The Dan Patrick Show [Hour 3] – March 25, 2026
Guests: Scott Fowler (Charlotte Observer Sports Columnist), Mel Kiper Jr. (NFL Draft Expert)
Episode Overview
This lively hour of “The Dan Patrick Show” centers on the latest shakeups in college basketball—particularly at North Carolina—and pivots into a thorough NFL Draft deep dive with Mel Kiper Jr. The conversations blend real-time sports industry news, insider perspectives on coaching changes, North Carolina’s rivalry with Duke, speculation about dream jobs in college hoops, and a detailed look at the NFL Draft process—including Mel's rigorous philosophy, player comps, and stories from sports media history. Characteristically, the banter is quick, humorous, and conversational, with plenty of fan engagement.
Segment Breakdown and Key Discussion Points
1. Opening Banter: Sports Emmy “Loseritos” and North Carolina News
[03:05–05:48]
- Dan and the crew react to losing out on a Sports Emmy nomination, maintaining humor:
- “At the end of the day, I still have the Danettes, the back room guys, this great audience… Loser ritos.” – Dan Patrick [03:05]
- They question the alignment of their show with the awards category and vow to “take the high road.”
- Intro to main topics: North Carolina basketball’s coaching churn, Jerry McNamara to Syracuse, MLB’s opening night, and the day’s poll questions.
2. Scott Fowler on North Carolina – The Program’s Crossroads
[05:48–12:06]
- Scott declares UNC football in “worse shape” than basketball but assures that the coaching gig remains “one of the five best jobs in college sports.” [06:16–06:43]
- Diagnosis of UNC Basketball’s Woes:
- “Gradually and then all at once … After Roy left, they have not quite figured out how to sustain it.” – Scott Fowler [06:45]
- Huberts Davis’ ousting wasn’t mutual—a result of high donor/booster impatience.
- The Duke Comparison Problem:
- “If I’m a donor … I only measure North Carolina with Duke. That’s a tough comparison.” – Dan [07:31]
- “Because that is the blue blood rivalry… and Duke has been so darn good.” – Scott [07:56]
- Coaching Search Rumors:
- Dan relays source speculation: Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens not in play; Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Josh Schertz (St. Louis), Michael Malone, Nate Oats, and Todd Golden are possible names. [08:50]
- Scott emphasizes a need to “expand outside ‘the family’” for the next coach. [09:27]
- Michael Jordan’s Involvement:
- “I don’t think [he’s] terribly involved… His focus lies on his NASCAR team.” – Scott [10:20]
3. Carolina Football, Bill Belichick, and Job Security
[10:52–12:06]
- Dan and Scott lightly discuss Bill Belichick’s tenure at UNC football.
- “I just don't know that that's honestly going to work out long term.” – Scott [11:32]
- Prediction: Belichick probably has “one more year, maybe a third” if performance improves.
4. Call-In Segment: College Basketball Blue Bloods
[12:49–15:08]
- Callers express solidarity and offer up trophies, with more Emmy banter.
- Kyle from Iowa and Dan debate:
- “Kansas because … Carolina is compared to Duke and you’re losing that battle.” – Dan [14:00]
- Marv: “Are Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina the bluest of the blue bloods?” [14:42]
- Dan: “It's a bigger story when they're not competitive than when they are.” [14:54]
5. Award Show Snubs & The Post Malone Analogy
[17:08–19:02]
- Paul quizzes the crew on “who has the most Grammy nominations without a win?”—the answer: Post Malone, 0 for 18. [18:22]
- Jokes about tattooing a Sports Emmy on their faces:
- “How about a tattoo of a sports Emmy on your face?” – Dan [18:43]
- Seaton: “Right under my eye, like a teardrop… It’s a sports Emmy.” [18:47]
6. Main Event: Mel Kiper Jr. on the NFL Draft
[25:14–40:40]
a) What Moves Draft Stock Late in the Process?
[25:51–27:46]
- “The only thing you want to wait on is guys that didn’t do much at the combine… And anything you hear from an interview, anything about an injury late, Dan, could alter some things.” – Mel Kiper [25:51]
- Emphasis on the parity and mixed opinions throughout this year’s draft, especially at wide receiver.
b) Separating the Wide Receivers
- “You’ve got to catch the ball… It’s how you view projecting a college player into the NFL.” – Mel [26:45]
- This year’s WRs: “mixed opinion reigns supreme more than any other year.” [27:46]
c) Quarterback Prospect Deep Dive
- On Fernando “Mando” Mendoza:
- “He’s both [a great story and a great QB]… what he did from start to finish with the pressure and in the playoffs—8 TDs, no picks, and a rushing touchdown—he was at 75% completion in the three biggest games of the year.” – Mel [27:52–29:12]
- At Cal vs. Indiana: “He would have been a second, maybe late first-round pick off his Cal tape.” [29:17]
- Comparison: “He kind of has that Peyton Manning ability… and a little Matt Ryan in him.” [30:20]
- On Ty Simpson (and disagreement with Dan Orlovsky):
- “15 starts is a dangerous, risky number for Ty Simpson.” – Mel [30:20]
- “Mendoza’s number one on my big board… Ty Simpson’s 25.” – Mel [30:09]
- Fumble, accuracy, and pressure concerns for Simpson.
- On Arch Manning, if he had entered:
- “He’d have been right there with Mendoza… but he didn’t have that kind of year. It was uneven. I’m not automatically putting Arch ahead of Mendoza.” [33:02]
d) Jeremiah Love – Draft Value of a Multi-Dimensional Back
[34:23–36:45]
- Dan: “I don’t understand… If I’m Tennessee, I gotta have that guy… Why wouldn’t [Jeremiah Love] go high?”
- Mel: “That was the philosophy [not to draft RBs high] that started 25 years ago, and I got screamed at… But I’m agreeing with you. He’s more than a running back… As a receiving option, he is worthy of being a top 4 pick, certainly top 7.” [35:14]
- “You put a fear factor player, weapon like Jeremiah Love with Jaden Daniels, you got something special.” [36:11]
e) On Media Contribution and the Hall of Fame
[36:45–40:29]
- Dan pitches Mel for the NFL Hall of Fame: “You should be in the Hall of Fame one day as a contributor to the game.” [36:45]
- Mel humbly credits many before him and ESPN for “taking it to the world,” recalling resistance to televising the draft:
- “I survived the hate… If I read you the scathing articles from ’79 up to 2000, you’d say, ‘How did you last that long?’” – Mel [37:07]
- “When the passion dwindles, Dan, I’ll walk away.” [40:40]
7. Callers React: Emmys, Michael Jordan’s Legacy, the Toddcast
[46:46–50:52]
- Listeners suggest creating their own award show: “The Dan-Eddies.” [47:36]
- Luke from Texas offers a generational perspective:
- “College kids are starting to talk about MJ [Michael Jordan] the way you guys talk about Bob Cousy.” – Luke [47:56]
- Luke predicts Kobe Bryant’s legacy may eclipse MJ’s due to how Kobe’s career ended.
- Panel discusses how NIL and recruiting dynamics affect Jordan’s pull at UNC:
- “They’d rather have Michael Jordan’s money than his phone call.” – Marv [49:28]
8. Quick Hits & Wrap-Up
[51:00–52:30]
- On this day: Gretzky’s record-setting season and the Hartford Whalers’ move to Carolina.
- What the crew learned:
- Todd: “Kyle in Iowa wonders which is the better job, Kansas or UNC.”
- Seaton: “Breakfast burritos help you feel better.”
- Closing inspiration:
- “We did it. Dealt a devastating blow to start the show, but we rallied. We’ll try to do better tomorrow.” – Dan [52:30]
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “Gradually and then all at once… After Roy left, they have not quite figured out how to sustain it.”
– Scott Fowler on UNC’s decline [06:45] - “When I first got to ESPN, my nickname was the Charlotte Observer—Incredible.”
– Dan shares media memories [12:07] - “Kansas because it feels like Kansas is not compared to anybody… Carolina is compared to Duke.”
– Dan on Kansas vs. UNC jobs [14:00] - “Post Malone, 0 for 18.”
– Paulie reveals Grammy snub leader [18:23] - “He kind of has that Peyton Manning ability in that regard… a little Matt Ryan in him.”
– Mel Kiper on Fernando Mendoza [30:20] - “I don’t want a part of anything. I just want to do what I do. … The only thing I did right was survive the hate.”
– Mel Kiper on Hall of Fame consideration [37:07] - “When the passion dwindles, Dan, I will walk away.”
– Mel Kiper [40:43]
Flow & Tone
The show maintains Dan Patrick’s signature blend of nostalgia, wit, and earnest sports talk. Guests like Scott Fowler and Mel Kiper Jr. offer direct, authoritative commentary—Scott with a local journalist’s dry clarity, Mel with encyclopedic fervor and humility. The banter about Emmy losses, generational stars, and music awards keeps the episode light, while fan calls and behind-the-scenes stories provide inclusivity and depth.
Useful Timestamps
- 06:11 – Scott Fowler on UNC’s basketball woes
- 07:31 – The Duke rivalry’s impact on UNC’s standard
- 10:13 – How involved is Michael Jordan at UNC?
- 14:00 – “Kansas is a better job than UNC right now” debate
- 18:23 – Post Malone’s Grammy record
- 25:51 – Mel Kiper on draft stock changes
- 27:52 – “Fernando Mendoza is both a great story and a great quarterback.”
- 30:09 – Mel’s big board: Mendoza #1, Ty Simpson #25
- 33:02 – Arch Manning hypotheticals
- 35:14 – “Jeremiah Love is more than a running back” – Mel
- 37:07 – Mel on media, NFL Draft TV, and lasting through hate
Final Thoughts
This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insight, from navigating blue-blood basketball turmoil to the intricacies of NFL draft grading. The interviews are candid and detailed, balanced with trademark Dan Patrick Show levity and reflection. Whether you’re a college hoops junkie or a draftnik, this hour is a lively, informative, and memorable listen.