The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 3 – Mike Tomlin on the Hot Seat, Best Week in Sports
Date: December 5, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

The final hour of today’s Dan Patrick Show delivers a lively mix of NFL analysis, college football coaching intrigue, and audience interaction. The main themes include the growing scrutiny around Mike Tomlin’s future with the Steelers, Lane Kiffin’s PR mess despite a lucrative new coaching contract, and debates about who had the best—and worst—week in sports. The show retains its signature balance of insider sports takes, camaraderie, humor, and crowd-sourced opinions, making for an engaging sportstalk experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meat Friday & Housekeeping

• The episode kicks off with Dan and the crew celebrating Meat Friday, joking about indulging in smoked honey-glazed ham, potato latkes, and New England clam chowder.
  • “Who has it better than we do?” – Dan Patrick [03:20]

NFL Playoff Picture & Dallas/Detroit Analysis

Timestamps: 03:41–06:52

• Dan recaps the Lions’ impressive turnaround and the Cowboys’ declining prospects after recent results:

  • Lions’ playoff chances now at 54%, Cowboys down to 7%.
  • Detroit coach Dan Campbell emphasizes “complementary football.”
    • “We played complimentary football. It's what good teams do.” – Dan Campbell (via Todd) [04:21]
  • Dak Prescott pushes back against the “season is over” narrative, vowing a stronger respond.
  • The Lions have won 15 consecutive games following a loss—tying the NFL record.

• LeBron James’ double-digit scoring streak ends, emphasizing its magnitude:

  • “If you combine the top ten active streaks, it would still fall short of LeBron James streak.” – Dan Patrick [07:03]

Lane Kiffin's Tumultuous Week

Timestamps: 07:49–12:22

• A major focus is Lane Kiffin’s rocky exit from Ole Miss and controversial hire by LSU:
  • Despite a massive payday, Kiffin’s public image has tanked due to the way he handled leaving.
    • “Right now his image perception is terrible.” – Dan Patrick [08:52]
  • Kiffin’s attempts at deflecting criticism come off as insincere.
    • “He keeps saying things that aren't true.” – Dan Patrick [09:05]
  • The room debates whether he truly cares about the fallout or just the money.
    • “You have to have incredibly tough skin… the entire sports world turned on him.” – Seaton O’Connor [09:38]
  • LSU’s priorities are clear—“They care about wins and losses. They’re not worried about Lane Kiffin’s personality profile.” – Dan Patrick [11:36]

College Coaching: Matt Campbell & Ambitions

Timestamps: 13:13–14:48

• Callers and crew discuss whether Matt Campbell should leave Iowa State for a bigger stage like Penn State.
  • “Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or go swim in the ocean with the sharks?” – Pete, Caller [13:39]
  • Dan notes the pressure at blue-blood programs: “You win eight games, that's not good enough.” [13:58]

Lions, Stats, and NFL Oddities

Timestamps: 15:21–19:03

• Call-ins include stats comparing emerging players to historical greats.

  • Example: Jahmyr Gibbs matching Barry Sanders’ early career touchdown pace [15:36].

• Field goal debates:

  • Innovative solutions like lasers on goalposts spark conversation.
    • “Why don't we have lasers shooting out the top of the field goals for… measuring field goals?” – Zach, Caller [16:29]
  • Dan argues for respecting placekickers as vital team weapons and against rule changes that “punish excellence.”
    • “If somebody’s good at what they do, it doesn’t mean that you should punish them.” – Dan Patrick [19:03]

Mike Tomlin & Steelers' Hot Seat

Timestamps: 24:30–27:00

• Fire Mike Tomlin chants have erupted in Pittsburgh after recent losses; Dan doubts Tomlin engages with the speculation.
  • “You're not going to hear anything from Mike Tomlin speculating… I think it's going to be ‘we’re on to the next opponent.’” – Dan Patrick [24:45]
  • The panel discusses whether Tomlin should consider moving elsewhere or transitioning to TV.
    • Several NFL teams (Falcons, Browns, Dolphins, Raiders) could have openings if Tomlin wanted to shift [27:08].

Best (and Worst) Week in Sports: Roundtable

Timestamps: 27:44–28:53

• Crew shares their nominees for “best week in sports”:
  • Drake Maye (Patriots), Kalani Sitake (BYU), New York Knicks, Houston Texans.
  • Dan teases upcoming discussion of “most must-win game of the weekend.”

Lions Fans, Age Gap Stories, and Listener Banter

Timestamps: 28:53–36:59

• Several entertaining listener calls highlight Lions optimism and quirky personal stories.
• A humorous segment about age-gap dating, featuring Todd’s story of dating a 34-year-old at 19:
  • “She taught me a couple things… never experienced anything like that.” – Todd [34:28]
• The panel references the "half-your-age-plus-eight" rule for age differences.

Must-Win Games of the Weekend: Roundtable

Timestamps: 35:48–36:53

• Panel choices:
  • Chiefs vs. Texans: “If they fall to 6–7, I think you can finally wrap things up for the [Chiefs’] season.” – Todd [35:48]
  • Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Virginia Cavaliers versus Duke also mentioned.

Promotion/Relegation Concepts & Sports Schedules

Timestamps: 37:55–39:11

• Callers raise the idea of European-style promotion/relegation in college sports.
  • Crew discusses complications with unbalanced schedules but is optimistic about future feasibility.

Show Wrap-Up: Listener Calls, Sports History, and What We Learned

Timestamps: 46:44–50:43

• Light banter on player/coach nicknames (e.g., “Shoddy” for Schottenheimer) and sports broadcast tropes.
• Todd recalls dating adventures; the group shares “what we learned today.”
• Sports history note: Klay Thompson scored 60 points in a game while only dribbling the ball seven times [49:14].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Campbell (via Todd) on Lions:
  “We played complimentary football. It's what good teams do. You know, it doesn't matter how good your offense or defense, man, if you're not able to help each other out when you need it with one of the phases, man, it's tough.” [04:21]

• Dan Patrick on Lane Kiffin:
  “He keeps saying things that aren't true.” [09:05]
  “LSU only… care about wins and losses. They're not worried about Lane Kiffin's personality profile.” [11:36]

• Seaton O’Connor on Kiffin’s Fallout:
  “You have to have incredibly tough skin to not let any of that affect you whatsoever… Two weeks ago he was, it was the most unbelievable redemption story. And then in the course of about seven days, the entire sports world turned on him.” [09:38]

• Dan Patrick on Field Goals & Excellence:
  “If somebody’s good at what they do, it doesn’t mean that… you should punish them.” [19:03]

• Caller Pete:
  “Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or go swim in the ocean with the sharks?” [13:39]

• Panel on Age Gap Formula:
  “I think it's half, and then you add eight years, so that'd be 38. 38. So Bob's a, you know, a little younger at 36.” – Dan Patrick [32:07]

• Todd’s Dating Anecdote:
  “She taught me a couple things… never experienced anything like that.” [34:28]

Episode Structure (with Timestamps)

• 03:41—08:13: NFL Lions/Cowboys, playoff implications, LeBron’s streak ends
• 08:13—12:22: Lane Kiffin’s rough week, coaching moves, image vs. money
• 13:13—14:48: Matt Campbell, big pond vs. small pond coaching career debate
• 15:36—19:03: Listener stats, field goal innovations, value of top kickers
• 24:30—27:00: Mike Tomlin hot seat and Steelers’ challenges
• 27:44—28:53: Best week in sports nominations
• 28:53—36:59: Listener banter, Lions optimism, age-gap relationships
• 35:48—36:53: Most must-win games of the weekend
• 37:55—39:11: College sports promotion/relegation debate
• 46:44—50:43: Wrap-up, show history, “What We Learned,” fun stories

Tone & Style

• The show maintains a casual, humorous, and conversational style, with quick banter, crowd interaction, and a blend of nostalgia and razor-sharp NFL/college sports insight.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This hour is essential for NFL fans tracking playoff races, those fascinated by coaching upheaval, and anyone who enjoys sports talk that weaves sharp analysis with good-natured ribbing and “real fan” calls. The Lane Kiffin segment is particularly timely for understanding the behind-the-scenes narrative swirling around high-stakes NCAA coaching hires.

End of Summary