Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: The Herd – Hour 3 – Former Boise State HC Chris Petersen stops by The Herd
Date: December 19, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Herd features a deeply insightful conversation between Colin Cowherd and legendary former Boise State and Washington head coach Chris Petersen. The discussion centers on the evolving landscape of college football—particularly the College Football Playoff (CFP) era, player development, NFL versus college coaching environments, and significant program jobs. Petersen draws on firsthand experiences and provides behind-the-scenes perspectives on elite football minds, coaching strategies, and changing dynamics driven by NIL and the transfer portal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matt Stafford’s Mastery and Rams’ System

[04:00 - 05:35]

• Petersen raves about Matthew Stafford’s intelligence and adaptability in Sean McVay’s complex offensive system:

  “Sean’s got this unbelievable system... a lot of plays are 20 words long. This guy has a photographic memory. He does not wear a wristband... He knows the entire game plan.” — Chris Petersen [04:33]

• Highlights Stafford’s mental processing, arm angles, and routine execution of “no-look” passes as true evidence of NFL greatness.

2. Coaching & Scouting Puka Nacua

[05:35 - 06:49]

• Cowherd notes Petersen recruited and coached Rams WR Puka Nacua at Washington.
• Petersen describes Puka as a high school legend in Utah, noting his rare ability for “body control, strong hands, really great football IQ.”

  “The harder the catch, the more you knew he was going to make it.” — Chris Petersen [05:45]

• Nacua’s freshman-year foot injury halted what Petersen believes could have been a special collegiate career.

3. The College Football Playoff: Bowl Games vs. NFL-Style Playoff

[06:49 - 08:47]

• Petersen discusses how the CFP era is transforming college coaching and preparation:
  • Endorses the NFL-style, multi-game playoff run:

    “You’re coaching it like, okay, we’re going to get a chance to get rested up, recharged, healed up and then we’re going to play this three to four game season...all good on good.” — Chris Petersen [07:21]

  • Opposes long layoffs for first-round bye teams, arguing it disrupts team rhythm.
  • Student-athlete academics: Notes that finals being over allows teams to truly focus, an often-ignored aspect in media discussion.

4. Fernando Mendoza and Indiana’s Rise

[14:33 - 15:54]

• Petersen is surprised at QB Fernando Mendoza’s growth after modest beginnings at Cal:

  “I thought...before Cal was like some good a lot, just good enough to get you beat. Now this guy is truly an elite college player.” — Chris Petersen [14:46]

• Petersen reveals he voted for Mendoza as his Heisman pick, narrowly over Pavia.

5. NIL, Portal Chaos, and NFL vs. College Coaching

[15:54 - 18:08]

• Discusses Marcus Freeman’s situation at Notre Dame and why, in today’s CFB chaos, the NFL is increasingly attractive for young, ambitious coaches:

  “If I’m a Marcus Freeman type...I’m looking really hard at the NFL because it’s just 24/7, 365 of nonsense...Behind the scenes, you can’t make up this stuff.” — Chris Petersen [16:34]

• Describes rampant “tampering” as coaches track and pursue players not yet in the portal.
• Only the alignment of owner and GM at the NFL level rivals the satisfaction of college coaching without off-field headaches.

6. Ohio State vs. Georgia & Coaching Stability

[18:08 - 19:49]

• Petersen breaks down Ohio State’s strengths—talent and QB Julian Sayin (noting how remarkable it is that he’s not a redshirt freshman)—but leans towards Georgia due to Ohio State’s coaching staff upheaval:

  “What I don’t like is the coaches that are moving...I think that is very distracting and unsettling.”
  “I could see Indiana, Georgia in a really cool championship game. But I'm not betting against Kirk Signetti.” — Chris Petersen [18:22]

7. Michigan vs. Alabama: Which Is the Better Job?

[19:49 - 21:48]

• Cowherd poses the blue-blood program comparison.
• Petersen values quality of life, family, and sustainable expectations—chooses Michigan decisively:

  “Well, it’s not close. It would be Michigan.” — Chris Petersen [20:34]

• SEC/Bama intensity is too high, fan expectations relentless, and succession after “the greatest of all time” is daunting, even for elite coaches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Matt Stafford:

  “It is truly amazing and I have so much appreciation watching this greatness when you get a chance to see behind the scenes a little bit. It is phenomenal.” — Chris Petersen [04:33]

• On College Football’s New Reality:

  “It’s a new season, fresh start. All the things we’ve learned, all the hard things that we've been through, we take those lessons forward and it is all in.” — Chris Petersen [07:56]

• On NFL vs. College Life:

  “It’s just a better way of life right now. And I would never have said that eight years ago.” — Chris Petersen [17:42]

• On Elite Program Succession:

  "Now you’re following the greatest of all time. So how do you meet those standards?" — Chris Petersen [20:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Start Time (MM:SS) | |-------------|-----------|-----------------------| | Introduction of Chris Petersen and Rams talk | Stafford’s brilliance, Puka Nacua | 04:00 | | Puka Nacua’s college origins | Petersen on recruiting and injuries | 05:35 | | College Football Playoff structure | Coaching approach in CFP era | 06:49 | | Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza | Surprise Heisman vote and player growth | 14:33 | | Coaching carousel/NIL/transfer chaos | NFL as an escape for college coaches | 15:54 | | Ohio State & Georgia; Coaching movement impacts | CFP matchups and prediction | 18:08 | | Michigan vs Alabama: Best college job debate | Program culture and coach lifestyle | 19:49 |

Tone and Delivery

• The exchange is candid, humorous, and laced with deep mutual respect.
• Petersen provides direct, coach’s-eye insights but speaks in a conversational, relatable style.
• Cowherd’s questions seamlessly blend topical analysis with personal curiosity, inviting listeners inside the pressures and pleasures of both NFL and college coaching.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for college football fans, coaching insiders, or anyone seeking a primer on how recent changes—expanded playoffs, NIL, the transfer portal—have fundamentally altered the sport’s culture, competitive structure, and career trajectories. Petersen’s unique mix of candor and optimism about the game's future, combined with Cowherd’s sharp, big-picture questions, make for radio that is equal parts informative and entertaining.