Podcast Summary: Covino & Rich - Thibodeau Out, Shaq In

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: Covino & Rich - Thibodeau Out, Shaq In
• Release Date: June 4, 2025

1. Firing of Tom Thibodeau as Knicks Coach

Discussion Overview: Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into the recent dismissal of Tom Thibodeau as the head coach of the New York Knicks. They explore the contrasting viewpoints surrounding this decision, analyzing Thibodeau's tenure and the high expectations placed on Knicks' leadership.

Key Points:

• Thibodeau’s Tenure: Thibodeau led the Knicks to significant achievements, including reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the late '90s. His overall record boasts five winning seasons with the Knicks, four of which advanced the team deep into the playoffs.

• Contrasting Opinions:

  • Steve Covino argues against the firing, emphasizing Thibodeau's success and the challenges of acclimating both players and coaches to new team dynamics. He states, “The first year with Karl Anthony Towns. Brunson had his back... it’s a shame that he got fired. It’s an easy scapegoat and an easy finger to point at because he’s the coach.” (10:03)

  • Rich Davis presents a more nuanced view, suggesting that while Thibodeau has had success, the Knicks' high-pressure environment in New York demands continuous winning, leaving limited room for perceived failures. He reflects, “If you don’t win is considered a failure.” (06:16)

• Expectations in Big Cities:

  • The discussion highlights how organizations in major cities like New York have heightened expectations. Rich Davis notes, “If you don’t win is considered a failure” (06:16), underscoring the relentless pursuit of success in such high-stakes environments.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Covino: “You have to give Thibodeau a little time to adjust to the new stars that are also on the team... It’s not like they went to the Eastern Conference two years in a row here and just can’t get to the finals.” (09:11)
• Rich Davis: “Sometimes someone can only bring you so far, and then you got to go.” (10:17)

2. Coaching Styles and Team Dynamics

Discussion Overview: Covino and Davis explore the importance of aligning a coach’s style with the team’s culture and personalities. They debate whether Thibodeau's demanding and intense coaching approach was a mismatch for the Knicks' roster.

Key Points:

• Matching Styles: The hosts discuss whether Thibodeau's high-pressure coaching style harmonized with the Knicks' player dynamics. Covino suggests, “He’s too hard for the big bad New York Knicks” (16:35), while Davis counters that maintaining a tough demeanor is essential for New York's gritty sports culture.

• Comparisons to Other Teams:

  • The conversation draws parallels with historical coaching scenarios, such as Pat Riley's transformative role with the Lakers, emphasizing the need for coaches to adapt and connect with their teams effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich Davis: “Have you ever thought that perhaps the style of coaching doesn’t mix with this, this array of athletes? It’s gotta be.” (14:22)
• Steve Covino: “New York is high pressure. Don’t you want a coach that matches the style of the city?” (11:28)

3. Shaquille O'Neal’s Appearance and Trivia Segment

Discussion Overview: Adding a light-hearted break, Shaquille O'Neal joins Covino and Davis for a segment of basketball trivia. This interaction provides a humorous and engaging respite from the intense discussion about coaching and team management.

Key Points:

• Interactive Trivia: Shaq participates in "Shaq Diesel Trivia," where listeners can engage and win prizes. The segment fosters a fun and interactive atmosphere, emphasizing the show's commitment to entertaining its audience.

• Humor and Camaraderie: The playful banter between the hosts and Shaq highlights the camaraderie and upbeat dynamic that balances the more serious topics discussed earlier.

Notable Quotes:

• Shaquille O'Neal: “If it don't work out on ESPN, I'm the new coach of the Knicks. I'm coaching the Knicks. They need a big man like me, Shaq. Smack him around.” (28:17)
• Rich Davis: “I have more about Clara Adams’ dad. He was in on this celebration. It was so not a big deal.” (48:37)

4. Clara Adams’ Disqualification: A Case of Sportsmanship

Discussion Overview: Covino and Davis shift focus to a controversial incident involving Clara Adams, a high school athlete who was stripped of her state title for celebrating her victory with a fire extinguisher. They analyze the implications of this decision on youth sportsmanship and the balance between celebration and rule enforcement.

Key Points:

• The Incident: Clara Adams, after winning the 400-meter race with a remarkable time of 53.24 seconds, celebrated by spraying her cleats with a fire extinguisher—a gesture inspired by sprint icon Maurice Greene. The act, although meant to symbolize cooling down after a hot performance, was deemed unsportsmanlike, leading to her disqualification.

• Community and Official Reactions:

  • Dave Adams (Clara’s Dad): Expresses deep disappointment, stating, “When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone. That was our moment of celebration. And CIF officials made that about them.” (39:35)

  • Maurice Greene: Publicly supports Clara, urging officials to reinstate her title: “Come on, man. I'm famous for doing that. You gotta give her her title back.” (38:56)

• Broader Implications:

  • The hosts debate the appropriateness of punishing youth athletes for mimicking professional behaviors, questioning whether such strict enforcement stifles positive expressions of victory and joy in sports.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Covino: “Now, what do you think about this? And the bigger question is, when you see little kids bat flipping, when you see little kids do what the pros...” (38:11)
• Rich Davis: “Do you throw out a bunch of high school and college kids... it was an iconic moment and it became such a story.” (40:05)
• Steve Covino: “Is this unsportsmanlike when the kids are just mimicking what they see on TV from the stars? Is that wrong or understandable?” (40:09)

5. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Discussion Overview: As the episode winds down, Covino and Davis reflect on the day's discussions, reiterating their support for Clara Adams and the importance of maintaining sportsmanship without overstepping regulations.

Key Points:

• Support for Clara Adams: The hosts emphasize the unfairness of disqualifying a young athlete for a celebratory gesture, advocating for a more lenient and understanding approach in youth sports.

• Entertainment vs. Regulation: They underscore the value of entertainment in sports and the need to balance it with necessary rules, ensuring that celebrations do not overshadow the spirit of competition.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich Davis: “She deserves it. She knows she won. And that was my problem with the Astros...” (49:24)
• Steve Covino: “The final way to end this. The positive. Now we know who Clara Adams is. Congratulations.” (48:54)

Conclusion

In this episode, Covino and Rich tackle two significant sports narratives: the contentious firing of Tom Thibodeau as the Knicks' coach and the controversial disqualification of Clara Adams in high school track. Through insightful dialogue and engaging segments with Shaquille O'Neal, the hosts offer a balanced mix of analysis, opinion, and entertainment. Notable quotes underscore their perspectives, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the issues discussed.

Notable Timestamps:

• 09:11: Steve Covino discusses giving Thibodeau time to adjust to new team dynamics.
• 14:22: Rich Davis questions the compatibility of coaching styles with team personalities.
• 28:17: Shaquille O'Neal jokingly suggests coaching the Knicks if things don’t work out on ESPN.
• 38:11: Introduction to Clara Adams’ story.
• 48:54: Hosts conclude their support for Clara Adams.

Note: Timestamps are approximated based on the transcript provided.