Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show - Hour 3 with Ryan Day & Booger McFarland Release Date: January 24, 2025

Introduction In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show hosted by iHeartPodcasts and the Dan Patrick Podcast Network, Dan Patrick engages in insightful discussions with NFL analyst Booger McFarland and Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day. The conversation delves into recent NFL coaching changes, defensive strategies against top quarterbacks, and the intricacies of managing a powerhouse college football program.

I. NFL Coaching Changes and Strategies

A. Pete Carroll's Hiring as Raiders' Head Coach Booger McFarland initiates the discussion by analyzing the recent hiring of Pete Carroll as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

• Stability and Experience: McFarland emphasizes the importance of Carroll's experience and the stability he brings to the Raiders.
  “I think the Raiders want stability. I think that's the one thing you're getting when you get a veteran coach like Pete Carroll.” [04:02]

• Impact on the Organization: Carroll's history of leading teams to Super Bowls is highlighted as a significant asset.
  “Pete understands how to get it done. Pete knows what it takes.” [05:08]

B. Quarterback Dilemma for the Raiders Dan Patrick raises concerns about the Raiders' quarterback options, questioning the future post-Gardner Minshew.

• McFarland's Insight: McFarland discusses the urgency of finding a reliable quarterback and the challenges posed by current options.
  “Now comes the big question, Dan, who's going to be the quarterback? Because I don't think Gardner, Minshew or AOC ain't no Connell, either one of them are the answer.” [04:49]

C. Defensive Strategies Against Top QBs The conversation shifts to defensive tactics against elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts.

• Handling Mahomes' Mobility: McFarland advises aggressive but cautious approaches when facing Mahomes, emphasizing the need to avoid unnecessary penalties.
  “If you're going to continue to flirt with the I'm going out of bounds, not going out of bounds, I'm sliding them, not sliding. Somebody's going to take a shot.” [10:59]

• Strategies Against Jalen Hurts: Discussing Hurts' injury, McFarland suggests focusing on stopping his running game and forcing him to make tough throws.
  “They got to make Jalen Hurts beat you. And I think if they do that, they'll at least give themselves an opportunity.” [07:43]

D. Home-Team Favoritism and Referee Calls Dan and McFarland explore the potential for favorable referee decisions benefiting teams like the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Influence of Crowd and Environment: McFarland posits that home teams often receive lenient calls due to the overwhelming support from fans.
  “I think the home team, especially on the home sideline, always get a favorable flag.” [15:04]

• Impact on Gameplay: This favoritism is discussed in the context of recent Chiefs games, where calls may have swayed outcomes.
  “They made it easier to make that call. And, you know, the officials want to get it right.” [50:02]

II. College Football Spotlight: Interview with Ryan Day

A. Ohio State's National Title Victory Ryan Day reflects on Ohio State's triumphant season, culminating in a national championship win.

• Team Chemistry and Legacy: Day describes the camaraderie and legacy that propelled the team to victory.
  “It was both joy and relief... as we head into that last game, we just knew that it'd just be another story that kind of comes and goes.” [24:41]

B. Rivalry with Michigan and Handling Losses The intense rivalry with Michigan is a focal point, especially regarding recent losses and their impact.

• Galvanizing the Team: Day explains how setbacks against Michigan strengthened the team's resolve.
  “There was a lot of frustration because they love it so much. But that's also living. That's what makes Ohio State so special.” [25:48]

C. Dealing with Death Threats and Personal Challenges Day candidly discusses the personal toll of coaching at a high-profile program, including receiving death threats.

• Family Impact: He shares how his family's life changed post-victory and the pressures that accompany success.
  “Nobody puts more pressure on themselves than myself and my family. Nobody wants to win more than my kids and my wife.” [28:23]

• Emotional Resilience: Day emphasizes the importance of handling adversity and setting an example for his players and fans.
  “It's about how you handle yourself and how you fight yourself out of these types of situations.” [27:06]

D. Recruitment and Player Retention in the Modern Era The complexities of recruiting in today's NIL and transfer landscape are explored.

• Challenges with Transfers and Offers: Day highlights the difficulties in retaining top talent like Jeremiah Smith amidst lucrative offers from other programs.
  “There's no question. I think as coaches, we're all looking for a little bit more guidelines on this.” [33:05]

• Enforcement Issues: He points out the lack of enforcement in tampering rules, which complicates recruitment efforts.
  “The enforcement is really strained right now... until we start enforcing some of these rules.” [33:22]

E. Future Plans and Personal Commitments Day touches on his commitment to Ohio State and his aspirations beyond coaching.

• Long-Term Commitment: He expresses his dedication to the program and his family, with no immediate plans to pursue an NFL career.
  “I love Ohio State, and I want to be here as long as I can.” [34:16]

• Balancing Professional and Personal Life: Day discusses how he manages the demands of coaching while prioritizing his family's well-being.
  “It's not like we're going away to Tahiti for a week. We have some time, but it’s limited.” [35:02]

III. Closing Remarks

Dan Patrick wraps up the episode by reflecting on the discussions and highlighting key moments from the interview.

• Emotional Highs and Lows: Patrick underscores the emotional journey of winning a national title and the subsequent pressures faced by Ryan Day.
  “That's, you know, that's the sad reality of this. It is big time business.” [38:17]

• Headlines and Fun Segments: The episode concludes with playful segments where hosts create mock headlines and engage in light-hearted banter.
  “Buffalo Bills shock the Kansas City Chiefs with a thrilling victory showdown.” [45:04]

Notable Quotes:

• Booger McFarland on Pete Carroll's Impact:
  “Pete understands how to get it done. Pete knows what it takes.” [05:08]

• Ryan Day on Team Resilience:
  “It's about how you handle yourself and how you fight yourself out of these types of situations.” [27:06]

• McFarland on Home-Team Favoritism:
  “I think the home team, especially on the home sideline, always get a favorable flag.” [15:04]

• Ryan Day on Recruitment Challenges:
  “There's no question. I think as coaches, we're all looking for a little bit more guidelines on this.” [33:05]

Conclusion This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers an in-depth look into the strategic decisions shaping the NFL and the personal and professional challenges faced by top-tier coaches in college football. Through candid conversations and expert analysis, listeners gain valuable insights into the current landscape of American football.

Listen to the full episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.