The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: 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: Hour 1 - Grading the New Head Coach Hires
• Release Date: January 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves into the critical topic of evaluating recent head coaching hires across the NFL. Joined by co-host J. Mac, Colin provides an in-depth analysis of various coaches' performances, organizational fit, and potential impact on their respective teams. Stripping away initial biases and focusing on long-term prospects, the discussion offers valuable insights for fans and analysts alike.

Main Discussion: Grading New Head Coaches

Common Mistakes in Coaching Hires

Colin begins by outlining three prevalent mistakes organizations make when hiring new head coaches:

1. Judging Too Quickly:
   “Don't judge the opening press conference too harshly. Some of these young guys get to the podium without a game plan. They're nervous.”
   (Timestamp: 07:20)

2. Lack of Organizational Understanding:
   “Organizations need different things. The Bears need creativity. The Jags have to solve Trevor Lawrence. The Raiders need an adult.”
   (Timestamp: 09:15)

3. Overreliance on Coordinators:
   “Hiring good coordinators as your head coach is much like the NFL draft. It ends up being a 50/50 proposition.”
   (Timestamp: 10:45)

These points set the stage for a nuanced evaluation of each coach’s suitability and potential success.

Specific Coach Evaluations

Colin and J. Mac proceed to grade several newly hired head coaches, assessing their fit based on performance, experience, and the specific needs of their teams.

1. Pete Carroll – Las Vegas Raiders

   • Grade: A
   • Assessment:
     “I think Pete Carroll, Mike Vrabel, and Mike McCarthy were arguably the best hires. Pete is familiar with the team, has a winning record, and is a culture changer.”
     (Timestamp: 11:10)
     Carroll emphasizes the importance of competition and teamwork, stating, “If you want to be on a great team, you need to be a great teammate.”
     (Timestamp: 12:05)

2. Mike Vrabel – Las Vegas Raiders

   • Grade: A
   • Assessment:
     “Mike Vrabel's a culture changer and does not fail,” Colin notes, comparing him to successful leaders like Pete Carroll.
     (Timestamp: 11:30)

3. Mike McCarthy – New Orleans Saints

   • Grade: A
   • Assessment:
     “If I was the Saints, I would go Mike McCarthy, but he sort of disappeared off the radar.”
     (Timestamp: 11:50)
     McCarthy is praised for his offensive acumen, though his current role remains somewhat uncertain.

4. Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears

   • Grade: A
   • Assessment:
     “Ben Johnson has never been a coach, so I can’t give him an A to an A,” Colin jokes, but acknowledges his strategic hiring within the division.
     (Timestamp: 12:15)

5. Brian Schottenheimer – Dallas Cowboys

   • Grade: D
   • Assessment:
     “Brian Schottenheimer feels absolutely uninspiring. It’s a D,” Colin criticizes, pointing out his lackluster performance and outdated coaching style.
     (Timestamp: 11:40)
     “The Cowboys got caught flat-footed and this is what it looks like.”
     (Timestamp: 11:55)

6. Liam Cohen – Jacksonville Jaguars

   • Grade: B
   • Assessment:
     “I would give Liam Cohen a B because he’s on the right side of the ball,” Colin states, recognizing Cohen’s offensive intelligence despite a rocky start.
     (Timestamp: 11:20)

7. Aaron Glenn – New York Jets

   • Grade: C
   • Assessment:
     “Aaron Glenn is fine, but I think it’s a C,” Colin comments, expressing skepticism about Glenn’s approach and organizational support.
     (Timestamp: 11:40)

Additional Insights

Playoff Performance and Coaching Decisions

A significant portion of the discussion centers on playoff performances, particularly criticizing the Buffalo Bills' coaching decisions. Colin argues that instead of blaming referees, coaches should self-reflect on strategic errors.

“Now we're being grownups. Now we're having the grown-up conversation. Now we're not blaming zebras. Now we're looking in a mirror,” Colin asserts.
(Timestamp: 10:30)

He praises Andy Reid and Shane Beamer (Spags) of the Kansas City Chiefs for their exceptional play-calling in critical moments, highlighting their ability to adapt and maintain composure under pressure.

“Those guys don't really fail. They may not win a trophy, but they don't fail.”
(Timestamp: 11:05)

Organizational Culture and Stability

Colin emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment and stability within franchises. He commends coaches like Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel for fostering positive cultures that translate into sustained team performance.

“Culture changers like Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel don’t really fail,” he notes.
(Timestamp: 11:10)

Conclusions

Colin Cowherd wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of thoughtful head coaching hires tailored to each organization's unique needs. He underscores that while certain hires like Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel have shown immediate positive impacts, others like Brian Schottenheimer may struggle due to misalignment with their team's requirements.

“Hiring the right coach is not just about the name or past successes; it's about fitting into the organization's culture and addressing its specific challenges,” Colin concludes.
(Timestamp: 12:30)

The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding the complexities involved in head coaching evaluations, offering listeners a balanced perspective on what makes a coaching hire successful in the competitive landscape of the NFL.

Notable Quotes

• “Don't judge the opening press conference too harshly. Some of these young guys get to the podium without a game plan. They're nervous.” – Colin Cowherd [07:20]

• “Organizations need different things. The Bears need creativity. The Jags have to solve Trevor Lawrence. The Raiders need an adult.” – Colin Cowherd [09:15]

• “Hiring good coordinators as your head coach is much like the NFL draft. It ends up being a 50/50 proposition.” – Colin Cowherd [10:45]

• “If you want to be on a great team, you need to be a great teammate.” – Pete Carroll [12:05]

• “Brian Schottenheimer feels absolutely uninspiring. It’s a D.” – Colin Cowherd [11:40]

• “Those guys don't really fail. They may not win a trophy, but they don't fail.” – Colin Cowherd [11:05]

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a thorough and engaging analysis of recent NFL head coaching hires, blending critical evaluation with insightful commentary. Whether you're a seasoned football aficionado or a casual fan, Colin's grading system provides a clear framework for assessing the evolving dynamics of NFL leadership.