The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "3 & Out - Massive Weekend Mailbag"
Date: December 6, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (via The Volume / iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
This episode is a special "Massive Weekend Mailbag" hosted by John Middlekauff, with listeners' questions driving a freewheeling discussion of current NFL and college football debates. The tone is conversational, opinionated, and steeped in Middlekauff's experience as a former NFL scout. Topics range from NFL coaching staff hierarchies, the value of coordinators, conference championship formats in college football, coaching changes, roster management, and more.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Best Coaching Staffs & The Power of Coordinators
- Q: Who is the best coaching staff in the NFL, and how crucial are coordinators compared to head coaches?
- A: Middlekauff cites Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo as a dominant combo, crediting “head coach-play caller/offensive mastermind with elite defensive coordinator” as the gold standard.
- “It’s hard to trump Andy and Spags. Their record is unimpeachable in this little run.” (06:54)
- He highlights the subtle but critical week-to-week contributions of coordinators in game-planning, even when the head coach calls plays.
- “They are an extension of the play caller… a major, major factor in terms of, I would say, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, game planning.” (11:00)
- Head coaches need leadership, cultural influence, and delegation skills; coordinators run the show on game day, especially in the NFL.
2. Conference Championships in College Football
- Middlekauff discusses the strange inertia of conference titles despite playoff expansion making some games (like Ohio State vs. Indiana) marginal for top teams.
- “The reason they’re happening is they make the networks and conferences a lot of money.” (08:27)
- He expects the format will eventually be replaced or altered to include play-in games, akin to a win-or-go-home scenario.
3. The Role of Offensive Coordinators with Play-Calling Head Coaches
- Listener wonders what value OCs bring when not calling Sunday plays (e.g., Mike LaFleur under Sean McVay).
- Middlekauff details their behind-the-scenes contributions: scripting downs, red zone preparation, breaking down tendencies, specific staff assignments.
- “They help script, break down, develop the game plan each week. So they are an extension of the play caller…” (11:00)
4. Coaching Carousel — Mike McCarthy, Mike Tomlin, and Veteran Hires
- McCarthy, while controversial, is seen as a stabilizer for shaky franchises, preferred to rolling dice on unproven coordinators.
- “If you just trust Mike to hire some coaches, to do his thing, he’ll just get you going in the right direction.” (13:12)
- Mike Tomlin is labeled “good, not great” by James Harrison, but Middlekauff points out that for teams like the Giants, “good” is a massive upgrade:
- “Do you know what the Giants would do for a good coach?...You weren’t too good for Joe Judge or Pat Shurmur. Those guys are fucking terrible.” (32:58)
- The show outlines the inherent difficulty of NFL head coaching compared to corporate leadership due to managing high-paid, young athletes with egos.
5. Getting a GA/Coaching Start — Aggressive Networking Pays
- Listener asks for advice breaking into a D3 football program.
- Middlekauff stresses the continued value of showing up in person, relating his own Fresno State origin story.
- “There is value in just literally...walking into the facility and introducing yourself.” (18:12)
6. Franchise Roster Strategy — Falcons Rebuild?
- With star talent but no QB or first-round pick, should Atlanta sell off assets like Bijan Robinson and Drake London?
- Middlekauff sees both sides: analytics favor a “tear down” for picks, old-school coaches want to keep blue-chips and try to win.
- “Depends who you hire...if I was a betting man, I bet they’re on the team.” (23:15)
7. Evaluating Schedules and NFL Team Performance
- Responds to a Patriots fan frustrated by “but they haven’t beaten anyone” narratives.
- Explains that all NFL games are tough, even against “bad” teams; victories and records still command respect due to parity and injuries.
- “There are no easy games in this league. They got a ton of guys who live in big ass homes and drive nice cars…and been to Pro Bowls, even the bad teams.” (25:09)
8. Coaching Ranking: AFC North
- Ranks Harbaugh, Tomlin, Taylor, Stefanski regarding job security and desirability if they hit the market.
- “I think Zach Taylor would clearly be the last guy… Stefanski would get a job, but Giants would be all over Harbaugh or Tomlin.” (61:36)
9. Front Office Disasters — The Buffalo Bills’ Personnel Blunder
- Relays the odd story of the Bills cutting a player, losing out on their waiver claim (Darius Slay), and watching the original player join a rival.
- “Disastrous personnel move. I mean, embarrassing. There’s no way around it.” (64:02)
10. Dak Prescott, George Pickens & Cowboys’ Culture
- Dismisses the plausibility of Dallas trading Dak (regardless of playoff flameouts)—he's considered “untouchable” by owner loyalty.
- “There is no chance the Cowboys are getting rid of Dak. All Jerry has said for like the last seven years: ‘He’s our most important player.’” (51:40)
- Harshly critiques George Pickens’ lackluster effort and questions his maturity and future contract value.
- “That would almost be a defining moment for me, like, I can’t pay you. No chance. Can’t happen.” (55:19)
- Praises Amon-Ra St. Brown for his toughness and commitment, contrasting it with Pickens’ attitude.
11. Notable “Best Without a Super Bowl” Coaches
- Lists Marty Schottenheimer, Marv Levy, and currently Kyle Shanahan at the top of great coaches without a Super Bowl ring.
- “Forever it was Andy Reid...now, Kyle right now has to be near the top.” (49:44)
12. Listener Questions: Vikings, Chargers, Franchise Moves
- Extended thoughts on the Vikings’ QB conundrum, the Chargers’ long-term prospects with Jim Harbaugh, the “what if” of franchise relocations, and deeper puzzles about NFL team-building.
- Classic Middlekauff: “I do think with Jim Harbaugh…the infrastructure he brings, you’re going to be a contender for years to come.” (43:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Coaching Hierarchy:
“To me, the most powerful coaching staffs...are the head coach being the offensive coordinator...and then a really, really good defensive coordinator.”
— John Middlekauff (06:27) -
On the Value of Just Showing Up:
“There is value in just literally...showing up at the facility and introducing yourself. That works. Always has, always will.”
— John Middlekauff (18:12) -
On Coaching Hardships:
“It is a harder job at a lot of these places than a lot of these Fortune 500 companies...Every single one of your assets is a human being—a young human being.” — John Middlekauff (15:12)
-
On Dak Prescott Trade Rumors:
“There is no chance the Cowboys are getting rid of Dak. All Jerry has said for like the last seven years: ‘He’s our most important player.’”
— John Middlekauff (51:40) -
On George Pickens' Lack of Effort:
“That would almost be a defining moment for me, like, I can’t pay you. No, no chance. Can’t happen.”
— John Middlekauff (55:19) -
On Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Mentality:
“He’s everything you would want in a player... like, 75%—who gives a shit? Shoot me up, tape it up, and let’s roll.”
— John Middlekauff (54:30) -
On the Raiders’ Move to Vegas:
“Best thing that ever happened to the Raiders by a mile was leaving Oakland and going to Vegas. Financially, they’re at a different level. It’s great for the league.”
— John Middlekauff (46:19)
Segment Timestamps
- Mailbag Intro & NFL coaching hierarchy: 03:29–07:57
- Conference championships’ future in CFB: 07:57–10:26
- OC’s role with play-calling head coaches: 10:26–12:45
- Coaching carousel, McCarthy/Tomlin: 12:45–17:35; revisit (32:58–34:13)
- GA advice—showing up in person: 17:35–20:45
- Falcons roster philosophy: 20:45–23:23
- NFL schedule strength narratives: 23:28–27:32
- Re-locations (Raiders, Chargers): 44:25–49:01
- Best coaches w/o Super Bowl: 49:01–50:41
- Dak Prescott trade rumors, Pickens: 51:40–56:16
- AFC North coaching hot seat rankings: 60:32–61:54
- Bills' personnel disaster & Bengals outlook: 62:15–65:02
Takeaway
This "Weekend Mailbag" delivers Middlekauff’s trademark blend of wit, experience, and candor, offering listeners an inside perspective on NFL strategy, coaching philosophy, and the ongoing soap opera that is football management. Whether you're a hardcore fan, an aspiring coach, or just football-curious, you'll find plenty of sharp, contextual analysis—grounded in both league realities and larger leadership/life lessons.