The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3
Episode Title: The Dreaded “Vote of Confidence,” Kershaw Gets Shelled
Date: October 9, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
In this lively third hour, Dan Patrick and the Danettes cover the ongoing drama of Bill Belichick’s messy tenure at North Carolina, the fallout from Clayton Kershaw’s rough postseason showing, and a spirited debate over iconic sports stadium songs. The crew also digs into New York’s sports drought, the shifting landscape of coaching in college football, and mixes in the usual humor and banter with callers.
Key Topics & Discussions
1. The Bill Belichick Situation at North Carolina
Timestamps: 02:33–11:45, 30:07–37:37
- Context & Rumors: Dan opens with the intensifying scrutiny around Belichick’s first year coaching UNC football, referencing reports and growing speculation about possible exit strategies.
- “Is there an exit strategy? That term came up yesterday... There was a report that he might not even last until ... their next game.” (Dan, 04:05)
- Fan Patience vs. Reality: Paulie asks if UNC shouldn’t be more patient given the school’s football history and Belichick's stature. Dan counters that, at 73, time and patience are limited, especially without tangible positives appearing on the field.
- “You lose the fan base... when the local fans don't show up or they don't stick... owners and athletic departments [get] nervous.” (Dan, 07:43)
- “Bill is, what, 73? Your patience is not going to be as long...” (Dan, 07:48)
- Personality Fit & College Football: Dan suggests Belichick’s style, which worked in the NFL, simply doesn’t mesh with today’s college game that demands energy, connection, and control over NIL and transfers.
- “I never thought I would use the word ‘messy’ attached to a Bill Belichick team, but this situation is messy.” (Dan, 06:36)
- “College, really, in today's atmosphere, you have to have [young, energetic guys] and that's not Bill.” (Dan, 08:53)
- Belichick’s Image at Risk: Callers and Dan note the public’s readiness to see Belichick struggle. His girlfriend’s presence is cited as a minor media circus, and there’s concern about chipping away at his all-time coach legacy.
- “I think having the girlfriend there made it easier—open season on Belichick.” (Dan, 33:30)
- “He’s coaching his way out of the concept of that’s the greatest coach of all time... we’re chipping away a little bit at that statue.” (Dan, 34:38)
- Notable Quote:
- “Bill had that personality because he won. When you lose, you can't.” (Dan, 09:24)
2. Stadium Songs, Fan Traditions & Sports Music
Timestamps: 12:14–18:21
- Call-In Highlights: Listeners share their favorite stadium songs tied to team identity:
- Buffalo Bills: “Shout Song” (Stephen, 12:14)
- Washington (Redskins): “Hail to the Redskins” (William in VA, 12:50)
- New Orleans Saints: “Stand Up and Get Crunk” by Yin Yang Twins (Dustin, 13:28)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: “Renegade” by Styx (Dave in AR, 14:41)
- Danettes Banter: Discussion ensues about origins and appropriateness of using songs by local vs. out-of-town bands; love for “Jump Around” at Wisconsin Badgers games is mentioned.
- “House of Pain, Jump Around—in Madison, Wisconsin. On TV, it looks like there's nothing that tops that.” (Snax, 15:24)
- Trivia & Music History: Playful chatter about Pittsburgh’s music connections (Donnie Iris, Rusted Root) and band origins.
- “…should only be allowed to use bands from your area... Chicago should have the rights to Styx...” (Todd, 16:39)
3. MLB Postseason, Analytics, and the Clayton Kershaw Dilemma
Timestamps: 24:29–28:06
- Dodgers’ Pitching Choices: Dan fields a call from a Dodgers fan upset about Clayton Kershaw’s usage and struggles, expressing sympathy but also a need to be impartial.
- “You can't have feelings for Clayton Kershaw... my job is to call it as I see it.” (Dan, 24:56)
- “I would not have him as a reliever. I would have him start a game... instead of trying to insert him in.” (Dan, 25:30)
- Analytics in Baseball: Paulie and Dan lament the shift in playoff pitching management due to analytics, debating how quick hooks and computer-driven decisions change the postseason dynamic.
- “In the postseason, it feels like it's a completely different game than the regular season, and the hooks are quick.” (Paulie, 26:13)
- “Analytics makes no mistake about it... these other teams that have big payrolls... at some point you gotta point to the players as well.” (Dan, 26:34)
- Jeter & A-Rod’s Critique: Recap of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter's TV comments blaming Yankees’ front office and analytics for ongoing failures (not Boone specifically).
4. Is New York Overrated As a Sports City?
Timestamps: 28:21–32:27, 45:49–49:45
- NYC Championship Drought: Dan points out New York’s 10 major pro teams have won zero titles in 10 years (except the Liberty in the WNBA), questioning whether New York’s sports rep is overrated.
- “You think of New York and you think—man, you can do it there, you can do it anywhere…[but] that's a big disappointment.” (Dan, 28:55)
- Danettes Debate: Discussion of the Yankees’ historic titles in old playoff structures, Cubs vs Yankees, and who’s really “struggling” as a sports town.
- “The Yankees, no titles in 16 years. Mets, oh for the last 39. New York Giants, haven’t won a title in 12…” (Paulie, 29:40)
- “Why are we picking on the Cubs?” (Dan, 30:38)
- Team Uniform Colors: Light-hearted reflection on whether cities should have one color palette for all teams (Pittsburgh’s black and yellow) or a rainbow of different uniforms.
- “I kind of like the all-one-city, one-set-of-colors thing. But it only works in cities where you only have one team in each sport.” (Todd, 49:21)
5. The Coaching Landscape in College Football
Timestamps: 35:34–36:52
- Control & NIL Era: Dan and Paulie connect Belichick’s struggles to broader coaching discomfort with NIL, the transfer portal, and lack of control, paralleling recent retirements of Jay Wright and Coach K in college hoops.
- “All of these great coaches are control freaks... when you can't—Saban couldn't control anymore—when he could, he was dominating...” (Dan, 36:52)
6. Miscellaneous Caller Moments & Banter
- Man Cave Memorabilia: Dan confirms he’s keeping his collectibles post-retirement—no plans to auction or donate yet. (Larry in Arkansas, 37:40)
- Food Takes: Lively opinions on Italian subs, Anthony Davis’ weight, and Ross Tucker’s breakfast choices.
- Historic Baseball Tales: Nostalgic recollections about New York baseball in the 1950s and the origin of the Dodgers’ name. (Greg in Daytona, 45:49)
- “Why do they call them the Dodgers? Because ... you had to dodge the streetcars.” (Greg, 46:28)
- Game Picks: Nobody takes the Giants over the Eagles in Thursday night football, with Todd predicting a resounding Eagles win.
- “If they don't win by at least 13 points, then I don't know what's going on.” (Todd, 50:22)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dan on Belichick’s Fit:
- “I never thought that I would use the word 'messy' attached to a Bill Belichick team, but this situation is messy.” (06:36)
- "He’s not going to another college. No. I think he’s finding out... Bill is not made for this kind of environment." (35:54)
- Dan on Analytics:
- "...my job is to call it as I see it. And you can't have feelings for Clayton Kershaw." (24:56)
- Banter on Team Colors:
- “Do you like Pittsburgh going all in on the black and yellow or do you like a city that mixes up the colors... It's a very important question.” (Todd, 49:06)
- Music/Tradition Fun:
- “House of Pain, Jump Around in Madison, Wisconsin. On TV, ... nothing tops that.” (Snax, 15:24)
- On NYC as a Sports Town:
- “If I do the ratio of coverage to success, boy, that’s a big disappointment.” (Dan, 28:55)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening MLB/NFL Rundown: 02:33
- Belichick at UNC Deep Dive: 04:00–11:45; 30:07–37:37
- Stadium Songs & Music Traditions: 12:14–18:21
- Kershaw & Analytics in Baseball: 24:29–28:06
- NYC Sports Drought & Team Color Debate: 28:21–32:27; 45:49–49:45
- Coaching College in the NIL Era: 35:34–36:52
- Food & Memorabilia Calls: 37:40–45:49
- Historic Sports Stories: 45:49–47:08
- NFL Picks & Closing Banter: 49:57–52:27
Summary for New Listeners
This episode is a quintessential Dan Patrick Show mix: astute sports perspective, great caller interaction, sports culture debates, and a humorous, irreverent tone. If you want inside takes on the drama at UNC, lively baseball and NFL banter, plus the sports traditions that make fandom fun, this hour is for you.
