Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: The One Place Lane Kiffin Should Leave Ole Miss For

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Notable Guest: Brian Baldinger, NFL Network Analyst

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd, joined by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger, dives into current NFL player performances, team dynamics, and the ever-changing college football coaching landscape—especially the future of Lane Kiffin. They explore what makes some college jobs better than many NFL jobs, the unique recruitment advantages of select schools, and discuss quarterback situations across both the NFL and NCAA. Notable moments include in-depth analysis, industry insights, and Cowherd’s trademark directness on what motivates top coaches today.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL Analysis: Player and Team Breakdown (04:04 – 15:47)

Quinnen Williams’ Transformation

• Colin’s Take: Williams succeeded after leaving New York “another escape from New York success story” (04:17).
• Baldinger’s Analysis: Williams was “sick of losing” in New York but has always been a top-five interior lineman. His recent performance with new teammates points to defensive improvement for his new team (04:49).

Cowboys’ Roster and Future

• Quarterback and Draft Leverage: Dallas’ lack of need for a QB allows them to manipulate the draft for talent at other positions (05:27).
• Wide Receiver Debate: On resigning Pickens, Baldinger argues Pickens is the Cowboys’ best true X receiver since Amari Cooper. His presence allows CeeDee Lamb to thrive across the field (06:16).

Eagles Without Lane Johnson

• Importance of Right Tackle: Lane Johnson’s absence significantly hampers the Eagles, as top pass rushers target his spot. “He hasn’t been beat once this whole year... He’s the best tackle in football” (07:45).

Young NFL Quarterbacks

• Caleb Williams:
  • Baldinger: Sees improvement, especially in play-action and sack avoidance. “He’s evolving… not as frenetic as at USC… Only going to get better because Ben Johnson coaches him the right way” (09:03).
• Bo Nix:
  • Per Baldinger, Nix’s judgment is improving; he took “seven deep shots” last game and is developing rapport with young receivers (10:23).
• Shedeur Sanders:
  • Despite criticism, had moments of promise. “The idea that he’s supposed to be great with no work... it’s ludicrous” (12:02).

Brock Purdy’s Ceiling

• Baldinger: “I love his decision making… his moxie, the ability to extend plays. He’s not the biggest guy, there is some limitation, but he’s as tough as they come” (14:02).
• Purdy’s performance after substitute starts cements him as the team’s true QB.

2. College Coaching Carousel & Lane Kiffin’s Future (35:14 – 47:16)

Who's On the Move?

• James Franklin lands at Virginia Tech, illustrating how fast the coaching market moves (35:14).
• Lane Kiffin’s Dilemma: With programs like Florida and LSU rumored to be in pursuit, Kiffin faces major decisions. Agents like Jimmy Sexton do most of the “movement work” behind the scenes, letting coaches deny direct involvement (36:16).

Why Leave Ole Miss?

• Cowherd: “Ole Miss has a ceiling… I’m never gonna have a Georgia defense. My offenses will carve up anybody, but I’ll always have to be kind of one-dimensional” (38:40).
• Recruitment Reality: Defensive players generally choose traditional powers (Ohio State, Michigan, etc.), while offensive talent is more “coach-following” (39:00).
• NFL vs. Top College Jobs:
  • Cowherd and Klatt debate which jobs are truly “better.” Cowherd claims, “I would take Texas now over… the Jets or Giants… Over the Saints, over the Titans. I would take Texas over those jobs” (36:44).
• Motivations of Top Coaches: “None of them ever, ever talk about, you know, my dream is to be a legend at Blank. They want to get paid, be at a place they can win” (43:24).

National Title Pathways

• Only a handful of college programs are “built to win natties” year after year—Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Florida, LSU top the list, with others like USC, Oklahoma, and Alabama on the bubble (44:45).
• Factors include NIL budgets, in-state talent, and institutional support.

Memorable Quote:

• On legends: “I don’t think Lane Kiffin wakes up thinking, hey, I want to be the greatest Ole Miss coach of all time. What’s the value of that? That doesn’t mean you’re a national champion” (43:24).

3. NFL & CFB Miscellany (22:24 – 30:17)

Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury

• Unlikely to need surgery; still a game-time decision for the Steelers. Colin: "Aaron's low mistake, high efficiency... Aaron gives them a shot" (24:13).

Deion Sanders' Colorado Era

• Deion addresses criticism stating, "If anybody is built for adversity, I am... give me a little more time and I am gonna prove that to you" (24:48).
• Cowherd analyzes: Deion added energy but even 7-win seasons should be considered successes for the Colorado program (25:40).

NFL Quick Hits

• Baker Mayfield’s ‘Resurrection’: Sean McVay praises Mayfield’s quick adaptation: “Pretty impressive... to absorb a lot of information [and] bring it to life” (28:33).
• Tampa Bay vs. Rams Preview: Colin remains bullish on Tampa’s chances despite roster challenges.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL QBs:
  “The idea that he's supposed to be great with no work, not a meaningful snap since August, it's ludicrous. Honestly, I don't care who it is.”
  — Brian Baldinger on Shedeur Sanders (12:02)

• On College Coaching Motivations:
  “None of them ever, ever talk about, you know, my dream is to be a legend at Blank. They want to get paid, compet[e] against the best.”
  — Colin Cowherd (43:24)

• On program tiers:
  “Only a handful of college football programs can win back-to-back natties… Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Florida, LSU… the rest, it’s harder.”
  — Colin Cowherd (44:45)

• On coaching markets:
  “There are two or three major agents. One of them is Jimmy Sexton. He does all the work for you. You can deny you've taken a call.”
  — Colin Cowherd (36:16)

• Deion Sanders on Adversity:
  “If anybody is built for adversity, I am… Just give me an opportunity and give me a little more time, and I'm gonna prove that to you.”
  — Deion Sanders (24:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | NFL Analysis: Quinnen Williams, Cowboys, Eagles | 04:04 – 08:40 | | Young QBs: Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Shedeur Sanders | 08:40 – 13:27 | | Brock Purdy: Limitations and Strengths | 13:27 – 15:47 | | Aaron Rodgers, Steelers-Bears Preview | 22:24 – 24:13 | | Deion Sanders' Colorado Outlook | 24:28 – 28:11 | | Baker Mayfield, Rams-Bucs Preview | 28:33 – 29:56 | | College Coaching Carousel (Lane Kiffin, job tiers) | 35:14 – 47:16 |

Episode Takeaways

• The future for Lane Kiffin depends on weighing tradition, budget, and winning potential. Ole Miss’ ceiling may push him elsewhere, but the NFL is a risky move unless the right job opens.
• Modern college and NFL coaching decisions are increasingly driven by money, competitive opportunity, and ability to attract/retain talent—being a “legend” is less relevant.
• Even high-profile programs and players face contextual limitations—success is often a function of structure as much as individual talent.
• For listeners, the episode balances behind-the-scenes perspectives on coaching business with sharp, practical NFL analysis.

End of Summary