The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 3: NFL Black Monday Extended, Jesse Palmer

Date: January 8, 2026
Podcast Host: Dan Patrick (w/ Danettes)
Notable Guest: Jesse Palmer, ESPN CFB Analyst & TV Personality

Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show dives into the ongoing chaos of NFL coaching changes (the extended "Black Monday") and the evolving landscape of college football playoffs. Dan and the Danettes dissect the latest firings, speculate on future openings, and reflect on coaching candidates. Special guest Jesse Palmer joins to offer insights on the new parity in college football, the influence of NIL/transfer portal, and to preview key bowl matchups. The episode also mixes in trademark banter, listener calls, lighthearted pet psychic talk, and even a discussion about hair products in football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Coaching Carousel: The New "Black Monday"

00:00–07:38

• Coaching Turnover:
  • Now up to 8 head coaching vacancies, 1/4 of the NFL. Dan notes surprise at the high number.
  • Expected 5–6 firings; now at 8, with a potential for more. (04:11)
• Noteworthy Moves:
  • Miami Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel.
  • Speculation on possible further changes (e.g., Tampa Bay, Buffalo).
  • John Harbaugh rumors: “If you’re John Harbaugh… that's 18 years. You pick where you want to go… you need to win now. He's not in for a rebuild.” (04:41)
• Coach Evaluation Logic:
  • How do owners judge a coach — by the start of the season or by how teams finish strong?
  • Dan likens it to “high stakes poker… This is Texas Hold ’em or fold ’em with some of these owners.” (03:20)

Notable Quote

“How about Black Week? Or is it Gray Monday? …it’s not really Black Monday anymore, if you’re going to get fired on Thursday.”
— Todd & Dan, riffing on the traditional ‘Black Monday’ as coaching firings leak into the week (07:09)

2. Sports Versus Academia: The Ryan Fitzpatrick Dilemma

01:16–02:04

• Poll Question: Would you rather your kid go to Harvard or the NFL right now?
• Dan: “If my kid is only going to be three years and done [in the NFL], I’d say Harvard. Harvard’s a lifetime.” (01:39–01:55)
• Todd jokes about alternative paths: “You could be a GM, don’t have to worry about concussions.” (01:59)

3. Pet Psychic Banter

08:31–15:09

• Dan shares he’s scheduled a Zoom call with a pet psychic as a Christmas gift (regarding his dog Winnie and daughter’s cat Kevin).
• Amusing speculation and playful skepticism from the Danettes.
• Todd: “If the psychic is so good, shouldn’t they have reached out to you knowing you needed help?” (10:19)

4. Listener Call: Belief in Pet Psychics

30:44–33:52

• Listener Sue describes her own positive experience and encourages Dan to approach the psychic with questions:
  “Just like each of you have talents... being a pet psychic is a gift, don’t discount it.” (31:49–32:46)
• Dan reveals that Winnie was found in a garbage dump in Tennessee; remains open-minded about the experience.

5. Guest Interview: Jesse Palmer

16:30–29:31 (Segment begins 16:30)

a. Hair in Football

• Promo tie-in: Great Clips campaign with Kirk Cousins.
• Palmer: “Put hair product in before a game… worst thing ever is be dropping back on 3rd-and-15… and you’ve got pomade in your eye.” (18:02)

b. New Parity in College Football

• Surprising Playoff: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson all OUT of the College Football Playoff for the first time.
• Palmer: “What’s happening now in college football... this is the new normal moving forward… NIL and the portal have changed everything.” (18:51–19:45)
• NIL/Portal Impact: “Teams no longer can stockpile talent… If you’re not on the field early, you’re out, you’re in the portal, and you're getting paid more to play somewhere else.” (19:45)

c. Playoff Game Previews

• Ole Miss vs Miami

  • Dan (21:05): “I misjudged Miami. I didn’t think they could be as physical as they were.”
  • Palmer: “Miami could win the whole thing... Their D-line is ruthless. 12 sacks in two playoff games… Ole Miss better be able to run the ball or it could be a long day.” (21:05–22:10)

• Indiana vs Oregon Rematch

  • Oregon “got in trouble in the first match because they couldn’t run the ball. Indiana is elite at stopping the run… If Oregon can’t run it, I don’t think they can win.” (22:15–23:18)

d. The Exotic Pass Rush

• About working w/ Kirk Cousins: “Had a deep conversation about the future of pass rush in football... it's the 'exotic radar' look.” (23:41–25:21)
• Palmer’s NFL memory: “I literally dropped back 20 times clueless of what was happening. That was a game I'll never forget.” (25:33)

e. Quarterback Prospects

• Dan: “Not sure if these are great prospects or just good. Can you handicap [the top QBs]?”
• Palmer: “It’s not a sure thing… don't see a clear, no-doubt first overall pick among these QBs.” (27:36–29:22)

6. Lighthearted Segment: Hair Loss & Male Vanity

29:51–30:38

• Danettes joke about “preventative care,” “slow retreat” of receding hairlines.
• “Paul, you just have to hope for a slow retreat.” — Seaton (30:35)

7. Travis Kelce Retirement Considerations

34:49–35:11

• Audio clip of Kelce weighing retirement: “If my body can heal up… I think I’d do it [return] in a heartbeat. It’s just finding the answer.” (34:49)
• Dan: “The first question I’d have if I’m Travis Kelce is not ‘Can my body hold up,’ it’s ‘How is Patrick Mahomes’ body?’” (35:11)

8. Rapid Fire: Headlines, Stand-Up, Calls

36:57–41:01

• Todd tries out potential headlines for the Miami-Ole Miss game (“Yes They ‘Canes’,” “Super Mario”, “Rebels Without Claus”, etc.). (36:57–37:36)
• Discussion about doing stand-up during Super Bowl week in San Francisco. Todd is hesitant but noncommittal. (38:02)
• “I have my Todd translator here … Handily means absolutely not.” — Paulie (39:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan on NFL coaching chaos:
  “The stakes—this is high stakes poker. This is Texas hold ’em or fold ’em with some of these owners.” (03:20)

• Todd on the shifting firing window:
  “Haven’t even gotten to Black Thursday yet. What is Black Monday at this point?” (07:09)

• Listener Sue, on pet psychics:
  “Don’t discount it. It’s a gift — just like you guys have talents… you should go in open-minded.” (31:49–32:46)

• Jesse Palmer on college football’s future:
  “I think it’s the norm … Teams simply aren’t as deep anymore. If you’re not playing early, you’re out. There’s more parity.” (19:45)

• Palmer on defending against "exotic radar" looks:
  “I literally dropped back 20 times clueless of what was happening. … That was a game I’ll never forget.” (25:33)

• Dan on veteran retirement logic:
  “Nobody wants to go out the way Travis Kelce went out. … Only Elway [retired on top], but Elway really didn’t have a choice.” (35:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–04:11 — NFL coaching vacancies, firings, and predictions
• 08:31–15:09 — Dan’s upcoming pet psychic Zoom call, team skepticism/comedic takes
• 16:30–29:31 — Jesse Palmer interview (hair, CFB playoff, QB prospects, exotic defenses)
• 30:44–33:52 — Call-in: Listener Sue encourages open mind on pet psychic
• 34:49–35:11 — Travis Kelce retirement discussion
• 36:57–37:36 — Todd’s headline ideas for Miami-Ole Miss
• 38:02–39:17 — Possible Danette stand-up during Super Bowl week

Tone & Style

True to Dan Patrick Show form — witty, easygoing, sports-centric and willing to detour into pop culture and personal stories. Banter mixes with serious sports analysis, with frequent asides and self-deprecating humor.

Summary for New Listeners

• If you missed it: This episode is a masterclass in sports-radio variety. You get the latest inside dish on NFL job openings, a deep-dive into how college football is being upended by new transfer and NIL rules, and game previews with a dose of hair product and pet psychic chatter. Jesse Palmer comes in hot with college football takes and insider fun, while the crew’s banter, playful skepticism, and willingness to take calls (including a heartwarming one about animal psychics) round out the hour.
• Don’t miss: Jesse Palmer describing the “exotic radar” pass rush and the listener call about the power of pet psychics (16:30, 30:44).
• Quintessential moment: The crew debating just how much “luster” Black Monday has left as firings drag out all week (07:09), plus a classic Palmer story about a rookie NFL awakening.