The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “Take that Rome!”
Release Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Michael Wilbon, Booger McFarland, Chuck Todd, Nigel

Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser leads a lively and wide-ranging conversation that, as always, begins with sports and meanders into personality-driven banter on football (pro and college), fan behavior, life transitions for notable coaches, and even quirky odds and betting philosophies. The big themes are the fallout from Mike Tomlin’s departure from the Steelers, the surprise runs in football playoffs (pro and college), reflections on aging and change, and the ever-present, self-deprecating humor that defines the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Tomlin Leaves the Steelers

[03:00 – 12:29]

• Tony’s Perspective: Tony reflects on the shock of Mike Tomlin leaving, comparing it to the rare and dignified culture of the Steelers. Cites the stability: only three head coaches since 1967, all Super Bowl winners.
  • “I would have been stunned had the Rooney family fired him within 12 hours of losing. That’s not how they operate.” (03:44)
• Wilbon and Nigel on Fan Behavior: Discussion on Tomlin getting booed, the fickle nature of fans, and Tomlin’s acceptance of it.
• Steelers’ Playoff Woes: Tony delivers sobering playoff stats—no wins in seven games, consistently large halftime deficits. The fan base’s unrest is tied to this.
• Quarterback Carousel: Pittsburgh’s ongoing lack of a steady quarterback post-Roethlisberger is highlighted as a root problem.
• Speculation on Tomlin’s Future: Tony expects big offers for Tomlin (if he wants to coach again), but wonders if he’ll instead test television, podcasting, or simply take a sabbatical.
  • “Of the 32 teams in the NFL at least 20 would throw out their coach to get Mike Tomlin. Because he’s proven he’s—no losing seasons, 19 years, none.” (12:18)
• Notable Insight: Caution about assuming coaching greatness instantly translates to TV stardom; also, ex-coaches rarely serve as harsh critics on air if they plan to coach again.

2. College Football – Indiana vs. Miami National Championship

[19:49 – 24:00, 34:40 – 36:52]

• Wilbon’s Betting Angle: He’s sitting on a $100, 150:1 futures bet for Miami to win the title. He’s torn: cash out, hedge, or let it ride.
  • “I’m not an idiot, I’m not letting it ride. I’m gonna get my money out of it…” (20:52)
• Matchup Analysis: Miami rarely loses by more than one score; Wilbon views the 8.5-point underdog line as “disrespectful,” citing Miami’s grind-it-out, clock-consuming style.
  • “They make it very hard for anybody to get margin on them. This is a disrespectful line.” (22:33)
• Booger McFarland’s Take: Indiana is an “older team” (many players aged 22-24), physically dominating less mature opponents, and boasts a likely #1 draft pick at quarterback. Miami must play mistake-free to have a shot.
  • “Indiana’s been the best football team all season…their players are between 22 and 24 years old…that’s why they’ve been really good.” (35:24)

3. NFL Playoff Discussion & Picks

[24:00 – 29:00, 44:57 – 46:10]

• Wilbon and Tony’s Game Picks: Lively back-and-forth on who will cover the spread in divisional playoff games, often weighing momentum against Vegas lines.
• Chuck Todd Segment: (Picks contest) Chuck’s hot streak and the drama of late-season standings between various show regulars.
• Reginald the Monkey Bit: Reginald makes (contrarian) picks driven by humorous “ties,” underscoring the show’s irreverent, improv comedy ethos.
• Booger McFarland’s Preview: Booger breaks down Rams-Bears, 49ers-Seahawks, Texans-Patriots, and Bills-Broncos. He emphasizes coaching (Kyle Shanahan’s impact), defensive strength (Texans), and the X-factor of star quarterbacks (Josh Allen).
  • “If Seattle—if Sam Donald turns the football over and Kyle Shanahan is in his bag…they can win. Would I bet on them winning? No.” (44:12)

4. Fan Loyalty, Coaching Legacies & Transitions

[37:11 – 41:35]

• Booger’s Relationship with Tomlin: Insights from their time together in Tampa Bay. Tomlin is described as inquisitive, detail-oriented—a “Hall of Fame head coach.”
• Tomlin’s Next Chapter: Debate over whether he’ll return to coaching, take the Bill Cowher/Dungy route, or enjoy life’s spoils after decades of relentless work.
  • “At what point do you start to enjoy the things you’ve accumulated? …At what point did you come out of the attic and say, I just want to go enjoy life and play the best golf courses in the world?” (40:03)

5. Pop Culture, Show Traditions & Humor

Throughout

• Banana Republic of Sports Talk: The podcast’s unique tone shines in musical interludes, riffs about quirky promotions, poking fun at ad reads, and references to “the monkey” making NFL picks.
• Rome and the Pope’s Sports Fandom: Best line of the episode, referencing “the Pope caring about football…Take that, Rome!” (28:36)
• Reflections on Aging: Jokes about becoming one’s parents, buying nutmeg in bulk, and longing for the days of simpler technology—woven into both sports analysis and the mailbag segment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tony Kornheiser on Mike Tomlin’s unique position:

  • "The Steelers had three coaches since, I don't know, 1967...Chuck Noel, Bill Cower and Mike Tomlin. Each of them has won a Super Bowl. I don't think there's another team like that." (04:37)

• Wilbon on being a lifelong fan and gambler:

  • "I put $100 on Miami to win the title 150 to 1. So I’m sitting on that right now..." (20:34)

• Booger McFarland, insight on player maturity:

  • "They got a quarterback who's going to be drafted number one...I want to say 48 to 50 of their players are between 22 and 24 years old." (35:24)

• On the stress of fanbases and expectations:

  • "People get booed. You don't think they should, but they do. Giannis Antetokounmpo last night was booed in Milwaukee. He gave them a championship." (06:47)

• Reginald the Monkey’s picks (via Nigel’s narration):

  • “He’s got four games…he’s gonna do whatever he can to try and get back into this race.” (30:44)
  • Numerous fabricated, hilarious “reasons” for each pick, e.g., hanging out with Edwin Moses, Stevie Nicks, and referencing ties to Indiana from a failed “Hoosiers” audition—peak show absurdity.

• Rome and the Sports Pope:

  • “We've got the Pope caring about football. Take that, Rome. We've got Catholic Church.” (28:36)

• On coaching legacies and walking away:

  • "Some people will look at the last several years and say the lack of playoff wins. What I'll say about Mike Tomlin is this. Nineteen years in one place is a long time... I think he's a Hall of Fame head coach." (37:47 – Booger McFarland)

• In the mailbag, on meeting John Glenn:

  • “The gentleman next to me reached his hand out and said, 'I'm John Glenn. Glad you could make it.'” (49:01 – Listener email)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:48 – 15:47: Opening banter; Mike Tomlin’s departure and Pittsburgh football culture.
• 19:49 – 29:00: Chuck Todd contest picks; Wilbon’s Miami bet; Miami vs. Indiana discussion.
• 29:05 – 33:08: Reginald the Monkey’s (comedy) football picks.
• 34:40 – 46:10: Booger McFarland on college and pro football; Tomlin’s legacy, Rams-Bears, 49ers’ playoff chances, and more.
• 46:46 – End: Mailbag segment—listener stories, trivia, and running jokes.

Language & Tone

• Conversational, witty, irreverent, occasionally sentimental. Gentle ribbing among old friends, nostalgia for the quirks of aging and sports fandom, with sharp analytical observations tucked between the punchlines.
• Frequent inside-jokes, asides, and purposeful tangents—be forewarned: you come for sports, but you're staying for the personalities and the banter!

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show" offers a rich tapestry of sports discussion, nostalgia, and comic digression. Come for the rare, insightful breakdown of the Mike Tomlin/Pittsburgh saga and stakes of the NFL/College Football playoffs—stay for stories about the Pope watching football, listeners’ encounters with astronauts, and Reginald the Monkey’s absurdly reasoned NFL picks. Throughout, Tony, Wilbon, Booger, Nigel, and Chuck thread their years-long camaraderie into everything, making even the smallest slice of sports news sound like a chapter in a much longer, much funnier story.