The Dan Patrick Show: Best of March 26, 2026

Brief Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show features Dan’s trademark blend of humor, sports acumen, and candid conversation with a set of prominent guests from the sports world. The main segment highlights in-depth football draft analysis with ESPN’s Chase Daniel, an inspiring interview with G League scoring leader Mac McClung, and a wide-ranging, energetic exchange with UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley as they discuss coaching, NCAA culture, and tournament drama.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Draft Quarterback Evaluations with Chase Daniel

Segment Start: [02:44]

• Orlovsky’s QB Analysis Debate
  Dan asks Chase Daniel to respond to criticism of Dan Orlovsky’s public opinions comparing quarterbacks Ty Simpson and Fernando Mendoza.

  • Daniel defends Orlovsky’s right to his opinions but stresses Mendoza’s playoff achievements were underemphasized:

    “Did you see [Mendoza's] college football playoff run? …Ten touchdowns, one interception during those four games. It is one of the greatest runs we've seen in history.” – Chase Daniel [04:10]

  • Daniel calls quarterback evaluation “a crapshoot,” noting NFL teams he’s spoken to also rank Simpson over Mendoza, but says the issue is fair, honest discourse—not backchannel politicking.

• Simpson vs. Mendoza Skill Breakdown

  • Ty Simpson is “a more natural thrower” with beautiful mechanics, says Daniel. Mendoza, meanwhile, is more “robotic,” but may have a stronger arm.[05:15]
  • Biggest knock on Simpson: huge midseason drop in performance, possibly due to illness/injury. Teams must determine if that explains the inconsistency.

    “If you’re taking Ty Simpson in the draft…that’s the number one thing you have to ask. He just looked like a completely different player.” – Chase Daniel [06:28]

• Tom Brady’s Current Arm Strength
  Dan asks where Tom Brady’s arm would rank among modern QBs.

  • “Probably be middle of the pack…Brady was never going to win you with his arm, always with his brain.” – Chase Daniel [07:53]
  • Chase connects this back to emphasizing intangibles over “looking good in shorts.”

• Draft Philosophy: Jeremiah Love
  Dan describes Jeremiah Love as less a traditional RB, more an “influencer” with multi-faceted value—kick returns, receptions, explosive potential—and wonders if Tennessee should take him top-5 overall.

  • Chase: “You have to really look at taking an offensive weapon for Cam Ward…There aren't many backs out there that do what Jeremiah Love does.” [09:37]
  • He likens Love’s potential role to Alvin Kamara, but notes Love is bigger.

• QB3s & Backup Prospects
  After Simpson/Mendoza, the draft field drops off. Potential day-2/3 QBs: Garrett Nussmeier (coaches’ kid, “high quality backup” upside) and Drew Aller (frustrating talent, needs great coaching).

  • “If you want a backup quarterback after Ty Simpson and Mendoza, this is possibly your draft.” – Chase Daniel [12:50]

• Kyler Murray to the Vikings

  • Chase praises the fit, says if coach KOC (Kevin O’Connell) can get Murray to adapt to the system, he could resurrect his career.
  • “He doesn’t have to do it all himself anymore…He could turn his career around.” – Chase Daniel [13:11]

2. One-on-One with Mac McClung

Segment Start: [18:30]

• Breaking the G League Scoring Record

  • Mac reflects on the significance of his new record:

    “My teammates…were like, ‘You’re getting this record tonight.’ So they had my support.” – Mac McClung [18:42]

• On NBA Call-ups and Opportunities

  • Discusses adapting to different team roles and the challenge of fighting for a roster spot.

    “I had a coach tell me one year, ‘You’re an NBA player, all you need is an opportunity.’ …I was like, well, you gotta give me that opportunity.” – Mac McClung [19:30]

• Defensive Criticisms

  • Rebuts common critiques about his defense:

    “My two games this year when I got called up…I was actually leading the league in steals. So I don’t know if I agree with that totally.” – Mac McClung [20:26]

• Welcome to the NBA Moment

  • Growing up idolizing players and suddenly being teammates with LeBron, Carmelo, Rondo, and Dwight was surreal.

    “I’m this kid from this small town…What, am I in some video game right now?” – Mac McClung [21:05]

• Dunking Fame & Perception

  • Wonders if his dunking overshadows his broader skillset:

    “I'm never going to be like, ‘Oh, man, I hate dunking now.’ …It's a beautiful part of my life. But that's not really who I am.” – Mac McClung [22:27]

• Slam Dunk Contest Controversy

  • Reveals why he wasn't in this year’s contest—some players didn’t want to compete if he entered, so he posted his dunks on social media instead:

    “They said a couple guys didn’t want to do it if I was in it…A lot of things in this league don’t make sense.” – Mac McClung [23:41]

• Viral Fame & Small Town Life

  • On being a high school sensation:

    “School would, like, shut down early because people would be waiting for the games…It kind of felt like we were a band that was traveling.” – Mac McClung [25:30]

• Mindset on the Future

  • Takes a philosophical, unentitled approach:

    “I’m not a victim of anything…I just try to make the most of wherever I am in that moment.” – Mac McClung [26:20]

3. March Madness with UConn’s Dan Hurley

Segment Start: [32:13]

• Tournament Behavior & Technical Fouls

  • Claims he’s “oblivious to circumstances,” hasn’t been given a technical in the tournament, and jokes about how refs might not want to “give me a weak technical.” [32:13]
  • Light banter about being jinxed and tournament prop bets. [32:39]

• Considering the Lakers Job

  • Sought advice from Tom Izzo, who was candid about the state of college hoops:

    “Tom Izzo…his point was: ‘You really gotta consider it—our sport right now…is such a mess.’” – Dan Hurley [33:40]

• Coaching Longevity

  • Can't imagine coaching into his 70s, but also can't picture not coaching:

    “When you're part of teams and this is so much a part of your identity…then you find yourself coaching in your 70s.” – Dan Hurley [34:54]

• Coaching Matchups & Tournament Dynamics

  • Downplays the “out-coaching” narrative; says it’s more about matchups, hot streaks, and halftime adjustments than tactical wizardry. [35:48]

• Seed Snubbing & Selection Humor

  • Blunt about St. John’s No. 5 seed after winning the Big East:

    “Crap…having two Big East teams in the same region—it’s probably the same.” – Dan Hurley [36:23]

  • Jokes about committee’s “weird sense of humor.”

• Cinderella Stories and Blue Bloods

  • Says UConn is not a Cinderella, but they've been “consistently great” and are entering the tournament “a lot quieter” than recent years. [37:26]

• Mid-Major Future & International Talent

  • Predicts it’ll get harder for mid-majors as power schools outspend them, but influx of international players can help fill the talent pipeline.

    “…You’ll see more international players…create more inventory of talent that mid-majors end up with.” – Dan Hurley [38:24]

• Recruiting—High School vs. Transfer Portal

  • Favors “homegrown” players and culture:

    “A majority of our team we want is homegrown…then supplement with the portal.” – Dan Hurley [39:20]

• Wild NIL Offers

  • The biggest request he’s heard: “4.5 million” for a player. [39:56]
  • Stays out of money negotiations:

    “…Negotiations get personal.” – Dan Hurley [40:03]

• Humor: Hurley vs. Auriemma, Family Training

  • On swapping jobs with UConn’s Geno Auriemma: “He would obviously do better coaching the men than I would coaching the women.”
  • Shares memories of grueling summer workouts with his mother coaching him and his brother, neighbors watching in astonishment.

• Growing Up Jersey City—Impact

  • Reflects on the versatility and people skills gained from his urban upbringing:

    “…You feel like you could communicate with a very diverse group…comfortable out on the street corner, but also…in the boardroom.” – Dan Hurley [45:38]

• Current Mindset

  • Less pressure this tournament; focuses on enjoying the run and preparing his team.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Quarterback evaluation is sort of a crapshoot.” – Chase Daniel [04:56]
• “[Mendoza’s playoff run] is one of the greatest runs that we’ve seen in history.” – Chase Daniel [04:10]
• “You want your quarterback to have more than 15 starts.” – Dan Patrick [06:01]
• “I would never say that I beat [Michael Jordan in a dunk contest] but it’d be fun…I would definitely take the challenge.” – Mac McClung [24:24]
• “I’m just going with the flow, man. I really am just going with the flow.” – Mac McClung [24:05]
• “My mom would have a whistle and she would put us through the paces as the neighbors would be looking out at us in astonishment.” – Dan Hurley [43:59]
• “No one’s going to go up to the fence and listen to the kids splash around in the water [if not invited].” – Dan Hurley [42:43]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chase Daniel on Orlovsky QB Debate: [02:44] – [07:45]
• Chase Daniel on Tom Brady & Drafted RBs: [07:45] – [11:11]
• Chase Daniel on Backup QBs & Kyler Murray: [11:11] – [14:21]
• Mac McClung Interview: [18:30] – [27:36]
• Dan Hurley Interview: [32:13] – [47:03]

Tone & Character

The episode showcases Dan’s blend of incisive yet accessible sports conversation, with guests’ candor and introspection coupling well with humor and unscripted moments. The tone remains upbeat, conversational, and occasionally irreverent, with Dan’s self-deprecating wit anchoring the interviews. Each guest brings their own authenticity—Chase Daniel’s analytic calm, Mac McClung’s humility and persistence, Dan Hurley’s rapid-fire, energetic charisma and stories.

Conclusion

This “Best of” episode features candid, in-depth sports talk and behind-the-scenes insights from key voices in football and basketball. From prospects’ mental makeup to coaches’ philosophies on building winning cultures, it covers the intelligence and unpredictability that make sports great—always with a dose of humor and a focus on the human side.