Hour 2: Katie Taylor, Author

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show

Episode: Hour 2: Katie Taylor, Author
Date: July 30, 2026
Main Topic: The hidden history and future of women’s football, with a wide-ranging discussion on college football’s present, its figureheads, and conference dynamics.

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Paul Finebaum Show spotlights the intersection of history and progress within women’s football through a conversation with author Katie Taylor about her new book, Gridiron Invasion: The Hidden Story of Women’s Football. The episode also dissects current college football headlines—debating conference bravado, the fate of the College Sports Act, and the pressures facing prominent coaches—interspersed with fan interaction and personal moments.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Interview: Katie Taylor on the "Hidden History of Women's Football"

[00:50] – [07:14]

Katie Taylor’s Entry into Women’s Football History

• Paul Finebaum introduces Katie Taylor, emphasizing the release of her book and its impact on uncovering women's oft-overlooked role in football.

• Katie Taylor shares her origin story: Her coaching experience with the Great Britain men's flag football team led her to feel like "an oddity" (01:41), fueling her curiosity about the actual depth of women’s football history.

  “I was actually mistaken for being the head coach's wife...I kind of saw that as a challenge. I thought perhaps there is a bigger history out there.”
  — Katie Taylor (01:41)

The Complicated, Nonlinear History of Women’s Football

• History stretches back to the 1890s: Women and girls began playing, attempting leagues as early as San Francisco, but faced periodic setbacks due to societal norms (03:15).

• PE teachers in the 1920s sometimes allowed girls to play tackle football in schools—“kind of crazy” by today’s standards (03:35).

• Cultural resistance: The 1930s saw concern over “masculinization” of women through sports, stalling progress.

• Cyclical progress:

  • Leagues reemerge in the 1930s–40s.
  • Post-WWII, women’s games are trivialized as “powder puff” spectacles.
  • Significant resurgence in the 1960s—beginnings of today’s established women’s tackle and flag football leagues.

  “It's not a straightforward history at all.” — Katie Taylor (04:17)

Inflection Points and Contemporary Advances

• Key inflection: Second-wave feminism of the 1960s coincided with the formation of sustainable women’s leagues, advancing the persistent effort toward parity (05:19).

  "...those sorts of leagues eventually start to stick and lead into what we got today."
  — Katie Taylor (05:28)

The Future of Women’s Football

• Flag Football’s meteoric rise:

  • State championships, NFL support, and growing global exposure.
  • Will be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (“huge spotlight,” 06:47).

• Tackle football’s slower progress: Safety concerns and entrenched attitudes remain barriers.

  “I think there's going to be enormous growth in flag football and that the Olympics are going to be a huge spotlight.”
  — Katie Taylor (07:08)

• Paul Finebaum closes the segment:

  “The name of the book, Gridiron: The Hidden History of Women's Football by Katie Taylor. All the very best to you.”
  — Paul Finebaum (07:14)

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2. College Football News & Conference Dynamics

[07:44] – [14:53]

Big Ten Media Days & Conference Rivalries

• Paul discusses Big Ten Media Days: Quotes Big Ten coaches (“We don’t run a hype machine up here…the Midwest…everything is earned, not given”). (07:50)

• Friendly SEC–Big Ten barbs: Jokes about SEC skepticism from Big Ten coaches, confusing coaches' names for comedic effect.

• Legislative updates: The Senate adjourns without advancing the Protect College Sports Act—Paul and Pat Forde mock the inefficiency of Senate and NCAA leaders (08:40).

  “The legislation remains in dire position. So I give the floor to Pat40, who said, 'I'm glad we've had this time together. Senate and college leaders, splendidly productive summer. Tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars of private jet fuel...and so far, nothing to show for it.'”
  — Paul Finebaum (09:10)

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3. Caller Discussion: Behind-the-Scenes of the Show & More on Katie Taylor Segment

[10:16] – [12:14]

How Off-Topic Guests Like Katie Taylor Appear on the Show

• Caller asks how atypical interview subjects are selected. Paul credits connections in the publishing world and deliberate, thoughtful curation.

  “We try and choose wisely. Remember we had the guy on a couple of months ago with the Ice plunge. I mean, that turned out to be a massively big book…Katie Taylor was pitched to us about. It was a different subject. I thought she was easier to understand than the guy we had on last week from Scotland though, didn’t you?”
  — Paul Finebaum (10:48)

College Football Coaching Hype & Conference Comparisons

• Debate on Kurt Signetti (Big Ten) and the SEC:
  • Critics question if newer successful coaches are “feeling themselves too much.”
  • Paul maintains skepticism based on past overhyped coaching contracts and notes that winning breeds confidence, but “let’s see how he does with a real schedule and real pressure.” (12:57)

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4. Fan Calls: Coaching Pressure, Rivalries, and Appearance Banter

[14:53] – [20:06]

• SEC–Big Ten rivalry and media narratives:
  • Laura Rutledge’s praise of SEC sparks Big Ten backlash.
  • Paul: “The fact that I've said the Big Ten is the best league. My Twitter mentions have gone down by about 4,000% this week.” (14:53)
• Friendly ribbing: Callers suggest new looks for Paul (“shave your head and grow a beard”—17:22); Paul recounts comical responses from his wife.

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5. Current Events: Suspensions & Impacts on Teams

[19:39] – [21:07]

• Ariana Tarter (Tennessee) situation: Only briefly referenced. Paul underscores the negative impact of player suspensions on the Vols’ early-season prospects.

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6. Extended Fan Interactions: Coaching Comparisons & Legacy Pressure

[21:49] – [32:01]

The Kurt Signetti and Kaylin DeBoer Debates

• Sid from Baltimore & Paul:

  • Discusses Signetti’s bold statements, their potential consequences, and the nature of college football branding.

  “When you say the kind of things you say, you always run that risk. But...his career is made. He's got $100 million contract. He's got a national championship. It just doesn't matter.”
  — Paul Finebaum (22:59)

• Callers debate Alabama coach Kaylin DeBoer’s future:

  • Comparisons made (sometimes unfairly) to Nick Saban’s early years.
  • Paul calls out false equivalences, notes Saban’s circumstances versus DeBoer, and warns against hasty Armageddon narratives.

  “...Nick Saban came into Alabama on day one, he had absolutely nothing. He didn't have a single draft choice...I'm not saying DeBoer's program is bereft. It's not. But I just cannot allow somebody to use math as if to equate.”
  — Paul Finebaum (28:07)

  “If Caleb DeBoer didn't want that, he shouldn't have taken the job...the bottom line is he took the job. He said a million times, including a week ago, I know, I knew what I was getting into."
  — Paul Finebaum (29:25)

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7. Collegiate Realignment, Program Futures & Personal Moments

[32:09] – [37:56]

• Calls on program fates:
  • SEC potentially leaving NCAA—Paul dismisses this as unlikely.
  • Tributes to late Arkansas great Billy Ray Smith.
• Personal, heartfelt exchange with longtime fan Robert from Iowa:
  • Updates from his life, job, and memories of visits from Paul and show staff.
  • Reflects on the loss of show regulars (“I really, really do miss Tammy”), offering a human touch.

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Notable Quotes

• Katie Taylor:

  "For as long as men have been playing the sport, women have been there trying to take part as well." (03:15)

• Paul Finebaum (on coaching hype):

  “Let's see how he does with a real schedule and real pressure.” (12:57)

• Paul Finebaum (on DeBoer–Saban comparisons):

  “I just cannot allow somebody to use math as if to equate.” (28:07)

• Paul Finebaum (on fan and show connections):

  “We try and choose wisely…Katie Taylor was pitched to us about. It was a different subject. I thought she was easier to understand than the guy we had on last week from Scotland though, didn’t you?” (10:48)

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Key Timestamps

• [00:50] Katie Taylor’s introduction and motivation for her book
• [03:15] Historical chronology of women’s football
• [05:19] Emergence and permanence of women’s leagues from the 1960s onwards
• [06:12] The future of women’s football: Flag vs. Tackle, Olympics impact
• [09:10] Senate stalls on College Sports Act, NCAA leadership lampooned
• [10:48] Behind-the-scenes on how guests are booked for the show
• [12:57] Debate over Big Ten coach Kurt Signetti’s boldness
• [19:39] Suspensions and impact on Tennessee football
• [28:07] Paul’s stance on comparing Kaylin DeBoer to Nick Saban

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains Paul Finebaum’s signature mix of sharp wit, critical analysis, and fan-friendly interaction. The tone jumps from intellectual curiosity (Katie Taylor segment) to lighthearted banter and pointed debates among passionate fans and college football insiders.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode masterfully weaves together seldom-told stories about women’s pivotal and resilient role in football with lively, sometimes combative, discussion of the sport’s most burning issues—from coaching hype to conference identity wars. Through engaging interviews, fandom-fueled banter, and personal connections, Finebaum offers both fresh perspectives and continuity for his dedicated audience.

Transcript

[WNBA Announcer]

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[Sports Commentator 1]

Three from beyond the logo, every.

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Did you see that moment, you big. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.

[Paul Finebaum Show Host]

Pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Finebaum Show. Our two podcasts.

[Caller or Guest]

This might be college football.

[Paul Finebaum]

Welcome back. And it's great to have all of you here. A lot of books come out this time of the year concerning football. Without a doubt, one quite like this one just out, a brand new book involving women's football, the Role of Women. You see it on ESPN all the time. The women's flag football. What's the origin? What does it mean? The name of the book is Gridiron Invasion, the Hidden Story, the Hidden History of Women's Football by our guest, Katie Taylor, published by the University of Tennessee Press. Katie, thank you, thank you very, very much for joining us. Good afternoon. I know you've got a history connected to, to various teams. Thanks for joining us and tell us how you landed on this project. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

[Katie Taylor]

Thank you so much for having me. So I started on the project. I suppose a little bit of background is that I used to be a coach. I used to be the team manager for the men's Great Britain flag football team. And when I was part of that team, we wrestled a European championships and I was actually mistaken for being the head coach's wife. So I kind of felt, I guess that kind of made me feel like I was maybe a bit of an oddity. Not, you know, it wasn't expected that I would be there. So when I read Michael Laurde's King Football, he mentioned that there were, you know, half a dozen girls who, who played the sport. But he, he writes that there's no reason to expect that there were very many. So I kind of saw that as a challenge. I thought perhaps there is a bigger history out there and with more access to digital newspapers than he had access to. I started to dig around and kind of found that there was this history and that women actually have been involved in the sport for a long time and perhaps shouldn't feel like the oddity that sometimes it's possible to feel.

[Paul Finebaum]

So Katie, once you started learning all this, I mean, there is a history, as you indicated, how has that path gone? Because we, I mean, I referenced the flag football. I've seen other various leagues. I Don't know what the future is, but a lot of women's sports are taking off significantly, not only in the States, but around the world. Take us through the journey of women's football.

[Katie Taylor]

Yeah, it's a long and complicated and not straightforward history. So it actually goes back all the way to the 1890s. So you've got women and girls who are starting to try and play as far back as then. I mean, really almost for as long as men have been playing the sport, women have been there trying to take part as well. And it's not always been straightforward. In the 1890s, there was an attempt at a league in San Francisco. It kind of died to death a little bit quickly. And then throughout the entire history that I kind of present, it's. Women make progress at times. So it's the 1920s. You actually get physical educators, so PE teachers allowing girls to play tackle football as part of their education, which is kind of crazy. Like 100 years ago that they were. Some physical education were letting them do that. And then you get periods of decline. So in the 1930s, there's problems because competition is seen as this really masculine thing. There's concerns that women who compete too hard or become. Become masculinized and less feminine. Then you see kind of a rise. You see leagues in the 1930s and 1940s reemerge. Then the post World War II era, it kind of. It comes about powder puff games and about making fun of women playing, and then you get the leagues that kind of emerge again back in the 1960s, and then they go right through to today. So, you know, the Women's Football alliance is part of that kind of history of leagues that started in 1960s. So it's. It's not a straightforward history at all.

[Paul Finebaum]

Katie, in all this time, especially since it reemerged in the 60s, has there been an inflection point moment where it looks like it's finally on the right track? Because women, let's be honest, have. Have succeeded in almost every other venue, including mixed martial arts.

[Caller or Guest]

Far more.

[Paul Finebaum]

I wouldn't say far more, but somewhat more violent sports than even football.

[Katie Taylor]

Yeah, I think that it's really. Once those leagues re. Emerge in the 1960s and kind of that second wave feminism and women getting kind of better rights and kind of fighting for more equality, that those sorts of leagues eventually start to stick and lead into what we got today. It's such a. There are so many points before that where you think there's going to be progress, and then all of a sudden, it kind of gets halted, but it's not really until those. Those leagues emerge that much later that there's a consistent, you know, league structure for girls and women who want to play tackle football especially.

[Paul Finebaum]

And finally, as you publish this book, you do conversations about it. The obvious question, where is it going?

[Katie Taylor]

Women's football? I think flag football is enormously on the rise. I think that's. I think you can see it happening across the U.S. you know, there are state championships now. You've got the NFL support. It's a collegiate sport for women, and obviously the NFL is supporting it. You can see that through the adverts that they have in the super bowl, all those sorts of things. It's growing over here as well. So we have a women's national team now. We have the support of the NFL taking the. Taking the game into schools. So I think flag is going to increase even more because once you get the. It's obviously going to be part of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. That's going to put it onto a global stage for tackle football. I think it's a lot harder. I think those concerns about girls and women getting hurt, the danger that we know there is part of the sport, I think that makes it much harder for that side to grow. But I think there's going to be enormous growth in flag football and that the Olympics are going to be a huge spotlight.

[Paul Finebaum]

Keith, thank you. The name of the book, Gridiron the Hidden History of Women's Football by Katie Taylor. All the very best to you. Thanks for making time for us a little bit later than probably you're used to doing interviews over there. Thank you very much. We'll take a break. More of your phone calls and more guests will continue watching number of stories as Big Ten Media Days comes to an end in Chicago with a shot at the sec. We'll be right back.

[Paul Finebaum Show Host]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[Paul Finebaum]

Okay. The quarterly Big Ten Media Days comes from the biggest name in the Big Ten, Kurt Signetti. We don't run a hype machine up here. The Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. And when we fall short, we say we fell short. We don't cry a river, whine and complain. That's why we're the best. And by the way, I guess that also includes your loudmouth coach at Iowa. Excuse me, Illinois. I can't even remember all your coaches. Bert Belema. Okay. Breaking News from Washington, D.C. the Senate has adjourned for the week. I like them cutting out on at 3 o' clock on Friday. On Thursday. Excuse me. John Thune, the majority leader, did not file cloture for the Protect College Sports Act. What does that mean? It means the bill's chances of a vote next week are somewhere between slim and none. You can fill in the rest. The legislation remains in dire position. So I give the floor to Pat40, who said, I'm glad we've had this time together. Senate and college leaders, splendidly productive summer. Tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars of private jet fuel. Georgetown lobbying firms just plain out money changing hands among college athletics and so far, nothing to show for it. And there's an article out a few minutes ago, basically quoting a Senate source telling the SEC into Big Ten, if you want to come back later on in the fall or some other time, don't come back calling us. That was essentially Cantwell, Cruz and Eric Schmidt, who I think have had enough of college athletics. So Ted Cruz doesn't get the headline? Not yet. He still has to fill time on his podcast with something. So I'm sure it will be Chris from Mountain Brook who he decides to interview. Good afternoon.

[Sports Commentator 1]

That would be better than most of his interviews.

[Caller or Guest]

Paul.

[Sports Commentator 1]

Paul, I do want to talk about the Big Ten and what the Congress just did, but I did have a. Just a sincere question for you. The interview you just had, which I thought was interesting. How do interviews like that come about on your show? Ones that are just a little off topic, maybe a little off brand from your normal guests, the Dellinger's, Daris, the Cubics, people like that, who we all love and love listening to. But just how practically do those come about? Are they people that you've run across? Is it somebody at ESPN say, hey, we'd like you to do this.

[Paul Finebaum]

Let me answer the question. You know, sometimes I'm in contact with a lot of people in the book world. So often, often I'll get hit up by somebody that I know or somebody that I know that knows somebody else, and then I'll. I'll pass it along. Other times people will reach out directly to Jamari or Danny and, you know, we could have an author on a day. It's just we try. We try and choose wisely. Remember we had the guy on a couple of months ago with the Ice plunge. I mean, that turned out to be a massively big book. I've read about it in other places. Katie Taylor was pitched to us about. It was a different subject. I thought she was easier to understand than the guy we had on last week from Scotland though, didn't you?

[Sports Commentator 1]

I thought very interesting.

[Caller or Guest]

Absolutely.

[Paul Finebaum]

Now, by the way, I said easier to understand. She's from northern England. George is from Scotland. A little bit more of a brogue up there,

[Sports Commentator 1]

that his accent stuff. But having been to Scotland and loving that accent, probably it's a little easier for me to understand than some others. But his was pretty thick for sure.

[Caller or Guest]

Paul.

[Paul Finebaum]

But Chris, I think to understand the Scottish accent, don't you need like a pine of Guinness or something?

[Sports Commentator 1]

Pint of Guinness and some whiskey usually. Paul, I had a. So Signetti, I mean, I get him feeling himself a little bit, but don't you need to do it for a little bit longer? Like maybe, you know, if he's talking about the SEC, you know, this and that. The SEC's done it for a long time at different stretches, for long periods of time. You've had a good two year run, a great two year run. But aren't they, you know, isn't he feeling himself just a little bit too much, maybe?

[Paul Finebaum]

Chris, I've made some dumb comments on this show. You've been a party to many of them. The comment, I don't think I've ever made a comment that I received more criticism was about, it was last October when he got that $100 million deal and using a lot of the things that we have, we have seen together, I said, I think it will be a mistake giving him $100 million. He goes out and wins championship and every blowhard from Dave Portnoy on down just, you know, went full board on me. My point is based on watching a lot of people, you know, Terry Bowden, Mike Shula, Mike Dubose, people like that get contract extensions, Kaylin DeBoer and never living up to it. That's who Kurt Signetti is right now. He literally can do no wrong. And the good thing for Kurt Signetti is that he has people really believing him. A lot of people, nobody believed in him last year. Remember, he was picked to finish sixth in his own league by the same people that he was preaching to today. You notice he didn't go chastised them. He chastised us in the SEC for daring to point out certain things. Now he's got a really good team. Let's see how he does with a real schedule and real pressure.

[Sports Commentator 1]

Exactly. That's what I'm saying. You know, be careful what you wish for him winning national championships. Unbelievable. It's amazing. But, you know, before you anoint yourself the next Nick Saban, you might want to keep yourself in check a Little bit. And Paul, what was this? I've seen headlines, but I've not gotten to read the articles. What was this about the people at the Big Ten attacking Laura Rutledge? I mean, why would you attack that woman? One of the queens.

[Paul Finebaum]

I'm proud to say I missed all that. Here's the only thing I could even add to that. She was on McAfee show yesterday and apparently she defended the SEC as the best league. That's all I know. The fact that I've. The fact that I've said the Big Ten is the best league. My Twitter mentions have gone down by about 4,000% this week. So I, you know, I haven't heard the usual maniacal fans from up there that I normally do.

[Sports Commentator 1]

Well, Paul, like I said, great to talk to you. Let's just hope maybe, maybe Alex Gollish can be the next Kurt Signety. Paul War Eagle.

[Caller or Guest]

Wow.

[Paul Finebaum]

You got it. Whoa. Eagle. Rob is up next in New York. Hi, Rob.

[Caller or Guest]

Hi, Paul. Always appreciate you and your team for my call. A couple things. I'm a Michigan fan. I'm a Big Ten fan, but I will try to be as unbiased as I can. The SEC is a Big Ten are probably going to join sometime and this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. If only ACC big 12 door dates come along with probably 70 teams. I, I would love to have your thoughts on that. I think also as a Michigan fan, I was giddy when Alabama was losing to Oklahoma 17 and nothing as I wanted. Deborah, I think he's a great coach and I think Bama fans are not giving him enough time. I think he's gonna succeed and it's coming soon. What else? I would love to be a good color on your show. I'm a Big Ten fan.

I'm a big.

I'm a Michigan fan. But I will try to be as unbiased as I can. If Michigan today Underwood. If he's bad, we're 7 and 5. If he's good, we might be 10 and 2 in a playoff factor. And according to, you know what, people comment about your looks. I'm heterosexual. But I would like to see you shave your head and grow a beard and see how you look.

And I'm listening.

[Paul Finebaum]

Rob, on the, on the shaved head. I've had. I've had the shaved head before. I came home on the side too. Everything gone. I walked in and my wife passed out. So I decided to let it grow back. She was in shock. She thought I was sick and that I'd been to a hospital. So I thing as far as the beard, I've had a beard too. There are a few pictures of me out there. It's been a long time. 35, 40 years. I had a beer in the 80s and I actually liked it. Yeah, we will. Thanks for the call.

[WNBA Announcer]

By the way.

[Paul Finebaum]

I like the beard. The problem with the beard was I was scaring people. I looked so, so dangerous. I mean, I literally, there's no. I can't even describe what I looked like because you can't say things like that anymore considering the state of the world. But I looked like I was up to no good as a. As a serious, serious world criminal. David is up next. Hey, David. Good afternoon.

[Caller or Guest]

Yes, sir. Paul, last year, I believe you said in. You said something about Indiana last year if they won the national title, you would leave this country. Well, people say we're waiting for you to pack your bags. And man, that dude that said that Auburn's gonna win the national title and hopefully have an Indiana Kirk Signatic.

[Paul Finebaum]

Chill out.

[Caller or Guest]

It's year one for Alex. Go take your time and Auburn will be fine. And goes will get Auburn back to what it is. Just it needs to take time. Like Brett Vitables is taking this time at Oklahoma to get to a national title. Thank you for my call. Paul Wardan, Eagle

[Paul Finebaum]

Thomas is up next in Tennessee. Hello, Thomas.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, Paul.

How are you?

[Paul Finebaum]

Great, thank you.

[Caller or Guest]

I just want to say first off, I think your hair looks great on the sides. I think you're.

[Paul Finebaum]

Thank you.

[Sports Commentator 1]

Well,

[Caller or Guest]

yeah, I got. I just got a quick question. Are you familiar with the whole Ariana Tarter situation out of Tennessee right now?

[Paul Finebaum]

Yep. We had our first guest was talking about that.

[Caller or Guest]

Oh, okay. Yeah, I just thought that those first two games he's missing are pretty critical games for his career because those are. Those are givens and I think he can really stack his stats up.

[Podcast Narrator]

In a sunny Californian suburb, one family's home is unusually quiet.

When detectives walked into that house, they said that it was like time just stood still.

It's 2010, and the McStay family is nowhere to be found. Inside the home, the no clear answer where the family could have gone.

[Katie Taylor]

Husband, wife, and two children all gone. Like, poof, Disappeared.

[Podcast Narrator]

The search for the McStays quickly captures the nation. But for years, the search for answers only brings more questions.

Who's ever heard of an entire family going missing?

[Katie Taylor]

A family of four doesn't just drop

[Paul Finebaum]

off the face of the earth with no contact.

[Podcast Narrator]

Is this a family on the run? Or is the truth far more Sinister from ABC Audio in 2020. This is what happened to the mixed days coming August 11th, wherever you get your podcast or subscribe to 2020 True Crime plus on Apple Podcasts for ad, free episodes, early access to new episodes, and so much more.

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah, listen, I'm going to save the outrage because there's nothing I can add to what everybody has already said. Thomas. It's a, it's a really big blow to Tennessee and to him personally. They probably could use him in the second game of the year. But besides, you need your, your players to get, get out there and be involved. You don't want to bring them in on third game of the year, especially with the type of schedule that Tennessee has. Thanks for the call. We're up against a break. More of your phone calls, Chris Fanini a little bit later on. And we are coming right back.

[Paul Finebaum Show Host]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast

[Paul Finebaum]

and we are back. And let's continue with more of your phone calls. Sid is up next in Baltimore. Hey, Sid.

[Caller or Guest]

Hi, Paul.

[Podcast Narrator]

I'm actually still at camp, but I asked if I can call you because I missed calling your show.

[Paul Finebaum]

Glad to have you back.

[Podcast Narrator]

I, yeah, I, I think this is going to be the only call I can make to you for about two weeks, but when I get home, I'll call you more. I wanted to talk to you today about what Kurt Signetti said. I think it's funny that he made such a comment like that because I feel like that's the way that he operates. And I think that now that he won that national championship, he has that mindset. But I think that before that he would have laughed at a comment like that.

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah, I mean, but, but that's the difference. You go to the playoffs and you follow that up with a perfect season, you're going to be expected. And you will, if you're smart. And he is. Say something like he said.

[Podcast Narrator]

Yeah. I'm wondering, though, do you think that this comment is going to come back to bite him in the next few years?

[Paul Finebaum]

Listen, when you say the kind of things you say, you always run that risk. But what's the big deal if Kurt Signetti never goes to another important postseason game again? His career is made. He's got $100 million contract. He's got a national championship. It just doesn't matter. And I think when you're a coach like he is, you don't sit around and worry like others, Kaylen DeBoer being one. Well, what are people going to think if I say this? You Just say it. That's what it's all about.

[Podcast Narrator]

Well, yeah, I think number one, you hit the nail on the head. But I also think that Kaylyn DeBoer is in a very different program and atmosphere. I think anything that you say at Alabama, no matter how you're doing, will always have a big press impact. And number two, I think that that's Kurt Signetti's brand, right, to make those bold comments and now especially that he won that national title. I think he is in the perfect state for that because he has really been building this around his last national title, which he should.

[Paul Finebaum]

Sid, thank you. We'll talk to you when you get back from camp. I happen to think it was a very smart comment, unlike Brett Bielema, who came off as the village idiot once again making a fool out of himself because he has nothing to say. Kurt Signetti, it was very rigid what he said. It was succinct. The hype machine line was clearly about the sec. The whole thing earned and given. Every high school football coach in America has used that one. We don't cry a river, whine and complain. That's why we're the best. I mean, I frankly think it was a brilliant statement. And he never mentioned, you know, he didn't go SEC 2005. He didn't take a shot at Sankey. I mean, I mean Belema is an idiot. I mean Brett Bielma took a shot and didn't even make any sense. I mean, we've already hashed that one out. I mean the SEC has only won 13 championships since Belema's stupid game comment. And I mean I really. This is what smart college football coaches are supposed to say. They don't get there and say, hey, I know what I signed up for. You just spit it out. Unlike throwing up as I mean Bielma just has to try to be relevant now. Again, I've never lived in Champaign Urbana, Illinois. I've never had to be in a job like that where if you don't say anything interesting, that means that you go another 365 without anybody paying attention outside of the two beat reporters that Illinois has covering them. Tim is next in Arkansas. Hey Tim. Go right ahead.

[Caller or Guest]

Well, hey Paul. Hey. I was real, real sad to hear that Billy Ray Smith passed away. I got tell you, I love that

[Paul Finebaum]

I had not heard that. Wow, what a player.

[Caller or Guest]

He was the best defensive end I've ever had the honor to see live. He just did unbelievable things and so I once again real sad about him passing away. But I'm just getting off subject. How if. If the SEC pulls out of the NCAA and becomes an independent entity, how's a hierarchy going to be set up, you think? I mean, they're going to have to make their own set of rules. They're going to have to have something to enforce those rules. How are they just going to be rewriting an old playbook, Paul?

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, first of all, Tim, they're not going to do it, so nobody needs to be prepared for that moment. It's highly unlikely. Thank you for the call. Sorry to hear about Billy Ray. Let's check out John in South Carolina. Hello, John? John, you there?

[Caller or Guest]

Yes. Hey, Paul.

How are you today?

[Paul Finebaum]

We're doing great, thank you.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, good.

Hey, long time, huge Alabama fan here. I think a couple of the callers had mentioned about Calyn DeBoer, you know, maybe giving him a little more time. Look, Alabama went after Calyn DeBoer. He didn't get on a plane and come down here and say, hey, can I be the next head coach?

They knew who he was.

They knew how he coached. They knew all of this. And they're trying to get him to be something he's not. That's when the wheels come off, when you try to get somebody to be somebody they're not. He's not Nick Saban. He's Kalyn DeBoer. And by the way, he's won 20 games, lost eight his first two years, where Saban was 19 and eight. I'm a huge Nick Saban fan, big Bama fan, but this guy's got to have a chance. You can't tell him, hey, hey, hey,

[Paul Finebaum]

John, John, Let me. Let me. John, John, slow down a second. I have a question for you, because, I mean, you just threw it. You just threw up a number that is factually correct but completely and totally bogus. You're including Nick Saban's first season, that he was 7 and 6 and coupling that is Nick Saban. It just doesn't work because Nick Saban came into Alabama on day one, he had absolutely nothing. He didn't have a single draft choice that came off of that first team. And by the second season, they were already ranked number one in the country and had a shot at playing for a national championship. I'm not saying DeBoer's program is bereft. It's not. But I just cannot allow somebody to use math as if to equate. And I'm sure you're going to say that's not what I'm saying, but that's exactly what you're saying when you try to use a stat to show Calyn DeBoer and Nick Saban after two seasons. What is your point?

[Caller or Guest]

My point is Nick Saban didn't win his first championship at Alabama until his first third year. So I think as great as he was, we owe it to Kaylin DeBoer to give him one year without. Every. Every time somebody talks about him saying, hey, he should say this or he

should say that, hey, John, John, hold

[Paul Finebaum]

on a second, hold on a second. If Caleb DeBoer didn't want that, he shouldn't have taken the job. He could have stayed out there in his silo in Seattle and gone downtown and compared whether Seattle's best was better that than Starbucks. But the bottom line is he took the job. He said a million times, including a week ago, I know, I knew what I was getting into. I knew what I signed up for. And so far the program started off as the defending SEC champions and now they're picked to finish six in the sec. So what are you, I mean you're, you're just lost in a bunch of nonsense. And he very well may have a great year this year. I hope he does. I've seen said a million times. I like the guy. I'm a big Alabama fan. But that doesn't have anything to do with reality. Okay.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

Well, Indiana was picked to finish sixth in their conference last year and look what they did. Yeah, he beat golfer. He beats Tennessee.

[Katie Taylor]

Okay.

[Caller or Guest]

He stumbled on a few games. I agree. He doesn't have a running game. I think.

[Paul Finebaum]

Hold on a second, John. Hold on, John. Let me, let me go back. He stumbled on a few games. Let's, let's think about some of the games that he stumbled on. He stumbled as a three touchdown favorite against Vanderbilt. He stumbled as a two and a half touchdown favorite on the road against Oklahoma. And all you had to do is win the game and he's in the CFP. He stumbled against Michigan with about three starters and probably a 17 point favorite. The next year it's all going to be different. He stumbles as a 18 point favorite on the road against a terrible Florida State team. Later in the year he loses at home against Oklahoma. We know what happened against Oklahoma. Okay. Congratulations.

[Caller or Guest]

He

[Paul Finebaum]

was embarrassing in the SEC championship game. Beyond embarrassing in the Indiana game. I noticed you didn't mention all the embarrassments that Nick Saban had after the first season. Ulm.

[Caller or Guest]

The worst he compared.

[Paul Finebaum]

No, no, no. Again, John, listen to me. Again. I said after the first season okay, okay.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah, but talk about his wins. He went into Georgia, stopped a 33 game.

[Paul Finebaum]

John, please do. Do the audience a favor and let's not litigate. I'm just simply. If you've already. You've already stepped in because you tried to slip a number by the. By the audience that was completely bogus. I appreciate your effort. Thank you for the call. We will take a short break.

[Paul Finebaum Show Host]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[Paul Finebaum]

We are back and Robert is up next in Iowa. Hey, Robert.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey. Hey, Paul, can you hear me?

[Paul Finebaum]

Robert, is that you?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah, Pa. How you doing, buddy?

[Paul Finebaum]

Robert Fisher, my great friend from Iowa. What's going on?

[Caller or Guest]

Ah, nothing much. What have you been up to?

[Paul Finebaum]

So how. How's your. How your folks doing?

[Caller or Guest]

Oh, my dad and my mom is doing okay. My dad has broken leg, but he is doing okay.

He.

[Podcast Narrator]

He is.

[Caller or Guest]

He is doing well. I hope he's doing okay. What. What about. What did you say about Iowa? Iowa coach Fred Maribel.

[Paul Finebaum]

No, I tell you what I did, Robert. I. I inadvertently mentioned Iowa. I meant to say Illinois. I think Iowa's got a good team. It was Kirk Feren's. I don't think Illinois is in the same league.

[Podcast Narrator]

Yeah.

[Caller or Guest]

Okay. What do you think about the Iowa quarterback? Are they gonna transfer to the 2 quarterback of Hank Brown and the other one. What do you think about their quarterback?

[Paul Finebaum]

I hear good things about. Do you feel pretty confident?

[Podcast Narrator]

I.

[Caller or Guest]

Well, whoever. Whoever taken a tooth and I would have to quarterback. I hope they do better. Do you think?

[Paul Finebaum]

No, I agree with. Well, Robert, tell me about you.

[Caller or Guest]

What.

[Paul Finebaum]

What do you. What have you been doing lately?

[Caller or Guest]

Well, I've had my cousin Mark, he signed me up. He signed me up with csm and I've been listening to you forever and I like it. And it has a dream I period for sm. If I like it, I have to tell my mom and dad I like it and gate that. Probably. Maybe. I hope. Maybe buy it for me. Maybe.

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, I tell you what, for those who don't, some of you may obviously don't know what we're. What we're talking about here, but we believe it was in 2011. Robert, was that right? We came out to. To see him?

[Caller or Guest]

I believe so.

[Paul Finebaum]

In war. You lived in Waterloo at the time. Didn't you tell me you moved?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah. Yeah, I moved to another town By Rocky Iowa. Adele A D E L Adele, Iowa and everybody know Everybody know and your listener knows that I am in a wheelchair. I have a speed impediment so I can try to Talk really clearly

[Paul Finebaum]

now. I remember. Didn't you used to work at the at a grocery store there?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah. Hype and Rocky. Well, I work at Hype and Waterloo but now they transfer me to Rocky and Ivy and Rocky and I work there every since.

[Paul Finebaum]

Right.

[Caller or Guest]

Wednesday on Friday afternoon at 2:30 to 4:30. Friday, Wednesday, 3:00 clock to 5:00'. Clock.

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, that is so great to hear. I tell you what, make sure you tell your mom, Marsha and Mike, your dad.

[Caller or Guest]

Hello.

[Paul Finebaum]

We had. For those who've never seen the video we took. Who did we take out there? Dr. Lemak took us. We took Joe Buffington. But the star of the show, Robert, you know who the star of the show was? When we pulled up into your down your street, there was that Iowa flag and Tammy, Tammy did not like that Iowa flag. She wanted a war eagle flag from Auburn up there.

[Caller or Guest]

A war eagle flag? Yeah. Where either he don't like Iowa. I remember Hueybaumer too. They gave me the two hats on my head and it was fun time. I have a picture on my wall above my wall above my bed. It's a fun time, man.

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah, we've actually, you probably can't see this. We just found a picture. When you came to see us at wjox. I think it was the next year when you came down for, I think it was an Alabama, an Ole Miss Alabama game that I've told that story about how you became center stage at the quad that day. Well, Robert, I tell you what, best of your family. We will continue our conversations during the season, I hope. Yes, sir.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, Paul, I. I really, really do miss Tammy and I hope Tammy is out there, really miss you and we met all your listeners. Me too, buddy.

Well.

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, thank you. We will.