The Best of The Dan Patrick Show

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best of The Dan Patrick Show Release Date: April 7, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

---

Introduction

"The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" consolidates some of the most engaging and insightful moments from Dan Patrick's dynamic radio show. This episode delves deep into the world of sports, particularly college basketball, featuring expert analyses, passionate discussions, and exclusive interviews with prominent figures like Gino Auriemma, the head coach of the UConn Huskies. The episode seamlessly blends humor, critical insights, and memorable quotes, making it a must-listen for both avid sports fans and casual listeners.

---

1. College Basketball Showdown: Duke vs. Houston

Timestamp: [07:15] - [10:02]

The episode opens with a heated discussion about the thrilling college basketball game between Duke and Houston. Dan Roth provides a comprehensive breakdown of the game's pivotal moments, emphasizing the clash between Duke's raw talent and Houston's seasoned composure.

• Dan Roth: "Duke was up by 14 in the second half, under nine minutes to go, seemingly in control. But Houston didn't flinch, and that was the key."

The conversation highlights Duke's late-game struggles, particularly citing their inability to maintain composure under pressure. Roth commends Houston's coach, Kelvin Sampson, for his strategic leadership.

• Dan Roth: "Kelvin Sampson did a wonderful job of telling his team, 'We're only down by double digits to Duke and the best player in college basketball.'"

The analysis underscores how experience and tactical coaching can triumph over raw talent in high-stakes environments.

---

2. Interview with Gino Auriemma: Navigating Modern Coaching Challenges

Timestamp: [23:00] - [36:45]

One of the episode's highlights is an in-depth interview with Gino Auriemma, the esteemed head coach of the UConn Huskies. Auriemma shares his perspective on the evolving landscape of college basketball coaching, addressing topics like the transfer portal, player retention, and maintaining team cohesion.

Challenges with the Transfer Portal

Auriemma discusses the complexities introduced by the transfer portal, comparing it to the NBA's free agency but highlighting its disruptive nature in college sports.

• Gino Auriemma: "It's the entire year being a free agency period. Imagine the NBA playoffs happening simultaneously with free agency – it's insanity."

He elaborates on how this constant state of availability affects team dynamics and recruitment strategies.

Maintaining Team Cohesion and Motivation

Auriemma emphasizes the importance of building long-term relationships with his players, contrasting it with the often transactional nature of men's college sports.

• Gino Auriemma: "We get them at a young age and work with them over four years, akin to raising a child. This creates a bond often missing in men’s college basketball."

Adaptation and Personal Reflection

Reflecting on his coaching journey, Auriemma shares moments of self-doubt and the importance of adaptability in leadership.

• Gino Auriemma: "There were times I questioned if I was still the right coach, especially when facing injuries and losses. But seeing the team persevere reignited my passion."

His candidness offers listeners a rare glimpse into the emotional and strategic considerations behind successful coaching.

---

3. Analyzing Player Performances: Walter Clayton Jr. III and Vlad Guerrero Jr.

Timestamp: [13:35] - [22:24]

The show transitions to standout player analyses, spotlighting athletes like Walter Clayton Jr. III and Vlad Guerrero Jr. The discussion covers their impressive performances, career trajectories, and the financial aspects of their contracts.

Walter Clayton Jr. III's Ascendancy

Dan Roth praises Clayton's ability to perform under pressure, likening his contested shots to those of NBA star Steph Curry.

• Dan Roth: "Imagine you're the guy everybody knows, and you still go Steph Curry on people. That's what's remarkable about Clayton."

Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s Lucrative Contract

The conversation shifts to baseball's Vlad Guerrero Jr., exploring his hefty 14-year, $500 million deal and its implications.

• Colleen Witt: "He's a young 26. On the young end now, so I'm sure the accountants have their math right."

The hosts and guests analyze the sustainability and risks associated with such long-term contracts in professional sports.

---

4. Dan Hurley on UConn's Tournament Run and Coaching Philosophy

Timestamp: [42:22] - [59:32]

Dan Hurley, head coach of the UConn Huskies, joins the show to discuss his team's recent performances in the NCAA tournament and his coaching philosophy.

Tournament Performance and Team Dynamics

Hurley reflects on UConn's journey, acknowledging the honor in competing against top-tier teams like Florida and analyzing the pivotal moments that led to their exit.

• Dan Hurley: "If we had lost to a lower-seeded team, it wouldn't have felt as honorable. Losing to Florida, a championship-caliber team, was tough but understandable."

Coaching in the Modern Era

Hurley delves into the challenges of coaching amidst the transfer portal frenzy, drawing parallels to Dan Auriemma's experiences.

• Dan Hurley: "The transfer portal is a mess. It's like every day is a free agency period, making it hard to maintain team stability."

Personal Reflections and Future Plans

Hurley candidly discusses moments of doubt and his commitment to evolving as a coach to meet modern demands.

• Dan Hurley: "There were times I questioned if I was still the right person to be coaching, especially with all the distractions players face today."

His insights offer valuable lessons on resilience and adaptability in sports leadership.

---

5. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [59:32] - [62:06]

As the episode wraps up, Dan Roth and Colleen Witt recap the key discussions, emphasizing the evolving nature of sports coaching and player management. They also tease upcoming segments and encourage listeners to engage with the show through various platforms.

• Dan Roth: "We've covered a lot today, from intense game analyses to deep dives into coaching philosophies. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations."

---

Notable Quotes

• Dan Roth [07:15]: "Duke was up by 14 in the second half, under nine minutes to go, seemingly in control. But Houston didn't flinch, and that was the key."

• Gino Auriemma [23:45]: "We get them at a young age and work with them over four years, akin to raising a child. This creates a bond often missing in men’s college basketball."

• Dan Hurley [42:39]: "If we had lost to a lower-seeded team, it wouldn't have felt as honorable. Losing to Florida, a championship-caliber team, was tough but understandable."

---

Conclusion

"The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" episode offers a rich tapestry of sports commentary, expert interviews, and thoughtful analysis. From dissecting high-stakes basketball games to exploring the intricate dynamics of modern coaching, Dan Patrick and his guests provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of today's sports landscape. Whether you're passionate about basketball strategy or interested in the personal journeys of top coaches, this episode delivers valuable insights wrapped in engaging discussions.

---

Listen to the Episode Catch "The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Stay tuned for more compelling sports narratives and expert analyses in future episodes.

Transcript

[Colleen Witt]

Are you hungry? Colleen Witt here. And Eating While Broke is back for season four every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. This season we've got a legendary lineup serving up broke dishes and even better stories on the menu. We have Tony Baker, Nick Cannon, Melissa Ford, October London and Carrie Harper Howey turning Big Macs into big moves. Catch Eating While Broke every Thursday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts. Wherever you get your favorite shows, come hungry for season. My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell bent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees. Listen to Divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm ready to fight. Oh, this is Fighting Words. Okay, I'll put the hammer back. Hi, I'm George M. Johnson, a best selling author with the second most banned book in America. Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to fight back. Part of the power of black queer creativity is the fact that we got us. You know, we are the greatest culture makers in world history. Listen to Fighting words on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Ever wonder what it would be like to be mentored by today's top business leaders?

[Dan Roth]

My podcast this is Working can help with that.

[Colleen Witt]

Here's Advice from Google CMO Lorraine2Hill on how to treat AI like a partner.

[Dan Roth]

I see AI as an incredible co pilot. You may use different tools or toys to get the work done, but AI is just the latest flavor of that. You're still the judge of what good looks like.

[Colleen Witt]

I'm Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief.

[Dan Roth]

On my podcast this is Working Leaders share strategies for success.

[Colleen Witt]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Camila Ramon.

[Dan Roth]

And I'm Liz Ortiz. And our podcast Hasta Bajo is where.

[Colleen Witt]

Sports, music and fitness collide and we cover it all the Arriba Hasta. This season we sit down with history.

[Dan Roth]

Makers like the Sucar family who became.

[Colleen Witt]

The first Peruvians to win a Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level.

[Dan Roth]

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

[Colleen Witt]

Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio. For most of the season, Duke was dominating college basketball. They had talent, they had depth, great coaching. They get into the final four against a battle tested Houston team and you had raw talent meeting its match, and it certainly showed. Duke was up by 14 in the second half, under nine minutes to go, seemingly in control. And as I've said many times on this show, freshmen can act like freshmen. I don't care how talented you are. And they acted like freshmen late in that game. Now, Houston didn't flinch. That was the key. Kelvin Sampson did a wonderful job of telling his team, we're only down by. We're only down by, even though it's double digits to Duke and the best player in college basketball. So you have an experienced team, well coached, and when they had the moment, when it called for composure, they delivered. Duke did not. But we've seen this before. Many times you get that moment and this is where you step up and you make a big play. I thought Duke was nonchalant at times, even trying to get the ball in. Cooper flag had a moment and his moment passed. But Houston played great. And I think there's moments where you go, this could get out of hand. And it certainly looked like it was going to get out of hand. Kelvin Sampson didn't allow his team to let it get out of hand, to get embarrassed. And then with Florida and Auburn, I thought Auburn was going to win the game. I thought Houston was going to keep close, and I thought that they would, I would take the points with Houston. They ended up upsetting them, But Walter Clayton Jr. III has made himself some money. Imagine you're the guy, everybody knows you're the guy, and you still go Steph Curry on people. And that's what's remarkable. And these are contested shots. These aren't just, hey, somebody driving dish. It's, I got the ball, I'm gonna, I'm gonna do the driving and I'm gonna take the big shot. And that's what was impressive. This is, this is quite a run, quite a run for one player. And, and look, I haven't been sold on Florida. They could win the national title, but I am sold on Walter Clayton. He is a whole lot of fun and he's probably making, making himself into a lottery pick now. And I think when the tournament began, there was talk maybe at the end of the first round. But what I've seen so far, and I don't want to get caught up too much in. You've done this in a couple of games in the tournament. But I do want to get caught up in the fact that you're doing it in the tournament because you're doing it with high pressure. These are big games, big moments, and that's what's fun to see when you're watching somebody. He was at Iona. Nobody knew that he was out of Iona, except for the Florida coaching staff that said, you know what? That guy right there could be pretty good. So he was there. Rick Pitino. And you're seeing a lot of these teams that have, you know, juniors and seniors, you know, transfer players. This is college basketball. And you've seen that Houston has experience. Florida has experience as well. All right, poll question for the first hour of the program, Seaton is going to be what? Well, why don't we start off with a positive. Who had the best week? Well, Alexander Ovechkin. He did pretty well. Decent. That's not bad. Yeah. All time. Great weekend. Yeah. Kelvin Sampson. Yep. That's pretty nice. Yeah. Yeah. That's a hell of a dub to get. I think maybe we combine Paige Beckers and Gino Aurayama. They had a great weekend. Yes. Yeah. The fact they went nine years without winning a championship is like when Tom Brady went, I think, nine years without winning a Super Bowl. We've just gotten to that point where you go, wow, it's been that long. When Holly Rowe interviewed Gina or after the game, she's like, you know, last time we were here, it was 2016, and they've had their moments. But, I mean, give credit. Paige Beckers, you have a couple of serious injuries to come back. All the greatness, all the greatness you had at UConn, they all win championships. And I'm glad that she was able to put that on her resume, because she deserves that. She was Caitlin Clark before Caitlin Clark, and that's a really good team. And Dawn Staley knew that. Knew that early. And I think that's why she was trying to fire up her team. And then she realized, hey, we got beat by a really, really good team. And I always wonder about this. When you win a national championship. Eugenio Oriema, what is that, 12 titles now? Are you going to stay? And he probably looks at the roster and he goes, yeah, why would I leave? I mean, I got a. I got a star freshman. My. My best shooter. Fudge's going to come back like, I'm okay. I'm 71. What else am I going to do you know, if I had a team like that, like Gino, then I would probably come back. It's just. I just. I just don't have, you know, a team that I can count on. The way he can, hypothetically. Yeah. Yeah. Not talk about specific people. Pathetically, no. You know, there's nothing wrong with staying. You like it, you enjoy it. Can you get fired up again? And usually you get the energy from your new wave of players. And, you know, when he said, we lost a scrimmage in the beginning of the season, I didn't think we'd make the tournament. And then all of a sudden, they had a run that was similar to the Yukon men's and how they blew people out in the tournament. That's a really, really good team and a deep team, and they had far more, you know, far more talent than South Carolina. And Dawn Staley has done a wonderful job there. I just didn't think she had a great player. I think she had a really good team. She just didn't have a great player. So who had the best weekend? Seaton is that we're looking at UConn with Paige and Gino, and we're looking at Ovechkin. Yep. Who else do we want to put on? Certainly Calvin Sampson. That's a great win. Yeah. Walter Clayton Jr. III had a. Another great weekend. Yeah. Well, for himself. Yes. Yes, he did. Anybody else? There's a little bit of like a. Did Duke collapse or did Houston take it? Houston collapsed. Yeah. I think there has to be. Something has to happen for something to happen. So there has to be action for reaction. They have to open the door for a collapse where they don't get rebounds, they don't make field goals, they can't get the ball inbounds, they commit a foul, they allow, you know, a put back. That's all they allowed. They did all those things. Now, Houston played a role in that. But still, you're Duke, you're not getting rebounds. What, in the final three minutes, you don't have field goals, not making free throws. I put that on Duke. That's a collapse. Absolutely. Yes. Ton. I couldn't help but wonder what was.

[Dan Roth]

Going on through Coach K's mind as he's sitting there watching this unfold over the last minute and a half, two minutes.

[Colleen Witt]

And, you know, second guessing in his own mind, he wouldn't necessarily call out.

[Dan Roth]

Coach Shire and have a discussion after.

[Colleen Witt]

The game, but gotta wonder what that, you know, thought bubble would be like. Yeah.

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah.

[Colleen Witt]

Probably pretty tough to sit there and you can do nothing. Yeah, you're just watching. But, you know, we think Duke is going to go to the championship game. They should go to the championship game. But Houston hit big shots. Duke had to allow them the opportunity to make those moments big shots. What else do we have as far as the poll question today? And. And we'll get to Ovechkin passing Gretzky. How about Vlad Guerrero Jr. III? He gets 500 million from Toronto. Seaton brought up a great point about his dad by. How did you. Guerrero Jr's dad. Not my dad. Yeah, yeah, yeah, right. How did you phrase it about Vlad Guerrero Sr. He was like. I just remember him as being one of the greatest sluggers of this generation to never happen. He had it. He had a window there where you were like, dude, this dude is about to go off. Yeah. And that is any minute now. This dude is just about to take over. And man, what the heck happened? I thought he was the guy. Nine time all star. One of the best bad ball hitters. Always had the pine tar on the front of his batting helmet. His batting helmet looked like it had been in a fire, something. It's just completely torn up. But he's a Hall of Famer. Yeah, it just. It always felt like, God, he should have been even greater. Yeah. Which isn't fair because he had one of the best arms in baseball. Bad ball hitter. But I don't know. Did he win a championship anywhere? Kind of played sort of in obscurity a little bit. But man, was he talented. 500 mil. How old is Vlad Guerrero Jr. Because they gave him a 14 year, 500 million dollar deal. He is 26 years old. Okay, look, I'm sure that they have their accountants and they do the math, but I just like, for the life of me could never give somebody a contract like that. 14 years. What could go wrong? Or if it's 10 years, you're like, no, no. Five years. Okay. Yes. Paulie, would you like to play the Vlad Guerrero Senior Vlad Guerrero Jr. Career salary game? Sure, why not? Had this ready for years. Okay. Salary, salary, salary, salary, salary, salary. Sal. Okay. Vlad Guerrero Sr.

[Gino Auriemma]

Played 15 seasons. His best paycheck was.09 with the LA Angels of Anaheim. Redundant. $15 million. His career salary was $125 million. The old man did right. Well, Vlad Guerrero Jr. Well, I'll let you guys guess. He's made 75 million so far.

[Colleen Witt]

What? What will his career salary be? Probably 575. I just want to make sure you could get that. 575. 500 plus. 75. Yeah.

[Gino Auriemma]

He is on pace to make $580 million in his career. Five times what his old man.

[Colleen Witt]

Yeah, yeah. All right. Yeah. Yes, Mark. Pretty good. Thank you. How's it? Thank you. Not bad, if you can get it. Yeah. And I thought that they were going to be all in on Otani. Remember when we had Steve Phillips, the former Mets gm, and he came on and he was like, hey, Toronto's in this for Ohtani. And then all of a sudden, Toronto wasn't in for, you know, Ohtani. It's like Aaron Judge with the San Francisco Giants. It's like, hey, Giants got a great shot at him. And then all of a sudden they didn't have a great shot at him. Yes.

[Dan Roth]

Todd, if you're concerned about Vlad Jr's age, he just turned 26.

[Colleen Witt]

So he's a young 26. 26 three weeks ago. Oh, okay. He's on the young end of that now. I feel better about the next 14 years. Oh, God. Since Steel's became an official stat in 1986, NCAA tournament teams are 335 and 1 in games that they beat their opponents in. Field goal percentage, free throw attempts, assist turnovers fewer than your opponent, and steals the lone loss. Duke on Saturday night. Stat of the day. Stat of the day. Stat of the day. Stat of the day. Here comes that. What Stat of the to you by Panini America. The official trading cards of the DP show if you don't like Duke, you had a great Saturday because that was one of those where, and this isn't a team that it, you know, that you dislike. I mean, they're a good team to watch, they're fun team to watch. But you were rooting against the brand. That brand is pretty powerful and I think that's probably what stood out. You're like, oh, God, Duke again. Wait, Houston's come. Wait, Houston's go. Holy Duke. Duke's gonna lose this game. That's as I'm watching it. You're watching almost as in slow motion where I'm going, oh, my God, oh my God, wait. And then all of a sudden there'd be a three. And then all of a sudden, can't get the ball in. Then all of a sudden there's a foul on flag. And yes, I, I, I'm okay with the call. Because if, let's say it was the other way and Duke got the call, what would we say? Oh, yeah, they want Duke to win. So you can't say that the officials were calling and making the call and what they saw. Is it tough to make that call? Yes. But they did make a tough call, and it went against Duke.

[Gino Auriemma]

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports.

[Colleen Witt]

Talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app, search FSR to listen live. Hey, it's Steve Covino.

[Dan Roth]

And I'm Rich Davis.

[Colleen Witt]

And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5.

[Dan Roth]

To 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And, of course, the iHeartRadio app.

[Colleen Witt]

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything.

[Dan Roth]

Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

[Colleen Witt]

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends.

[Dan Roth]

For the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right?

[Colleen Witt]

So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say.

[Dan Roth]

I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive.

[Colleen Witt]

Show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.

[Dan Roth]

I wore nine NHL sweaters and I.

[Colleen Witt]

Have story after story to share.

[Dan Roth]

And believe it or not, I have plenty to say.

[Colleen Witt]

And not just about hockey. Believe me, he does. Energy line with Nate and JSB is the name of the podcast and it's going to be, well, it's going to be quite the ride. We're officially line mates, Nate. We're the energy line.

[Dan Roth]

We'll have plenty of folks join us.

[Colleen Witt]

Current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers.

[Dan Roth]

And wait till you see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.

[Colleen Witt]

Okay. We'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do, provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Dan Roth]

I'm vibing Julie. I'M ready to roll.

[Colleen Witt]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On November 5, 2018 at 6:33am, a red Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned in a ditch out in Sleep Hole Valley. The driver's seat door was open. No traces of footsteps leaving the vehicle. No belongings were found, except for a cassette tape lodged in the player. On that tape were 10 vile. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Grotesque. Oh my God. Oh my God. Horrific stories that to this day have been kept restricted from the public until now. You feeling this too? A horror anthology podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots, Wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell bent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. Somebody violated the FBI and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees. The FBI went around to all their neighbors and said to them, do you think these people are good Americans? It's got heists, tragedy, a trial of the century, and the God damnedest love story you've ever heard. I picked up the phone and my.

[Dan Roth]

Thought was this is the most important phone call I'll ever make in my life. I couldn't believe it. I mean, Brendan, it was divine intervention.

[Colleen Witt]

Listen to Divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Bob Pippman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Matt and Magic Stories from the frontiers of marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Health Beauty, Tarang Amin. The way I approach risk is constantly try things and actually make it okay to fail. I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel. I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life. We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stefan Bonsell, CEO of Moderna. It becomes a human decision to decide to throw by the window your business strategy and to do what you think is the right thing for the world. Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important Creative Spark the magic. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of Marketing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Gino Auriemma]

We ready to fight?

[Colleen Witt]

I'm ready to fight. Is that what I thought it was? Oh, this is Fighting Words. Okay, I put the hammer back. Hi, I'm George M. Johnson, a best selling author with the second most banned book in America. Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to fight back. And that's what we are doing on Fighting Words. We're not going to let anyone silence us. That's the reason why they're banning books like yours, George.

[Dan Roth]

That's the reason why they're trying to.

[Colleen Witt]

Stop the teaching of black history, queer history, any history that challenges the whitewashed norm or put us in a box. Black people have never, ever depended on the so called mainstream to support us. That's why we are great. We are the greatest culture makers in world history. Listen to Fighting Words on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Gino Oriemma is set to join us, the freshly minted head coach of the national champion UConn Huskies. Did you forget about this feeling? Did you remember what it was like to win a national title?

[Gino Auriemma]

Almost. You know, we have those moments, our senior citizens, you know, you ought to know so. But it didn't take long to remember though. Never ceases to amaze me, the, the feeling that you have when, when you watch those faces and it's just really, really unbelievable.

[Colleen Witt]

But take me back to preseason and you said that the girls, they lost a scrimmage.

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah, we did, we did.

[Colleen Witt]

And is that where you go home and you say to your wife, oh my God, I don't know what we have here. We may not even make the tournament.

[Gino Auriemma]

Well, it's, it's exactly what we say. We said, I hope we make the NCAA tournament this year, you know, is we didn't take it seriously. You know, we, we kind of, everybody thought, yeah, we're going to be good because, you know, we're healthy, we got everybody back. But it was a, it was a good reminder. But it was, it was a struggle throughout, I would say November, December, trying to find some consistency. We would have it, lose it, have it, lose it. And I think it wasn't until we got back from South Carolina, the first time when we played so well that we actually understood, all right, this is what the level is. This is who we can be. And that's when it all changed.

[Colleen Witt]

Is it a grind?

[Gino Auriemma]

Oh, yeah.

[Colleen Witt]

Oh, yeah. But is it a different kind of, let's say 15 years ago, similar kind of grind?

[Gino Auriemma]

A little different. I think a little different. It being that the players I'm coaching today are way more challenged, they're way more distracted, they've got way more voices in their head. They've got way too much information coming at them from all sources of people. Things that it's hard to make your voice really be, you know, the voice, like, you know, when you played, like your coach said, you know, today's Wednesday. You go home and tell, hey, mom, today's Wednesday, man. No, it's not. It's Monday. No, coach said it's Wednesday today. What's your coach say today? I don't know. I wasn't listening. I mean, that's, it's just a little bit harder right now, man.

[Colleen Witt]

But you're not dealing. You know, we hear the men's coaches talking about transfer portal nil.

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah.

[Colleen Witt]

How prevalent is that for you? On a daily, weekly, monthly basis?

[Gino Auriemma]

No, I don't deal with it on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. No, we don't have somebody on our staff that's calling AAU coaches and handlers and all that, you know. You know, is your kid interested? Hey, tell them we're interested, like a lot of schools do. No, we don't deal with that. We just coach our team. We know at the end of every year because we get pretty good players. And if they don't all play as much as they want, those days, I'll wait my turn, those are gone, you know, so we know that the end of every year, some kids already halfway out the door when they realize, I'm not getting the time that I thought I was going to get. And it's like, you know, we understand we might lose a couple every year, but there's a couple kids that want to come every year. What makes it hard is in the NBA they have a free agency period of time. This is when you can talk to free agents. This is when you can sign them, blah, blah, blah. Our free agency is the whole year and every kid, there's 365 Division 1 schools, plus Division 2. Every kid's a free agent every day the whole year. I, I, it's just, and then the portals open during the NCAA tournament. Can you imagine the NBA playoffs and free agencies going on during the playoff? I mean, it's insanity. So, but luckily we don't have to deal with it as much as obviously it's happening on the guys and the money don't even get me started on the money, some of the money that I hear programs have to spend. And now, obviously, it's football and men's basketball to drive this, but it's out of hand, man. It's out of hand.

[Colleen Witt]

What was your pregame speech?

[Gino Auriemma]

Was my pregame speech, probably, you know, the same as it was the previous three games that we just won. You know, we, we, we. This was our fourth game, you know, two and two. I. I like to talk about how many times. This one was really good. I like this one because I said, you know, this is our 24th final four. And our record in the Final Four before last night was 11 wins, 12 losses in 23 Final Fours. I said, so I'm the winningest coach in the history of college basketball, but I have a losing record in the Final Four. I said, but when I'm introduced at some events, I, you know, they go, and ladies and gentlemen, Gino Oriema. You know, he's lost 12. I said, they don't do that. They say, you know, you know, where Emily's won 11 national champions, so, you know, nobody gives a damn about who loses. They just care about winning, so why worry about losing? Because nobody cares. So I think the thing that I always try to do is try to make them understand to not be afraid to lose, because that's what gets in the way of teams winning. And especially at this. This point in time in the season when your whole, you know, career is riding on it, the fear of losing is just so powerful. And I think it's my job to try to diffuse that as much as.

[Colleen Witt]

I can at any point during that nine year. Maybe it's not fair to say drought, but for you it would be. But did you at any point doubt yourself of, am I still able to motivate them? Am I losing it, or, you know, any kind of concerns about you and your coaching?

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah, yeah, of course, because. Well, a couple of things. We went to 15 straight Final Fours, but we didn't win after number 11. We didn't win the next four or five years. You know, six years out of those nine years that we didn't win, we went to the Final Four eight times, and we were never healthy. I shouldn't say six of those times, we were never healthy. So I kept saying, you know, when we get healthy, we'll be fine. But I gotta tell you, Dan, I'll be brutally honest. There was so many times when I would go home and I would say, I don't think I'm as good A coach as I used to be, I don't think as able to do what these players need in today's world. I, I don't know that I can do that. Which is crazy because we're going to the Final Four every year. But does creep into your mind when it's. You're having all these things thrown at you. This injury, that injury, this key players out, that one's out for the season. You know, it, yeah, it, it really, really, really made me question, am I still the right person to be doing this at this time in my career at a place like UConn, where championships is the standard?

[Colleen Witt]

And you know how this works. We get to a certain age and people go, oh, how much longer are you going to do it? You know, oh, you know, be a great time to retire. You just win, you walk off. Only, I mean, so how do you deal with this? Just because I decided in three years I'm retiring. I just said I, I have to mark. This is when I'm going to retire or I, I don't think I would retire.

[Gino Auriemma]

Is that five years ago. You, you made that commitment a year.

[Colleen Witt]

And a half ago. I said I would retire. I gave the date I was going to retire. Good for you. Okay. But I, I needed to do it because I, there's other things I needed to do and, and to be fair with my family and my wife. Have you had those discussions of. And I don't know if there's anything else that you want to do because maybe you're like, you know, coaches coach till they die. It's like, this is what I want to do. This is all I know. I don't know if you're wired that way.

[Gino Auriemma]

No, no, I, no, I, I don't know why I still do it. Be honest with you. Most people my age have enough sense not to do it. And I, I think one thing that helps me, Dan, like when I get back to school and whatever recruiting has to be done or whatever I would say by the time May comes around, I don't give basketball a thought until next September. I get, I just walk away. I'm done. And luckily I have a staff and I got a program that can do that. But I don't live it 24 7. I don't take it home with me. Like the way, you know, a lot of these guys do, that just wears on them day after day. Now we have the, we have the privilege of, of doing that because of our success. I get it. If you're grinding it out, trying to make the NC Tournament every year, keep your job. But I'm not in that situation. If I was, I would have got out a long time ago. So, you know, I'm able to put it away. And there's so many other things that I would love to do. You know, when you retire, let me know because I'll. I'll sit there and ask great questions like you do and make fun of people like you do. I would love to do that. However I got it. I got an email today from a friend of mine, Tom Sherman, play for, play for Penn State, and he played for Joe Paterno. And he emailed me today, and he goes, Hey, 40 years at Yukon. He goes, it's unbelievable. He goes, you know, Joe Paterno was at Penn State 64 years, so you can still catch up. And I thought to myself, you got to be kidding me. 64 years?

[Colleen Witt]

Yeah.

[Gino Auriemma]

So, no, it'll be sometime before that, trust me.

[Colleen Witt]

And I'll leave you with this, that you get your women to stay, you know, they're. They're there for years, so you, you develop a friendship, a relationship, whereas, you know, men's college coaches, if you're good, you know, it's a six month, you know, transaction here. Yeah, but you could see that where you. With Paige Beckers, you're watching her be this great player to being injured, to never winning a title. Now is your chance to win a title and just being overcome by emotion because it's real. It's like a daughter, I guess. I mean, you're. You're hugging a daughter of sorts in that moment, and you're kind of at a loss for words.

[Gino Auriemma]

Correct.

[Colleen Witt]

It was awesome, though.

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah, it is. It is. Because we do get them at a, at an age where they're very impressionable, so to speak, and they're 17, 18 years old. And we know if things go well, we do get them for four years. We do get to see them at the beginning, and then we get to see them at the end, and we get to see them when they're struggling, when they're. It is. It's like raising your kids, and it's like all of a sudden, you send them off after a period of time. Yeah, if, if, if this was like men's basketball, there's no way I would even have close to 12 national championships. Diana would have been one and done. Stewie would have been one and done. Maya Moore would have been one and done. I can go on and on. Paige Beckers would have been one and done. All these guys so the fact that I think we can. It goes back to the old days. It's like the way it used to be. You know, we. We get them young and then we, you know, work with them. And it does create a bond that I think is missing in men's college. Basketball and football is a little bit better because those guys have to stay, you know, for about three years. But now the portals become, yeah, look, I'm here as long as I can get what I want. Otherwise, I'm out. And so the coaches feel like, okay, well, if this guy's going to walk out on me any day now, how. Why should I invest all of myself in him or her? I'm just going to coach, you get what I need to get out of you. And if you leave, you leave. If you stay, you stay. That's fine. So it's really kind of created like a professional environment where we're just doing this Europe and. And this nonsense about. Well, they're not employees. Yeah, they are employees. We're paying them to play basketball for us, and when they don't like their job, they quit and go. Go work someplace else. So I'm lucky. I really am. I've got a great situation, and I know a lot of guys on the men's side envy it, and. And I feel bad for those guys.

[Colleen Witt]

Congrats. Hair still looks great. And thanks for joining us. Yeah.

[Gino Auriemma]

And, you know, I can't believe you're still doing this.

[Colleen Witt]

I know.

[Gino Auriemma]

I tell people all the time you're one of the few guys in America that asks questions that are way shorter than the guy's answer, and I really appreciate that.

[Colleen Witt]

I want a shot clock, Gino.

[Gino Auriemma]

I like that.

[Colleen Witt]

Brevity, brevity. Get to the point. That's it. Hey, congrats. Thanks, man. Thanks for joining us.

[Gino Auriemma]

Yeah, thanks for having us.

[Colleen Witt]

That's Gino Auriemma. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio Apple. It's Julie Stewart Banks. I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.

[Dan Roth]

I wore nine NHL sweaters, and I.

[Colleen Witt]

Have story after story to share.

[Dan Roth]

And believe it or not, I have plenty to say.

[Colleen Witt]

And not just about hockey. Believe me, he does Energy Line with Nate, and JSB is the name of the podcast, and it's gonna be. Well, it's gonna be quite the ride. We're officially line mates, Nate. We're the energy line.

[Dan Roth]

We'll have plenty of folks join us.

[Colleen Witt]

Current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers.

[Dan Roth]

And wait till you see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.

[Colleen Witt]

Okay. We'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do, provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?

[Dan Roth]

I'm vibing, Julie.

[Colleen Witt]

I'm ready to roll. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On November 5, 2018 at 6:33am, a red Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned in a ditch out in Sleep Hole Valley. The driver's seat door was open. No traces of footsteps leaving the vehicle. No belongings were found, except for a cassette tape Lodged in the player. On that tape were 10 vile. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Grotesque. Oh my God. Oh my God. Horrific stories but to this day have been kept restricted from the public. Until now. You feeling this too? A horror anthology podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Gino Auriemma]

We ready to fight?

[Colleen Witt]

I'm ready to fight. Is that what I thought it was? Oh, this is Fighting Words. Okay, I put the hammer back. Hi, I'm George M. Johnson, a best selling author with the second most banned book in America. Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to fight back. And that's what we are doing On Fighting Words. We're not gonna let anyone silence us. That's the reason why they're banning books like yours, George.

[Dan Roth]

That's the reason why they're trying to stop the teaching of black history, queer.

[Colleen Witt]

History, any history that challenges the whitewashed norm or put us in a box. Black people have never ever depended on the so called mainstream to support us. That's why we are great. We are the greatest culture makers in world history. Listen to Fighting Words on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots. Wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hellbent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. Somebody violated the FBI and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees. The FBI went around to all their neighbors and said to them, do you think these people are good Americans? It's got heists Tragedy, a trial of the century, and the God damnedest love story you've ever heard. I picked up the phone and my.

[Dan Roth]

Thought was, this is the most important phone call I'll ever make in my life.

[Colleen Witt]

I couldn't believe it.

[Dan Roth]

I mean, Brendan, it was divine intervention.

[Colleen Witt]

Listen to divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin. The way I approach risk is constantly try things and actually make it okay to fail. I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel. I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life. We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stephane Bonsell, CEO of Moderna. It becomes a human decision to decide to throw by the window. You'll be business strategy and to do what you think is the right thing for the world. Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of Marketing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. He's the head coach for the men's team at Connecticut, two time defending national champs. At least until tomorrow or late tonight. Dan Hurley joining us on the program. Good to talk to you again, coach. Did you watch the games, the semifinal games?

[Dan Roth]

I did. Unlike, you know, unlike after the 22 season where, you know, where we had that first round exit and I ignored the rest of the tournament. I've, I've watched as many of the games as I, as I possibly could since we've been eliminated.

[Colleen Witt]

You lose to Florida, second round, but do you take any solace with the fact that Florida is here playing for a national championship?

[Dan Roth]

Yeah, I do. I think it's a, it's more honorable that, you know, kind of at the run we've been on, you know, where we kind of fell at the hands of, you know, of a championship level team that's, you know, one game away from experiencing the championship glory. So yeah, I mean, if we would have lost to like a lower seeded team or a Team that, you know, it was not of the championship caliber. I guess it feels more honorable, you know, have a 113 in a row in that tournament in the fashion we did. You know, to have it all, you know, to have it all end at the hands of, of the Gators, there's probably some honor in that.

[Colleen Witt]

How do you explain what happened with Duke and Houston at the end of that game?

[Dan Roth]

I mean, I, I mean, I can't, you know, imagine, you know, just kind of. Well, no, I can't imagine, you know, what, what John and his staff and those players are feeling. I mean, it felt like, you know, that they were the, the best team, you know, the best team in the country this year. I think their roster, the way they put it together was, was meticulous. I think the, the quality of both ends of the court, you know, was with. They were playing basketball at an incredibly high level, you know, with high level NBA players. But just the fact that they were not in enough close games, I think, you know, I think the fact that they dominated so much throughout conference play, I think, you know, the separation between them and the other teams in their conference really hurt them when they got to those end of game situations where they haven't had to shoot a lot of pressure, One on pressure, free throws, one on ones they had to inbound the ball versus full denial with a three point lead or a one point lead. They were, you know, they were in a type of game that Houston had been in a bunch, you know, because of, you know, playing in the Big 12, afforded them more opportunities. I think that came back to haunt them.

[Colleen Witt]

I brought this up a long time ago. I brought it up subsequently. You go back to UNLV when UNLV blew out Duke, your brother's team and then that following year, and we thought they were invincible. And I remember talking about, you want to see a team play a close game. You just want to have that feeling, you know, what you're doing. And this isn't all on the freshman at Duke, but still you got young players and you got a veteran Houston team and sometimes freshmen act like freshmen, no matter how great they are. But as a coach, what role would you play in a situation like that?

[Dan Roth]

Yeah, I think, you know, some of the, the, I would say the situational things that you experience in a, you know, with that true game pressure, you know, and, you know, Duke goes in as the favorite, just kind of like we were last year where, you know, we're playing at such a high level. They had, you know, dominated the first, you know, four rounds of the tournament. Obviously the Arizona game, you know, ended up being, being an eight point game or an eight point win. But you know, at times in that game they look dominant, but I just think that they. You could practice situational basketball all you want, but you cannot simulate the game pressure that you feel. You know, when your inbounder has got to run the baseline and throw a pass through a narrow window to a player being face guarded by a wolf. I mean, Houston's got some wolves out there, you know, making it really tough on you. And you know, for us last year, we weren't very good in close games. You know, the games during the course of the year. I don't think we were great in one possession games the last two years. But there was a window, I think for Duke in that game to keep that game double figures, keep that game 12, 14 back down to 10, get it back up to 15, you know, but they, they just, they stop scoring.

[Colleen Witt]

The difference in coaching a freshman and coaching a junior, what's the biggest difference?

[Dan Roth]

I just think of, you know, repetitions, game experiences, you know, just haven't been in those positions, you know, before, you know, more practices under their belt. More, you know, more life experiences, you know, just a little bit more, you know, maturity, a little more, you know, worldliness, a little bit, you know, just a little bit more, you know, prepared. Have experienced more failures. Have experienced, you know, different types of successes. Just a little, little, little more grizzled.

[Colleen Witt]

Talking to Dan Hurley. You're still the reigning national champs, at least for 12 more hours.

[Dan Roth]

That's why I got my. I'm wearing it today, Dan. I'm wearing it there.

[Colleen Witt]

There's a trophy behind you. There's a pair of shoes on top of that trophy. Whose shoes are those?

[Dan Roth]

Oh, J.R. smith, you know, J.R. swish. That was my first great player that played for me at St. Benedict's and the first play went to the NBA out of high school. So was. That was his rookie year shoe with the Hornets.

[Colleen Witt]

Okay. Any other memorabilia that might surprise us?

[Dan Roth]

I got. Well, I think a lot of people like the underwear over. Those are my lucky underwear. Not many men have their underwear on a plaque in their office. Obviously the gladiator health. That explains a lot about me. Right there. The lion head behind it.

[Colleen Witt]

You haven't gotten in trouble in a while, have you?

[Dan Roth]

No, I. I've. I've got a lot of self aware. Oh well, I don't have a lot of self worth. I have enough. I have enough self awareness and Situational awareness that I. I skipped San Antonio and I. I decided not to parade myself around the Final Four and to, you know, to take a break, to let people have a little bit of a break for me and then, you know, just to, you know, reflect on the year, the run we've been on. And obviously, it was the first real chance, Dan, I've had, really, since we were eliminated for the tournament. 22, you know, through to that Florida loss in the tournament. You know, my life's been a whirlwind of some incredible moments and some moments that, you know, our artists aren't as.

[Colleen Witt]

Art is great, but I remember when you turned down the Lakers and we talked and you said you weren't mature enough yet for a job like that. Your words. Yeah, I. How do you mature? Like what. What do you. What are you doing? Anything to mature.

[Dan Roth]

You know, that's a tough one, I think, number one, I'll say this. A lot of. I feel like the biggest mistake I made this year was not being able to, you know, put together and develop a championship team. You know, when I look at this year, for me, you know, that. That's the thing that I regret the most, is that I wasn't able to, you know, to put together another team that was. Could experience championship glory. You know, some of the things I think that, you know, whether it's, you know, my relationship with officials or, you know, some of the fan interactions or the different things that come with me, part of what makes me successful is my passion. It's my intensity. It's this. You know, when you're winning it. When you're winning championships, these same things have gone on. When you're winning championships, it's called relentlessness. You know, I've been called relentless the past two years, even though I've been experiencing the same types of interactions with fans and officials, you know, this year it's been called, you know, immature. It's been called a lot of things because, you know, my team isn't on top. I haven't changed a whole lot that way.

[Colleen Witt]

If you had a little earpiece and your wife was allowed to talk to you on the sidelines during a game, how do you think that would go?

[Dan Roth]

I think that I'd be here. Stop.

[Colleen Witt]

Shut up.

[Dan Roth]

Yeah. I mean, I would say that from a. I think that my relationships with officials now, you know, the Florida. You know, the Florida post game, I regret that one greatly. You know, that that was. I. There was literally one play call. There was one drive to the rim that I felt if we clearly got fouled on that would have kept that game at a two possession game. That would have just. It was ringing in my mind that it wasn't like multiple calls I felt were missed. Dan. It was just this one play that I could not get out of my mind as I was heading through that tunnel and as I saw the Baylor players, I deeply regret that. I mean, we, we missed a lot of open shots and credit Florida and Clayton, I mean, you know, their championship level, but you know, that one I regret deeply. I didn't believe that. And that was embarrassing. When I look at other ones that were, you know, embarrassing that I'm the best coach in the country, that was embarrassing. I wish somebody could have stopped me from having that moment. A lot of some of the fan interactions, I've got to get somebody, I think that maybe could just walk me on and off the court. Maybe like college football has those guys that walk the coach to the other coach and then just get them off the court. Maybe I need to get somebody that could just when the game ends, just get me on and off the court. Because I don't think that my in game coaching, I want to change a lot because we've been really successful.

[Colleen Witt]

But what is it about officials, though?

[Dan Roth]

I don't think it's as bad as it's made out to be. I've watched these other officials and listen, I've earned. You earn your reputation. You know, I'm definitely a tough coach to officiate because I'm very demanding and I value every single possession in the game because I know how important they are, you know, and. But I've also modeled myself after maybe an older generation of coaches. You know, I'm just an intense coach and I think I'm intense in a very similar way to Coach Sampson tonight. I think if you watch Coach Sampson closely tonight, he's a very intense coach and he's going to be very demanding of the officials.

[Colleen Witt]

Well, you're like your dad, though.

[Dan Roth]

You would hate my father. I mean everyone and my dad.

[Colleen Witt]

No, I like being around your dad socially. When he, when he puts his teeth in and he, you know, you know, we, we have a conversation. I enjoyed being around and we were, I don't know what we were watching. Like, like, I don't know, some sitcom or not even a sitcom is some cop show. When I went to his apartment in Jersey City and I'm going, hey, seems really nice. He's just a nice guy. And then you hear these horror stories about how demanding your dad was.

[Dan Roth]

Yeah, well, I mean, Dan, you know, it's like you got to be able to separate the competitor, you know, the combatants.

[Colleen Witt]

But could you coach like this like you are right now?

[Dan Roth]

No.

[Colleen Witt]

You couldn't just be like.

[Dan Roth]

It doesn't line up with our play style. It doesn't line up with the intensity that we play with. It doesn't. It doesn't line up with how we attack the offensive glass or, you know, how hard we play defensively. And it's not just me. It's our whole bench. I mean, we lead the country in warnings from officials to have everyone sit down. I mean, everyone on my bench is, like, out of pocket. Like, it's. It's just. We're an emotional program. We're a passionate program, and I don't think I'm going to change a whole lot of that, but I do. You know, upon reflection, I think that the interaction with people not on my team, or I would like to probably have less of that.

[Colleen Witt]

When do you walk down the hall to congratulate Gino?

[Dan Roth]

I guess I'm gonna wait for maybe to sober up. I mean, I wouldn't remember.

[Colleen Witt]

I talked to him last hour.

[Dan Roth]

How did he look?

[Colleen Witt]

He looked like a million bucks. Hair was combed. I mean, he looked like Gino.

[Dan Roth]

I mean, he. He, He. I mean, we text. We talk. You know, we were texting before, you know, all of his games. And. And, I mean, he. He saved my season from completely unraveling in. In November. So I. I owe a lot to Gino. And what did he do? I mean, right when we got back from Maui, as. As I. As I had erupted like a volcano in Maui and come back to try to pick the pieces up, I was in a bad, bad place. I was coaching angry. I was coaching frustrated. I. You know, I. I knew I didn't have. Deep down, I knew, you know, I didn't have a team that could compete for a championship, and I was trying to come to grips with that, and he helped kind of talk me through, you know, like, if all you're in this for is to win championships, and, like, if that's the only joy that you get from coaching, you've become basically a monster.

[Colleen Witt]

How's the transfer portal, by the way?

[Dan Roth]

Oh, my God.

[Colleen Witt]

Yeah.

[Dan Roth]

I mean, like, no one is. I mean, when I. That Monday, when you come to the realization that, like, literally no one is on your team, you know, like, that Monday, because even if you're not in the portal, because it's now, a lot of it is being conducted by agents, you know, so even if you're not in the portal, you're in the portal because schools now, you know, they reach out for the agent and, you know, these agents are representing the players. So even if a player hasn't kind of formally gone in the portal, schools will now reach out for agents and make offers to players, you know, that way, indirectly. And a lot of deals, I guess, are agreed upon before players even go in, which is not the way that. That we do business. We, you know, it's. It's a mess.

[Colleen Witt]

How many players are officially on your roster?

[Dan Roth]

I think right now I could sit here and say that we definitely have eight players on our team, you know, and we could have as many as 10, I think, you know, maybe two potentially are. Are undecided whether that's, you know, going to the NBA. Obviously, Alex Caraban's got to make it decision on what he wants to do with this last year. You know, I'd imagine he'll be deciding at some point soon here, maybe this week. And then, you know, then we have another player who's, you know, deciding. So. Yeah, I mean, right now. And listen, it's better than it was, you know, last week. I think there was a point where I think I felt like I had, like, one guy plus the high school guys, and we got three McDonald's all Americans and. And a Tasmanian dude who I think is going to be really good. So we're excited that.

[Colleen Witt]

All right, if you need help in filling out the roster, like practicing, just let me know. Wait, don't laugh like that.

[Dan Roth]

No, I. We're used to deep. When you get used to deep runs, Dan, I feel like I got to do better.

[Colleen Witt]

You do. Good to talk to you. Thank you, coach.

[Dan Roth]

Later, Dan.

[Colleen Witt]

That's Dan Hurley. A Great Lawn is like a great sports team. It takes expertise and a little extra care to stand out. And that's where Trugreen comes in. Here's the best part. It's more affordable than you think. They'll even match any competitor's price. Plus, Trugreen backs it all up with a satisfaction guarantee. Not happy. They will come back between visits to make it right. So don't wait. Head to trugreen.com today and let the pros do the work while you sit back and enjoy the results. Exclusions apply. See trugreen.com for details.

[Dan Roth]

Are you hungry?

[Colleen Witt]

Colleen Witt here and eating While Broke is back for season four every Thursday on the Black Effect podcast network. This season, we've got a legendary lineup. Serving up broke dishes and Even better stories on the menu we have Tony Baker, Nick Cannon, Melissa Ford, October London and Carrie Harper Howey turning Big Macs into big moves.

[Dan Roth]

Catch eating while broke every Thursday on.

[Colleen Witt]

The Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts Wherever you get your favorite shows, come hungry for season four. I'm ready to fight. Oh, this is Fighting Words. Okay, I'll put the hammer back. Hi, I'm George M. Johnson, a best selling author with the second most banned book in America. Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to fight back. Part of the power of black queer creativity is the fact that we got us. You know we are the greatest culture.

[Dan Roth]

Maker in world history.

[Colleen Witt]

Listen to Fighting words on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell bent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind and he wanted bring the Catholic left to its knees. Listen to Divine intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Ever wonder what it would be like to be mentored by today's top business leaders?

[Dan Roth]

My podcast this is Working can help with that.

[Colleen Witt]

Here's advice from Google CMO Lorraine Twohill on how to treat AI like a partner.

[Dan Roth]

I see AI as incredible copilot. You may use different tools or toys to get the work done, but AI is just the latest flavor of that. You're still the judge of what good looks like.

[Colleen Witt]

I'm Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief.

[Dan Roth]

On my podcast this is Working Leaders share strategies for success.

[Colleen Witt]

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