Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Hour 3 - Michael Irvin Stops by The Herd
Release Date: January 14, 2025
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.

Introduction and Guest Introduction (03:38 - 04:19)

Colin Cowherd welcomes his longtime friend and esteemed guest, Michael Irvin, a legendary NFL player known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys and his deep connections within the sports world.

Colin Cowherd [03:40]: "One of our favorite guests, the playmaker Michael Irvin. The very well connected Michael Irvin is joining us."

Discussion on Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones (04:19 - 07:57)

The conversation kicks off with Michael Irvin discussing the evolving relationship between Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones, the iconic owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

• Deion Sanders' Loyalty: Michael highlights Deion's brief but meaningful commitment to the Cowboys, emphasizing his love for Colorado and the Cowboys' culture.

  Michael Irvin [05:22]: "It's all we can talk about is that they are talking. I love when he tells me things like that, really be careful because I think that means things are moving in a way that we can't just openly talk like we used to openly talk."

• Conversations Between Deion and Jerry: Michael reveals that Deion and Jerry have had positive conversations, signaling potential changes within the Cowboys organization.

  Michael Irvin [04:23]: "They are talking. When I talked to Deion last night and this morning... they are having conversations."

• Mentorship Role of Deion Sanders: Michael emphasizes Deion's unique ability to mentor young NFL players, contrasting him with other coaches who may be forced into mentorship roles.

  Michael Irvin [05:38]: "He is a true mentor. That's coaching. The other coaches are coaching, and they're forced to mentor."

The Coveted Nature of NFL Coaching Positions (07:57 - 12:46)

Colin and Michael delve into the prestige and competitiveness of coaching positions in the NFL, particularly focusing on the Dallas Cowboys.

• Debunking Myths About Coaching Jobs: Michael passionately argues against the notion that NFL coaching positions are not coveted, highlighting the limited number of such high-paying roles.

  Michael Irvin [09:08]: "There are only 32 jobs in the national football. Each one of those jobs going to pay you above north of somewhere, six, seven million dollars a year."

• Jerry Jones' Unique Role: The discussion touches upon Jerry Jones' active media presence and how it impacts perceptions of his leadership compared to other NFL owners.

  Michael Irvin [10:22]: "Why are we so hard on Jerry, because he talks and does radio interviews? What's the separation between Jerry and in the Rooneys?"

Personal Development and Mental Health (12:46 - 17:03)

The conversation shifts to personal development, mental health, and Michael Irvin’s insights into his own growth and how it relates to players like A.J. Brown.

• Therapy and Relationship Dynamics: Colin shares a personal anecdote about therapy helping him understand different perspectives, which Michael connects to how players like A.J. Brown approach the game.

  Colin Cowherd [12:58]: "I went to a therapist... change the way I view arguments."

• Understanding Player Mindsets: Michael discusses the importance of understanding players' mental states, referencing the book "Edison Gene the Gift of the ADHD Child" and its relevance to A.J. Brown's approach on the field.

  Michael Irvin [14:45]: "What he's doing is trying to calm what you call his reptilian brain... he's more apt to fight than reason."

Current NFL Coaching Landscape and Future Prospects (17:03 - 24:56)

The dialogue explores the broader NFL coaching landscape, focusing on notable coaches like Sean McVay of the Rams and the Cowboys' search for a new head coach.

• Sean McVay’s Leadership: Michael praises Sean McVay's ability to manage team dynamics and utilize crises effectively, drawing parallels to how he approaches leadership.

  Michael Irvin [18:04]: "He uses it right in and use it. He doesn't run away from it."

• Dallas Cowboys' Coaching Challenges: The discussion centers on the Cowboys' coaching situation, criticizing Jerry Jones for his media involvement and its perceived impact on team performance.

  Michael Irvin [10:35]: "He's a performer. He loves the media."

• Anticipation for Offseason Changes: Michael expresses optimism about the offseason, anticipating positive changes within the Cowboys organization.

  Michael Irvin [24:32]: "I'm so happy right now, y'all, because we're going to have a good offseason. It gives us hope again."

Player Development and Team Dynamics (24:56 - 38:35)

The conversation transitions to player development, focusing on Michael Irvin's personal growth after leaving the field and his approach to mentoring current players.

• Self-Improvement Post-Football: Michael shares his journey of self-discovery after retiring, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's own behavior and mindset.

  Michael Irvin [14:45]: "You got to study these things. Don't just study what you do. Go learn why you did it."

• Mentorship of A.J. Brown: He discusses how A.J. Brown embodies focused, non-selfish play, serving as a model for other players to emulate.

  Michael Irvin [20:19]: "He has to deal with that in his own mind. I'm so good at this, people. That's what I do because it's real."

Analyses of Current NFL Teams and Players (38:35 - 44:43)

Colin and Michael analyze the current performance and potential of various NFL teams and players, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Zach Ertz.

• Philadelphia Eagles’ Leadership: Michael praises Jalen Hurts' leadership and Saquon Barkley's impact, questioning the team's ability to secure a Super Bowl win given their current dynamics.

  Michael Irvin [19:48]: "Jalen Hurts is a great leader. But Saquon has brought something different to this."

• Zach Ertz’s Contribution: The discussion highlights Zach Ertz's role in the Commanders' success, emphasizing his leadership and clutch performances.

  Michael Irvin [21:05]: "He has such strong belief in himself, but it comes off in a way that is so humble."

Final Thoughts and Future Expectations (44:43 - 47:00)

As the episode nears its conclusion, Colin and Michael reflect on the potential future developments within the Cowboys organization and the broader NFL landscape.

• Hope for the Cowboys’ Offseason: Michael expresses confidence that the Cowboys will navigate through current challenges and emerge stronger in the offseason.

  Michael Irvin [24:36]: "We have hope again."

• Speculations on Coaching Decisions: The hosts speculate on the Cowboys' potential coaching hires and the influence Deion Sanders might have if he takes on a leadership role.

  Michael Irvin [23:00]: "I really do believe that."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Michael Irvin [05:38]: "He is a true mentor. That's coaching. The other coaches are coaching, and they're forced to mentor."
2. Michael Irvin [09:08]: "There are only 32 jobs in the national football. Each one of those jobs going to pay you above north of somewhere, six, seven million dollars a year."
3. Michael Irvin [14:45]: "You got to study these things. Don't just study what you do. Go learn why you did it."
4. Michael Irvin [21:05]: "He has such strong belief in himself, but it comes off in a way that is so humble."
5. Michael Irvin [24:32]: "I'm so happy right now, y'all, because we're going to have a good offseason. It gives us hope again."

Conclusions and Takeaways

• Leadership and Mentorship: Michael Irvin underscores the critical role of mentorship in the NFL, advocating for leaders like Deion Sanders who prioritize player development and personal growth over mere tactical coaching.

• NFL Coaching Dynamics: The episode sheds light on the complexities of coaching roles within the NFL, highlighting the high stakes and limited opportunities, especially within prestigious franchises like the Dallas Cowboys.

• Personal Growth and Mental Health: Both Colin and Michael emphasize the importance of self-awareness and mental health, exploring how personal development contributes to professional success both on and off the field.

• Future Prospects for the Cowboys: Optimism surrounds the Cowboys' upcoming offseason, with expectations of strategic changes that could rejuvenate the team's performance and culture.

• Player Performance and Team Success: The discussion illustrates the interconnectedness of player leadership, team dynamics, and coaching strategies in achieving success within the highly competitive environment of the NFL.

Note: This summary focuses on the substantive content of the podcast episode, excluding advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to provide a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and insights shared by Colin Cowherd and Michael Irvin.