The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out

Host: John Middlekauff
Date: January 7, 2026
Main Topics: John Harbaugh's firing, coaching changes (Eberflus, Kingsbury), Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator switch, NFL/college football landscape, Dad Diaries, Mailbag

Overview

John Middlekauff dedicates this packed episode of "3 & Out" to one of the NFL’s biggest coaching bombshells: the firing of John Harbaugh after 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens. He dissects the ripple effects across the league, including the immediate speculation about Harbaugh's next landing spot, what it means for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and analyses coaching changes in Dallas and Washington. The episode also offers fresh NFL and college football takes, observations on the transfer portal and the booming NIL market, and a humorous new segment called “Dad Diaries,” before wrapping up with a rapid-fire listener mailbag.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The John Harbaugh Firing: "Wow, They Actually Did It"

• Immediate Reaction:
  • Even as rumors swirled, the official announcement caught Middlekauff off guard:
    • “There’s no other reaction when you actually see it than, wow, right?” (08:42)
  • Both Harbaugh and Tomlin had been considered near-untouchable due to their longevity.
• The Context:
  • Harbaugh was just a couple years removed from an AFC title game, holding the No. 1 seed, and having built one of the league’s most stable franchises.
  • The firing is a true “seismic earthquake that just erupts through the NFL.” (22:06)

Underlying Issues

• Possible OC Power Struggle
  • “A lot of rumors coming out that they wanted him to fire the OC … Prideful guy, like, I’m not doing that.” (10:41)
  • The situation became “Lamar versus the coaching staff’s philosophy with offense.” (12:01)
• Organizational View:
  • Firing an 18-year mainstay is fundamentally different than quick changes with less tenured coaches.

Implications for Harbaugh & Baltimore

• Best Coach Available:
  • “He immediately becomes the best coach on the market by a country mile. … The Stefanskis and the Solas can’t even see him with binoculars.” (15:46)
  • Schefter reported 7 teams contacted Harbaugh’s agent within 45 minutes.
• Best Job Opening:
  • “The Baltimore Ravens immediately lap all these clown organizations. They are the best option by a mile. … They have an established quarterback, culture, consistent drafting.” (18:35)
• Predictions:
  • “If I was a betting man right now, John Harbaugh would be the next coach of the New York Giants.” (17:58)
• On the New Coach Search:
  • Jesse Minter, tied closely to Harbaugh’s coaching tree, is a likely top candidate.
• Ravens’ New Pressure:
  • “You get hired [in Baltimore], you’re expected to win big. You go to the Titans, win six games, they give you an extension. Not the case here.” (19:55)
  • “The guy you fired immediately is the best candidate and your job is immediately the best job.” (21:57)

Quote of Note:

“I think I speak for most people that I don’t know how your first reaction wasn’t, wow, they actually did it.” — John Middlekauff (09:37)

2. Cowboys Fire Matt Eberflus: Jerry World Shenanigans

• Announcement Spin:
  • "They fired Matt Eberflus. Sent out a press release that said, ‘we released Matt Eberflus like he’s a player.’ No, Jerry, you fired Matt Eberflus." (24:23)
• Context:
  • Eberflus returns after failed stints elsewhere but is met with little fanfare from John.
  • "He’s not very good. … You watch Hard Knocks, he comes across as no juice." (26:02)
• Brian Schottenheimer’s Role:
  • Offensive coordinator proved to Jerry Jones he can run the offense, while Eberflus was foisted upon him.
  • “There is no way Brian Schottenheimer had his choice, he would have hired Eberflus. That is your classic, we’re telling you who to hire.” (27:20)
• League Trend:
  • Owners/GMs forcing coaches or staff upon coaches with less "juice" or leverage.

3. Kliff Kingsbury Out in Washington: “All-Time Scam Artist”

• Reputation & Performance:
  • “Three different organizations paying Kingsbury. … All-time scam artist. I’ve never seen it with Kliff.” (30:43)
  • His offense “makes me want to puke in my mouth.”
• The "Mutual Departure" Myth:
  • “They call it ‘mutually parted.’ Give me a break — that means fired. … Kingsbury was just fired.” (33:10)
• Future of Washington’s Offense:
  • New OC hire will be critical for Jaden Daniels’ long-term health and success.
  • Thoughts on run-heavy offense being a better fit to protect Daniels.
  • Uncertainty and chaos remain in Washington — “Dan Quinn is immediately on the hot seat.”

4. Colts Ownership & Chris Ballard

• Carly Irsay’s press conference reflects uncertainty and continued mediocrity with no real vision for improvement.
• “Chris even said … I don’t ever want our relationship to impact your view on my performance. … Most people get fired in his situation.” (55:18)
• Middlekauff doubts Colts' direction with lingering issues at key positions and questionable personnel moves.

5. College Football: Transfer Portal & NIL Boom

• Surge in Transfer Portal:
  • “25% of Division 1A football players are in the Portal. … There are enough players in the portal to fill every SEC roster.” (1:06:05)
  • Coaches now tell players bluntly they’re not wanted while still honoring scholarships, drastically changing the sport's climate.
• NIL Money Impact:
  • Starting QBs get $1–5 million, top edge rushers and tackles also earning millions.
  • “There has never ever been a better time to be a college athlete.” (1:09:20)
• Changing Athlete Mindset:
  • Some prospects may now turn down low-tier NFL teams, knowing college football is more lucrative and stable.

6. Dad Diaries: The Modern Baby Industrial Complex

• Observational Humor:
  • Middlekauff notes the massive difference in prepping for a child compared to past generations.
  • “My unborn child … probably has more clothes before he’s even arrived than I had the first 10 years of my life.” (1:16:41)
  • “People have been having kids since the caveman days. … Now it’s like kids wear a Whoop.” (1:20:28)
• Points out the overcomplication and “big baby business,” while keeping a light, self-aware tone.

7. Mailbag Rapid Fire (Selected Highlights)

• On Hiding Playbooks in Late-Season Games:
  • “By Week 17, 18, what are you hiding? … That’s not really how football works.” (1:25:45)
• Jon Gruden Coaching Again:
  • “Terrible evaluator, power hungry… I don’t think he’s ever working in the NFL again.” (1:27:56)
• Top QB Prospects Refusing to Play for Certain Teams:
  • “With NIL money… I would not play for the Jets. How could you?” (1:29:28)
• Why Coaches Decline With Age:
  • “There’s no way your pistons upstairs are firing at the same level … when you get over 70.” (1:36:12)
• Who’s the Actual NFL MVP?:
  • “Can any other position win the award? Why does no one even talk about it?” (1:44:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Harbaugh’s Firing:

  “When you actually see it, then, wow, right? Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh, … we never believe it’s actually going to happen.” (08:58)

• On the Ravens Job Opening:

  “They are the number one job on the market. And it’s not even close.” (18:32)

• On Kingsbury’s Coaching Reputation:

  “Cliff Kingsbury … all-time scam artist. The name is way bigger than the ROI you get.” (30:43)

• On College Athlete Finances:

  “There has never ever been a better time to be a college athlete. … Quarterbacks are making millions. Why even leave early for the draft?” (1:09:59)

• On Baby Prep Madness:

  “We have more contraptions of bottle washers, three different strollers, trash cans with special odor suction … I just wonder if we’ve overcomplicated this stuff a little.” (1:18:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp (HH:MM:SS) | Highlights | |---------|----------------------|------------| | Harbaugh firing analysis | 00:08:00–00:23:00 | Initial shock, impact, "best candidate" on market | | Cowboys fire Eberflus | 00:24:00–00:30:00 | Jerry’s involvement, Schottenheimer’s clout | | Kingsbury out in Washington | 00:30:00–00:39:00 | Reputation, future of Commanders offense | | Colts ownership situation | 00:55:00–01:00:00 | Carly Irsay, Chris Ballard’s job security | | College transfer portal & NIL | 01:06:00–01:13:00 | Mass exodus, unprecedented athlete earnings | | Dad Diaries | 01:16:30–01:21:30 | Baby product overload, generational contrasts | | Mailbag rapid fire | 01:25:00–End | NFL game-planning, Gruden, coach aging, MVP talk |

Tone & Delivery

Middlekauff mixes insightful analysis and inside-league perspective with sarcasm, exasperation, and humor. His commentary is blunt and honest, dropping F-bombs for emphasis (“…those fucking guys can’t even see him [Harbaugh] with binoculars.”), and effortlessly weaving in personal anecdotes, pop culture references, and audience questions.

Useful For:

• Listeners catching up on major NFL coaching news and implications
• Fans interested in front office politics and how personnel decisions are made
• Anyone curious about changes in college football (transfer portal, NIL)
• Parents (or soon-to-be) amused by the “Dad Diaries” reflection on baby prep
• NFL draft and coaching carousel watchers
• People seeking candid, humorous, and informed takes on fast-moving sports news

This episode is quintessential “3 & Out” — rapid, opinionated sports talk mixed with sharp wit, making it essential listening or reading for football fans.