The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Hour 2: The Good Cult (feat. Columbus Football Coach Dave Dunn)

Episode Date: January 14, 2026

"He's a dork." Tony made his way into Christopher Columbus High School's gym to chat with Fernando Mendoza's former coach, Dave Dunn. Plus, Dan admits to being an awkward hugger, Greg has a rough estimation of who is in an old photo, and the Ja Morant's trade market is HEATing up. Get it? Like the Miami HEAT? Get it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Folks, I'm getting hungry, and you know my favorite part of any meal, snack, or game day app? That's right. The goat, or should I say the greatest of all time? Frank's Red Hot! It's got the perfect blend of flavor and heat that elevates all foods from wings to Buffalo chicken dip to even ice cream. That's right, I said ice cream. And with a roster of flavors from OG to sweet chili, you can put that shit on everything.

So make every dish the greatest and eat the goat. At Medcan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health, from the big milestones to the quiet winds. That's why our annual health assessment offers a physician-led, full-body checkup that provides a clear picture of your health today, and may uncover early signs of conditions like heart disease and cancer. The healthier you means more moments to cherish. Take control of your well-being and book an assessment today.

Medcan. Live well for life. Visit medcan.com slash moments to get started. This is the Dan Levator show with the Stucats podcast. That is exactly the way that I expected Columbus's coach to look and stand, and he's just intimidating. He's trying to, I can't believe Tony has arrived in the wait room. I also am unsurprised to see that Columbus has a professional grade weight room. They do not mess around there.

Tony has arrived. Tony, how did you get in there with day? Don. It had to be with Dave Dunn's permission. He is Fernando Mendoza's high school coach, and right now he is a local celebrity of the highest order. I told you it was 100%. It was for certain your reswebbo, puppy. I told you that already. All right. You know what the deal is? I got coach done here in the midst right here. Okay. So do you want to let's go ahead. And then you go ahead and sideline report and interview the coach of Fernando Mendoza. I can't believe how accurate that kid is. I also can't believe that he is the quarterback for every aluela that is

ever existed because they love how Dave Dunn made this person be a model Cuban human being. Coach, okay, let's start right there. How did you make Fernando Mendoza be a model Cuban human being? I'm Gringo of the highest order. What? No way. So I had nothing to do with it. That's all his parents. Coach, when you think of Fernando Mendoza getting him as a freshman to now where he stands as a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback who's about to play for the national championship on an undefeated team and presumably maybe the number one pick in the NFL draft. How have you seen that translate that transition from him as a kid to an agro-man? It's been amazing to watch. The cool thing about him is just how much he loves the sport and how much he pours his heart and soul into it.

And he really is that energetic of a young man. He like everyone that would ask me when they after his interviewers they said is that how he really is. That's what he really is. He attacks every single day that way. It's surreal. But watching him have the success he's had on this stage has really been amazing for our whole community. Dave, can you go to the game? Are you going to be able to go to the game? Tickets are very hard to get. I was able to squeeze a couple tickets out of some people here. We got some deep pockets here at Columbus High School and they came through for me. If I were to tell you back whenever it is that you thought Fernando Mendoza was going to be something, what's the best that that's going to be? He's exceeded whatever it is your dreams were for that already, correct?

It's tough because I knew he had the ability to be a great quarterback. I just couldn't convince him. anybody else that he was going to be a great quarterback. So he didn't have a lot of offers at high school. But once he started getting reps when he was at Cal and producing the way he did even in practice, I'm like, the sky's going to be the limit for this young man. And then to move to Indiana with the coaching that Coach Ignatis provided for him has really just been a perfect storm and he's taken off his whole senior year. Can you tell me what that process was you trying to convince people that he was going to be a good college quarterback and them telling you, no, he is not going to be? It was frustrating. It really is. And I think he always had a positive attitude about it.

And I'm sure it had to bother him. But we tried, you know, he went to about 18 camps in like a 25-day period to throw for people. There was another ACC school that he went there and he threw. And it was the best quarterback there. When he left, they just told him have a good flight. So he literally went through the ringer and an emotional roller coaster during his recruiting period. And his positive attitude helped carry him through it. And then we were able to get a break late. in the recruiting process really late, like a week before signing day, and Cal came with a late offer. And it's just, you know, just seeing him get that and the joy that he had his face when he committed to Cal was unbelievable.

Take me through, take us through the details of the heartbreak, like the details of you guys are fighting so hard to get him a chance because you two believe, but so few other people do. What is the greatest of the, oh, man, seeing the crestfallen face, where you're like, I can't believe this kid I love, I cannot get him the right chance. On national TV, I could just say this. I told you so.

It's been, it was probably harder on me than it was on him. I wore it on my sleeve much more than he did. And just, that's just the type of person he is, is that he kind of went with the punches a little bit better than me. But, you know, I wish I could call each and every coach who didn't offer him and say, I told you so. But I have got some phone calls from friends in the industry that have called me and said, I knew he blew it on that kid.

And it's pretty fulfilling. Fernando seems like a perfect human being. on and off the field. We know no one is perfect. Name a single flaw. He's a dork. I'll take that. He's not that. He's very, he's very nerdy. He's very nerdy. Well, you know there are different kinds of Cubans, correct? He's a dirty feet of that line? Him and Christobal are very different kinds of Cubans. Yes. And his brother, I coached his brother as well, Alberto and Fernando are completely different, but Fernando's nerdy.

And that's what makes him special. He's a football nerd. I keep telling everybody. What is the legend of Cristobal at that school? The whole Cristobal family, it's a long lineage. You know, it started with his older brother, Lou, and then Mario here was a great player in a really top-notch offensive linemen, not only here at the University of Miami.

Coach Cristoball's two sons are on our team right now. His nephew Lewis played for us. His other nephew Richard played for us. Lewis now coaches with us. So the crystal ball ties run deep here at Columbus High School. Can you explain to America what Columbus High School is? What it is is a Cuban institution. What it is is a Miami institution.

I'm putting a lot on your plate there, but I'm sure you can do it. Well, I'll say this. One of the things that one of Coach Mirabal's wife, who's the offensive line coach at Miami, told my family, when I moved down here to take the job, they said, it's like a cult, but a good cult. Yeah, so I don't think, though, that people totally understand. understand what's happening around your school this week. Can you explain it to us? Because

the media has descended upon you, has it not? Yes, I usually don't wear pants at work. So this week, I actually had to wear pants every day. He's usually coming shorts and workout care. So the, uh, solid pan, guys, there we go. Nice slides. Uh, good job. Everybody saw me on campus. They said, either you have an interview this today or you have a meeting. So it's been, there's been media here every single day. And it's, it's been great for the school. It's unbelievable publicity for us. It's just a great time. time to be here on campus. Coach, if I can jump in for a second, Dan, by the way, I just want you to know, not only is coach, you know, wearing pants, but I fought off CNN to be here. We beat CNN to talk to

coach. CNN is sitting outside and black suburban's waiting for us to be done, so coach you go talk to them. So, look at revoiribu, that I beat CNN, Dan. Just let you know that. We often do. I thank you for that. I also did not, and was not expecting, when I asked him to tell us about the most Cuban game ever and the greatest thing in the history of Columbus for his description of the vibes to be, usually don't wear pants. But it's a pretty good description as far as those go. I don't think people understand though what's happening around the school, right? It feels like Columbus has a state championship game this week, our next week. Does it not? It does. It does. But it's a little bit, we're united, but the big thing everyone tries to do this week is try to divide us of who you're

pulling for, Miami, the Mendoza's. And I always, I said this before. If you have a whole bunch of kids, which one's your favorite kid. You really can't give a good answer to that. I'm excited for us as a community and for the game in itself. I'm pumped up to be there Monday night and really honored to be able to watch all seven of our people who are from Columbus participate in this game. Coach, what's the worst part of the life? My life?

Besides the pants? I was going to say pants part of it. I would say for us is just everybody, two things. Everybody asked me this week for either tickets or. who I'm pulling for. That's probably been the tough two biggest questions this week. Well, and the answer to the question is you have to root for

Fernando, don't you? You have to be, what's going to happen to your heart? At the end of the game, it's at the five-yard line, Miami's up, but Fernando's got the ball, he needs a touchdown to win. What's going to be happening in his high school coach's heart,

even if he loves Miami, the city of Miami, who are you going to be rooting for? It's a tough call. I don't know. I'll let I'll let my emotions at the time take over. I can't tell you. I've truly, even in my mind, stayed neutral just because I've known Coach

Mirabal and Coach Cristobal since 1998. And I've coached all five players in the game. To me, it's tough. I'll definitely be torn either way is the best way to put it. All right, good answer. Well, let me paint another scenario. Fernando, March in Indiana down the field. Miami is winning.

He needs a touchdown to win it. A throw in the back of the end zone. It's picked off. But it's Bryce Fitzgerald. Tough, that's a good one. I will say this, the last touchdown ever thrown in a state championship game in Columbus history was Alberto Mendoza at two Bryce Fitzgerald to beat Mandarin High School,

which is Carson Beck's school. So that's pretty cool. How many people at Columbus High School administrators are still there from having Mario Cristobal there as a student? Yeah, this is the place people go to die when they work here. So we have a lot of people still here. here. Okay. All right. Tony, before the end of the, before the end of the show today, see if you can find

us someone who coached or was around Mario Cristobal. We will check in with you again later in the show. Coach, appreciate the time. Thank you for spending it with us. And congratulations. You've never had a week. What in football comes close to what this is? Have you ever had something that feels anything close to what this week is? No, because even, you know, the state championship games that we've competed in, you're working the whole week in terms of getting ready for opponent. This one is you can't kind of sit back and relish it a little bit more so that's what makes it special. Thank you. And last note, Tony, anything on the Cuban front that you wish to quiz him with on the Cubanness of this particular game so that he can explain to America how stupido, all this is?

So, coach, obviously you have a lot of Cuban things happening within not only the the school, but outside of it. What is your favorite Cuban dish that you can explain to the nation right now? Oh, croquettas. Croquetas, without a doubt. From where? What's your go to? La Carretta.

My guy right here. He knows exactly what's going on. Now, I'm not a rookie. Come on. Come on, Dan. He has learned some things that people around here, because Greg and Zaz, Stugats, the way they have not been touched by our humid community down here.

David Samson and don't know how to... Coach done his boots on the ground, Dan. That's what it is. Those guys are not boots on the ground. All the guys you mentioned are up in Broward doing Broward things. God only knows what that is. This right here, Coach Dunn is on boots on the ground. Look at these feet.

Look at these feet. Ten toes down with pants on on the ground. Here in royalty of Cuban Westchester. That is correct. Tony, thank you. Good work. Appreciate the effort. He has managed to break through the walls of the fortress.

Thank you, Coach. Appreciate the time. And again, congratulations. Happy for you and happy for the way that Columbus represents both our community and everything around sports, football, and everything else. Thanks, Dad. Big fan of Sharve. I appreciate you having me on.

Thank you, sir. There it is, Mike Ryan. Columbus does not hate me. He just said he's a big fan. Well, he didn't say he was a big fan of me. He said he was a big fan of the show. So it might be you and your Cam Ward jersey back in. It's probably me.

Twelve parking passes and tickets you got to this. No, not parking passes, but 12 tickets, yeah. Quite the flex. What? Twelve. Golden Kane, man. Zagak. Yeah.

Of course. I heard from people that if you had six season tickets, you only were given two. Right, but if you're a golden cane. Then it multiplies. Guys, let me tell you something. One of the greatest joys of my life was when they finally opened the White Castle in my neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona. I lost my mind because I'm so used to eating White Castle at home when I was in New York. Now I can have it all the time in Phoenix.

But when I come to Miami, there's no White Castle. So you know what I do? Go to the freezer aisle because right there they got the variety pack. all the great white castle flavor in there. You're getting a lot of slider styles. You're getting classic American cheese. You get jalapeno cheese. And if you're a bacon lover,

you're getting that new cheddar bacon cheese sliders. The classic cheese gives you all the taste of a great American burger. While jalapeno cheese sliders give a serving of spicy to each bite. And the new cheddar bacon cheese? That literally brings home to bacon, folks, with real pieces of bacon in cheddar flavored cheese. Guys, I know what you're thinking. Your mouth is watering. My mouth is watering.

Just reading this. That's completely normal. You can find each of these sliders where in the grocery store, in the freezer aisle. Bonus. They're all in the same box. You don't even have to go to get four boxes. No, it's one variety box. It's got them all in it. Perfect for game day.

Late nights. Or any time you just want something awesomely, unapologetically cheesy. White Castle. Cray for thy castle. All right. It's off with Smyranoff, the official vodka sponsor of the NFL and the number of with vodka in the world.

Chris Cody, you're here. Smearroft! Wow, you're on the money with Smeerrano. Chris, do you know what goes great with Smyrano? Yes, but I'm really talking about game day fit. The style's got to match the vibe. Spear enough! All right, here's the deal.

Game Day is everything. And that's exactly why your fit has to match the occasion. Smeer off. Starting this December, Smyranoff is giving fans 21 and over the chance to score limited edition Smyranoff Commission, merchandise from some of today's top creators, including Kayla Jones, Kevin Matthew and Ailely May. Smeyrinoff.

Here's the kicker. One lucky fan will take home the grand prize. A trip to the biggest game of the off season. Plus, one fan will win Alayley May's one-of-one game day jacket. The merch will be dropped on select dates from December to January, 21, and it's all courtesy of what brand? Smirnoff! That's right, Chris, fans, 21 and over can head to Smyranoff socials to learn how to sign up,

and don't forget to grab a bottle of Smyrnav vodka. Number 21 at your local retail. Smyrath. Please drink responsibly. Smyranov. Number 21 vodka distilled from grain 40%. on alcohol by volume, the Samaranov Company, New York, New York. Please do not share with anybody under legal drinking aid.

Samirnoff. No purchase necessary must be legal U.S. resident 21 or older. Sweep steak starts 1215, 2025 at 12 a.m. Eastern, and ends 1.23, 2026 at 11.59 p.m. Eastern. See official rules at program website. Happy New Year, everybody. 2026 is already getting off to an incredible start because you want to know how I rang in the new year? It was with a bunch of friends in a Dallas Hotel Lobby Bar ordering a bunch of Miller lights, because that's how you do it. That's how you make special memories.

Miller Light has been by my side and many special football memories this year, and hopefully we get to write a few more memories with Miller Light. Some of my most legendary moments have started that exact same way. A buddy's house, a lobby bar, a game, no big plan. And then you crack open a Miller Light. You take a sip and you look around and you immediately recognize that you made the right call.

Legendary moments start with Miller Light. Great taste, 96 Kowel. Go to Miller Lite.com slash Dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller light pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Don Lebatard.

What is the worst part of the life? Stugats. The worst part of the life of what? This is the Dan Levatar Show with the Stugats. A couple of different things that I wanted to do. to ask you guys about because so you heard mentioned earlier during the show the discovery of Michael Irvin's six or eight pack abs. Michael Irvin famously when he was a champion with the cowboys he wouldn't end some of his workouts until he had thrown up for the second time like the

level of fitness and want and desire on what these guys do with their bodies to be great at that sport is a lunacy. But even knowing that, even having spent a lot of time in locker rooms talking to football players about how they make their bodies what they are. You guys know I am an awkward hugger. You guys know I sometimes hug people who don't want to be hugged Josh Norman most famously. But whatever Josh Norman was as a football player and he was very good when I hugged him and I'm going to say almost anytime I've ever hugged any football player, Ricky Williams included, I have never felt physically what I felt from the body of Edger and James who is made of cast iron even after all of these years away from football.

And when I put my hand on his shoulder, I thought to myself, How the hell did anybody tackle this? I think he's more muscular now. He's got more mass to him now than he did in his playing days. I just, but I can't believe. Like, I wrote a cover story with Edron James for ESP in the magazine that was controversial because it was, you know, gold teeth and whatever for the time. The Colts didn't like the picture.

But he was talking about how he became the guy that my pace friends, when they went to play against him and saw him in the backfield, they were like, how the hell are we supposed to do anything with this? The way he got strong is at 13 years old, he's unloading watermelon trucks at 13 years old. And what his body is is something that I have, like I'm telling you, I've been around football players. And this level of physical, I'm assuming a lot of guys in the league are like that. But when that's colliding into each other, I'm just, the only reason I'm pointing any of this out is when Mario Cristobal says his team is violent and physical, like, that's what's coming at you. and maybe Indiana has played a whole bunch of teams that are 50 pounds heavier on the offensive line than Miami's is.

But what you're talking about physically, I don't think that human beings, and I'm not saying I know more than you, I'm simply saying that even after 30 years talking to people about this and knowing what these bodies are, I'm still stunned sometimes like I was yesterday by Edgering James many years after his retirement. I'm really excited to see how the game plays out, not just because my team is playing. playing in it and it's a national championship game, but because of the clash of styles. Now, don't get a twisted. Indiana does a fair amount of dominating at the line of scrimmage, depending on the opponent.

But in this matchup, their pathway to victory would appear to be not finesse, but execution. And execution, a team that is highly disciplined, that won't beat itself, that is always in the right place against a team that tries out physical you, that the book on them is, at times, they can be on discipline, they can beat themselves. and Indiana will jump all over you. They do a good enough job of beating you. They don't need the help of you being yourself. I'm really excited about it.

And also, the way that they play is very much try and stop it. Miami, it's with the A gap, try to stop it. With Mendoza, that back shoulder throw that they always do to Sarat. It is always going to be there. Sarat is great. You can be draped all over Sarat. Yeah, he's an NFL draft pick, no doubt. Back shoulder throw, NFL type throw, my body against yours,

Try and stop it. You know exactly what's coming. I love that about these two teams is that, you know, there's a lot of conjecture online. There are no secrets here. We know exactly how this game is going to play out and who is going to be able to stop what the other does best. I can't wait. We've been talking a lot about how Miami is the more physical team than Indiana and they're bigger and stronger. But Indiana is so, like, experienced. All of these guys have so many games under their belt and also time in college wait rooms, right? Like, I know that technically there's a disparity. in terms of weight, but do you really, like, I'm asking you the genuine question in terms of analysis. Like, is Miami that much more physical than Indiana? At the line of scrimmage for the offensive line, I've been, once Indiana played the way that they did in the Rose Bowl, I was fixated at the line of scrimmage. And I'm really impressed with their center, who I think won Rose Bowl MVP, the way that he snaps a ball and gets out on the perimeter and starts throwing blocks, it's unreal. I do think that if there is a weak spot on that offensive line is right tackle. I think that there is

something that Miami can probably attack there. I really, I think Miami is going to win. I'm actually a little bit more confident headed into this game than I was against Ole Miss. I thought that was a tricky spot for Miami and a tricky opponent. Mendoza can be prone to mistakes if you get after him and he does hold the ball a little bit longer, but I won't be surprised if Indiana goes into this game and does its job and out executes it and Miami has to summon something really special to beat this team. Zaz, before we move on to other subject matter, do you have any thoughts on the ticket prices here because it's offensive? Like what's, and look, capitalism, demand is what it is. And so you get the ticket prices. But this is, I, there have been tough tickets in the

history of South Florida, but this one is. No, this is the toughest. This is probably the toughest ever. I'm grateful, like, I'm credentialed, like, I'm going to be there. I'm really lucky in that regard for, from, yeah. So I am going, but I have been trying to grab a couple of extra tickets, and it just, it just doesn't seem possible. The tickets price are outrageous. I understand capitalism. You could sell your tickets for as much as you think you can get for them.

I will tell you the place that I do find to be offensive is the prices for the parking passes. Like that part to me, the ticket prices are crazy, but the parking passes, the cheapest parking pass I checked the other day was like $600 to park. The strings that I had to pull was for a parking pass. That to me, that to me seems not right. That that's how much parking is going to. There is rumors out there messaging from Hard Rock Stadium that they're going to be checking cars and making sure that people have tickets.

There's no way they could regulate that. I was having that argument my son yesterday. There is no way they could regulate that. I'm with you. I think that's something that they put out there to mitigate. Maybe it's enforceable on the front end early. on, but once those gates get humming, it would be a huge misstep to make sure everybody that is entering the premises has a ticket to the can. I know multiple people that are planning on going

just to tailgate. Yeah, they're definitely going to get in. The National Championship is saying everybody asks to have a ticket who's in the car. There is no chance that buddy who's scanning your barcode for your parking pass is asking to see everyone's ticket in the van. I want to ask you guys something based on a story here that I heard. I don't think any of you guys have seen this, but Rich Eisen was talking to John Elway, who has a new documentary

out, and I'm about to tell you, that's the reason I started the story that way. And the story, the reason that I'm telling it, and showing it to you is because I want to frame it from within the discussion of, go get Tomlin, go get Harbaugh. He's

a guy who knows how to have the wisdoms to do all of the things that make you a winner. And I want to play for you how close sometimes things can be in sports between you're great for all time or no one ever knew your name. And we don't actually have control over much of any of this, no matter how much we insist on making the coaches, people who know better than others who's going to be great. Listen to this story. So then Trell came in and, you know, it's funny. You know, Trarell, we're in preseason and we're all in Japan, we were playing a game over, preseason game over in Japan.

And Terrell was saying, you know what, he was like the seventh one on the depth chart and wasn't getting a lot of reps. And so he was like, man, you know, I'm done with this. He went downstairs, tried to check out because he was going to go home to say he didn't want to play football. And thank God they couldn't understand him in Japan. They couldn't understand what he wanted. So he had to go back up to his room. The next day he plays in the game in the special teams.

That's right. Played a little bit in running back. and the special teams he ran down, made a big hit. And then guys started getting hurt. Terrell moved up that, you know, the line fast. And then Mike went to him the first game and said, Terrell, you're going to be our starter. And then, you know, that's when things really started to move forward.

Sixth round pick was going to quit, makes John Elway a champion. Like, what does Tomlin, what, you guys think Tomlin or Harbaugh, the dolphins hire them are going to have some special pixie dust that they can throw on that to make Terrell Davis be someone, who isn't understood in a Japanese hotel? But those two things, though, aren't mutually exclusive. Like, there's a little bit of luck that can also be involved in creating a winner. Though he's a tremendous player, but quantifiably,

Mike Shanahan could do that with anybody. Okay. That being said, he decleted that dude, and I did not know he had that kind of dog in him. Looking like Steve Atwater out there. That was nuts. Mike Shanahan did indeed create running game out of nothing. His son can also do that. Yeah, his own block.

scheme designed by a Shanahan always works. It just always does. Okay, but. Terrell Davis would get hurt, and Olandis Gary would follow, and Mike Anderson would follow, and Alfred Morris from FAU would follow. And Mike Shanahan won at the highest level, and Kyle hasn't won at the highest level, as Zaslow wonders whether Tomlin's one championship is enough to get him into the Hall of Fame. You understand what I'm saying. The way that we do some of this analysis on the splitting of hairs and the gulf of difference between six-round pick was going to quit, but then wins Elway two Super Bowls. Like, luck can be involved in that? But by highest level means just finally win the big one, because he's gotten there as an O.C.

He's gotten there with the San Francisco 49ers. I'd say Kyle Shan has done a lot of winning at the highest of levels. It's just the Super Bowl has eluded him. The biggest surprise in that story to me was that Terrell Davis was getting ready to give up on himself so quickly. Right? I mean, this is a guy who's the future Hall of Famer. He should know how good he is better than anybody, but he's ready to leave Japan and say, to hell with the NFL, you're not giving me a chance, I'm out of here. Well, that's what he was giving up on.

It's like, man, I'm not even going to get a chance. This is how this works. Like, that's the part he was given up on, right? As far as sports analysis goes, though, like just the endless hum of the machine that's forever critical of coaches and athletes. Mike Ryan just said something there that makes total sense but is also assinai. Kyle Shanahan has won at the highest level except for the Super Bowl. Now, I understand what he's saying, but the measure is the Super Bowl. Like second place for everybody else creates a cacophony of criticism that has no sanity in it.

No, I understand. When you look at his career on the whole, if he never wins one, it's what you can say about Kyle Shanahan. It's just social media does this saying it's way worse in college football, that if a team loses, they suck. you know, if a coach loses, they suck. And I kind of hate that because it also takes shine away from what you accomplish. You'll see it. Like, if Miami wins this, Indiana was a fraud all along. I just hate that.

These teams are exceptional. They're awesome. These guys are executing at a very high level. Kyle Shanahan's thought it was like the best coach in NFL right now. Yeah, but he hasn't won the big one. And it's something that you can always say. And look, we do it. We're part of it.

I was out here saying, I want to see Steph Curry be the best play. It's something that we do, but it is a little stupid. I just don't understand it. But as it relates specifically to Kyle Shanahan, everyone says now, yes, great coach hasn't won the big one. A lot of people also say has blown more double-digit leads by a factor of double than any other coach, not great coach, than any other coach in the league. I'd make the argument. I know this became canon around Greg Popovich, but I think this is. this is his greatest coaching job.

Everybody's hurt. This is insane. Hall of famers are hurt. Bosa, now Kittle, Warner, and he's doing it all with Mr. Irrelevant at quarterback. No, but this is insanity. It's a step further than that, though. He doesn't have the normal load of receivers either.

What happened with Iyuk is something that hasn't happened to any other team in the league. And Ayyuk was their third receiver for a while when they were getting, when they were Iyuk was not the best of their receivers and now they're doing it with an assortment of people that they're not going to be able to do it with. I don't think they're going to be able to do anything against Seattle. I think Seattle drags them if Sam Darnold doesn't Sam Darnold on. I don't want to overlook that also they have arguably the greatest running back of his generation in Christian McCaffrey. And when you pair that skill set, that talent with Kyle Shanahan's scheme, it's amazing.

But if you look at them, like you mentioned passively, Trent, Williams is washed now, and I was watching him unrecognizable. Guys are beating him off the jump. He got away with a holding on that touchdown like crazy. These aren't the same guys, and yet they won at Philadelphia. I think they said that on the broadcasts that those two teams have represented the NFC in the last five Super Bowls, it's insane. Like that to pull off a victory at the defending Super Bowl champion the way that they did.

They would have beaten Philadelphia a few years ago. In Philadelphia, if they didn't have to put Christian McCaffrey at quarterback because they just run out of quarterbacks. The amount of injuries on that team that they have overcome is an insanity. Is Harbaughal Hall of Fame quarterback? A coach? Yeah. I'm sorry. What's going on with you?

You've been miss speaking all week. You did it again with Nick Wright. He had a nice career. You did it again with Nick Wright. So to clarify, I'm talking about John Harbaugh, the coach, not Jim Harbaugh quarterback. Can you play that question? Yeah, sure, play it. Play the question again of Zazlo.

He asked it almost the same exact way somehow of Nick Wright. The Packers winner, the Bears lose. Bears lose. Well put. Why got to embarrass me to another national person? I was already embarrassed with Diana, who specifically pointed out that up until that moment, I asked great questions, all right, and now I'm embarrassed in front of me, make me a sucker. And now, Nick Wright, too. He already didn't like me.

That's why you don't how many of these. The Packers winner, the Bears lose. bears lose. Draft King Sportsbook, the number one sports book for live betting, is turning up the stakes this NFL playoffs. Every Sunday, every draft king's customer has a shot at over $2.5 million in prizes. Holy moly. Here's how it works.

Open the Draft King Sportsbook app and opt in. Place a live bet of just $1 or more on Sunday's playoff games, and every live bet gives you another chance to win. The more you bet live, the more entries you stack. Sunday long. Download the Draft King Sportsbook app right now and use Code Dan. Bet live for your share of $2.5 million in prizes with Code Dan. In partnership with Draft Kings, the crown is your, sure, sure, sure, sure.

Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler. New York call 8778-8-Hope-N-Y or text Hope & Why. Connecticut call 888-78-9-7777 or visit ccpg.org. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas, Wager tax pass-through may apply in Illinois. 21 and over in most states, void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. No purchase necessary. Three sweepstakes with separate opt-ins.

Minimum odds minus 500. Prices, either bonus bets that expire in seven days or single-use profit boost. See official rules at dkng.co-slash-live millions for entry period and free method of entry. Sponsored by Crown Gaming Inc. Whether it's with your besties or date night, get to all the hottest concerts with Go Transit. Go connects to all the biggest entertainment venues and makes it affordable with special e-ticket fares. A weekend pass offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10. A weekday group pass offers the same weekday travel flexibility, from $30 for two people, up to $60 for $5.

So no matter what day of the week, Go's got you covered. Find out more at go-transit.com slash tickets. Don Libetard. A woman who was out swimming with her friends is believed to have been swallowed whole by a 13-foot shark without any of her friends noticing. Hmm. That's the weirdest part about that story. You're swimming with friends. You're having a good time.

And then all of a sudden, people are looking around and go, where's Shelley? Like, nobody screamed? Every friend group has a Shelley, though, that if they go missing because a shark ate them hole, you wouldn't notice. Classic Shelley. Exactly right. Stugats. She went quietly, apparently. If I'm swallowed a hole by a shark, you're going to know it.

This is the Dan Levitar show with the Stugats. We are building up. Until next Monday, we're going to do a watch-along. We're going to throw an assortment of insanity at the entirety of the event more so than we have this week. I've got to full show in the morning because I've got to leave a little early. It wasn't aware we were doing the full old compliment because I got to go. On a national holiday, I wish to do, I'd like to do 12 straight hours of programming. But Greg, what other things have you brought from your garage here today?

You told us about the media guide. I imagine a 1969 media guide that is... Yeah, media guide don't... Holy shit, is that flimmy? First of all, it's difficult to find a media guide anymore, but they grew to be like books, like tabletop books. For the audience that has never seen a media guide... It's so thin.

A media guide is generally 400 times thicker than that. This looks like a pamphlet. It does. But this is the way they used to be. This is the dolphins were born in 1966. This is their second ever media guide. That looks like a brochure. It really does look like a turnpike brochure.

Yeah, like it's going to tell you everything that you can find at Disney World. Yeah. But keep in mind, they only had one season, so maybe it didn't need to be much bigger. But here's the coach, George Wilson. It's fun to have. I don't know why I put my name in there. I can't believe those pages still turn. I would think they would just rip apart at this point.

Be careful about that. Krusty. It is Krusty. Why did you write your name there? I have no idea. Just self-involvement. You like thinking of yourself at all times. I think I misspelled my own name.

It looked like C-O-T-O. That's ripping up top. Great C-O-T-O. Be careful. Rippin. And the other thing I brought was the, as far as I know, this is the first photograph ever taken of me on the job. As like a working journalist, I'm even writing in a notebook.

Long-haired hippie. Your hair is out of control there. This is the man Erlene fell in love with. A little bit of rock and roll, a little bit of marijuana dust. A little. What year is that? Um, based on my age. 1930?

Early 70s. Is that when you said people said you look like Tom Cruise? No, that was after. Who are you interviewing here? I don't know. Might be a Fort Lauderdale striker, Dutch defender named John Pot. Okay. But I'm not possibly specific for Might Be.

How is John Pot second on the list of Thanksgiving off Pot here? Approximately John Pot. Roughly John Pot. I'm just guessing. Please keep bringing in. things from your garage, okay? We cannot have enough of them. Mike Ryan, why are you mad at Ty Simpson? Like, what is the nature of your beef? So, Ty Simpson came out and gave an interview after he formally signed his papers to enter the NFL draft. It is no secret that Miami was trying

to get Ty Simpson over to their program, even after he declared for the NFL draft. And he gave an interview in which he put Miami's private business out there. Now, Miami's had two pursuits of note, Sam Levitt, the Arizona State quarterback that ended up committing to Louisiana State University and Ty Simpson. That's what people know. Now, Sam Levitt, he's had some character stuff around him. Miami feels a certain way about it, but, you know, all in all, he hasn't said anything dumb publicly. You lose an arms race occasionally. I think Ty Simpson tried to do something that he thinks was high character, and it's really, really cheap because he said, well, then I declared for the NFL draft and then Miami came with this huge offer and he puts a number out

there. It's been reported Miami offered Ty Simpson six and a half. Now, you have to keep in mind when you see these numbers out there, that doesn't necessarily mean that's the offer that Miami was offering. It's certainly the number that the agent was saying. For one year, dude, Brendan Sorsby got five. This is what they're saying, I am my doubts. But either way, he was doing that and he was touting his legacy. I didn't want to be known as a quarterback that left Alabama and chased the money in Tennessee or Miami. I'm proud of what I built here. Tye.

Brother, you lost to two Cuban quarterbacks by a thousand to like 12. What are we talking about? You're not even John Parker Wilson when it comes to Alabama lore. I don't know that, fool. And I understand this sounds like sour grapes and to a degree, I'll even let you have that. But what you did in that interview by putting Miami's business out there was mad cheap and you played yourself because you're thinking that you're going to buy clout with

Alabama. Alabama doesn't think of you glowingly. You're the guy that on their watch let the shine wear off. What are you doing, dude? That's not something that you do. And it may not stick to you, but it's going to stick to your age and when you put people's business out there. For you to come off lower character than Sam Levitt, that says a lot about you. Why do some people, why do I hear some people who say that the numbers out there are fake that the canes aren't actually paying these guys this number? Omar Kelly. It's not some people. It's Omar. Mark Kelly that you've heard say this. I just want to put on the poll before he answers that question at Lebitard show. Please put this on the on the poll. Is Ty Simpson mad cheap playing himself? What are you doing, dude? Yes or no? I always take the numbers that are out there with a grain assault. Because sometimes I have an idea of what the number is and it doesn't match what's out there. A lot of these things are put out there by agents that are trying to get clients, be it in high school or at other schools. Look at the offers that I command. And the school's not going to come out there and say that's not true,

because it's not a bad thing that people think Miami is willing to pay $6.5 million. That may very well be the case. Totally legal. Yeah, that may very well be the case here. Miami is in a tough spot right now when it comes to the portal, in part because they've been playing these games and it's a difficult thing to manage right now. Didn't Beck get $4 million? I mean, that's the going rate now. That was a thing that was out there. Omar's skeptical of that as well. maybe the totality of his deal reached that with incentives, but I know that the number that was out there circulating early on was not the number that the deal was for.

That sounds like I happen to know. All of that sounds like I happen to know. So take us inside some of the business of this, Mike. So why? Because you are in the middle of the business of all of this. What is going on with Miami in the portal? Because if this is to be a sustainable thing, look, I really didn't have this going this particular way, okay?

I did not have Mario Cristobal improving the program each of the years and then being able to do something after Cam Ward that was better than Cam Ward. I did not think that the getting of Carson Beck would be more interesting or exciting than what I just witnessed from a number one overall pick in a draft. But I was proven wrong there because that's not where my expectations were. Now, after two of those seasons, I am looking at it and I'm like, well, how are they going to replace this quarterback? now when yesterday you were making the argument of like well malachi tony might be nice if everyone starts being uh uh everyone starts being greedy about this and the numbers start climbing into a place where the court where tie simpson thinks he's worth six million dollars when all he did this year was desecrate what alabama has built for 15 years this was the worst Alabama team i have seen in 15

years i think a lot of people i just saw mil kuiper saying i would have advised ty simpson to stay. And I think the part of Miami's pitch to Ty Simpson was look at the stats when it comes to quarterback said I have had fewer than 15 starts in college. There's a lot of Anthony Richardson. Guys that actually stay in school and stack up the starts, their career goes better. But Ty Simpson got a first round grade from every GM that he spoke to. We're talking like highly respected front offices. When less need tells you your first round pick, I don't know if you can pass that up because you want to accelerate the timeline to the second contract. I don't have a beef with him not choosing Miami.

I have a beef with him putting the business out there. But I'm not going to sugarcoat Miami's current situation right now. Miami could approach the quarterback pursuit better. And I'm saying that even having no one, I'm wearing a number one Cam Ward jersey because he was a number one overall draft pick and Carson Beck's in the national title game. People have no idea how close those were to absolute swing and misses

because Miami went for the best and they luckily got it. Right now, I think Miami, Miami's situation is if there is a quarterback and we're right now in a dead period, and this feels kind of messed up to say, but I wouldn't be looking at guys that are in the portal right now. Right now you have agents reaching out to you with kids that haven't exactly signed their papers just yet. Maybe they've even announced other schools that see what's happening at Miami and realize, okay, this is a place where my guy can succeed in Miami's in a situation now where they've missed out on their two top choices. So I would say if

Miami does get another quarterback, and they feel good about the guys in the room. But I think if you look at the totality of the roster, it's safe to say that Miami might take a step back next year, and that's unfortunate given the momentum of the program. They have to nail that position. I would say that if Miami does get a quarterback in the portal, it's not somebody that's actually in the portal right now. Well informed. I'll tell you what, Dan, speaking of agents, putting stuff out there, this John Morant to the heat stuff

is heating up. It is. There's some stuff out there, right, Jeremy? Yeah, Kelly Eco from Yon. whose sports just put out an article. What he said? And within the middle of it here, it talks about how Miami is where Jha wants to be. It says there are teams with varying levels of interest in Morant, Minnesota, Sacramento, Milwaukee, to name a few.

But Miami has emerged quickly as an attractive option to Morant and his camp in recent days, sources said. And this is the really interesting part. It says the heat of historically been regarded as one of the NBA's most detail-oriented and structured organization, a major aspect of development that appeals to Morant, who has missed 34 games due to various suspensions. Morant also has a deep respect for heat head coach Eric Spolstra, who runs Team USA. Morant desires to represent his country in the 2008 Summer Olympics in L.A., Miami's veteran presence is an additional selling point and something Morant craves. You wouldn't have to give up much for him is what the attractive thing is. You're buying him unbelievably cheap.

You never find the superstar. For 26-year-old. You never find, you never find the guy who was being talked about as face of the league at 25 in the discount bin. That never happens. This is as damaged a face of the league as there has ever been at this age in terms of availability. It's just interesting to me the conversation about this being available as Janus becomes available. and do you want someone you have to trade everything for, or do you want someone who you're going to be able to get unbelievably cheap,

who's also six years younger, that no one believes will ever be a three-point shooter, that no one believes will ever be a threat from the perimeter. And I have questions about how much he wants to play the difficult game at his body type that is required at the rim. Here's the thing, and here's where I think maybe things have changed, and it's changed a little bit for me, because I've been out on JAA.

But I'm certainly inclined to be in on Jha when it would appear, I don't think they have to give up very much to get him. I think the landscape in the NBA when it comes to making these big trades, I think it's changing, where I don't think you're going to have to give up all these draft picks anymore

and all the young players. I think the Trey Young thing was a little bit of a precursor to that. And if you're going to be able to get Jha for very little, which I think is the case, then I think the plan becomes, oh, can you also get Yonis? Yeah, here when you talk it out, that's where I'm at.

Why not both? Why are you making it in either or? And I'll tell you exactly why, because this franchise never gets anybody anymore. The only question I'm asking if I'm Riley and Spoh is, what's the difference between a team stuck in playoff purgatory like we are right now in a championship contender? It's not Jean-Morant, right? But it might be-I disagree. I think, Ja, at his best, is better than any player that he'd have. The best of JAA that we have seen is better than anyone who presently plays for the Miami Heat.

Happy New Year, everybody. 2026 is already getting off to an incredible start because you want to know how I rang in the new year? It was with a bunch of friends in a Dallas hotel lobby bar ordering a bunch of Miller Lights because that's how you do it. That's how you make special memories. Miller Light has been by my side and many special football memories this year. And hopefully we get to write a few more memories. with Miller Light. Some of my most legendary moments have started that exact same way. A buddy's house, a lobby bar, a game, no big plan. And then you crack open a Miller Light. You take a sip and you

look around and you immediately recognize that you made the right call. Legendary moments start with Miller Light. Great taste, 96 calories. Go to Miller Lite.com slash Dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Light pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.