Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: 3 & Out - Is Nick Saban RETURNING to football, the HYPE around Arch Manning, Barstool TAKES ON Fox
Release Date: July 20, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Colin delves into three major sports narratives currently dominating headlines: the speculated return of legendary coach Nick Saban to football, the burgeoning hype surrounding Arch Manning, and the intriguing clash between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports 1. Additionally, Colin addresses listener questions in the mailbag segment, offering his insights and opinions on various sports-related topics.

Is Nick Saban Returning to Football?

One of the central discussions revolves around whether Nick Saban, the esteemed Alabama Crimson Tide coach, will make a comeback to coaching football. Colin provides an in-depth analysis of Saban's potential return, weighing the factors that could influence his decision.

Key Points:

• Legacy and Reputation: Colin extols Nick Saban as arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, comparing him to legends like John Wooden and Coach K. His seven national championships are highlighted as a testament to his unparalleled success.

• Age and Adaptation: At 74 years old, Colin questions whether Saban can maintain the rigorous demands of coaching. “[Nick] Saban is going to ride off into the sunset, do college game day for the next several years, enjoy himself, still get to be around the program, but relax while he still gets to make some money” ([02:42]).

• Changing Landscape: The evolving dynamics of college football, including discussions around revenue sharing, salary caps, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) regulations, are cited as challenges that may deter Saban from returning. Colin remarks, “There are more question marks still than answers” ([03:10]).

• Potential Earnings: Colin speculates on Saban’s future earnings, suggesting that a role in media such as ESPN’s College GameDay would offer a lucrative yet less demanding alternative. “I think it's taking an educated guess that Nick Saban is in the ballpark of five, six million is what ESPN pays him” ([03:54]).

Notable Quote:

"Nick Saban will not be coming back to college football unless it's the best overall job, which I don't foresee happening." — Colin Cowherd ([03:45])

The Hype Around Arch Manning

The episode also explores the intense anticipation surrounding Arch Manning, the latest prodigy from the famed Manning football family. Colin dissects the reasons behind the widespread excitement and offers a balanced view of Arch’s current performance and potential future impact.

Key Points:

• Name Recognition vs. Performance: Despite Arch Manning playing only two games, his lineage and potential have created a formidable hype. Colin notes, “Arch has spoken about like he's his uncle, not Eli, but Peyton, and he's played two games against nobodies” ([04:15]).

• Benefits to Peers: The attention on Arch indirectly elevates other quarterbacks in his orbit, benefiting more accomplished players in the conference. “It directly benefits some guys in his quarterback orbit... more accomplished” ([04:30]).

• Comparison to Other Prospects: Colin contrasts Arch with other notable quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams, suggesting that while Arch holds significant attention, there are other strong candidates deserving recognition. “What is Cam Ward, number one overall pick? Why is no one talking about him?” ([05:00]).

• Future Predictions: He anticipates that several other quarterbacks will rise to prominence, potentially overshadowing Arch as the season progresses. “If Arch doesn't even come out, we might end the season with DJ Lagway” ([06:10]).

Notable Quote:

“Arch is taking all the oxygen. He's the only guy any of us are talking about... the hype's a little out of control.” — Colin Cowherd ([05:45])

Barstool Takes on Fox Sports 1

Colin examines the strategic move of Fox Sports 1 hiring Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy and Big Cat, assessing the implications for both entities and the sports media landscape.

Key Points:

• Monetization and Audience Growth: The partnership aims to leverage Barstool’s massive online following to boost Fox Sports 1’s viewership. Colin believes, “I really bet it works and I bet they have success doing this” ([07:30]).

• Content Compatibility: Concerns are raised about the alignment of Barstool’s often irreverent content with Fox’s more traditional sports broadcasting. However, Colin remains optimistic, noting, “Alone, if you’re good, I just kind of find out about you and I’ll just consume you” ([08:00]).

• Independence and Leverage: Both Barstool and Fox have significant leverage in this deal. Colin suggests, “Barstool does not need to be on Fox Sports 1. But if the business deal makes sense, it works” ([08:45]).

• Media Evolution: Reflecting on the changing media landscape, Colin emphasizes the shift from traditional platforms to independent content creators, stating, “Just because I put you on a network, if you aren’t talented, you will not get anyone to watch” ([09:10]).

Notable Quote:

“Barstool set the tone in this industry. They set the tone in this industry.” — Colin Cowherd ([08:20])

Grant Horvat and the PGA Tour Standoff

Another significant topic is Grant Horvat’s recent refusal to accept an invite to the PGA Tour’s event in Truckee, California, citing restrictions on filming his YouTube content.

Key Points:

• Independence and Earnings: Colin highlights that Horvat’s YouTube ventures are highly lucrative, potentially surpassing what he could earn on the PGA Tour. “He is probably making more money doing what he does play on YouTube than potentially every single person in this tournament” ([10:00]).

• PGA Tour Restrictions: The strict no-filming policy of the PGA Tour conflicts with Horvat’s content creation needs, leading to his decision to decline the invite. Colin explains, “They will not let me film. I will not play in your event” ([10:45]).

• Business Savvy: Grant’s stance is portrayed as a strategic business decision, turning a potential setback into a compelling narrative. “He created a massive story out of nothing of something that was never going to happen” ([11:30]).

• Legacy Media’s Misunderstanding: Colin criticizes traditional media’s limited understanding of the podcast and YouTube ecosystems, asserting that Horvat’s success is often underestimated by legacy journalists. “What Grant Horvat YouTube empire makes in Grant's pocket... is better than a lot of these legacy media people understand” ([12:00]).

Notable Quote:

“Grant Horvat does not need the PGA Tour. And what he has going on is so successful, it shocks people.” — Colin Cowherd ([11:10])

Listener Mailbag

In the mailbag segment, Colin responds to various listener questions, offering his perspectives on a range of topics from coaching decisions to player performances.

Highlighted Questions & Responses:

1. Lamar Jackson’s Leadership:

   • Question: Who is the best leader at the quarterback position in the NFL, and how much does it affect the game?
   • Response: Colin praises quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen for their leadership qualities, emphasizing how players' work ethics and personalities significantly impact team dynamics. “If Daniel Jones started hooting and hollering and pointing at people to do shit, it'd be like, what are you doing?” ([13:30]).

2. Contract Strategies in the NFL:

   • Question: Pros and cons of teams offering early contract extensions versus pushing players to hold out for better deals.
   • Response: Colin discusses how contract approaches vary between organizations like the Cowboys and the Niners, highlighting the financial implications and team dynamics involved. “It's a bit of a risk when you sign big contracts for players who might get injured and never perform as expected” ([15:45]).

3. A.J. Green’s Hall of Fame Candidacy:

   • Question: Is A.J. Green a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
   • Response: Colin cautiously assesses Green’s career achievements, acknowledging his impressive stats but remaining skeptical about his Hall of Fame prospects due to market and visibility factors. “I think he's a top five in catches, yards, TDs. Maybe a fringe Pro Bowler” ([17:00]).

4. Bills’ Season Expectations:

   • Question: Thoughts on the Buffalo Bills winning 10-11 games this season.
   • Response: Colin expresses strong confidence in the Bills’ potential, citing Josh Allen’s prowess comparable to NBA stars and predicting a solid playoff presence. “The Bills are a lock playoff team with Josh Allen at the helm” ([18:30]).

Conclusion

Colin wraps up the episode by reaffirming his viewpoints on the discussed topics, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of sports and the evolving media landscape. He encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged with the latest developments, assuring them of more insightful discussions in future episodes.

Final Thoughts:

• Nick Saban’s Legacy: Even if Saban doesn’t return, his influence on college football remains indelible.
• Arch Manning’s Future: The hype may benefit other quarterbacks, potentially balancing the spotlight.
• Barstool and Fox’s Partnership: Seen as a strategic alignment that could reshape sports media content.

Notable Closing Quote:

“Whether you’re newly married, raising kids, or just want peace of mind, trust and will make it easy to protect what matters most.” — Colin Cowherd ([22:30])
(Note: This appears to be part of an advertisement and is likely not part of the main content. It has been included here for completeness but should typically be excluded from a content-focused summary.)

Key Takeaways

• Nick Saban’s Potential Return: While his coaching legacy is unmatched, practical and personal factors suggest he may prefer a media role over returning to the sidelines.
• Arch Manning’s Hype: Balanced by Colin’s view, the hype around Arch is both a boon and a shadow for other emerging quarterbacks.
• Barstool’s Move to Fox: Expected to blend independent content creators with traditional sports media, potentially redefining viewership patterns.
• Grant Horvat’s Decision: Exemplifies the shift towards independent content creation in sports, challenging traditional pathways and media constraints.

Note: This summary focuses exclusively on the content discussed by Colin Cowherd and excludes advertisements and non-content sections, adhering to the user’s instructions for clarity and relevance.