Podcast Summary: The Tony Kornheiser Show — “Snakedraft” (January 9, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" delivers its signature blend of sports talk, current events, and quirky banter. The main segments revolve around the recent firing of several NFL coaches and what’s ahead for the league as the wild card weekend nears. The familiar cast—Tony, Michael Wilbon, Jason La Canfora, and friends—also delves into college football, personal anecdotes, listener correspondence, and, naturally, a snake draft for plush hybrid animals.

Key Discussion Points

1. College Football Playoff Analysis

• Miami vs. Ole Miss Recap

  • Tony thought Ole Miss would win, but Miami’s offensive line impressed by controlling possession and executing sustained drives.
    • “Miami was better. Miami's offensive line pushed Mississippi, pushed Ole Miss around…” [01:18]
  • Carson Beck’s pivotal last drive and rare rushing touchdown were highlighted.
  • The nostalgia of Miami bringing out Ray Lewis and Edgerrin James, versus Ole Miss with Eli Manning, set the stage for a “legacy” atmosphere.

• Notre Dame vs. Miami Playoff Berth

  • Tony expressed lingering disagreement about Miami’s selection over Notre Dame, despite Miami's early-season win over them.
    • “Miami was the last team in…they jumped them over Notre Dame. And they did that because Virginia failed to beat Duke in the ACC championship.” [04:08]
  • The panel discussed the narrative of Miami’s “resurrection,” yet Tony felt the better underdog story would be Indiana.

• Coach Mario Cristobal’s Narrative

  • The poetic possibility of Cristobal (Miami alum and ex-Oregon coach) facing his former team for the national title was discussed.

2. NFL Coaching Carousel

• Fired Coaches—Surprises and Expectations

  • Jason La Canfora outlines the big NFL firings: Giants and Titans let go midseason, but the John Harbaugh firing in Baltimore generated the most reaction.
    • “Were you surprised? I was surprised by John Harbaugh…” — Tony [13:34]
    • Jason explained the Ravens had to make a change, and Harbaugh “is probably the right guy for six or seven other teams.”
      • “He’s not the right guy here anymore…he was done firing coaches.” [15:36]
  • Potential Landing Spots for Harbaugh
    • Atlanta called a “sneaky, good job.”
      • “I think Atlanta is a sneaky, good job for him.” — Jason [16:21]
    • Green Bay a wildcard if things go south with Matt LaFleur.
      • “If they get together and are like, you know what Steve Ross just did, like, who do we think is better to win in this window?” [17:28]

• Other Fired Coaches

  • Stefanski (Cleveland) expected to get another job, notably tied to the NY Giants opening.
    • “I have a hard time thinking Kevin Stefanski doesn't get a job.” [18:46]

• Would Harbaugh have survived with a playoff win?

  • Likely not; uncomfortable conversations around his staff and internal dynamics would have persisted regardless.
    • “I think these same uncomfortable conversations…they're still having those conversations.” [20:13]

3. Wild Card Playoffs and Key Matchups

• Game Picks and Analysis

  • Standout games: Buffalo at Jacksonville and 49ers at Eagles.
    • Jason likes home teams in both: “I like them fairly considerably. This is a real tough matchup for San Francisco…And I just think Jacksonville is a better team than Buffalo.” [22:07]
  • Noted Buffalo QB Josh Allen’s poor “against the spread” playoff history, and Jacksonville as a more complete team.

• Betting Plug

  • Want to hear more? Jason plugs his betting content at wantabetwithus.com, tracking bets and breaking down plays and markets. [24:10]

4. Weekly Picks with James Carville and Jeff Ma

• James Carville Basks in 6-0 Record

  • “One more time, 6 and oh. And is now 51, 47 and 2.” [26:23]

• Carville’s Picks

  • Over 52 (game unspecified), over 48 (Indiana-Oregon), Packers over Bears, Jaguars (+1.5) over Bills, Eagles (-4.5) over 49ers.
  • Believes Trevor Lawrence “is a real quarterback. I thought he was in college...now all of a sudden, he looks like a Pro Bowl player every day.” [28:38]
  • Picks Indiana because “until you get beat, you're the best.” [29:49]

• Jeff Ma’s Picks

  • College: Ole Miss (+3), Indiana (-3.5)
  • NFL: Packers (-1 vs. Bears), Jaguars (+1), Steelers (+3)
  • Analysis revolves around undervalued teams and the importance of matchups, especially Pittsburgh’s advantage over Houston due to pass rush and quick passing. [43:23]

5. Golf Story: Playing with Jon Rahm

• Jeff Ma describes his surprise round of golf with major champion Jon Rahm in Hawaii.
  • “He shot a 63 that day, but if you had looked at him, you would have thought he was Kurt Signetti…He’s a very stoic and competitive person…” [33:20]
  • Did not ask Rahm about LIV Golf: “I don't know if it was something I felt like I could do…just being happy to be on the same tee box as him…” [34:28]
  • A touch of humility: Jeff parred the #1 handicap hole, a net eagle courtesy of his strokes.

6. Listener Mailbag and Anecdotes

• Letters range from nostalgic tales of candlepin bowling and TV game shows, to academic “connective tissue” moments, and quirky social observations about old phrases.
• Notable Quote: “There’s not a bad bowling alley French fry in the world.” — Tony [48:02]
• Odes to local businesses and sponsorship shoutouts pepper the close.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Miami’s legacy:
  “At the beginning of that game, when they bring out Edgerton James and Ray Lewis…that’s impressive, this legacy. Mississippi brings out Eli Manning. That’s impressive. But Ray Lewis is a storied figure in college and professional football and when he comes out there, it feels like a big deal.” — Tony [02:55]

• On the NFL coaching carousel:
  “He’s not the right guy here anymore…he was done firing coaches. He was sick of gutting his staff while the guys who picked the players—nothing changes over there.” — Jason La Canfora [15:36]

• On betting:
  “We try to keep it to 35 minutes a day, but you know, if it’s a three-lobster night, stuff happens and we will give you all our best plays.” — Jason La Canfora [24:13]

• On playing with Jon Rahm:
  “He shot a 63 that day, but if you had looked at him, you would have thought he was Kurt Signetti…He’s a very stoic and competitive person.” — Jeff Ma [33:20]

• Bowling wisdom:
  “There’s not a bad bowling alley French fry in the world.” — Tony Kornheiser [48:02]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:18] — Miami vs. Ole Miss Game Recap
• [04:08] — Miami’s Path to the Playoffs and Notre Dame Controversy
• [13:34] — NFL Coaches Fired: Harbaugh and Others
• [16:21] — Best Landing Spots for Harbaugh
• [18:46] — Will Other Fired Coaches Land Jobs?
• [20:13] — Would Harbaugh Have Been Fired With a Playoff Win?
• [22:07] — Wild Card Playoff Game Picks
• [26:23] — James Carville’s 6-0 Week & Picks
• [33:20] — Jeff Ma Plays Golf with Jon Rahm
• [35:15] — Golf Anecdote: Playing from the Same Tee Box
• [43:23] — Jeff Ma’s NFL Analysis and Picks
• [48:02] — The Bowling Alley French Fry Standard
• [49:26+] — Extended Listener Mail and Storytelling

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the show’s relaxed, conversational style with witty asides, personal flourishes, and the warmth of old friends catching up over sports, news, and nostalgia. Tony’s blend of sports insight, self-deprecation, and connective tissue humor is as present as ever.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a rich sampler of The Tony Kornheiser Show’s strengths: timely sports analysis, deep bench of regular guests, and the effortless meshing of sports, humor, and gentle curmudgeon wisdom.