Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode Title: 3 & Out - Mike McCarthy won't coach, Super Bowl ad costs, Joe Schoen and the Giants
Release Date: January 30, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host John Middlekauff delves into pressing NFL topics, including Mike McCarthy's departure from the New Orleans Saints, the escalating costs of Super Bowl advertisements, and the turbulent situation surrounding Joe Schoen and the New York Giants. The discussion provides insightful analysis into the current state of NFL coaching dynamics, the changing landscape of sports advertising, and the internal struggles within prominent football franchises.

1. Mike McCarthy Not Coaching the Saints

John Middlekauff opens the discussion by addressing the recent news that Mike McCarthy will not be returning as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

• McCarthy's Future in the NFL: Middlekauff questions whether McCarthy will ever secure another head coaching position in the NFL, emphasizing the significant impact of perception in the coaching realm.
  "Mike McCarthy, the perception around him... I don't think he's ever going to be a head coach in the NFL again."
  [02:41]

• Impact of Perception: He elaborates on how perceptions once formed are challenging to alter, especially in a tightly-knit league where word-of-mouth and reputation play pivotal roles.
  "Once perception becomes your reality, it is really, really hard to shake."
  [08:15]

• Comparison with Other Coaches: Middlekauff compares McCarthy to other NFL coaches like Bill Belichick and Cliff Kingsbury, highlighting how personal demeanor and public image can influence career trajectories more than actual coaching prowess.
  "There’s nothing wrong with being a number two in the NFL... But Mike McCarthy, the perception…"
  [15:30]

2. Super Bowl Ad Costs

The conversation shifts to the financial aspects of Super Bowl advertising, with a focus on Fox's recent pricing strategies.

• Escalating Ad Prices: Middlekauff discusses Fox charging $8 million for a 30-second Super Bowl ad, noting the inflation from last year's $7 million rate.
  "Fox getting $8 million for an ad for the Super Bowl. It’s very, very expensive to buy a Super Bowl ad."
  [25:45]

• Effectiveness of Super Bowl Ads: He critiques the diminishing returns of traditional Super Bowl commercials, arguing that modern consumers are less engaged during the event, often diverting their attention to digital platforms.
  "I don’t see, like, if I was a company that was on the fence, like, we don’t just have $8 million to throw away. I would say 100%. No way."
  [30:10]

• Changing Advertising Landscape: Middlekauff reflects on the shift from iconic brands like Budweiser and Doritos dominating Super Bowl ads to lesser-known tech companies, suggesting a change in the advertising hierarchy.
  "The day and age when... traditional advertising companies have been dwarfed by some of these companies you’ve never even heard of."
  [32:50]

3. Joe Schoen and the New York Giants

The podcast delves into the challenges faced by Joe Schoen within the Giants organization, particularly focusing on Brian Schottenheimer's precarious position.

• Schottenheimer's Hot Seat: Middlekauff expresses sympathy for Brian Schottenheimer, who has been with the Giants for less than a week and is already under scrutiny.
  "I feel like Brian Schottenheimer is getting the brunt of all this past trauma. He’s getting talked about like he just showed up six months ago."
  [40:20]

• Legacy and Expectations: He contrasts Schottenheimer’s legacy with the current expectations of the Giants’ fanbase, highlighting the difficulty of meeting high standards set by past management.
  "Brian Schottenheimer gets talked about like he just showed up to a football field six months ago that he knows nothing."
  [42:05]

• Internal Dynamics: The discussion touches on the role of Joe Schoen and how internal dynamics and past decisions, like the handling of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, have affected the Giants' performance and fan trust.
  "Once you completely fuck a fan base... they don’t want to have the power to draft a quarterback and might fire everyone if things don’t improve."
  [45:30]

4. Mailbag Segment

Middlekauff engages with listener questions, providing thoughtful responses on various NFL-related topics.

• Pro Bowl Relevance: A listener questions the NFL's continued efforts to revamp the Pro Bowl despite its perceived irrelevance. Middlekauff agrees, suggesting that the NFL may lack the incentive to discontinue it due to financial interests.
  "Since this is not going away, I doubt the NFL would want to sunset this asset."
  [55:10]

• Comparisons with Other Sports: He draws parallels between the NFL's Pro Bowl and the NBA's dunk contest, advocating for the cancellation of non-essential events that no longer hold player or fan interest.
  "Just like cancel the dunk contest now. The problem is television networks spend a lot of money for these properties."
  [58:25]

• Player Motivation and Coaching Leadership: Addressing another listener query, Middlekauff discusses the importance of motivational leadership in coaching, emphasizing that effective head coaches must balance strategy with the ability to inspire and manage their players.
  "Good coaches are the good coaches for a reason… It's about leadership and motivation."
  [62:40]

5. General Analysis and Insights

Throughout the episode, Middlekauff shares his perspectives on broader NFL trends and challenges.

• Power Dynamics in NFL Coaching: He explores how authority and perception play crucial roles in coaching appointments and job security, noting that sometimes competent coaches can be sidelined due to negative perceptions.
  "If you have enough buzz, you can jump from $70,000 to $3 million in a few years. This league is crazy."
  [20:15]

• NFL Advertising Evolution: Middlekauff delves deeper into how consumer behavior changes have rendered traditional Super Bowl ads less effective, advocating for a shift towards viral digital marketing strategies instead.
  "You are better off spending some money if you do want to go viral and try to go viral that way through retweets, through reposts."
  [33:50]

• Franchise Stability and Ownership Influence: The host discusses how ownership involvement can make or break a franchise's success, using examples like the Cowboys and Giants to illustrate the delicate balance between owner control and coaching autonomy.
  "If the owner is constantly bugging you with stupid ideas, it can really hinder the team's performance."
  [50:00]

6. Conclusion

John Middlekauff wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of perception in NFL coaching careers, the evolving nature of sports advertising, and the critical need for strong leadership within football franchises. He underscores that while challenges abound, strategic decisions and genuine leadership remain pivotal for success both on and off the field.

Notable Quotes:

• "Once perception becomes your reality, it is really, really hard to shake."
  — John Middlekauff [08:15]

• "I don’t see... we don’t just have $8 million to throw away. I would say 100%. No way."
  — John Middlekauff [30:10]

• "There’s nothing wrong with being a number two in the NFL... But Mike McCarthy, the perception…"
  — John Middlekauff [15:30]

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides a comprehensive analysis of significant NFL topics, blending seasoned insights with critical perspectives on coaching careers, advertising investments, and franchise management. John Middlekauff's candid discussions offer listeners a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics that shape the world of professional football.

Listen to the full episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform to gain more in-depth insights and stay updated on the latest sports stories.