The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Summary: HOUR 3 – Bears-49ers Proves Offensive Coaches Are the Future, More Coach Firings to Come?

Air Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Featured Guests: Jason McIntyre, Diana Rossini

Episode Overview

This hour dives into NFL coaching trends, the impact and future of both offensive and defensive-minded head coaches, and the inevitable wave of coaching changes as the regular season ends. Colin, Jason, and Diana Rossini analyze recent high-profile coaching decisions, headline coaching candidates, team outlooks for NFL jobs, and how league-wide offensive evolution is shifting the calculus for organizations seeking new leadership. The conversation is lively and fast-paced, with strong opinions and notable analysis of teams like the Giants, Bills, Raiders, Rams, Falcons, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marcus Freeman’s Decision to Stay at Notre Dame ([02:47]–[06:18], [21:27]–[23:26])

• Context: Marcus Freeman, highly regarded college coach, was considered for several NFL vacancies but has decided to remain at Notre Dame.
• Diana Rossini: “The New York Giants were not the only team who were interested in Marcus Freeman. So I get what you're saying… there were at least four other teams I know poking around on Marcus Freeman. And when I say poking around because some of those teams have a coach currently in place. Right?” ([04:21])
• Giants and Titans showed serious interest, but Freeman’s alignment with what NYG seeks ("leader of men") was a factor, though the timing and appeal of staying in college, perhaps for future plum jobs (e.g., Ohio State), weighed heavily.
• Colin (on college jobs): “I’ll maintain that... Freeman’s not leaving for an NFL job unless it’s Harbaugh-like. 'Oh, Justin Herbert is your quarterback. Yes, I'll consider that.' That's when Freeman will go. These guys don’t need to take on a rebuild.” ([21:54])
• Jason McIntyre: Discussed how elite college jobs now recruit themselves due to brand and NIL, making them more attractive and less taxing than NFL rebuilds.

2. NFL Coaching Carousel: Candidates and Trends ([06:18]–[14:15], [18:38]–[21:27], [36:09]–[39:20])

• Diana Rossini lays out the Giants’ search: “... you have Jeff Hafley, the Packers defensive coordinator. Lou Anarumo, the Colts defensive coordinator... Brian Flores...” ([05:03])
• Flores is widely respected: “Did you see that clinic that defense put on against the Detroit Lions at home on Christmas Day? I know the New York Giants were watching.” ([05:29])
• “Organizations have Brian Flores on their board.”
• Robert Saleh as a possible candidate for New York also discussed. Both Jason and Diana value his accountability and high-energy style:
  • Jason: “All I know is if you gave me three guys to hire in this next cycle, I would do Salah Flores 1 and 2. I think they're great.” ([06:32])
  • Diana: Stresses "accountability" as the key flaw in the Giants' leadership, and why coaches like Saleh, Tomlin, and Arthur Smith are respected ([07:22]).
• Coaching cycles see on average five openings yearly; this offseason could see six or more, including some surprise playoff teams making changes.
• Colin (on coaching background): “You don't have to be an offensive guy. If you're a defensive guy, you gotta be young. I would say Brian Flores in Minnesota. Love him... the second best candidate is Salah. Third best candidate, Mike McCarthy... then I would put Chris Shula in LA...” ([19:37])
• Diana (on NFL versus college for coaches): Suggests younger coaches like Freeman adapt better to recruiting/NIL shifts; elite college jobs are nearly self-sustaining and thus hard to leave ([23:26], [24:42]).

3. The Future of Old-School Coaches & Michigan’s New Hire ([24:42]–[27:27])

• Kyle Whittingham taking Michigan job at age 66, surprising some due to age.
• Jason: “Let's say he stays for four years... they win nine games. Ten games. Nine games. That's not bottoming out like right now. Michigan's in trouble.” ([24:42])
• Colin sees the value in mature, experienced coaches for stabilizing programs, but also notes the need for energy and adaptability in the NIL/transfer portal era.

4. Raiders’ Uncertain Future and Tom Brady’s Role ([11:40]–[14:01])

• Jason asks: Could the Raiders "blow this whole thing up" given a disastrous season with potential for #1 pick and complex ownership/leadership situation?
• Diana Rossini: “I actually want more Tom Brady. I think that's what Vegas needs, more input from him and more of a presence. I think that's important. Think about if you’re just a Raider, you're a young player, and Tom Brady's walking around your building—how different are you behaving?” ([12:16])
• She highlights Max Crosby’s centrality to the team and pitfalls if his buy-in is lost during upheaval.

5. Bills and Sean McDermott: Is It Time for a Change? ([08:37]–[10:31], [36:09]–[39:20])

• Buffalo’s perpetual “almost” status: “You have Josh Allen in his prime and you continue to dance, but you don't go to the big one, right?” ([38:50] – Diana Rossini)
• Rossini and Colin both express that, despite being a stable, well-run team, the Bills may have plateaued under McDermott, particularly against rosters with more offensive firepower.
• Colin: “With Josh Allen, I kind of watch. Stafford gets McVay... Mahomes has Reid, Bo Nix has Payton... It feels like a little bit of an advantage over an older defensive coach.” ([37:57])

6. Rams-Falcons: Playoff Implications & Roster Construction ([27:28]–[30:18])

• Rams seen as Super Bowl contenders: “Like, I could see them winning the Super Bowl. I think the combination of having two legitimate number one receivers with Puka and Davante... and then Matthew Stafford playing at a level that we didn't even know, he can hit another level.” ([27:49] – Max Crosby via Jason McIntyre)
• Jason McIntyre points to Rams’ motivation to win for better draft position and aggressive coaching style: “They're going to be aggressive. They're going to have an aggressive game plan. You want to hand Atlanta a loss here in Atlanta.” ([28:36])
• Falcons, meanwhile, are in trouble with Raheem Morris on the hot seat, limited talent, and playoff hopes fading.
• Colin: “Are they definitely beating the Eagles on the road? Definitely? Are they definitely winning in Chicago?” ([30:06]); highlights the razor-thin margin for NFC contenders.

7. Defensive Coaches: Can They Still Win? ([18:38]–[21:27], [36:09]–[39:20], [43:20]–[45:03])

• Colin repeatedly suggests offensive coaches are the NFL’s future, but young, adaptable defensive coaches (Flores, Saleh, McDonald, Ryan) have a place—provided they’re innovative and can connect with players.
• The success stories of young defensive coaches are balanced with skepticism regarding retreads or old-school types who don’t adapt.
• Colin (on Saleh): “Salah is doing the most with very little. That’s why I think he and Brian Flores and Mike McCarthy would be at the top of my higher list.” ([43:20])

8. Historic Examples: Patience with Early Struggles ([44:04]–[45:03])

• Jason McIntyre: List of coaches who started terribly but became dynastic (Jimmy Johnson, Bill Walsh, Dan Campbell, etc.), suggesting that patience is sometimes warranted with new coaches, though cautioning against blind optimism.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Diana Rossini on Marcus Freeman (04:21):

  “There were at least four other teams I know poking around on Marcus Freeman… some have a coach currently in place.”

• Jason McIntyre on Saleh and Flores as top coaching candidates (06:32):

  “If you gave me three guys to hire in this next cycle, I would do Salah Flores 1 and 2. I think they're great.”

• Diana Rossini on Accountability and Giants’ next coach (07:22):

  “To me, that's got to be the word on the board in the meeting room with these coaches. Can you hold players accountable?... Accountability was really... the biggest flaw in that building.”

• Colin Cowherd on hiring trends (19:37):

  “If you're a defensive guy, you gotta be young. I would say Brian Flores... Salah... Mike McCarthy... then a bunch of guys like Chris Shula…”

• Diana Rossini on Tom Brady and the Raiders (12:16):

  “I actually want more Tom Brady. I think that's what Vegas needs, more input from him and more of a presence.”

• Jason McIntyre on the NFL job market (10:31):

  “I think there's like an average of five head coaching openings every year. Right? So we've got the Giants, the Titans. I'm expecting at least four more on top of that...”

• Max Crosby’s take on the Rams (27:49):

  “Like, I could see them winning the Super Bowl. I think the combination of having two legitimate number one receivers with Puka and Davante... and then Matthew Stafford...”

• Diana Rossini on McDermott and Bills’ ceiling (38:50):

  “You have Josh Allen in his prime and you continue to dance, but you don't go to the big one.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [04:21] Diana Rossini discusses Marcus Freeman’s NFL interest and Giants’ coaching options.
• [06:32] Jason and Diana debate Robert Saleh and Brian Flores as top coaching hires.
• [10:31] Jason predicts possible firing wave and number of NFL vacancies.
• [12:16] Diana shares views on the Raiders’ need for more Tom Brady influence.
• [19:37] Colin outlines his preferred defensive coaching candidates for NFL jobs.
• [21:27] Colin and Jason assess why Marcus Freeman stayed at Notre Dame and what could lure him away.
• [24:42] Jason and Colin analyze Michigan hiring 66-year-old Kyle Whittingham.
• [27:49] Max Crosby (via Jason) says Rams are his Super Bowl favorite.
• [43:20] Colin debates the future of defensive coaches and the impact of young, contemporary leadership.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a smart, dynamic examination of the state of NFL and college football coaching—why offensive innovators are reshaping the league, how franchises are approaching looming vacancies, and what traits matter in a head coach today. The hosts and Diana Rossini provide strong opinions on the careers of Marcus Freeman, Robert Saleh, Brian Flores, and others, and offer perspective on the limits of “old guard” approaches in both college and pro football. For fans keen on knowing who’s next to be hired—or fired—in the NFL and how the league’s top minds think about leadership, this episode is essential listening.