The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 3 & Out – Indiana WINS the National Championship, Saleh Named Titans HC, Dad Diaries

Date: January 20, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: John Middlekauff (on the 3 & Out segment)
Episode Theme:
A wide-ranging sports show reacting to Indiana’s stunning National Championship win, breaking news of Robert Saleh being named Titans head coach, NFL coaching landscape, organizational culture in football, and personal reflections on fatherhood in a new segment: Dad Diaries.

Episode Overview

This episode brings together instant analysis and big-picture reflections following a major night in football: Indiana's underdog national championship win and the hiring of Robert Saleh as the Tennessee Titans' new head coach. John Middlekauff breaks down the national title game through an NFL lens, offers strong takes on Raiders/quarterback prospects, organizational structure, and tackles breaking NFL coach news. The episode then pivots to a raw, relatable look at new fatherhood before moving into rapid-fire mailbag questions from listeners.

Main Topics & Key Segments

1. Indiana's Unbelievable National Championship Run

00:51 – 19:45

Key Discussion Points

• Indiana, led by coach Kurt Signetti, wins the national championship in dramatic fashion, marking one of college football’s all-time great Cinderella stories.
• The transformation of Indiana from a moribund Big Ten program to national powerhouse under Signetti is highlighted as a lesson in perseverance and “the long game.”
• Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s quarterback and projected #1 NFL Draft pick, impresses with his toughness, intelligence, and NFL readiness.

Notable Quotes

• On Indiana’s turnaround:
  "He took the worst job in the country and made them national champions in two years. That’s going to go down as one of the greatest stories in college sports." (18:45)
• On Mendoza:
  “That game... I get more out of that game than if he throws for 400 yards and five touchdowns... He kept getting hit by NFL players and kept getting up to make throws. That’s what it takes.” (09:38)

Big Picture Takeaway

Signetti’s rise – grinding decades in obscurity before seizing his moment and securing generational wealth – is extolled as the antidote to “microwave society.” Middlekauff offers perspective for young coaches/professionals: “Sometimes you just gotta grind. Not everything happens overnight.” (15:15)

Timestamp Highlights

• 06:02: Evaluation of top Indiana defensive players and how their physicality translates to the NFL.
• 16:15: Middlekauff admits he underestimated Signetti: "I thought he was a clown... and here he is, $100 million contract, undefeated national champion."

2. Raiders’ Future & NFL Personnel Philosophy

19:50 – 24:30

Key Discussion Points

• Middlekauff gives a detailed scouting breakdown of Fernando Mendoza, whom he expects the Raiders to pick #1. He frames Mendoza as a high-floor, Dak Prescott/Jared Goff-style starter and stresses the urgent need for organizational structure in Vegas.
• Raiders’ instability (coaching/front office chaos) is compared to successful NFL organizations like the Ravens and Packers.

Notable Quote

• “There’s never been an elite personnel guy with a bad coach. The coach changes everything; you’ve got to get the coach right.” (24:13)

3. Life Lessons from Kurt Signetti’s Coaching Journey

24:30 – 32:30

Talking Points

• The patience and grit required for long-term career breakthroughs – contrasting the meteoric rise of young phenoms with Signetti’s four-decade grind.
• Encouragement to listeners about staying focused on the big goals, even amid setbacks and envy of others’ fast success.

Notable Moment

• “Society now, people jump from thing to thing… it’s hard to gain momentum. Signetti’s a lesson: Just stick with it and one day, it could all come together.” (28:48)

4. Miami’s Run and Takeaways for Mario Cristobal

32:45 – 35:48

• Miami’s strong run is commended, with advice for Cristobal to set dominance over the ACC as the yearly expectation. “You can’t be losing to these ACC teams. That has to be the standard now.” (35:02)

5. BREAKING: Robert Saleh Named Titans HC

38:00 – 50:14

Key Discussion Points

• Live reaction to Robert Saleh’s hiring by Tennessee, described as surprising and risky due to the Titans’ dysfunction and uncertain quarterback situation.
• Middlekauff reflects on the value of being a top coordinator versus taking uncertain head jobs, with strong feelings about the Titans being a “risky” destination.
• Contextualizes Saleh's success as Kyle Shanahan’s defensive coordinator and expresses doubt the Titans’ ownership can enable him to succeed.

Memorable Quotes

• “Salah’s an elite number two... but the Titans job is pretty risky. That organization's been extremely dysfunctional.” (38:46)
• "I would not have done that if I was Robert Salah. I just think the football team kind of matters." (44:40)

6. Sean McDermott Fired—NFL Coach/GM Accountability

50:20 – 61:42

Discussion Points

• Analyzing the Bills’ decision to fire Sean McDermott after another disappointing playoff run—Middlekauff is stunned their GM (Brandon Beane) is instead promoted.
• Compares organizational accountability (or lack thereof) in football, questioning why GMs avoid blame while coaches take the fall.
• Considers the attractiveness of the Buffalo and Baltimore coaching vacancies, both with franchise quarterbacks in their prime.

Notable Quotes

• “Football’s black and white—the process only matters if you win. Sean McDermott didn’t win enough, but how does the GM get promoted?” (54:40)
• “You don’t deserve anything. You get what you negotiate—this is business.” (60:41)

7. Dad Diaries: Reflections on Fatherhood & Hospital Experience

61:50 – 73:50

Key Insights

• Middlekauff shares the emotional and humbling experience of being present for his wife’s C-section and the birth of their son.
• Highlights newfound respect for medical personnel (“It’s just a Tuesday to them, meanwhile it’s the biggest day of your life.” 63:24) and profound appreciation for mothers’ toughness and resilience.
• Dubs the hospital maternity ward "the most optimistic place I’ve ever been," likening the sleep deprivation to NFL hours and jokingly comparing survival instincts to Saving Private Ryan.

Memorable Quote

• “The respect you have—not just for your wife but for mothers in general, their mental and physical toughness, is on another level… She’s a f***ing rock star.” (72:08)

8. Middlekauff Mailbag: Rapid-Fire Listener Q&A

73:55 – End

Selected Questions & Highlights

• On NFL Overtime Rules:
  “Coaches hate field goal kickers. The game’s about line of scrimmage, not a kickoff competition.” (75:10)

• Is Drake May Underappreciated?
  “Drake May is getting a lot of love. If he wins the MVP, nobody’s going to say he's underrated.” (77:22)

• Bills: Should They Move On from McDermott? Would Tomlin Fit?
  Middlekauff questions whether “star coaching” is truly an upgrade and cautions against glamor hires. (80:32)

• Pass Interference and Officiating Rants:
  He rails against ticky-tack calls, arguing for letting defensive players play in big moments. (84:20)

• On NFL Playoff TV Scheduling:
  Details why the NFL will never run overlapping playoff games (audience/advertising). (87:30)

• On College Football Degrees for Athletes:
  Explains why most players must take academics seriously—most won’t go pro—and how football can be a life springboard. (97:02)

Timestamps & Memorable Quotes

00:51 – “Tom Brady’s at the game, John Spytek’s at the game, Mark Davis is at the game... They’re there to see Fernando Mendoza.”
09:38 – “Big 12’s changed... but even the bad NFL teams have Pro Bowlers on defense. And Mendoza? He kept getting up and making throws.”
16:15 – “I thought [Signetti] was a clown... Google me? Playoffs? Then you look up, he’s the best coach in college football this year.”
24:13 – “There’s never been an elite personnel guy with a bad coach. It does not exist.”
38:46 – “Having Robert Saleh as your DC is like Vrabel having Josh McDaniels as your OC – hard to get better.”
44:40 – “You want to leave [San Francisco] for the Titans? That’s risky.”
54:40 – “The reason we talk about Nick Saban’s process is because he won 15 national championships. No one cares about your process if you’re not winning.”
63:24 – “For the staff, it’s just another Tuesday at the office. For you, it’s the biggest day of your life.”
72:08 – “She’s a f***ing rock star. There’s no way I could do that.”
75:10 – “Coaches hate field goal kickers. They would never let the game be decided by a kickoff.”

Tone & Language

Middlekauff’s style is energetic, direct, and laced with humor, F-bombs, and self-deprecating anecdotes. He mixes hardcore football insight with real-world analogies and honest, relatable reflections, particularly in the “Dad Diaries.” His language is conversational and unfiltered, emulating locker room or barroom talk but with keen professional insight.

Useful for New Listeners

This episode is a strong primer for anyone wanting smart, candid football analysis blended with genuine human perspective. It captures the chaos and emotional afterglow of big sports news, the transition moments for programs, and clubhouses—and for an NFL lifer-turned-dad. Expect sharp takes, memorable stories, and a mailbag that answers fan questions ranging from X’s & O’s to the meaning of college football as a life-changer.