Summary of "The Best Of Covino & Rich" Episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Release Date: January 7, 2025

In this enlightening episode of "The Best Of Covino & Rich," hosts Covino and Rich Davis delve into the tumultuous aftermath of the NFL season, exploring themes of coaching turnover, societal impatience, and the strategic decisions faced by coaches and players. Their discussion is enriched with insightful commentary, lively banter, and engaging interactions with callers, culminating in a fun trivia segment featuring a surprise guest appearance by Shaquille O'Neal.

1. Post-Season Coaching Carousel [00:22 - 03:18]

The episode opens with Rich Davis addressing the inevitable cycle of coaches being fired after the NFL season, a phenomenon often referred to as "Black Monday." He highlights recent commentary by Rob Gronkowski regarding Danny McMayo's brief tenure as the Patriots' head coach.

• Rich Davis [00:22]: "I just feel like, as they call it, Black Monday after the NFL season, coaches get fired. It's inevitable."

• Rob Gronkowski [00:49]: "I was shocked by that. And to happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people."

Covino expands on this topic, discussing the broader implications of constant coaching changes and the difficulty for rookie coaches to establish themselves.

• Covino [02:23]: "Nobody wants to wait around young people, old people."

2. Societal Impatience and Immediate Gratification [01:51 - 04:06]

The hosts explore the growing impatience in society and its impact on sports and culture. They argue that the demand for immediate results pressures coaches and players to deliver success without allowing adequate time for development.

• Covino [02:41]: "We have an expectation to deliver now, win now, want things now."

• Rich Davis [04:06]: "Putting in your hours and paying your dues."

They reference Ronnie Chen's comedy bit on "Amazon Prime Now" to illustrate the modern obsession with instant gratification.

3. Opportunities and Decision-Making for Coaches and Players [04:06 - 15:35]

Covino and Davis delve into the dilemma faced by coaches and players: whether to seize available opportunities immediately or wait for the perfect scenario. Ben Johnson's potential move to the Patriots is discussed as a case study.

• Rich Davis [06:15]: "Whoever masters patience could master anything because it is very hard to be patient."

• Covino [07:08]: "Those are people who knew their value, right? Not everybody is John Elway and Peyton Manning."

The conversation highlights legendary figures like Eli Manning and John Elway, emphasizing the benefits of patience and strategic decision-making.

4. Week 18 NFL Season Highlights [17:11 - 33:15]

The hosts recap the key moments from Week 18 of the NFL season, spotlighting standout performances and unexpected outcomes.

• Covino [17:30]: "The games were way more exciting than I thought they would be."

• Rich Davis [29:06]: "People fight about everything. I don't know many people that don't like to see these players hit their numbers."

They highlight Jamar Chase's Triple Crown achievement and commend the Lions' defensive prowess, which significantly impacted game outcomes.

5. Call-In Segment: Seizing Opportunities [21:00 - 26:30]

Listeners join the discussion, sharing their perspectives on whether professionals should grab coaching positions as they arise or wait for more opportune moments.

• Caller Andrew [21:24]: "It’s about timing and whether or not Ben Johnson wants to be a head coach."

• Rich Davis [22:06]: "Sometimes the money could lure you into the wrong opportunity."

The segment emphasizes the balance between seizing opportunities and strategic waiting, reflecting the hosts' central themes.

6. Wild Card Weekend Predictions and Point Spreads [26:30 - 53:53]

Covino and Davis shift focus to the upcoming Wild Card weekend, predicting game outcomes and analyzing point spreads with a casual, gambling-inspired approach.

• Rich Davis [42:35]: "Chargers favored by three."

• Covino [45:02]: "Ravens by 10."

They engage in friendly competition, showcasing their instincts versus actual Vegas point spreads, adding an interactive and entertaining layer to the discussion.

7. Trivia Segment with Shaquille O'Neal [54:05 - 66:24]

In a light-hearted interlude, Shaquille O'Neal joins the hosts for a trivia game, bringing humor and a different dynamic to the show.

• Shaq [56:35]: "Round one. Let's get this big Aristotle party started."

• Rich Davis [57:10]: "Manu Ginobili. He played in... A, Kinder Bologna."

The trivia segment emphasizes camaraderie and adds an entertaining break, highlighting the versatility of the hosts.

8. Final Discussions: Team Performances and Future Outlooks [63:20 - End]

As the episode winds down, Covino and Davis reflect on standout performances from teams like Cleveland and Oklahoma City Thunder, advocating for patience in recognizing emerging talents.

• Rich Davis [61:35]: "Cleveland is playing out of their mind."

• Covino [62:02]: "Fun times in Cleveland again. 31 and 4, bro."

They also discuss the influence of commentators like J.J. Redick and Charles Barkley on NBA viewership, linking it back to their initial themes of patience and sustained performance.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Rich Davis [00:22]: "It's inevitable. Every year, the carousel of coaches continues to keep rolling along."

• Rob Gronkowski [00:49]: "I was shocked by that. And to happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people."

• Covino [02:41]: "Especially, like I said, when there's expectations, championships, and millions of dollars on the line."

• Rich Davis [06:15]: "Whoever masters patience could master anything because it is very hard to be patient."

• Covino [07:08]: "Those are people who knew their value, right? Not everybody is John Elway and Peyton Manning."

• Rich Davis [17:30]: "The games were way more exciting than I thought they would be."

• Rich Davis [29:06]: "People fight about everything. I don't know many people that don't like to see these players hit their numbers."

• Caller Andrew [21:24]: "It’s about timing and whether or not Ben Johnson wants to be a head coach."

• Rich Davis [42:35]: "Chargers favored by three."

• Covino [45:02]: "Ravens by 10."

• Shaq [56:35]: "Round one. Let's get this big Aristotle party started."

• Rich Davis [57:10]: "Manu Ginobili. He played in... A, Kinder Bologna."

Concluding Thoughts

Covino and Rich Davis successfully weave a narrative that intertwines sports analysis with broader societal observations. Their emphasis on patience, strategic opportunities, and the impact of immediate gratification provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape. The episode's blend of serious discussion and lighthearted segments ensures an engaging and informative listen for both avid fans and casual followers.