Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode: Hour 2 – Asante Samuel Sr. rips Hipster Coaches & Bruce Feldman on NIL
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners are treated to a deep dive into two pivotal topics shaping the sports landscape: Asante Samuel Sr.'s scathing critique of the Miami Dolphins' coaching strategies and organizational leadership, and Bruce Feldman's comprehensive analysis of the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations in college football. The conversation encapsulates the tensions within NFL coaching philosophies and the chaotic transformation of college sports recruitment.

Section 1: Asante Samuel Sr. Criticizes Miami Dolphins and Coaching Staff

The episode kicks off with a robust discussion led by Bruce Feldman, who addresses recent remarks by Asante Samuel Sr. regarding the Miami Dolphins. Samuel Sr. did not hesitate to voice his frustrations with the Dolphins' organizational structure and leadership.

Bruce Feldman (06:06): "The Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey other than they're sensitive. There's no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniel is a pushover. Chris Greer, the general manager, he has no backbone."

Samuel Sr. lambasts the Dolphins for their backhanded approach to team management, highlighting perceived weaknesses in their decision-making processes and authority dynamics. He continues to elaborate on the trade decisions, pointing out inconsistencies and questionable moves made by the team's leadership.

Bruce Feldman (06:36): "These guys over here at the Miami Dolphins are running this team like a little league team. No one can stand up to the players. They're terrified of their own players and they have no control over their players."

This critical perspective sets the stage for a broader conversation about leadership and management within professional sports teams.

Section 2: The Rise of Hipster Coaches in the NFL

Transitioning from Samuel Sr.'s critique, Bruce Feldman shifts the focus to a growing trend in the NFL: the proliferation of "hipster" coaches. He attributes this phenomenon to the influence of the Shanahan coaching tree, naming prominent figures who embody this new coaching archetype.

Bruce Feldman (10:04): "There are a lot of hipster head coaches in the league anymore. They were created by the Shanahan coaching tree. Like Kyle Shanahan is like the number one hipster coach. Then you got a Mike McVeigh hipster coach, then you got a Mike McDaniel hipster coach."

The term "hipster" here refers to coaches who adopt modern, perhaps unconventional methods and aesthetics, which Feldman suggests may clash with traditional team dynamics.

Bruce Feldman (10:38): "It's not because they're not fat, it's that they are hipsters. They have a hipster look about them. Like if you look up what a hipster looks like, that's what they look like."

This segment delves into how these coaching styles impact team morale and player-coach relationships, posing questions about authority and respect within the locker room.

Section 3: Implications for Team Dynamics and Performance

Colin Cowherd and Feldman discuss the tangible effects of having hipster coaches on team performance and player interactions. The conversation touches on specific examples, such as Mike McDaniel's approach with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Bruce Feldman (12:53): "You got to find the root of the problem and you got to delete it. Because if you let that spread and if you let it continue to grow and then now it's like, wait, hold on. Everybody's been spoiled or has been poisoned by this one person that just doesn't seem to look at me in the way that I need him to look at me."

Feldman raises concerns about the balance between modern coaching techniques and maintaining discipline and authority, suggesting that an overemphasis on a "soft" approach could undermine team cohesion and performance.

Bruce Feldman (17:14): "But you lost. You might have not have taken into account what that type of personality that builds TUA up. Jalen Ramsey doesn't need that soft hand approach."

The discussion underscores the delicate interplay between fostering player confidence and maintaining strict leadership standards necessary for a competitive sports environment.

Section 4: Transition to College Football and NIL Issues

Shifting gears, the conversation transitions to college football, where Bruce Feldman provides an in-depth analysis of the current NIL landscape. The focus narrows to Texas Tech's recruitment strategies, particularly concerning the highly-touted prospect Felix Ojoe.

Bruce Feldman (27:00): "There's so much that is on. It's just not structured. And how can you have it structured when you never been here before and you don't have any comps to be able to do it."

Feldman highlights the confusion and lack of clarity surrounding NIL deals, emphasizing the discrepancies in reported contract values and the potential for manipulation within the system.

Bruce Feldman (27:52): "He was at Texas Tech and he wants to go to Texas. Well, if you're a football coach, you want to do that, you got to pay a buyout or, you know, if it's a contract, you have to get out of it."

The segment sheds light on the complexities athletes and their agents face in navigating NIL agreements, questioning the sustainability and fairness of the current model.

Section 5: Bruce Feldman's Analysis on the Complexity and Future of NIL in College Sports

Bruce Feldman delves deeper into the structural issues plaguing NIL regulations, painting a picture of a chaotic and unregulated environment that is ripe for exploitation.

Bruce Feldman (34:20): "It's still such a messy situation all the way around."

He discusses the potential for systemic abuse, drawing parallels to illicit side deals and highlighting the absence of a robust governing framework to oversee and regulate NIL transactions effectively.

Bruce Feldman (37:38): "And you know, I just think there's a lot of things when it comes to Deloitte, who's going to be the accounting firm that's going to be involved with this, and ML, former MLB executive who's now, you know, kind of the top, top in this. I'll believe it when I see it."

Feldman expresses skepticism about the longevity and effectiveness of current NIL policies, predicting continued turbulence and the likelihood of major reforms as stakeholders grapple with the evolving landscape.

Bruce Feldman (43:29): "It's the reality and this is how they operate."

This analysis underscores the pressing need for comprehensive regulations to stabilize the NIL framework and ensure equitable practices across college sports programs.

Conclusion

Hour 2 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a compelling exploration of leadership challenges within the NFL and the tumultuous changes sweeping through college football due to evolving NIL policies. Through expert insights and strategic discussions, Colin Cowherd and Bruce Feldman illuminate the intricate dynamics affecting teams and athletes alike, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current sports ecosystem.

Notable Quotes:

• Bruce Feldman (06:06): "The Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey other than they're sensitive."

• Bruce Feldman (10:04): "There are a lot of hipster head coaches in the league anymore."

• Bruce Feldman (12:53): "You got to find the root of the problem and you got to delete it."

• Bruce Feldman (27:00): "It's just not structured. And how can you have it structured when you never been here before."

• Bruce Feldman (34:20): "It's still such a messy situation all the way around."

• Bruce Feldman (43:29): "It's the reality and this is how they operate."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the podcast episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't had the chance to listen.