eve with Arizona State and Duke, former NFL quarterback as well. Does it feel like you're retired?
Gary Danielson
Not really because I usually have, you know, these three or four or five months off before I get going. However, and it was a year long, really nice schedule. In fact that every game we did I was treated royally, saluted, heard from everybody I've ever known every week, basically. And I know our crew and the CBS family went out of their way to make it a great finish for me.
Dan Patrick
The Army Navy game, you know, that brings out the best in you. What is it about that game?
Gary Danielson
I guess in a world that's so transactional for everybody, including me, when I was, you know, working my way and trying to make the NFL, I mean, I was just so focused on trying to make that league that I grew up wanting to do. These are all players that have dedicated their life to something more than just themselves and their careers. They dedicated their lives to their country. But in contrast, and along with that, they cared so much about football, and everybody involved in that game because of that, cared so much about making that presentation special for them. And the game seemed to always deliver. You know, when I first started doing was the first year, it was a standalone game. And I think the country kind of learned to love that game. I don't know how much longer it's going to be there, but I feel such, when I did those games, an added sense of responsibility to send those guys off because they loved the game so much.
Dan Patrick
Did the College Football Playoff committee get it right?
Gary Danielson
I think so. I mean, instead of arguing who was the fourth or fifth team or the, you know, who's the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th team, as they got bigger, Dan, I think you can agree with this. They're becoming a thinner and thinner difference between who could be in the playoffs or not. Usually when there was two teams, it was pretty easy. Maybe one other team. When there were four teams, it usually was, what conference doesn't get their champion involved? And. And now it was, you know, whether a game in August mattered to determine who played in January or the end of December. So I think for the most part, everybody involved took it seriously. I do think it could be improved. Everything can be improved. I think the home field advantage, I know talking to a lot of coaches off the record, felt that it would be better to play a home game in the first round than get a bye. And I think that's proven out. I thought Ohio State was a little flat in their game, so not taking anything away from everybody. But for the most part, you know, people like to watch games of consequence. You know, that's what I started off doing in my whole broadcasting career. Ended up the last 20 at CBS. But it felt like every Saturday in the SEC for 18 years, we were the center of attention and people like to watch games like that.
Dan Patrick
Yeah, I just wonder where we're going because you know, we're talking March Madness where we want to. Well, not me, but it feels like they want to expand. There's more money there. Even with college football. We haven't got to 16. We haven't been at 12 very long. Now we're talking 16, which will probably happen next year. Then they're going to extrapolate and go, well, why don't we go to 24? Like, I just don't know what the number is. I remember when march madness was 32 teams, Gary.
Steve Young
Right?
Dan Patrick
We never stop. We never. You know, the NFL was going to move to 18 games. This is what we do. So I wonder, college football, where do you see us in five years?
Gary Danielson
I think there will at least be 16 teams, and it could be bigger than that, where 18 to get a buy and they include more. I don't know exactly how it'll be, but here's what I feel overall about this. Freedom and capitalism have a. Have a great way of figuring things out, okay? And it ends up going to the perfect spot, the perfect price point. And, you know, it used to be unless you had a major conglomerate around you, you know, when you started was through ESPN, and now guys like you or Pat McAfee or people starting podcasts, they have the freedom to go out there and build their own brand and do what they have to do. And I thought college football kind of got stuck where all the great players were gravitating to 8, 10, 12 schools. I remember I did a seminar at CBS maybe four or five years ago, and they asked us to pick our top 10 going into 2019 or something like that. And I went and sought out the old Life magazine when they had their pre or Sports illustrated preseason top 10 from the year I graduated from high school. And eight of the 10 teams were the exact same 10 teams that were preseason this year. And I put it up as my top 10. And there was a team that didn't belong, and what do you do? And I go, oh, I'm sorry, I put the wrong one up. I think it's better now. Is it perfect? No. But here's another thing, because there's more money in it, basically more of these athletes are training harder. They're getting individual teachers, they're going out and having seven on seven leagues. And there's just a lot more players that were stuck in Division 2 or in the Mac that are now getting their chance to go to these major colleges that we watch on tv. They're not all bad football players. I mean, Trinidad Shambles, great example My buddy covered him in high school football when he was in the state championship set. He was good, but not ready for Michigan. Well, he went to Ferris, put in a couple more years and look where he is now. So I just feel there's more opportunity and I think it's better than having Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, having three good quarterbacks and six good offensive tackles that those guys spread out. So I don't think there's that much bad about it.
Dan Patrick
Longtime CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson joining us. Can this year's Hoosiers supplant the movie? Hoosiers? The basketball team is a better story.
Gary Danielson
Whoa, whoa, that's a great question. And I just saw that Bobby Plump was just at the Butler game, 89 years old. I don't know if you saw that little clip of him, you know, and he looked like he could still shoot to me, the way he was waving his hand around, that would be tougher. I think doing a story about six people and a coach is harder than doing it, you know, for as many as there. But hey, listen, we've all. I mean, I'm a Purdue guy, you know, and I, I see IU fans everywhere and I'm a bit jealous and I'm a bit in awe at the same time that, you know, I couldn't have that storyline when I was playing, because it is. And, and I see the fans and they're so proud and they got their IU jerseys on and their hats and I kid them a little bit by selling this. This would be basketball jerseys and basketball hats by now, but no, they are all in. And they're really, really a good football team. Dan. I turned on their tape to do the Oregon game when they played at Oregon, and I just, like, they were considered a fraud from 2020 for their finish. And I thought it would have been hard for anybody to go into Ohio State or go into Notre Dame and beat them. And the more you watch those games, they weren't frauds, but they weren't ready for the big time stage yet. And, and I just thought they were focused this year. And when they, when I flipped on the tape and watched the different layers, how the defensive linemen work for the linebackers, the three linebackers, they, they have, I mean, it's like watching the old Pittsburgh Steelers with Lambert and, you know, those guys. And I mean, they're really, really good football players and they got a special quarterback and a coach that knows how to lead them. And I don't listen, all four teams could easily win these games. And win the championship. But I know Oregon will be very focused for this football game. When Indiana beat him last time in Oregon, which is a tough place to play, Oregon was just coming off of their celebration for beating Penn State. And honestly, when we did our interviews, I was struck about that they really couldn't get off the Penn State story. They were so proud of going there, winning with 110,000 and they seemed to not take IU serious. I think they're going to take serious for this guy.
Dan Patrick
Best college player you ever saw.
Gary Danielson
I would have to say Cam Newton to tell you, and I've seen a bunch of great ones. I thought he had a team that might won four or five games with without him and he let him in the sec. He was, I knew of him when he was at Florida and when he left, I've seen a bunch of them that, that were great, no doubt about it. But if you, if I had to pick one in one season, what he did, I thought Cam was amazing in that year. I think the highest nil player, if they were in today's world for his four years would have been Tim Tebow. He. He broke out my first year in 2006, won the Heisman in 07 and stayed all four years. I think he could have made a lot of money if he played a game today.
Dan Patrick
Can college football have a commissioner?
Gary Danielson
That's a great question. And I don't know, it's funny. I have a really good friend that runs a managing partner for a big law firm all over the state of Florida, and he's a big college football fan. And I said, Mike, you could take your three smartest lawyers and bring three or four of the best football, college football minds into a room. And I think you'd have a tough time figuring out how to put someone in charge with all the different and all way people have. What's important to the Big Ten or the Big 12 is not important. You know, everybody has their own dynamics of what will make this thing go. And to make it fair, like the NFL where, you know, things go, then the Big Ten of the SEC would have to cede a lot of power. And I don't know if they're willing to do that.
Dan Patrick
Thank you for caring. Appreciate it.
Gary Danielson
I, I would like to say that, you know, our, our. Our end was not exactly the way we planned it. Okay. And a lot of people put a lot of work into it. Just like any person. I was very focused on what I wanted to say at the end. And we got squished a little bit in time. And it was really nobody's fault, probably me. I was the last one that had the mic, you know, and I could have got it. But.
Dan Patrick
What did you want to say?
Gary Danielson
It was not really what. I just wanted to compose myself and thank my families, you know, my football families, the teams that I was on. I, you know, that my Purdue family, my Lyon family, my Browns family, my ABC ESPN family. I did not thank them. There's 30, 40, 50 people that I could have thanked in those 16 years and of course, my CBS family. And I also wanted to tell Charles Davis, who's taken my spot, that this crew turned head over heels for make my last year great and that last day great. And that Todd Blackledge sat in the seat before me. I've been lucky enough for 20 years and these people will all do the same work for you. Good luck, Charles. It's a great seat to have.
Dan Patrick
Awesome.
Gary Danielson
But it takes too long, though.
Dan Patrick
Yeah, I was, I was going to cut you off, Gary. You were going too long.
Gary Danielson
You know what, you know what they do to a quarterback if you rush them? They throw interceptions and I threw an interception.
Dan Patrick
Good luck in whatever's next, but thank you. Thank you. We appreciate it, Gary.
Gary Danielson
Thanks for having me on.
Dan Patrick
Gary Danielson, longtime CBS college football analyst, is probably the best compliment. Now, I hope he took it that way, that he cared when I, when I listened to a game, when I watched a game, he cared. And you know, it's not just the Army Navy game that that's an easy one to get invested in. Not every game's a great game, but it's the people who are doing the games that they care about those games. We'll take a break. Steve Young will join us next. We'll try to sneak in a few more of your phone calls. It is a Monday, best and worst of the weekend. We're back after this. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific, Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Gary Danielson
Hey, it's Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington from the Odd Couple on Fox Sports Radio.
Dan Patrick
And in addition to hearing us live weeknights from 7 to 10pm Eastern on.
Steve Young
Fox Sports Radio, we are excited to announce brand new YouTube channel for the show.
Gary Danielson
That's right, you can now watch the Odd couple live on YouTube every day.
Steve Young
All you got to do, search Odd.
Dan Patrick
Couple FSR on YouTube.
Steve Young
YouTube again, YouTube. Just search Odd Couple FSR. Check us out on YouTube and subscribe.
Dan Patrick
The show is not officially over the Week not officially over until Friday, right around noon Eastern time. That's when I take out a Miller Light and I open it up, and it's legendary moments. Start with Miller Light. You're guaranteed great taste. They've been doing this for 50 years. The original light beer since 1975 and still iconic more than 50 years later. It's a great taste. You take a sip, you look around at your friends, and you go, yep, that was the right call. There's a moment of connecting with people, just like my holiday party coming up over the weekend. Miller Lite on tap. Yes, indeed. It's Miller time. Legendary moments. Go to millerlight.com Patrick. You'll find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller, like, pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Miller time. Always a good time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Try to get to some more phone calls here. Best and worst of the weekend. What you saw that you liked, you didn't like. We'll update the poll results as well. Final hour of the program. He might be a Hall of Famer, he might be one of the best NFL analysts in America, but he was not able to beat Jay Chandler and Darien in the high school championship game. Steve Young joining us on the program. Hi, Steve.
Steve Young
Beautiful, Dan. Thank you. Yeah, yeah. In fact, y', all, Greenwich High School, all those passing records are my brothers. So, yeah, just to add a little bit more ignominy. Is that right? Ignominy. Whatever.
Dan Patrick
What happened? I mean, Jay Chandler went out to Princeton. Notable career in finance.
Steve Young
You know, Dan, it's a question that I wasn't ready for. I think that the blue wave of Darien just outclassed us that day. I don't know what else to say. You know, I don't know what else to say.
Dan Patrick
Which. Which town is richer, Greenwich or Darien?
Steve Young
Hey, look, I told you a thousand times, I grew up in the mean streets of Greenwich. I battled my way out of there. Do not try to change my narrative.
Dan Patrick
Oh, you had Tattered Vineyard vine shirts, didn't you? Like, yeah.
Steve Young
People. You know, I played my. You know, I played a lot of guys, you know, from all over the country, and they like, where you from? Greenwich, Connecticut. What's that like, man? It's tough. It's. It's. I try to play it up because if they ever found out.
Dan Patrick
All right, let's handicap this. If you had to pick between. Well, I. I'm gonna leave the Niners out of this Seahawks and Rams, they have the two best odds to win the Super Bowl. Who would you pick right now?
Steve Young
Well, watching the Seahawks of the day, I think just moment, I don't know just how they're playing right this second. It felt like the Seahawks were built defensively to just, I mean, they're just vicious. And then the way they're running the football in bad weather and as long as, look, to me, as long as Sam doesn't turn it over, which has been a huge problem this year, they're going to be just fine. I mean, that'd be a heck of a game right now, I'm gonna be honest with you. But, and I. Look, Matthew Stafford is abusing the system today. I mean, he, we talked about this before. He grew up in a more sophisticated era. He is just. Everybody's open in his mind, you know, like everybody just. And then, you know, who's doing his. I mean, it's just there's, it'd be a great game. And I, I, it's unfortunate it won't be a Super bowl because of course they're both the nfc, but right now, both are playing really well.
Dan Patrick
I did think about this. With Miles Garrett setting the single season sack record of LT and Reggie White are probably considered the two greatest defensive players of all time. Would you, would you say that?
Steve Young
I would say yes to that. And I would say Reggie was unique. Both of them were unique. But Reggie is. You had to meet Reggie to know that he was 6, 6, 3. His football card said 290, which tells me that he was 400. Like, you know, you, you didn't, you know, you're a liar. But he was all of it. Like, he was, he was, he shouldn't play quarterback. I mean, he's just that great of an athlete. Not to take any away from lt, but you had to. You had to get me Reggie. You had to play against him. You had to hear him, you know, screaming as he, like he snapped the balls at Hood and you know, you hear him yell. And then here he comes, he's, he's throwing people out of the way and, and then there, you know, there he was.
Dan Patrick
So is he the greatest defensive player of all time? Like, people want to put Miles Garrett in that conversation and I want to be fair to Miles as well. But Reggie to me was. And, and Mean Joe Green was probably in there as well. I know that was before you were playing, but LT changed the game.
Steve Young
LP was all of that, so don't. I'm. Look, I, we can talk about LT for 5 minutes if you want to as well. But I. I saw Reggie so much, you know, just. He was just so. He was just one of a kind. And. I mean. Lt was as well. But, yeah, Miles is. Look, the problem with Miles is he plays for the Cleveland Browns, and no one gets to really appreciate how singular he is.
Dan Patrick
And.
Steve Young
And especially in this time of year. I mean, you know, Reggie and. LT made lot of their money and a lot of their reputation in January, February, you know, and that just. That's. That's the game, right? That's where you really do make reputation. So that's what's. You know, I even. Talking about Miles, like, I want to see him play next week. You know, I mean, I want to see him when. When, you know, just all on the line and there he is, you know, so that's the only difference. It feels like.
Dan Patrick
How much do you hear these guys? You said you could hear Reggie White, but I, like, I'm thinking you got tunnel vision and tunnel hearing, but there were certain guys you could hear.
Steve Young
Nah. Yeah, that's pretty. You're right. It's like a lot of white noise. And behind you, you know, like, even though. Even the crowd feels like it's just a minor, you know, it's a faceless orb kind of thing. Like, I. I just. To me, you're right. But Reggie was unique because, look, all week long, Wednesday morning, he's like, okay, we play the packers, we play the Eagles, and Reggie white from Tennessee, 66340. And, yeah, you can't block them. And what are we gonna do? And I'll get. Well, like, six guys, and we'll just surround him, you know? And then. What about the others? Don't worry about these guys. We just take Reggie. So then you talk about it all week, right? And the linemen are all getting fired up. And then. And so because of that, he was just. He was always focused on. And then he was. He was screaming. He had a voice like. I can't even make a voice like his. Like, you can't go that deep, you know, how you doing? And so you could hear him. He was screaming, and then you could hear him coming. Then he was there. And, you know, I always make fun of it, but it is kind of funny. Like, you drop back and you're like, oh, here he is. You know, it was great. He was. He was a friend. He. We didn't see each other very often. He had a chance to talk. We were great friends when we come out of college together. My dad helped him find an agent. And we were. We were kind of got very close. And so all the time we played, he didn't give me an inch. He was coming for it. But then as soon as he got me, he'd hold me, fall back, and he'd be like, steve, how you doing? I'm like, bro, I'm not feeling very good right now. Are your parents here tonight? I'm like, rich, I don't want to talk to you right now.
Dan Patrick
We're talking to the hall of Famer, Steve Young. The Raiders have just fired Pete Carroll. What do they expect?
Steve Young
Well, Pete, you know, list. Pete's an organized guy. Pete has inspired, you know, he's an inspiration. He. I think you. In today's game, you have. You look at the playoffs. It is Sean Payton, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Andy Reid. And any from the fruit of those coaching trees is dominating the NFL today offensively and offensively is the game. They keep changing the rules against defense. Defense is important. There's no question. I mean, there's some great defenses out there despite it all, but the game is dominated by innovative young offensive minds. And so, you know, I love Pete. He's one of my favorite guys, favorite coaches, and I don't think. I still think he could do it, but he's got to get that help around him that responds to what's happening right now, today. And then you got the talent, and you have. No, look, we keep. I would say, Dan, there's equity owners in the NFL. They're untouchable because they're the equity owners. Like you can't. The most viable people in America are the quarterback number one, the coach number two, and the general manager number three. And the guy that cannot be fired is the guy that's the most impactful is the owner. And I think you got to get that straightened out, too, because you keep going around to carry. Look at the Jets. Look at the teams that keep going around in a carousel failure. They have to. They have to look at themselves at some point.
Dan Patrick
The Browns fired Kevin Stefanski. I'm wondering if you're a coach, how you're going into a situation where. Do you know if you have a quarterback? Did you get enough of a sample size with Shador Sanders where you're not. You're not going to take the job because of Shador, but are you walking into a situation where you might be playing Shador Sanders?
Steve Young
Yeah. And that's. You know, it's tough right now because it's a developmental project, and he is a project and he's got a lot of talent. So. And you don't know how projects are always going to turn out. Let's look at Drake May. They took a. That's a project, but that's not a project anymore. And, and so that's the tough spot. Like I just said, if you're a young, innovative mind coming from one of those coaching trees that's figured it out, it's felt that, it's seen it and then you have someone who can play. Look what happened in Chicago, look what happened in Jacksonville, look what happened even in Carolina a little bit. I mean, it's better than it was. You're in a pretty good spot. But you know, if you've got someone new that has not is unproven, you really don't have a chance unless you have. Look at the playoffs again, look at this weekend and look at the guys that are leading it and the dynamic. And Shador has that dynamic play in him. But he's going to need, he needs innovative minds to come teach him and take out the full measure of who he is. Right now, we just don't know what that is.
Dan Patrick
73 games were decided by three points or less this season. That's tied for the second most in NFL history. Is that a good thing?
Steve Young
Yeah. League loves it. That's what they want.
Dan Patrick
Well, I know the league loves it because they, they want parody. They want a team like Carolina to make the play, want everybody to have hope.
Steve Young
Yeah.
Dan Patrick
And their games are always close. They want that.
Steve Young
And again, in the name of safety, we've changed the game. And I think it probably has. They responded to the. They were afraid that someone was going to die in the field if people keep launching their bodies as missiles into each other. And so they changed the game, slowed it down. And despite the speed and the athleticism, it's just a more wide open game. And I've said this since they made the changes, it's like the NBA more and more even. It gets more and more like that. Look at the Pittsburgh Baltimore game last night. Like it's, it's the big names in the game, the closers with a minute and a half or two minutes left. And that's like, oh, it's on. And then down the field, down the field, down the field, score, score, score. That wasn't the way the game was before. You had a 10 point lead the fourth quarter. You kind of locked it up. Now it's like, it's just. And it's like the NBA if you have a Closer, you got a chance, and you're better than. Better than none. So the fact that more games that finish him at three points, that's kind of where the game is today. It's wide open, it's wild, it's awesome. Anyone before any of us older guys are like, dang, I've said this to you many times, like, I want to play.
Dan Patrick
Okay. Did you say that you could play in the NFL now recently, if it.
Steve Young
Was Hunger Games and it was like, you have to go out there or you. You're dead. You die. You know, I could throw a screen. I could throw a slide. I mean, you know, stop at this. I'm going to. But. But, yeah, I could still throw it around a little bit. Like, oh, I've been getting killed on that. Like, I don't sue me up. I'm not ready to go get. But if it was that or die, okay.
Dan Patrick
If I had a draft of quarterbacks over the age of 55. Are you going number one? Yeah.
Steve Young
I'm telling you, Dan. So like a nutcase. Where are you going with it? I feel like crazy, man.
Dan Patrick
I know.
Steve Young
Yeah. Yeah. I am number. Like, in the supplemental draft, I'm number one.
Dan Patrick
Brett Favre is 56. Do you think you're a better quarterback now than Favre? I don't know.
Steve Young
How's his arm?
Dan Patrick
I mean, you know, oh, you've seen those in the backyard. And he's killing people and he's throwing Jerry Rice, your guy.
Steve Young
But I can still.
Dan Patrick
He took Jerry Rice from you.
Steve Young
Yeah. I could still escape.
Dan Patrick
You need copper fit is what you need.
Steve Young
Slow motion escape.
Dan Patrick
Any problem with any. Any problem with Troy Aikman helping the Dolphins find a head coach?
Steve Young
You've heard me complain about this, how football's dumb. We don't take. I mean, we, as players, we used to watch the draft and watch our team draft and go. And then we go to the first minicamp and always look around. Fifteen minutes, everyone's like, oh, he sucks. You know, and it's like, well, how is it that we know that? How is it that we. Like, they have scouting deep, you know, deep bench of scouts throughout the year, going all over the country, shifting through everything, and you don't draw on the guys.
Dan Patrick
Wait, you could tell in 15 minutes when you first saw a draft pick.
Steve Young
Okay. I might be conflating it slightly.
Dan Patrick
Okay.
Steve Young
But the idea is true.
Dan Patrick
You knew Jerry Rice was going to be great. The first 15 minutes you saw.
Steve Young
You saw that everyone conceived. Everyone has got to go through. But we get that is the NFL.
Dan Patrick
Okay.
Steve Young
But. But you can just tell the guy loves the game, has the aptitude for it. It's got that talent, got that, that, you know, all the intangibles that we play it with, things that you can't even explain, and the idea that we don't draw on that feels crazy to me. And like, why aren't we to have. And then. Look, not every guy on the team had that sensibility, but there's always a handful of guys that you'd want to have in the room.
Dan Patrick
Why aren't you a team president?
Steve Young
I. I don't know. I ran from the game. I don't know. I just. We. That's what Roger Staubach told me to do. He said, I do. Roger, what do I, what do you. What's the advice for transition? He goes run. You know, I go run. Where he goes, just run away. The game will never leave you, but you got to leave it.
Dan Patrick
And would you like to be involved in an organization?
Steve Young
I think everybody who played probably has a sense that they could be helpful.
Dan Patrick
You know, have the Niners reach out to you.
Steve Young
Like John lynch, my good buddies running the 49ers. Why are, you know, there's a, there's a, there's a spirit to it. Like the 49ers are back in the playoffs again. The last eight years since they were there. Look at the record. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, I mean, and it's not, not everybody who played is successful at that job. But you asked me about Troyman helping the Miami Dolphins, I'm like, yeah, that can't, that can't be a bad idea.
Dan Patrick
Troy is 59. Are you a better coach?
Steve Young
I can outrun him. I can spit out and make a play, you know, Come on, come on.
Dan Patrick
Are you a better quarterback than Marino?
Steve Young
You know, when I went to. I was my senior year, I went to recruitership to Army, West Point, and they played pit. Freshman quarterback. Dan Marino threw a laser about 40 yards right in front of me. I was a senior in high school. Like, holy crap. This is, this is what college is like. I'm finished.
Dan Patrick
And Marino's. What? He didn't move when he played. So he's going to be standing back. He's 64. Marino could probably still direct. Like a two minute drill.
Steve Young
Yeah, that'd be funny. It's like it's going to be all old guy. That's amazing.
Dan Patrick
I like it. I didn't even throw Montana in there.
Steve Young
Yeah, well, you know, look, to me, the game, that's what Happens with the changes in the game. When, when Tom Brady told me four or five years ago when he was at Tampa, we were on the field before the game, he goes, steve, the game is amazing, right? It's changed so much. Like, the flats are always open the middle of the field. It's unpatrolled and no one can hit me. So the fact that anyone that's ever played before would say, oh, put me in, you know, and so that's, that's just a natural thing. It's not like we're like, get off my lawn kind of old guy. Like, that's just like, you see the game today and you see the game that I played in the game that's being played today and all the guys in the playoffs this year, they have to run around. It's, it's normal. It's not an oddity. It's a beautiful thing. Like you're, you're better than ever. If you're, you know, used to be your scrambler, I can't stand you. You run around, you know, now like, you know, it all came. It's like I'm missed it by 20 years now.
Dan Patrick
Roger Stallbach is 83.
Steve Young
He could still do it. Yeah.
Dan Patrick
Good to talk to you once again. Not a better high school player apparently than Jay Chandler, but Jay Chandler right.
Steve Young
Now somewhere calling all his buddies. My die, my moment.
Dan Patrick
The blue wave of Darien dominated you. Wow.
Steve Young
Yeah, yeah. But you know, Greenwich High School state champs again this year. State champs again. So listen, I'm just going to spin it back on top of you, Dan.
Dan Patrick
Thank you, Steve.
Steve Young
See you, buddy.
Dan Patrick
Steve Young hall of Famer. I didn't think we were going to get into best quarterbacks over the age of 55, but. Oh, that was good. He's such a good analyst, man. He is. He's one of my favorites. All right, take a break. Last call for phone calls. What we learn what's in store tomorrow. Back after this. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows@foxsportsradio.com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live. I mentioned the stat. 73 games were decided by 3 points or less this season. That is tied for the second most in NFL history. 61 of the 73 games were decided by a game winning score in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime. Second most in NFL history. And one other number seven of the eight division winners are different from last season. That's tied for the most in NFL History. Brought to you by Panini America, the official trading course. Guards of the program, Reggie Miller and the new Michigan head coach, Kyle Winningham will be joining us on the program. Yes, Paul, with all those close games.
Gary Danielson
I've heard a lot of people on the social medias complain that the end of games are getting a little easy to tie it up or win it.
Steve Young
With long field goals.
Gary Danielson
If you get a touchback, you're at the 35. You need what, 25 yards to get into field goal territory if you have.
Steve Young
A high end kicker.
Gary Danielson
Now that was debunked last night with the Ravens.
Steve Young
But people are thinking, a lot of.
Gary Danielson
People think that the end of game comebacks are a little too easy with the field goal.
Dan Patrick
Well, they do want that. I mean, the NFL is getting what it wants. This is by design. Once again, the Raiders have fired Pete Carroll. He assigned a three year deal a year ago and they ended up with the NFL's worst record. And now they look for a new head coach. By the way, we have talked about Marty Supreme Seaton and Fritzi and myself all got to see it over the holidays. There is a scene where Timothy Chalamet gets spanked with a ping pong paddle. And I found that he actually did get spanked with a ping pong battle panel. So that's a method actor. That's how you win an academy Award right there. But who is it? Kevin. Kevin o' Leary from Shark Tank. Yeah, he's plays this kind of bad guy, this character in there. A big role. He has a huge role. Very big role in the movie. He does pretty well. Yes, he did. He did a really good job. And he's the one spanking with the paddle. When I first saw him, I was like, oh God, this guy. What the hell? Nickname Mr. Wonderful. Yeah, I'm like this dude now. He actually did really well. Yeah, Tyler, the creator was great. Yes, he was fantastic. Gwyneth Paltrow was very good. She was great. Yeah, there are a lot of cameos in there. We're not cameos. There are a lot of smaller roles in there. But get ready though. I thought it was awesome. But see it in a movie theater. Yeah, that's definitely a movie theater kind of movie. All right, let me get a couple of phone calls in here. David in Ohio. David, thank you for holding as always.
Steve Young
You're welcome, Dan.
Dan Patrick
Happy New year. Best of the weekend or the break was, I guess you could say that.
Steve Young
Miami Hurricane spanked the Ohio State Buckeyes. So that was mine and.
Dan Patrick
And it was really Great to see a football team win a playoff game in at and T Stadium.
Steve Young
Thank you.
Dan Patrick
Alrighty, David, another shot. Another shot at the Cowboys. Jared in Milwaukee. Hi, Jared.
Steve Young
Hey, D.P. how are you?
Dan Patrick
Hey, buddy. Hey.
Steve Young
Well, first of all, first long time, 175 down from 235 about 10 months ago. Best of the weekend has to be that Sunday nighter thought it was a fantastic end of the season. Worst of the weekend for me was, you know, Gary Danielson just a little bit ago was talking about he's not the worst by the way. He was talking about playing games of consequence. All these teams were playing games for seating for playoffs and they sat their guys. Houston sat their guys in the second half. Buffalo didn't play their guys. No offense to your to the Danette who was cheering on Mitch Trubisky. I don't know. I was confused by that. Why? You know, the Eagles sat there guys and ended up not getting the two seats. I was confused by that and was kind of curious your thoughts.
Dan Patrick
We talked about that earlier today that, you know, the Eagles are probably thinking, all right, who are we going to get? We're going to get one of these two teams, Niners or Packers. And I guess they opted for they'd rather play the Niners. You know, you're going to rest players. So yeah, I don't. You know, this is styles make a boxing match. Same with an NFL game. There's certain games where you go, man, that team like Miami, I didn't think without physical Ohio State, Indiana and Alabama I thought would be more of a even match physically. That wasn't the case. Miami was far more physical than Ohio State and Indiana was far more physical with Alabama. John in California. Hi, John, thanks for holding. Best and worst of the weekend.
Gary Danielson
Hey, Dan, long time caller.
Steve Young
But it's been a while since I called. My best of the weekend was the fact that football season is almost over. My worst it may be a future for Seaton for a poll is Draymond Green.
Gary Danielson
He's had a bad after holidays.
Steve Young
He's been tossed out of two games and went to his room on one.
Dan Patrick
Yeah, I know, I'm tired of it. Yeah, I know he's hall of Famer. I know that they wouldn't have won the titles without him. But those days are over. Everybody's up in arms about Steve Kerr saying, hey, you know, the reality is we're not better than a lot of these teams out west. I'm paraphrasing. You can't win titles every year. It's enjoy, you know, Stephen Curry while you can because it's going to, you know, come to a close here in a couple of years. But Draymond, it just, it's a tired old act. Yeah.
Steve Young
More he's going to end up being Bill Lambert, where you forget about how.
Dan Patrick
Good of a player he was because.
Steve Young
Of all the extra stuff.
Dan Patrick
Let's go around the room. What we learned on the program. By the way, it was on this day that Bill Cower stepped down. It's the Steeler head coach in 2007, our good buddy. Todd. What'd you learn today?
Gary Danielson
Joining the Falcons, Raheem Morrison, the dismissed head coaches list Kevin Stefanski and Pete Carroll.
Dan Patrick
Seaton, what'd you learn today? Still some hard feelings in Fairfield County, Connecticut high school football. Yeah. Steve Young, I don't know if he appreciated that mention. Marvin, what did you, what did you learn? There's seven ping pong movies. Paul, what did you learn?
Gary Danielson
Darian and Greenwich is a tie financially.
Dan Patrick
Todd, what did I learn?
Gary Danielson
Best college player Gary Danielson ever saw. Cam Newton.
Dan Patrick
Great to be back. Thanks for joining us. Our pleasure to serve you. We'll talk to you tomorrow. Have a great day, everybody.
Gary Danielson
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Dan Patrick
Guaranteed Human.
Date: January 5, 2026
Guests: Gary Danielson (retiring CBS College Football Analyst), Steve Young (NFL Hall of Famer/Analyst)
Host: Dan Patrick
In the final hour of this episode, Dan Patrick welcomes two A-list guests: Gary Danielson, fresh off his final broadcast for CBS as a college football analyst, and NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young. The hour is packed with candid reflections on the state of college football, NFL playoff narratives, the evolution of the sport, and lighthearted banter about athletic legacies and life after football.
Timestamps: 00:02–14:29
Retirement Reflections:
College Football Playoff Critique:
On Parity and Player Opportunity:
Best College Player He’s Seen:
The Need (or Not) for a College Football Commissioner:
What Danielson Wished He’d Said in His Final CBS Sign-off:
Timestamps: 17:11–35:00
High School Football & Self-Deprecation:
NFC Playoff Contenders:
Greatest Defensive Players Discussion:
The Intangibles of Reggie White:
On Coaching Changes & NFL Reality:
On New QBs and Project Prospects:
NFL’s Era of Parity & Close Games:
Tongue-in-Cheek: Could He Still Play?
Why More Former Players Should Input on Personnel:
Timestamps: 35:00–42:31
NFL Parity & Close Game Stats:
Listener Reactions:
Show Recap:
| Segment/Topic | Start | Notable Quotes/Speakers | |---------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------------------------------| | Gary Danielson on Army-Navy & career | 02:21 | “...dedicated their lives to their country.” – Danielson (02:57) | | CFP Playoff debate & future of CFB playoffs | 04:00 | “I think for the most part, everybody...took it seriously.” – Danielson (04:30) | | NIL & player opportunity, spread of talent | 07:10 | “There's more opportunity...” – Danielson | | Best college player seen: Cam Newton/Tebow | 11:11 | “I would have to say Cam Newton...” – Danielson | | On a college football commissioner | 12:03 | “That’s a great question. And I don’t know...” – Danielson | | Steve Young on defensive legends | 19:51 | “Reggie...He was, he shouldn't play quarterback.” – Young | | Modern NFL parity and late-game drama | 26:58 | “That’s kind of where the game is today. It’s wide open, it’s wild, it’s awesome.” – Young | | “Senior” QB draft: Young vs. Aikman, Favre, etc. | 28:34 | “Yeah, I am number—like, in the supplemental draft, I'm number one.” – Young (29:22) | | Roger Staubach's retirement advice | 31:52 | “...the game will never leave you, but you've got to leave it.” – Young |
Gary Danielson:
Steve Young:
This hour is a lively survey of turning points in college and pro football, guided by two insiders with decades of experience. Danielson’s goodbye is gracious and characteristically philosophical, while Young’s analysis and humor spotlight why both continue to resonate with fans well beyond their active careers.
For those who missed the episode:
Expect insight into playoff controversies, the evolution and future of college football, what makes an NFL defense or quarterback truly great, and plenty of good-natured quarterback boasting from a Hall of Famer.