Best of The Herd

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (May 29, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents a comprehensive and engaging episode titled "Best of The Herd," where host Colin Cowherd delves into the most compelling sports narratives of the day. Released on May 29, 2025, this episode navigates through critical discussions in the NBA playoffs, NFL quarterback evaluations, and transformative shifts in college football, featuring insights from notable guests like Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham.

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1. NBA Playoffs Analysis: OKC vs. Minnesota Showdown

Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode with an in-depth analysis of the recent Oklahoma City (OKC) versus Minnesota playoff series, highlighting the dominant performance of Shador Sanders and OKC's formidable defense.

• OKC's Dominance and Shador Sanders' MVP Performance

  Colin praises OKC's strategic prowess, emphasizing their defensive excellence and Sanders' leadership.

  "OKC is easily the best defense and the greatest score. SGA is only the fourth player in 20 years to win the MVP and reach the finals. The other three, Steph, Kobe, and LeBron. I don't know, that feels historic to me."
  (07:11)

• Comparative Analysis with Other Teams

  He contrasts OKC's strengths with Minnesota's limitations, asserting that Minnesota lacks the depth and youth to challenge OKC effectively.

  "They have the best point guard and the best offense and the best pace in the league. And it's not catchy and I know it doesn't sound dynamic, but I think SGA's nickname should be the Standard. This is the standard for a true number one."
  (05:45)

• Notable Quotes:

  "This kid is special. Every time he talks, every time he leads, you just see what a one should be." – Colin Cowherd
  (07:20)

2. NFL Quarterback Spotlight: Shador Sanders vs. Competitors

The conversation transitions to the NFL, where Colin evaluates the potential of Shador Sanders as a starting quarterback over his competitors, including Flacco, Pickett, and Dylan Gabriel.

• Colin's Bold Prediction

  Colin confidently predicts Sanders as the future starter, citing his efficiency and productivity despite fewer attempts.

  "Shador Sanders should be starting. We are calling Ohio as the projected winner in a race that is not as close as the fake news projected."
  (11:05)

• Performance Metrics and Insights

  He breaks down the quarterback stats, highlighting Sanders' impressive touchdown-to-completion ratio.

  "Shador has been great. I mean, he's a lot of fun to be around in those meeting rooms. And I think once, I think so far there's been, you know, at least once in the meeting room that he, he's, he's made me crack a smile." – Shador Sanders
  (10:55)

• Critique of Competitors

  Colin critiques the other quarterbacks for their limitations, reinforcing his support for Sanders.

  "Flacco I like. He's one of my favorite guys that's ever played in the league... I'm calling it for Shador."
  (12:41)

• Notable Quotes:

  "This is as good a defensive team as I remember now. This is the best defense I've ever seen." – Colin Cowherd
  (07:48)

3. College Football Focus: Transformations with Coach Kenny Dillingham

A significant portion of the episode features an interview with Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham, discussing his strategies and the evolving landscape of college football, particularly concerning the transfer portal.

• Embracing the Transfer Portal

  Coach Dillingham emphasizes the strategic use of the transfer portal to fill immediate team needs rather than building from scratch.

  "The transfer portal to us should hopefully be to fill gaps, not to build the house."
  (32:25)

• Building a Winning Culture

  He shares insights on cultivating a culture of passion and fun within the team, drawing inspiration from his tenure at Oregon.

  "I want people to think we're going to have so much fun playing so hard and growing up and learning how to become a person."
  (33:04)

• Development of Young Talent

  Discussing quarterback Sam Levitt, Coach Dillingham outlines his development plan focusing on controlling early downs and enhancing his decision-making skills.

  "For him this year, it's taking control of the early downs and putting the ball in his hands more on good down and distances earlier in games."
  (35:10)

• Notable Quotes:

  "Everything I'll ever do is about the players." – Coach Kenny Dillingham
  (40:08)

4. Additional Sports Insights and Discussions

Beyond the primary topics, Colin engages in broader sports discussions, touching upon coaching strategies, player development, and the impact of information age on sports management.

• Evaluating Coaching Strategies

  Colin reflects on the importance of consistency and player well-being in college athletics, advocating for reducing pressure on young athletes.

  "I would just try to change, stop changing. Let's just stop changing. Let's figure out what's best for these players." – Coach Kenny Dillingham
  (39:35)

• Player Awareness and Maturity

  He underscores the significance of player maturity and intelligence, both on and off the field, in achieving team success.

  "What I mean is, do you have pinch me moments?"
  (34:07)

• Notable Quotes:

  "We can actually do something. We can actually do something." – Coach Kenny Dillingham
  (31:07)

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Conclusion

"Best of The Herd" encapsulates Colin Cowherd's incisive analysis and engaging discussions on pivotal sports topics. From dissecting playoff performances and quarterback potentials to exploring transformative coaching strategies in college football, Cowherd delivers a rich narrative filled with expert insights and forward-thinking perspectives. This episode serves as a valuable resource for sports enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of current trends and future trajectories in the sports world.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Colin Cowherd:

  • "OKC is easily the best defense and the greatest score."
    (05:45)
  • "Shador Sanders should be starting. We are calling Ohio as the projected winner in a race that is not as close as the fake news projected."
    (12:41)
  • "This is as good a defensive team as I remember now. This is the best defense I've ever seen."
    (07:48)

• Shador Sanders:

  • "I want to thank my teammates. Without them, I'm nothing."
    (07:24)

• Coach Kenny Dillingham:

  • "Everything I'll ever do is about the players."
    (40:08)
  • "We can actually do something. We can actually do something."
    (31:07)

• Unnamed Analyst:

  • "Oh boy."
    (12:40)

---

Timestamps

For quick reference, here are the key timestamps associated with the notable quotes and sections discussed:

• 05:45 – Colin discusses OKC's defense and Sanders' historic performance.
• 07:11 – Colin on Sanders' leadership as the standard for number one quarterbacks.
• 07:48 – Praise for OKC's defense.
• 10:55 – Shador Sanders' remarks on team success.
• 12:41 – Colin's call for Shador as the starting QB.
• 14:35 – Interaction between Colin and the unnamed analyst.
• 31:07 – Coach Dillingham on the turning point in the season.
• 32:25 – Coach Dillingham on using the transfer portal effectively.
• 33:04 – Building a fun and passionate team culture.
• 34:07 – Colin asks about "pinch me moments."
• 35:10 – Development plan for quarterback Sam Levitt.
• 39:35 – Coach Dillingham on focusing on player well-being.
• 40:08 – Emphasis on player-centric coaching philosophy.

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the "Best of The Herd" episode, providing listeners and readers alike with a thorough understanding of the key discussions and insights shared by Colin Cowherd and his guests.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Kenny Dillingham]

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[Colin Cowherd]

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Oh, we're going to have a great Thursday show. We are Live it is the herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. This week's a big college football week. SEC media days, lot of changes happening. Joel laughs Gonna stop by in one hour from now. We love that Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State football coach, brilliant young coach, is going to be joining us as well. J. Mac, listen last night in a laugher, not, not much of a game. And I understand this. I have said during the Pacers Knicks series, stop beating up on the Knicks. It's about the Pacers. They have the best point guard and the best offense and the best pace in the league. And I feel like this with Minnesota, like, they're not as good as okc. They, they don't have, they don't have the depth, they don't have the youth, they don't have multiple guys who can score like that. And so it's just, I feel like we should kind of honor OKC and SGA more than Hammer Minnesota.

[Shador Sanders]

Wow.

[Unnamed Analyst]

A reasonable take to start the show. Colin. I like it.

[Colin Cowherd]

I like it. So let's start with that. Obviously, okc, that game was over in about seven minutes. The great thing about sga, of the many great things, what I really like is he is delivering and fulfilling everything I've been told Jason Tatum does but doesn't. Really. Last year, the Celtics go on their championship run. Jalen Brown's the MVP of the Eastern Conference finals, Jaylen Brown's the finals mvp and Jaylen Brown's the aggressor and often the initiator. SGA wants the ball, is always the aggressor and he plays Williams homegrid. He's got multiple great players around him, but he is clearly the alpha. And that's all I ever asked with Tatum and got pushed back. You know, I, that's, I'm holding Jason Tatum to the standard you guys all lectured me on for years on LeBron when LeBron didn't take the shot. He's the alpha. He's the one. If he wants to be mj, he's got to always take the shot. Okay, well, that's the standard of SGA and Jokic right now. Like, like, I think both Jokic and SGA can elevate teammates and clearly do elevate teammates. But there is no question in this Oklahoma City room or that Denver locker room or in the huddle or anytime there's a late possession, who's the man? And I mean, we could crush the T Wolves, right? They were awful. Their effort was weak. But this series is not about the T Wolves and the Knicks Pacers, which I think will end soon. It's not really about the Knicks failures. Indiana is the best offense in the league with the best pace. OKC is easily the best defense and the greatest score. I mean, SGA is only the fourth player in 20 years to win the MVP and reach the finals. The other three, Steph, Kobe and LeBron. I don't know, that feels historic to me. So I just, I look at them and between SGA and OKC's defense, this is going to be a great final. I get the best offense, I get the best defense, I get the best point guard and I get the best score. And I know it's not catchy and I know it doesn't sound, you know, dynamic, But I think SGA's nickname should be the Standard. This is the standard for a true number one. In the locker room, in the huddle, every big possession, he is a number one. Has to be dominating offensively. Understood by all, even his talented teammates. Debilitating to your defense. An adult, consistent number one. On the bus, on the plane, in the room. SG Alpha, the Western Conference finals undisputed mvp. This is not about Minnesota's failures. It's about a historic player. He's one of three guys in league history to have 30 points, five plus assists at least 10 times in the playoffs. MJ and LeBron are the other two. This kid is special. Every time he talks, every time he leads, you just see what a one should be. And here he is after winning the conference finals mvp.

[Unnamed Player]

Yeah, it's a really good feeling. Stuff you dream about as a kid. And then of course, I want to thank my teammates. Without them, I'm nothing. Claire's day. I don't have 124 points by myself. I love these guys to death. Now, with all that being said, this is a step in the right direction. But we have a lot more work to do and we know that and that's what we're focused on. So let's buckle up and get ready.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, they won by an average margin of 12.9 points per game. And I understand, like veteran teams in the regular season don't give it, you know, LeBron's going to take some night offs and the older players, you know, they're dinged up a little bit. I understand their youth is a big component to it. But here's what else is. This is as good a defensive team as I remember now. Detroit Pistons were great, but you could tackle back then that was a little different, but given what you can do now, you can't really. You can't hand check, you can't use that forearm on your back given what you're allowed to do by NBA protocol and rules. This is the best defense I've ever seen. They hound, they confound, they're aggressive to rim protectors on the back end. Even SGA plays defense and is long like this is as good as defense gets. So we can bang on Minnesota, but they're not, they're not built to beat this team. Julius Randall's probably a three, not a two. Go Bears. Got no offense. Conley, great veteran presence, not an offensive threat. And Ant just isn't there yet to single handedly beat this offense. Way to go, okc. All right, listen, I don't want to make a big deal out of this, but some pretty interesting information trickled over my phone from the Cleveland Browns OTA yesterday. I'm not great at math, but let's put the numbers up for the television audience. It appears in the 4 quarterback derby. Again, not a mathematician, but one of them has more TDs than completions. That feels important to me. Despite the fact that Shador Sanders had the fewest attempts, he was the most efficient and most productive with the fewest reps. So the quarterback tracker for those radio audience members. Flacco was nine for 14 and a touchdown. Pickett nine for 16, no touchdown. Dylan Gabriel 11 of 16, two touchdowns on a pick. And Sanders seven of nine, three touchdowns, no picks. This Justin. I've seen enough. I'm calling in a rap. The Herd newsroom is calling it in Ohio by a landslide. Shador Sanders should be starting. We are calling Ohio as the projected winner in a race that is not as close as the fake news projected. You can keep selling me on Pickett, you can keep selling me on Dylan Gabriel. Now Flacco I buy. Flacco I like. He's one of my, one of my favorite guys that's ever played in the league. He's like, everybody likes Flacco and I think he's going to win the starting job. Initially, I really like Flacco, but I'm calling it, I'm calling it for Shador. And here's Flacco on Shador.

[Shador Sanders]

Shador has been great. I mean, he's a lot of fun to be around in those meeting rooms. And I think once, I think so far there's been, you know, at least once in the meeting room that he, he's, he's made me crack a smile. And that's what it's all about. You know, he's a young guy trying to learn some football and, and, and come out here and, and practice well and do those things. And like I said, he's been a lot of fun.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay, you, you know, people either you're, everybody's trying to sell you. I mean TikTok selling you, IG selling you using filters. Everybody is selling you stuff. Now people are talking about the election that wasn't for Biden and was for Trump. Everybody's selling me their takes and y' all keep selling me. I got scouts telling me he's a fifth or a six round talent. All I know with very average personnel outside of Travis Hunter against the very best teams he played, they didn't win games. But he was highly productive. And a lot of college quarterbacks against the best teams with better teammates weren't as productive. Size, movement, accuracy. I like it. I know I didn't love, I didn't love the legendary draft room stuff. I thought it was a. Lacked a little self awareness. But again, you're 21, you're 22. You know, we were all running around pulling fire hydrants in college. So I mean, you know, we, you know, you know the pull the lever in college dorm rooms, we're all idiots at some point we all had, you know, lack of judgment or self awareness. I'm not going to crush anybody for that. But I think he's really, I think he's really talented and I think you're seeing it. J Mac, we're calling it for Ohio.

[Unnamed Analyst]

Oh boy.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. You know what else, you know what.

[Unnamed Analyst]

Else left the station? And it's May for Shador Sanders. Okay, got it. Okay. OTA stats, that's a new one.

[Colin Cowherd]

Let me, let me just throw this at you. Back to Oklahoma City. So like when you lose a playoff series or are losing a playoff series. We've talked about this with the Knicks is like you kind of see what doesn't work against an elite team. Brunson and Cat on the floor. Indiana kind of abuses them. So you probably want to move off Cat. You could keep him if you added another catch and shoot guy. But you can see your problems when you face an elite team. Like you watch the T Wolves and you're like, oh, you know Julius Randall is. It was fun but boy, when you play OKC's defense, he is really limited and Ant isn't there yet. So you great teams are clarity. Like when Andrew Luck came into the NFL was 11 and 5 with a bad roster. You're like, oh, yeah, that's what great is. You can be 11 and 5 without a pro Bowler anywhere near the offense. And but, but here's another takeaway and I'll get into it later. The T Wolves ran the Lakers out of the building and can't compete against okc. So for all those thinking we're inches away, the T Wolves bodied the Lakers physically pushed them around. Dude, they could not compete in this series. They had one really good game, one of five. So I'm just saying greatness creates clarity. If you think you're close or you think you're flawless, but you don't think you have vulnerabilities, Oklahoma City, Indiana Pacers show you the truth and you have to grasp the truth. You have to embrace the truth. You can't push back and be defensive. But Laker fans, Minnesota bodied you. They got blown out of the building in this series.

[Unnamed Analyst]

Colin, I love it. You know, I can't help my son with 8th grade math. He's doing like the advanced math.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's hard. I don't.

[Unnamed Analyst]

I have to ask Chad GPT. Okay. But I do remember in elementary school there were all these math properties. If A plus B equals C. Just because Minnesota smashed the Lakers, it does not mean that the Lakers can't beat okc. They match up great with okc. That essentially the Thunder had two rounds to watch Anthony Edwards and they were like, oh, here's how we stop him. Let's put up a picket wall at the free throw line and say, you're not getting in the lane. We'll go, go ahead and have Jaden McDaniels shoot the lights out or Julius Randle. And Minnesota didn't. Nobody else showed up for them in the series and it was, it was a wrap. I still, I think your worst take in the NBA playoffs has been the Lakers are far off. I, I think you're way, way wrong there. But again, maybe I'm being a LeBron homer.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, maybe. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Kenny Dillingham]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Kenny Dillingham]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

You are now entering the no Bull zone, sponsored by credible great rates and none of the bulk. So Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has said it's a bit of a distraction, but he finally addressed yesterday. I'll get to it in a second. Seth Wickersham, great writer. ESPN has come out with a book called American Kings, a biography of the quarterback. And it revealed that Caleb and his dad did at one point, you know, consider ways to avoid going to the Bears based on their chaotic history and their inability to elevate quarterbacks. So finally yesterday he addressed it and here's Caleb Williams. You know, I wanted to come here and, you know, be the guy and be a part and be a reason on why, you know, Chicago Bears turn this thing around. So that last thing that was said.

[Unnamed Player]

And all of that I think was the most important thing is that I.

[Colin Cowherd]

Wanted to be here. I love being here. I love my teammates. So my take is different. There was a radio host in New York that said he's been breathtakingly entitled and I'll get to that in a second. But I don't think being concerned about an environment or a job before you get there at 22, 23 years old or older is entitled a historically chaotic business. The Chicago Bears an offense. It's like global travel for the rest of us. What's my budget? What are the safest parts? I'm new, I don't know it very well. I want to do my homework. It's called due diligence utilizing available information. Listen, if you, you may need A malaria shot. If you travel to certain parts of Africa, I don't think you're an entitled traveler. I just think that's the reality. And Caleb and his dad looked at the history of the Bears and thought, yeah, they've never had a 4,000 yard passer. It's probably not all on the quarterback. It could be the ownership in the front office and, you know, a Steeler like devotion to defense. And they were right. Again, I don't think that's entitled. I think it's intelligent. When you buy a house, are you, Are you entitled if you're like, yeah, this neighborhood, I got kids. It's not walkable. I don't think it's safe. I don't like the schools. I don't think you're entitled. You can afford a better house. Go buy it. So, you know, listen, Caleb Williams and I actually have a lot in common. We just moved to Chicago. Now only one of us takes the train to work, but we both moved to Chicago. I was warned about weather. He was warned about the Bears. I think it's okay. I think when you're talking about young people, 24 year olds now, they don't go to a restaurant. They don't go to a restaurant without reading Yelp reviews. They don't do it. I mean, they just. I mean, I watch my kids, I lean on my kids for this stuff. I think it's breathtakingly out of touch or tone deaf to think a 23 year old. And historically in the NFL, you get one shot to be a number one if a team moves off you. Now, things have changed over the last four or five years with Darnold and Geno and Baker, but most of my life, first team that drafts you, that's your big shot. You'll come with baggage and a reputation everywhere else. I mean, Baker's difficult. No, he's not. Gino doesn't have it. Yes, he does. Darnold can't. Can't play without being reckless. Oh, wait, he got the right coach. So maybe Caleb, if it doesn't work in Chicago, will get other opportunities. But I. We are in the age of information. And nobody is better at finding and accumulating and using that information than 20 and 30 year olds. So I don't have a problem with it. He decided on Chicago. The fact that it made it out isn't entitled. It's honest. He didn't have to tell us that. Give the reporter credit. Seth Wickersham, who found it, and the athlete and the dad who are honest enough to Admit it, there's a lot of stuff out there that, like this, we just don't hear about. You know, I always said this when Tiger woods got caught fooling around. You think he's the only golfer to ever do that? They all fly. Gulf Streams. He's the only one on the road. All right. No, that's just the one you heard about. This is just a concern. Like the Mannings, they did a lot of this stuff. They did it behind the scenes. You just didn't know much about it. Or John Elwood and Jack, his dad. You just didn't hear about it. This stuff, I mean, it's just the way we live now. We get all the information. You can't hide anything. It could be the White House or a football team. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Ko, Vino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

[Kenny Dillingham]

Summer is here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake, That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak, That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan. Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some Clear Skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah, so how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's.

[Colin Cowherd]

Only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate the all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is.

[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out.

[Jason McIntyre]

Not to mention how much space and utility it provides.

[Colin Cowherd]

Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space.

[Kenny Dillingham]

The IX is completely changing the game.

[Colin Cowherd]

With an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game, so why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving.

[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Jason McIntyre]

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[Kenny Dillingham]

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[Colin Cowherd]

How cool would it be to coach at your alma mater? Even cooler. Pick for last finish first Unprecedented. I'm not sure if I can think of a comp to what Kenny Dillingham did at Arizona State Big 12 Coach of the Year. And he's joining us Big 12 media days live. What an incredible story. You know, coach, it's interesting. I just saw this morning, obviously the transfer portals alive and well and the nil, you went and got, I love this. You went and got a running back from Army. I love that. You know, you know he's going to come in ready to play. Um, and when you, when you went and got the army running back in the nil, did an academy matter like a guy that would fit into your culture because I think that's such. You didn't, you know, some of these coaches use it a lot. Lincoln Riley, some of it, you more sparingly. Dabo Sweeney doesn't like it at all. You went and got an army running back? Why?

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah, I mean, well, one, his film was really good. So you turn on the film, you're like, okay, this kid's a good player. And then on top of that, when, when you talk to him on the phone, his maturity level was obviously super high. And part of that, his discipline level was super high. And part of that is directly correlated to know his school he was at. And for us, we wanted a kid who was driven, mature. To come in here and try to replace what people are watching on the screen right now is not the easiest thing to do. So we needed somebody who was mature.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, it's interesting you had to create self belief. Last year, what, you know, players can read, all right. They see 16th in the. In the Big 12, and you've got to create this. No, that's not what we are. Give me the moment. Last year, you may have believed it, but that you felt your team finally came out of that tunnel and. And thought, we're really good.

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah. I mean, for us, the first. The start of Kansas State on the road in Manhattan, one of the best coaching staffs, I think, in the country. One of the better teams in our league. One of the better teams in the country. And we just started with our hair on fire both. All three phases of the game. And that was the moment that I was like, oh, wow, this team's pretty good. We can actually do this. We can actually do something. I think that was the moment when we started a game where I was like, wow, the game versus the win versus Utah was critical for our program and the belief that the team and the physicality. But that moment, we ran out of the tunnel versus Kansas State and started that fast. That was a turning point.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I want to talk transfer portal. Brian Kelly did a lot, didn't work. Lincoln Riley did it a lot, didn't work. Dion had to do it kind of worked. What is your worldview on the transfer portal? How much to use and how. How much to avoid?

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's. You want to make sure you get the right guys for your program, whether it's high school or transfer portal. I think I don't want to live in a world where it's all this or all that. I think every year your team's going to be different. For me, I want to replace transfers with transfers, and I still want to be able to sign the high school class based off graduating seniors.

[Colin Cowherd]

And.

[Unnamed Coach]

And if you're doing it right, you will hope that the kids in your program can become the starters, can develop to become the starters. But if you ever need a transfer to come in here and fill an immediate need, you have that ability. So I would say the transfer portal to us should hopefully be to fill gaps, not to build the house.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you came from a totally different program. It was west coast, but it was Oregon, where you had Phil Knight, where you had history, where you had inertia, and you're going to Arizona State and kind of rebuilding this thing. But give me, despite some dissimilarities, give me the one thing you took out of Oregon and you thought, hey, we can replicate that pretty early.

[Unnamed Coach]

The fun, I think when you think of Oregon. There is a brand behind what they do. You everybody thinks of Oregon football. They know what to think about. Green, yellow, fast, fun, explosive. That's what you think about, right? And I think for me it was what is the brand of ASU football going to be? When people look at that photo and they look at those gold jerseys you're looking at right now, what do they think about? And I wanted to be passion, man, those guys play so hard. They have so much fun playing hard, man. That's what I think. Look at those guys on the screen. I want people to think we're going to have so much fun playing so hard and growing up and learning how to become a person, learning how to become an adult. I want the fun, the excitement back and I want people to think about that when they think about Arizona State football.

[Colin Cowherd]

What is you are coaching your alma mater? Are there ever moments on the sideline you're like, I was at a frat house nine years ago. What I mean is it, do you have pinch me moments?

[Unnamed Coach]

Well, I mean, you look at Post Utah when they're interviewing me and the crowd's definitely around and that was a pinch me moment. When I jumped into the crowd, said I was one of these guys, I kind of lost it there. That was a moment. In game, I'm pretty focused. Usually people can't even get my attention. But after the game, I usually have those pinch me moments after the game in the locker room. Moments like that with Scat, when I'm just with the guys is when those pinch me moments happen. Like when I'm just in it and it's just pure relationship and it's just, it's special. That's for sure.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you return a bunch of starters. 16. Sam Levitt's a really good player. When you have a young quarterback and you're building that culture and now you're a winning culture. What are the steps for Sam Levitt? Productive. Doesn't make a ton of mistakes. Lighten the leash up a little bit. Do you let him do more like, like what's the growth for a young quarterback at the college level? Can you open up the playbook or did you use all of it last year?

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah, I think no, we grew as the season progressed. So I think a big reason for our success was we opened that playbook up gradually throughout the season. As Sam got better, Sam got more comfortable. J.T. i mean, there's multiple players that went into it, but obviously your quarterback's a big piece and I think this year it's going to be. How do we control early downs? I think the biggest sign of a quarterback is if you lean on him. Controlling early down, quick passing game. If your quarterback can take control of first and second down in rhythm passing game and you have enough confidence in him, that's when a quarterback really takes control. That's when he can really grow and become a Heisman level player. So I think for him this year, it's taking control of the early downs and putting the ball in his hands more on good down and distances earlier in games and on early downs.

[Colin Cowherd]

So Cam Scatterboo became everybody's favorite running back in the country. And again, I'll pose this question. Obviously you liked him, but 2300 scrimmage yards is insane. Were there moments that you would watch him and go, this, this guy. This guy's better than we recruited? He's better than I think.

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah. I mean, for sure. I mean, there's times in a game, I remember year one, I mean, we were so bad Year one, I mean, it was like watching paint dry and catches the ball of one of our only decent games that we still lost versus usc. In game one, he catches a swing pass on the sideline. Steph's arms a dude, and goes for like 55. And I'm like, holy cow. And then you're watching the highlight tape. One person just couldn't bring him down. And it would be over and over again. You'd watch these plays. And I think one of the plays that really, you know, separates Cam was we're in the Big 12 title game. We toss him though, we hand him the ball, he runs left. He's about to lose 8 yards. He Pirouettes backwards, throws the ball away. Like, who has the awareness at running back to throw the ball away? Every fan has said it. Why didn't he just throw it away? He's the last 12 yards.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, he did it.

[Unnamed Coach]

He did the thing that everybody said, why don't they always do it? And that was Cam. And that's what made him special.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay, you play, I think Colorado late in the season. I look at it here. I want you to go back one year because you obviously know personnel and I think Shador Sanders is good. And the reason I do is because he didn't have much of an O line and he didn't. He didn't have Cam Scatterboo in the backfield. And he played a lot of good teams in your conference and he didn't win a lot of those games, but he was darn productive and a Lot of people, you know, you play at Ohio State, you know, you play at Texas, you don't get touched. You play at Colorado last year and you're running around. Give me an evaluation on film. And what you saw from Shedeur Sanders, who dropped in the draft. If I said to you, coach, there's one thing he's going to do really well in the NFL, was there one thing that jumped off on tape when you prepped for him?

[Unnamed Coach]

Yeah, I mean, preparation, you know, when I actually recruited Chador and, you know, I got a chance to get to know him a little bit and being able to meet with him in the recruiting process, his just intelligence for the game, his passion for the game and his intelligence on the whiteboard was something that blew me away back when he was a 16 year old. So I could only imagine that is now. So I think for, for him, when you watch his tape, you see a guy who's prepared, you see a guy who has a plan, and you see a guy who's poised. And I think, you know, when you can, great quarterbacks can play, you know, when they're under pressure, and it never looks like they're under pressure. And I think there was a lot of times on his tape where, you know, he's being pressured, but he's calm, he's collected, and he knows where to go with the ball. And that's based off the preparation.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. So whether you play teams or not, you see a ton of him on film and he was on TV or on film and you're watching and I just think he's got something special. Finally, when you look at your age, a lot of people are going to go, look at this kid. I mean, this guy's going to the NFL, this guy. And I have no problem with that. There's a lot of changes in college football. You guys don't get enough time off.

[Kenny Dillingham]

Is.

[Colin Cowherd]

Is there a concern with you where the NFL does have space for coaches to have a life? You guys got two recruiting windows now. You're recruiting your own players. If you could change college, college football, if you were running the sport, you're the czar of it, Would you, would you give. Is there anything that a young coach you feel like, man, I'd probably change.

[Unnamed Coach]

I would just try to change, stop changing. I don't know, like, that would be my change is let's just stop changing. Let's figure out what's best for these players. At the end of the day, this is college athletics. Like, it's all about the player. Everything I'LL ever do is about the players. Everything I'll ever fight for, everything I'll ever compete for is about how do I make the player experience the players pockets, the player experience, the player energy and what they remember college to be about better. Like we're molding these kids for the rest of their life and it's all about the players. So I would just say, how do we stop change, create some consistency, whatever that is, and make it about the player again. Make these kids still 18 to 22 year olds, regardless of how much they make, regardless of how much we publicize them, these are still 18 to 22 year olds who we have the responsibility to help them be successful and figure out this time of their life. And I think too many times we kind of put these guys on too high of a pedestal. They'll be perfect because they make money now because they're famous at 16, 17, 18 years old that we lose sight that they're still 18 to 22 year olds. So if I could change one thing, it would be stop putting so much pressure on these guys. Even if they're making money, it's not their fault. This is an adult's problem that the kids are living in. And let's let these kids have fun being college athletes and living out their dream.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, you're so youthful looking. You know, it's just.

[Unnamed Coach]

I'm actually 14, so. Yeah, so it's a good twist.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's just incredible what you've done. First year in the Big 12 pick for last wins the conference. Good for you, man. Not the last we've seen of you up. That army running back works out. I got a feeling him and Sam Levitt are going to make a nice combo coach. Thanks for coming on the Herd.

[Unnamed Coach]

I appreciate it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Go Devils. Just, just incredible offensive coordinator. He was a very popular offensive coordinator at Oregon and I think he left after the 2022 season. And then he goes to Arizona State and they, they weren't good initially. And Arizona State's always been kind of a sleeping giant, but they've been sleeping for a long time. Like there was not a lot of giant, there was a lot of sleeping. And then he goes there and I, about midway through the season, I'm like, what is their record? What's happening with Arizona State? And they had this young Levitz, like just a kid, and you're watching him and scatter. Boo. And it's like, wow, the quarterback's young, the coach is young. Wow. Arizona State undergrads 65,000 students. It's it's a gigantic, beautiful campus. By the way, they, over the last 20 years, boy, they, they have, I think they have the. I think Arizona State has the largest off campus. They have a. It's amazing how many people aren't on campus that go to the school off campus students undergrad is 65,000. My staff just wrote that. Largest in the country. How about that? And Sam Levitt last year in his last seven games, 16 TDs, two picks. So that, that young quarterback, keep your eye on him. He is, he's getting real. And he can move. He can. And he can throw it when he's moving it.

[Kenny Dillingham]

Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan. Sorry, A box fan. Happily, yes. A day of sunshine. No. A box of fine wines, yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a paychecks company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, Paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset. Your people. Are you ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycor.comleaders to learn more. That's paycor.com leaders BMW didn't just design an electric SUV.

[Colin Cowherd]

Every detail of the BMW IX was crafted with passion and precision. With a BMW ix, you'll experience unmatched power, utility, spaciousness, versatility.

[Kenny Dillingham]

My favorite feature.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cloud based navigation.

[Jason McIntyre]

Monitors charge levels, locates nearby charging stations.

[Colin Cowherd]

So I can drive electric with the ultimate ease. BMW lets performance do the talking. And the scouting report is in.

[Jason McIntyre]

Experience the all electric BMW IX and.

[Colin Cowherd]

Witness dedication in every detail.

[Kenny Dillingham]

Okay, have you heard about this?

[Jason McIntyre]

Last year, Degree changed the formula for.

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

They admitted they effed up and they're.

[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

They're bringing it back and it's exactly.

[Jason McIntyre]

How you remember it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cool, crisp and fresh.

[Jason McIntyre]

There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant. And it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under four bucks. So try and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart or Target to try the OG degree.

[Kenny Dillingham]

Cool.

[Colin Cowherd]

Rush for yourself. This is an I Heart podcast.