Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 3

Episode Date: March 2, 2026
Guests: Raheem Mostert (Raiders RB), Dusty May (Michigan HC)
Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" features two marquee guests: NFL running back Raheem Mostert and Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May. The episode explores Mostert's journey through the NFL, leadership and coaching philosophies, building winning cultures in sports, and a deep dive into Michigan basketball under Dusty May, including modern challenges like NIL and the transfer portal.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Raheem Mostert: NFL Journey, Coaching Styles, and Building Culture

[02:42–18:07]

Why Mostert Still Wants to Play

• Mostert expresses his desire to keep playing in the NFL, feeling physically strong after a lighter workload last season.

  "Yeah, no, I definitely want to keep playing. You know, why not? ... Didn’t take as much beating last season, so want to continue to keep playing." — Raheem Mostert [03:27]

On Mike McDaniel’s Coaching Approach

• Colin asks Mostert about playing under Miami coach Mike McDaniel.
  • Mostert compliments McDaniel’s football intelligence and communication but notes his “player-friendly” style misses the mark on toughness.
  • Says that sometimes a lack of authoritative, hard-nosed leadership can be detrimental to building resilience.

  "...when you have a coach that is so, you know, player friendly, it doesn’t really mix all that well... When you don’t got that, that impact can definitely be detrimental." — Raheem Mostert [04:21–07:17] "I think you nailed it... There is something about Mike Tomlin or Mike Vrabel... there's a physical stature, a tough guy thing." — Colin Cowherd [05:33]

Comparing Shanahan vs. McDaniel

• Praise for Kyle Shanahan’s directness and adaptability as a “running back’s friend.”
  • Mostert shares a story where Shanahan adjusted his strategy based on Mostert’s feedback, leading to immediate game-day changes.

  "That’s the type of coach you want, you know, a guy that’s going to tell you exactly what's going to happen, and he’s going to get it done." — Raheem Mostert [07:37]

  • Appreciates Shanahan’s “running back by committee” but emphasizes that workload helps him perform better, and credits Shanahan’s family legacy for understanding the position. [09:16]

Assessments of Teammates and NFL Talent

• Praises rookie Ashton Gentry (Boise State):

  "First impression? This dude is made of the right stuff... he exceeded his professionalism and his growth... He’s forever a brother of mine." — Raheem Mostert [10:33]

• Discusses difference between winning and losing cultures:
  • Says winning cultures are all about attention to detail, decision-making, and leadership buy-in.

  "Honestly, it’s the details, you know, and the decisions. ...winning teams... figure out the details. Losing teams... can’t really figure it out." — Raheem Mostert [12:28]

  • Offers that championship teams lack mostly “that last drive” or execution in critical moments. [12:44]
• Most Impressive Teammate?:
  • Points to Max Crosby as the “ultimate competitor,” surpassing even elite peers like Bosa, Warner, McCaffrey.

  "He’s a straight shooter that really, really cares about the game and puts his heart and soul into it... Max Crosby is the ultimate competitor, man." — Raheem Mostert [14:52]

Future Aspirations

• Top teams he’d consider:
  • Miami (familiarity with staff) or a return to San Francisco (“just like home” and the appeal of pairing with McCaffrey).

  "Obviously San Fran, that’s just like home to me. ...Who wouldn’t want to have a Christian and Raheem duo back together?" — Raheem Mostert [17:06]

2. Dusty May: Building Michigan Basketball, Navigating the Modern NCAA

[30:58–41:07]

On Michigan's Dominance and Tournament Preparation

• Colin lauds Michigan’s run, asks how the team handles blowouts vs. close games in March.
  • May notes it’s “less normal” to play tight games due to roster strength, but credits their ability to play both inside and out, with strong defense and free throw shooting.

  "It’s less normal for us to feel like that in those moments, but we’ve been in a few of them and we’ve performed well. ...I think we’re behind Duke now in defensive efficiency in the country." — Dusty May [30:58]

Adjusting to NIL and Portal Era

• May describes his flexibility, adapting from AAU gyms to today's administrative gig.

  "It’s almost been like seasons where throughout the season there's three or four different seasons to our job... The time is the same, it's just different." — Dusty May [32:19]

  • He now meets with donors, businesses, and agents in recruiting cities to build relationships beyond traditional scouting.
  • Reminisces about grid-of-AAU days "living off glizzies and popcorn." [33:21]

Retaining Star Talent: The Yaxel Lendeborg Story

• May details recruiting Yaxel Lendeborg, who could have gone pro but chose Michigan, partly for team fit, coaching, and a chance to prove himself in the Big Ten.

  "We lost Danny and Vladimir, we had proof of concept that we played our bigs in a unique style and way... He was looking for a first round guarantee... couldn't get a team... He felt like he needed another year of college." — Dusty May [34:01]

  • Notes NIL’s positive role in retaining talent — “his salary was well publicized” yet Lendeborg wanted to “just be one of the guys.”

  "...he came back and just wanted to be one of the guys... That’s probably the biggest reason it’s worked." [35:53]

The NIL and College Basketball Renaissance

• Colin and May agree NIL and portal have improved college hoops’ quality and depth.

  "I feel like when I watch college basketball today, it is noticeably deeper and better than five years ago." — Colin Cowherd [36:35] "...the actual product is better than it’s ever been. There are more teams, there’s more great players, it’s more competitive than ever." — Dusty May [37:04]

  • Emphasizes college as a vital proving ground for young players’ development.

Expansion of March Madness

• On proposed expansion:
  • May is open to expansion for right reasons, but doesn't see it as needed right now.

  "If I died and came back as the czar of college basketball, I wouldn’t expand the tournament right now... If there’s a compelling case of why it’s better for the enterprise...I’d be all ears." — Dusty May [38:36]

Viral Moments and Embracing the Role

• On his viral “taunting” of Michigan State fans:

  "If a bunch of 18 to 22 year olds... want to yell and scream obscenities at me, let them go ahead... There's nothing any of those people can say that's going to get a rise out of me. So yes, in a way, I did enjoy it..." — Dusty May [39:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On coaching culture:

  "When you're dealing with a coach that's so nonchalant, laid back, wants to be the catalyst behind being a players coach, it kind of shifts that organization..." — Raheem Mostert [06:12]

• On running back usage:

  "When he runs, his offense is a running back by committee... but when you have a guy like Christian McCaffrey... that’s what Kyle’s been able to do all these years." — Raheem Mostert [09:16]

• On college hoops' changing landscape:

  "Even if these guys come to college at 21 or 22, they're learning a lot as far as being professionals. ... The longer people are on college campuses, the better for them." — Dusty May [37:04]

• On team culture:

  "If you have a coaching staff that doesn't really believe in the system, why would the players want to believe in the system?" — Raheem Mostert [13:48]

Timestamps by Segment

• Raheem Mostert Interview: [02:42–18:07]

  • On playing future, coaches, and teammates: [03:27–16:48]
  • Team/culture reflections: [11:44–14:22]
  • Most impressive teammate: [14:52]
  • Where he’d like to play next: [17:06]

• Dusty May Interview: [30:58–41:09]

  • Tournament preparation: [30:58–31:50]
  • NIL and administrative challenges: [32:19–33:21]
  • Retaining NBA talent: [34:01–35:53]
  • NIL, portal, and the state of college hoops: [36:35–38:12]
  • Tournament expansion: [38:36]
  • Michigan State “taunt” story: [39:48]

Summary

This episode offers a candid, insightful look at what separates great teams from also-rans—both through the lens of a veteran NFL back and one of the hottest coaches in college basketball. Raheem Mostert gives a player’s view on leadership and locker-room culture, while Dusty May diagnoses the new world of college athletics, player retention, and program building. From locker room dynamics and toughness in coaching to the next evolution of college basketball, “The Herd” delivers thoughtful commentary and firsthand accounts from the sports world’s difference-makers.