From Thirty for Thirty Podcasts. Brian Patter, senior defensive lineman from Miami. Gun down. The key to this case, it's Brian. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with Tabaki.
This might be a hit. You want the truth. They just want a conviction. Being placed under arrest. We had to kill our monsters.
Murderer. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody! Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck!
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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Kirk Cousins is signing with the Raiders. You get a veteran to be in the room with this kid. Let go!
Earlier on the show. Actor Jane Kesmere. Coming up. Six-time MLS champion Landon Donovan. 13-year NBA veteran Jalen Rose.
Five-time NHL All-Star Chris Pronger. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Man, what a show we're having, if I may say so myself. Jalen Rose in 20 Minutes' Time talking about the Men's National Championship semifinal, otherwise known as the Final Four, tomorrow night. And as we all know, it's a big game for his and my alma mater tomorrow night.
We just said farewell to Jane Kazmarek, who's back as. The mom and Malcolm in the middle on Hulu later this month. Chris Pronger, Hockey Hall of Famer, in hour three, but we kick off hour number two with a National Soccer Hall of Famer, one of the best. to ever lace them up. Landon Donovan and his new book, Landon, a Memoir, available wherever you get your books right now, released last week.
Landon Donovan, right here in the studio. Good to see you, brother. How are you doing? Thanks for having me, Richard. What's up, man?
This is a nice place, by the way. I appreciate you saying that. Jeez. You bet. How'd you come up with the title?
Just kidding. Pretty original. Actually, you want to know? Sure.
So Maybe you and maybe some others know me as Landon Donovan that you see on maybe on the T V or at the Galaxy game or whatever. Yes, sir. But this is the real landing. And this is not a soccer story.
So maybe you like soccer, you don't, but if you don't. You might enjoy the book. It's more about a kid who grew up here in Southern California and how he got here.
Okay. And I know we've got 15 minutes and it's a live story here, but do you want to, like, what do you mean about the real you?
Well, the very brief version is: I grew up about 80 miles east of here in Ontario, California, in a very poor area, 900 square foot home, single mom. Twin sister and my brother. My dad was not around. And the challenges with that dynamic also dealing with my whole family mental health throughout the years and me dealing with depression over the years. How what you saw on TV was not always what was going on behind the scenes.
Okay. Yeah. And how have you come to grips with that? Lots of therapy. No doubt.
Lots of help from people. And Having kids helps because they keep you busy. Sure.
But yeah, it's been a ride. Were you having gray days when we're watching you at your pinnacle? Oh, yeah. Yeah, there were there were a couple of times, Rich, where For two weeks I couldn't get out of bed, but I had to get up. and go to training.
Or get up and go play a game because I was so depressed I wasn't sleeping. And you know, this year in the public eye, and people come to you for. Joy, right? And they come to listen to your show because they want to be entertained. And people at Galaxy Games, they paid a lot of money to go there.
They don't care that. even necessarily sitting on your couch all week, not being able to get up.
So that's a struggle, and this this talks a lot about it.
Okay. Yeah. Um, and obviously that is a um A story a lot of people can be Can relate to. I think so. That's for sure.
You know, the. The feedback I've had so far is: wow, I had no idea this was that. I thought this was just a soccer book. And two, Thank you for talking about this publicly because a lot of people deal with this.
So it's been good.
Well, and again, the way that you're being open, honest, and forthright about it, I think is also a leadership quality in that regard as well. Because I'll think people would be like, don't talk about it. But we're living in different times now, man. It's good. And look, there are times where we have to do our job.
It's part of life, right? Like you got to get up and do your job, but it doesn't mean people aren't struggling.
So a lot of people, I think, can relate to it.
Okay. And tell me about, I guess, your professional part of this book, about how you were. Did you go back and wa watch things, or did you keep a journal, or you just removed it? No, through memory, but Ryan Berman, who was here, he wrote the book, he did all the hard work. I just get to do interviews, sit and talk stories.
He has to actually put it to paper. But the cool thing about it is when you write a book, You don't know how other people always feel about you or what they have to say about you. And then you get to go watch the interviews or or read it in the book. And I read the book the first time once he was done. I said, I don't want to know anything until you're done.
And you hear these stories or you hear the way people talked about it and you go, Oh my God, I never knew they felt that way. Because we don't always tell each other. Good and bad, you're telling us? Good and bad. Yeah?
Yeah. Okay. So there's somebody out there that you thought liked you and then you found out what the hell. This person's not functioning. This guy's a jerk.
I just you know, it's good to see you here in person because I once upon a time, due to your excellence, had to draw straws with Stuart Scott for a sports center when you were at the World Cup in 2002. On who had to comment on it? No, on who had to stay after 3 a.m. to do the highlight of, I wish I could remember which one it was. It was either your 2-0 win over Mexico or the quarterfinal that you reached against Germany.
Wow. And it's not like we weren't excited for you. We just wanted to go home. It was 3 in the morning, man.
South Korea, I'm sitting in Central Connect. I'm aware. You don't decide the timing or the location of the World Cup. But Stuart and I drew a straw of who would have to stay because I think Toe met Ball at like 4 in the morning Eastern time when you were doing. When you were going on this magical run, which to date is still the best men's World Cup performance since 1930.
That's right. That's a story. And I just remember, you know, I drew the short straw. You hated me. I didn't hate you.
I was rooting for you. It certainly, you know, when you were doing what you're doing, the goal you scored against Mexico is something I could still remember today, middle of June in 2002. I just wish I could remember which one it was. But all I remember is I watched the sunrise driving home. That's amazing.
That I definitely thank you for your service. Appreciate you. Isn't that great that I turned it into a story where I'm having Landon Donovan thanking me for my service? You know, one of the greatest to ever wear USA across a chest. This is a good characteristic.
This is me, man. This is my memoir, which, you know, maybe I'll name after myself, like you. Says a guy with his. Name all over a show and never and a logo right here. What do you think of the current state of affairs?
Because I just also remember back in 2002, and every single time. When men's World Cup soccer comes around, we're all wondering when's it going to catch fire to the point where we're competing at the top level with everybody else at this. Part of the sport. Where do you feel we are? We're going to find out a lot this summer.
But I was just talking to someone. I mean, that 2002, it's funny you bring up that memory. That's the furthest the men have ever been. Mm-hmm. And you would think That we would have gotten further.
Yeah, I mean, it doesn't have to be linear necessarily, but at some point we would have gotten back there. Yes. We have won.
Someone told me this the other day, I didn't realize this. In the men's side we have won one knock out game. Meaning, get out of your group knockout game in our history. And that was against Mexico in round of 16. How we haven't done that since that really hit me when they said that.
That's pretty alarming. And really what it k without getting too into the weeds. Really what it comes down to is we're not developing players. like the rest of the world do. Why is that?
I mean, there's colleges, right? I mean, and just in this regard, the only reason why I bring that up first is colleges and college athletics and universities are the feeder system for most Olympic sports. And that's one of the concerns you have in the world of NIL and people moving around and portals and what have you, and trying to keep up with that, that Olympic sports might get the first acts. For an athletic department, right? Yeah.
So, but I mentioned that first, and obviously, there's youth organizations and things of that nature, but I'll give you the floor in the rest. No, that's right. And in soccer, it's different because that age group is actually where we do lose a lot of players. They go into from 17, 18, 19, 20. Our college system doesn't.
Isn't competitive enough to feed into professional soccer.
So basically, if you're 16, 17, you haven't made it, you're not on an MLS roster, a first-team roster. You kind of Fall into this abyss. But the bigger problem is our youth soccer in this country is a disaster. And so you have all these youth clubs. I don't know if kids ever played, but, or youth sports.
Yes. Charge you Crazy fees. All about winning. The kids get left behind because the clubs want to make money, the coaches want to make money, they want to win, they want to win, and the kids don't develop. And now we're seeing sort of the fruits of that.
Sadly.
Well, and then going around the rest of the world, as I've been fortunate to do for the NFL. Uh I remember the first game ever in Munich for the NFL. That the Seahawks trained at the Bayern Munich facility. And the Bucks trained at the Bayern Munich youth facility. And in many ways, the youth facility was nicer.
That's right. And I'm like looking around, I'm like, wait a minute, this is to get kids. You know, up to speed. That's right. To play.
You know what's interesting?
So I played in Germany when I was 17. The guy who coached our under 16 team was like 60 years old and had been doing it for 25 years. He wasn't trying to be the first team coach. Like he was one of their best coaches and he want they wanted him with the 16 year olds. Not with the pros.
They wanted those kids developing and getting better. And we do it opposite here. The worst, worst coaches are coaching our eight and nine-year-olds, and they're not learning anything, and they're not loving the game.
So it's just totally backwards.
Well, frequently, it's also a parent just trying to, you know, get out there and coach with their kids and press. And it's not their fault, and that's okay, but that's not help. I mean, to be honest, that would be better than what you have at most clubs here because at least you would at least you would the kids would want to have fun and they would be touching the ball and doing it versus trying to play nice soccer and do what professionals do. That's not what you need at eight years old. You need to just touch a soccer ball and have fun.
So this is what. What would you do if you could wave a wand?
Well, I'm going to.
Okay. This is my next path in life. If it's just to wave a wand. Not to wave a wand. Or to do something about this.
No, yeah. I'm not a magician. There we go. No, but this is my next passion in life. I want to help fix this, I want to give the game back to kids.
Too many kids just lose the game through the parents and the coaches, and it's a mess. Right. And then, of course, we also need. Parks, you know, places, open spaces. Because that's the beauty of the sport: is give us an open space.
And a ball. And a ball. And you can create a goal out of just sticks on the ground. I understand that that's true, but rich basic. Until I was 15, this is a crazy stat.
I never once. Trained organized, had organized practices more than twice a week, and most weeks it was once a week. Until I was 15, I had one organized training session a week.
Now kids have three, four, five. I made it I played in three World Cups. Right. I was just outside kicking the ball all day. That's all I did.
I was developing myself. Who's the best player you've been on the field with? Messy. It's sadly against. Yeah.
Yeah. He's different. And also, I guess, what does it feel? How does it feel to you? That He's won the last two Landon Donovan MVP awards.
The MVP awards named after you. That makes he is. I think he owes me a lot of gratitude. It's pretty wild, actually. Very least.
You'd be like, who's this Lyndon Donovan? No, come on, man. But he's won the last. You know, they named the trophy after you, and Messi's won the last two of them. It's pretty special that he's here playing, to be honest.
I think we take it for granted. You know, when Jordan was in his prime, and I was. A little bit younger, but like you probably were like you were in it and you were Commentating, you were, it was wild. Like, you take it for granted, and then you look back and you're like, oh my God. I mean, Lionel Messi, he's probably the greatest player that's ever played.
The biggest sport in the world. Yes. And he's in our country every week playing. Right. Wild.
Right there in South Florida doing his thing. Yep. In MLS. And you're like, there was one shot when he first arrived. Like, he's in a public, you know, going down the serial aisle.
You know, serial aisle. Like, it's just, wait a minute. This is the wildest thing. It's crazy. You know, and he and I have something in common.
I believe we share a birthday. That's it. That's true. Do you? Yeah, June 24th.
Wow. And you're both very fast.
Well, I'm the messy. Yes, correct. I'm the messy of hosting. That's the way I look at it. That's how most people identify.
Thank you so much, Landon. I greatly appreciate that. I think we met at an Espys Awards for the first time or something like that. You were at the Espys back in the day, I imagine. I remember.
Yeah, man. Back in Vegas or is it New York? Do you remember? Which one it was? I thought they were in LA, weren't they?
They were.
Well, they went from New York to Vegas to LA. I think it was LA. Yeah, maybe so.
Well, congrats on the book. Thanks. I really appreciate this. And, you know, I know you live in Southern California. Don't be a stranger.
I'd love to be part of what you're talking about. We have to do it. It is so crucial. It's pretty cool. Thank you.
I appreciate that. It is. And it just getting, you know, the NFL has a Play 60 program, getting kids outside, getting off a screen, getting them out there, running around, playing soccer, football, which is the world's sport.
Well, team sports. Team sports provides so much to kids. And I just like, let's get them out and playing. Right. Yeah.
You know, and I think I could get a point off of Carlos Alcaraz in tennis. Yeah, I was listening to you saying that.
Sorry about that. You know, and so I don't think so, but. You you don't um in a match? Yeah, uh just when one set. One set getting a point.
A single point. I think you've. He can't double fault. He can't hit it out of bounds. He can't miss hit it.
He can't do anything. But they don't miss hit it. They don't miss hit it when Djokovic is hitting it to him. Right. But when you're hitting it to him.
I understand. He's never seen anything this slow being hit to him. That's probably true. It's like when the big leaguers can't hit 60 mile-an-hour pitch. Right, yeah.
Some left-fielder comes out and strikes out an all-star. All right. I'm the left fielder, mopping up. You think he could save a penalty kick off me? That's the now we're talking.
Okay. No. Probably not. Zero chances. Zero.
What about me scoring one on a top-notch keeper? Oh, on a top-notch. I thought you meant on me. No, no chance. No chance.
Well, they gotta jump one way. No, they always jump. No, not with you. They would wait. They would wait for it.
I have seen your elite athleticism at the combine. Yes, I don't think you're doing it.
Okay. What if the three of us, me, TJ, Rich, all were in goal? Could I score? Yeah. It's three of us landed.
Yeah, I'm more than half the time I'm scoring. I think you would You know, I was at the Chargers facility yesterday. Tony Jefferson. They do that. Why do they call it jugs, by the way?
You know that machine? Yeah, yeah, right. I don't know why they call it. I think it stands for something.
Okay. They were doing that thing, and I could not believe they turned it up to Herbert level. Dude, you don't want to do it. I was like, I know. I cannot believe it can go through your hands and really hurt you.
You have no idea how fast till you're there. To be honest with you, Stuart Scott. No, I know it's really hurt doing that. And you could hurt a finger, too. It was wild.
Yeah, I wouldn't. You just don't realize how fast that is until you're standing there. Right. Like Cristiano Ronaldo taking a penalty against you, you have no idea how fast it gets there. It's insane.
The opposite way, I hit something that slow, Alcarez will be like, I can get this. Oh, wait a minute, hit it out. You should set this up. Are you setting this up? Oh, maybe.
I'll keep talking about it enough. You're talking it into existence. Landon, a memoir. That's what you got to do. A memoir.
Get it where all books can be acquired right now. It's out there. Great to see you, sir. Appreciate it, Richard. Six-time MLS champion in Soccer Hall of Famer, Landon Donovan here on the program.
Jail and Rose when we come back. Don't you dare move. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. No one likes having to choose. That's why, with America's best lineup of hybrids from Hyundai, you get the best of both worlds.
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Rich Eisen here. The April 15th tax deadline is coming fast, but don't worry. Hand off your taxes to a TurboTax expert today. You know how April feels. Everything speeds up.
Games matter more. Hoops and hockey schedules tighten. Your phone won't stop buzzing. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's that quiet little reminder. Taxes.
You'll get to it tonight or tomorrow or after the weekend. And if you handle it the old way, you're refreshing your inbox like it's breaking news, waiting, wondering, hoping everything's squared away. That's a lot of mental bandwidth. With Intuit TurboTax Expert Full Service, you can match with a dedicated expert who understands your specific tax situation and handles your taxes for you, start to finish. You can do it all online or meet in person at one of their new tech-enabled store locations.
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I've traveled all over for some of the biggest NFL moments you can imagine. Conference championships, Super Bowls, draft weekends, and everywhere I go, the city just feels different. buzzing, packed, electric.
Now take that energy and multiply it by the entire world. That's what's coming this summer with the FIFA World Cup. Fans from every corner of the globe are going to be traveling to experience it live. And when that many people come to town, they're all looking for a place to stay. And that got me thinking.
If you live in or near a host city, this is one of those rare moments. You already have a space. This summer, you could list your space on Airbnb while fans are in town for the FIFA World Cup, not as a full-time thing. Not as some huge lifestyle change, just during an event when demand is naturally high. When I travel for big games, I just want a comfortable place in a real neighborhood, and that's exactly what so many visiting fans will be looking for.
If you've ever thought about listing your space, This summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host.
So we're really blessed. Jalen Rose here on the Rich Eisen Show, getting set for the Final Four and an alt cast with the Fab Five on Saturday night as Michigan takes on Arizona courtesy of Lilly, and we'll talk about that in a moment. I is this the best Michigan basketball team ever if they cut down the Nets? Jalen? And see, here, and you know this, Rich.
Like, to be honest, we don't care, we just want them to win it. Like, just win it. Like, win it. Yes, yes. If saying y'all, the best team means y'all are going to win it.
Go do it. Right. But in all honesty, For me, And I always pay you know, respect to my elders type of thing. Glenn Rice, Terry Mills, Lloyd Vaught, Ramille Robinson, Sean Higgins, like. Terry Mills, they had six pros on that team.
Um And they were the only team in Michigan to ever do it.
So, for me, they're the greatest team. And if this team is in position to to cut down the nets. Then it's time to have that conversation. But it's a couple of more games to be played. But I love Dusty May.
I love Yakso. I love this team. I'm rooting for him so much. I want to see him do so well. And We just need Mara to stay out of foul trouble, Rich.
We need him to block a couple of more shots. We need 10 rebounds out of him. Um I feel like There's a great space for this team to do it. And if they do win it all this year, of course they deserve to have that conversation. Yeah, the punking, and I use that word purposely, against Tennessee was the largest regional final margin of victory since the 89.
Michigan Wolverines eviscerated Virginia on the way to the Final Four and then cutting down the Nets in Seattle back in 1989. How do you, however, see this? Michigan, Arizona game that you'll be alt casting. On Saturday night. How do you see this matchup?
Arizona Arizona is a problem. They they really are. They have depth. Um Pete has been a terrific freshman in a year where freshmen have been very dynamic in collegiate basketball. They have a veteran.
Um Bradley at the point. Also buries. who reminds me a lot of Devin Booker as a shooter and as a scorer. Their coach Lloyd has done a terrific job of nurturing this roster and this team. And I feel like not to disrespect UConn, Or Illinois, who outplayed expectation, but I feel like these are actually the two best teams.
And whoever wins this game And of course, you know I'm going from Michigan. I feel like it's going to win it all. Jalen Rose here on The Rich Eisen Show. What are you doing with Lily? I'll give you the floor on that.
Absolutely, and I appreciate that.
So as you know, the Final Four brings people together across generations, which is a great opportunity to elevate Lilly's one hundred and fifty years of advancing science and improving lives. Yeah. As somebody that tries to be health conscious, rich, I'm drinking my water with my ginger, lime, and turmeric, and cucumber and stuff like that.
So I can live till I'm 150 years old. It kind of embodies where I am at this point in my life. And so the Final Four, for example, just creates a unique opportunity to remind people and generations. about health and wellness and you know, taking care of your body and Yeah, mentally and physically.
So it's a great partnership. I appreciate the opportunity. And I got a chance today to talk to Darren Peterson of of Kansas. and Caitlin Clark. Who plays for the fever?
And both of them, when I look at them, it just makes me celebrate. young people's maturity and discipline and responsible. and how responsible they are. And so I appreciate Lily bringing us all together. Lily.com or follow at Eli Lilly on Instagram for more.
In the couple minutes I have left with you, Jalen, I'm going to go here.
Okay. Jalen vs. Everybody. It's an Instagram title that you have for yourself, but it's also the name of a show in 2017 of you giving your shot at acting and comedy and things of that nature. And there's a scene that still resonates and always will because you got Kobe Bryant to play himself.
And when I say play himself, like literally. say things that he probably would say to you in real life. How did you get him to do that? Jalen.
So one of the things about my journey that I'm just very grateful for. is Communications radio TV film was my major at college at Michigan.
So, while I wanted to be an athlete and be on the court, I also wanted to produce and you know, curate content. And so the Jalen versus everybody. Show that I did. And back in the day, it was like a 360 deal. It was almost like if you're signed to ESPN.
Only ABC can pick it up. You can't go like take it to NBC. And so they chose another show, and I agreed, I would have chosen it too. They actually chose Blackish. That was the show that you know, took the spot.
And so I want to shout Nanajka Khan and Melvin Maher. We came up with this idea that we were going to get Kobe. Um to be in the show. And I was at the nine casino in Vegas and Kobe and his wife was having dinner. And I went over there to say what's up to him because that's like little broth to me.
And I just remember when you go to a restaurant, sometimes they don't clean up. You know, like the drinks that you just had. And so they had just ordered a couple of martinis, but the waiter didn't take the other two empty glasses that were on the table. And so that stuck with me. And so I was like.
They were drinking they were drinking uh Olive margaritas, or they were drinking olive martinis. And that stuck with me. And so, when we were talking about creating an idea for him to celebrate his 81-point game. That's what we wanted this to pitch him. And so we sent him the script or whatever, and as you just mentioned, he doesn't do much media or talk to people.
You know, it's mama mentality. But when I sent it to him, He trusted me and he was like, I'm gonna do it. And that clip, Rich. Yeah. Just to show you how media has changed.
Imagine if that was just only on my YouTube. Forget it. That'll have a billion clicks. And I literally gave it to the public. There's no ads on it, there's no sponsors on it.
I just put it out. Because I wanted to celebrate him. And it was one of the funniest things ever. And unfortunately, we lost him so very young. And that's become one of the signature things of his legacy and of his career, besides him being on the floor.
So I'm just proud to not only executive produce that. But right now I have the number one show on Tubi.
Southwest High.
So I wanted to make sure everybody go check it out. We're running it up. Right. And you're on it and executive producing it. How many takes for Kobe?
How many takes for that scene?
Well, that was natural. He only, to be honest. Just once, right? That was it. He might drop.
He did. Yeah. It was perfect. He might drop. And not only as a Hall of Fame champion basketball player.
But he also dabbled in multimedia, won an Oscar, and did a lot of special things. And so I can't front for the public. When we brought him into the Palm Hotel in downtown LA, I gave him the script the night before. He read it. He was up on top of his work.
And that was really one take. He was like Jay-Z. He came in, he dropped Mike, and we, and it was over. He got up and left. He's like, I ain't about to be here 30 minutes.
He literally said that. Especially since you probably believed every word out of his mouth. It was great. It was great, man. It's great to catch up with you, Jalen.
Let's do this again when we have more time and go have a blast tomorrow night. I told that to Chris, that is. That is what college is all about. And I know you guys go back to high school, obviously, and being little babies practically. Yes.
But that's what it's about. is to be there for a big big night for your alma mater. and uh be there together like that, relive in the old days. It's all I'm happy for you. I appreciate the love.
And I just have to say this, and I know we're supposed to be men and all macho and things like that. Congratulations, my brother. I admire you. You're killing the game because there are a lot of people that talk on podcasts, radio shows, television, and do media, but they're not talented. You are.
The content that you create. I pay attention. I watch. I told you, you got the Johnny Carson introduction when you're running in. But I pay attention.
And so I appreciate What you bring to the masses, and how you represent the University of Michigan, and how you always show love, and how. Like what you say isn't personal, it's knowledgeable.
So keep doing your thing, my brother, and I'll pull up and come represent anytime. Please, anytime. You let me know. You got my number. Let me know when you're in LA, and I'll be watching tomorrow night.
And. Best of luck on that and to us as well. Yes, indeed. Done, done, and done. Hail to the victors.
Hail to the victors. Go blue. That's Jalen Rose right here, CBS, TNT Sports, and Lilly.com or at Eli Lilly to follow more about their awareness initiatives through sports. Right here on the program. Love that guy, man.
Have you do you know this Kobe scene that we're talking about? Have you seen it? I've seen it when it came out. It's brilliant. It's been a while.
It's brilliant. It's like again, it's awesome. If you remember Larry Sanders show, it's about, you know, uh a real life person in their in their personal life as well and behind the scenes and having fun at their expense. It's great. Everyone should seek that one out.
844-204-Rich, number to dial here on the program. I just want to say this. I'm going to continue to cape, and I know you guys. aren't particularly fond when I do this. But I I'm you know, I I hear um that Whoever loses on Saturday night.
in um Indianapolis. Is going to lose their coach to North Carolina. that North Carolina is waiting. For Michigan's or Arizona's coach?
So I'm going to loop Arizona into it too here, okay? What? I was going to say, before you do that, I believe Arizona's coach has already said he's not going anywhere. Tommy Woyd, right? Right.
He just re-upped for a big deal. Right. And I'm waiting to hear the same news out of Dusty May, who's basically said, I love it here, and I don't. This is my job, and I'm not talking about any other jobs. And people will look into that and basically say, Um Yeah, right.
Money will talk. Yeah, contract extension for Tommy Lloyd through 2031. Great. And I'm waiting to hear something similar for Dusty May because. Uh-huh.
I I I am clearly biased. Yeah. Clearly. Biased. But why would anybody take why is North Carolina's job better than Michigan's?
Tell me why because it's Tobacco Road because Dean Smith hung banners there. Because Roy Williams went there for 18 years, won three ACC. championships because Hubert Davis won there.
Well, he was there.
So is that is that is that why? You're kind of making our point. No, I'm I understand. But Michigan can get the same players as North Carolina. As a matter of fact, our point guard.
was in North Carolina.
Now he's here. in Cadell.
So Not only can Michigan get the players that Dusty Maine needs, one of them played at North Carolina. and left.
So i it's what do you need? You need The ability to get kids. in the portal and you need to get them NIL. You need to have a top-notch facility. You need to have a school that's going to be.
Putting you out there. And then when you're out there with that school, people watch, like say. The biggest ratings. The NCAA tournament is had. That I just said goodbye to Jalen Rose.
When I I again, you tell me I'm again a fifty Seven-year-old guy? Mm not yet. Not yet.
Soon to be? Right? That There still is some cachet of the Fab Five? That Michigan with its relationship. With Their shoe partner.
Has some swag to it. I understand. The school I'm talking about actually had Michael Jordan there. I mean, I get it. That's a hard one to me.
I get it. I'm just saying we're in the neighborhood. and in other ways surpass them. Surpassed them. The big ten right now Much deeper.
Than the ACC. Oh, yeah. In basketball. You can make a case of their premier sports conference. Right.
Right now, last three football championships could be soon enough. Michigan could win. The hockey frozen four? Um And In the final four? Along with Illinois?
Seriously, you tell me why would somebody like Dusty May When he's able to put this team together, he was able to tell UAB's Jacksal Lendeborg, you come here, UCLA's Adai Mara, you come here. North Carolina's Elliott Cadeau. You come here. Trey McKinney from Detroit. We'll recruit you.
Well Let Aikoff go to Arizona. I mean, Arkansas. Morris Johnson, you come here from Illinois. Which obviously is doing well post-Morris Johnson, but Seriously. I don't get it.
He's able to put his team together. North Carolina last won the title not that long ago, 2017. And Michigan hasn't won one since 89, but Michigan's only won one. But Beline has had Michigan. In Elite Eight, Sweet 16, Final Fours.
Final games. And you know, Jawan unfortunately didn't work out, but Why Why would Dusty May, why is North Carolina just assumed like Dusty May is going to blow it all up? He's absolutely going to leave because who wouldn't take North Carolina's job? Really? Roy Williams left Kansas, one of the premier college basketball schools for North Carolina.
Granted, he had a coach. Two decades. But he had history with the rest of that. But he left a. Kansas is, you would put Kansas ahead of Michigan, and he left Kansas for North Carolina.
Why would you put Kansas ahead of Michigan? Because historically, Kansas J-Bucks are looked upon as. Higher in higher regards in the Wolverine. By who? By who?
Or an 18-year-old or a 20-year-old or a 21-year-old.
Now, look now, this 20-year-old has what I'm saying. I would say up until a couple of years ago, I would be pretty strongly hammering you, but I'm like, I'm not disputing your take because now it's all about money. Jalen Rose said these kids are guns for hire now. They go where the biggest bag is. And if the biggest bag is at Michigan, go to Michigan.
And it might not just be the biggest bag. It's also the coach who's there, the facilities that are there. If an education matters, sure, you know, but. I I don't understand that that Oh, somebody's going to definitely leave. Michigan.
In its current state. To go to North Carolina just because of what the past was, and it's a blue blood. And what are you going to get on TV more? Than Michigan? You're going to get better athletes than Michigan?
You're going to get a better situation than the one that he's got currently. You know, he wants to make more money off of it than Tusalud than than Michigan should pay him if that's what it is. And I think That's what I'm waiting to hear. But I don't understand this business of like, you're going to lose your coach because North Carolina's waiting for him. Get the hell out of here.
Yeah, but that's such an antiquated notion.
Well, it's maybe five, ten years ago that would have been the case, but now it's the field is a little more level. Yeah, of course. More than it's too with Kansas. I understand rock, chalk, jayhawk. You know, back in the day.
The man who came up with the idea of a hoop and affixing it to a pole used to be there. You think a kid cares about that? No. No. I don't know what kids care about.
No. I couldn't tell you.
Well, you got one. But you're going to be in that laboratory as Cage gets older. Yeah. But some kids do have parents who are of age and maybe they're driving them in. Maybe.
The lure of North Carolina basketball is greater than the lure of Michigan basketball just so. I'm talking about a guy who took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four, and Michigan came knocking on his door and saying, We would like you to be our next head coach. He has accepted that job. And he has done so exceptional at that job. And every player that he's been able to, I guess, target.
I'd imagine, I'm not fully aware, he's gotten. And look what he's done with those kids. He's gotten the laboratory that he's able to be himself, coach the way that he wants to coach with the players that he can get. And Suddenly North Carolina's a better job. Because, why, the past?
And again, one of the kids who we are so dependent on, you heard how Jalen Rose said. Adai Mara better to stay out of foul trouble. Elliot Cadeau has to stay out of foul trouble. In the same way that there's only one seven-foot, you know. Behemoth that Michigan's able to put out there, there's one guy that can run the offense like Elliot Cadeau, and it's Elliot Cadeau.
Yeah. And he came from North Carolina. He left North Carolina for Michigan.
So the coach should go the other way around just because it's North Carolina knocking?
Well, they have the ultimate X Factor. It's 23. It's Mike. How involved is he in the program? Is his opening up his pocketbook?
Like, that's a big deal. Or. Dr Dusty May. Has a chance to cut down a net? Just like he did.
In Chicago, Underneath Jordan's 23 with his own 23. Who's the Big Ten player of the year who he got from UAB? As opposed to anybody else, because Lindeborg was highly sought out. and May was able to land him. and put him in that uniform.
And let him shine as the Big Ten player of the year. And we'll see what happens against Arizona. And if Michigan loses. Because Arizona's the better team, I I tip the cap. and say this is one of the best years I've had watching Michigan basketball ever.
But the whole idea that, oh, he's going to leave North Carolina just because North Carolina's a better job than Michigan's, I uh. I cry foul there. We take a break, 844-204-Rich. Number to dial here on the program. We've got a What's More Likely Friday.
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That's linkedin.com/slash Eisen terms and conditions. Apply. Let's go to Jerry in Columbus, Ohio. It's been waiting for a while. What's up, Jerry?
Hey. Fourth One is Congratulate, maybe. Going back to the mothership.
Okay, thank you. Let them ruin you. Be you. I'm going to always be me, Jerry. What else is on your mind?
Uh Consider that More likely Friday. Yes. What's more likely? What do you got? Matt Nage.
changing Jackson Dart into the next Patrick Mahomes. Or changing him into the next Justin Field. Oh, man. Yeah. Cherry.
Wow. Those are I would call extremes. I'll go positive. I always do that. Jackson Dart, I don't think.
I think we've already seen more He's already bowed at Justin. I don't know. Fields had some moments in Chicago. He really did. Um, But it's not really on Nagy, too.
I know he's the OC there. It's really getting them the weapons. And I think John Harbaugh is just going to change everything there successfully soup to nuts, Jerry. Really? When are they going to ever get back to the basics and get an offensive line?
Well, they're constantly going to right, exactly. Are you a Giant fan sitting there in Columbus? Sitting in purgatory. I'm a Bushman boy. Awesome.
So am I. Thanks for the call, Jerry. Please call back. Greatly appreciated. Matt Neggie for the Giants is something that.
I don't think we've addressed yet. As the OC, I know he tried to, he was up there for some other HCs. But that's a nice choice there. And he wasn't dialing up the plays. It was Andy Reid, as we all know.
Um more often than not there in Kansas City. But I I how about this? I think it's going to be a um in between Mahomes and Fields. With with it you know, on the positive side of things. That I think Jackson but Jackson's got I don't like.
Giant fans n never like it when I say this sort of thing, but Nor does Dart, or you heard what when we had Scataboo on a last month, what he was saying, too. He he's just got he's just gotta slide. He's he's gotta get out of bounds. It's all in front of him. Play smart.
Yeah. Let's go in the let's be the quarterback, a Pro Bowl, championship quarterback of Big Blue, not the Big Blue 10. Uh-huh. Let's go to Mike and Chevy Chase, Maryland. What's up, Mike?
Mike. Hey, Rich, thanks for letting me on. I'm not a regular caller. I love the show. Thanks, Pal.
And I really echo the comments that Jalen Rose made about you and your integrity and professionalism and quality. But that's not why I'm calling. And you gave a lot to talk about in the last half an hour. And I'm a Duke guy, but I won't get into the Carolina thing because I would never leave Michigan if I was Rusty May. But anyway, I was listening to your conversation with Donovan, Landon Donovan, regarding taking a point off of Carlos Alcarez.
And I could say for certain that, and I don't know you, and I really don't know your true physical abilities, but there's zero chance you take a point off of Alcarez. I don't think you would even get a racket on any of his serves. And if you got a serve in, I'm pretty sure you probably wouldn't get a racket on his return. I would love to see it.
So hopefully you can arrange it. And I have, unfortunately, done this similar challenge about eight years ago with Rafael Nadal. And I was a pretty good tennis player, and I had the same result: zero points in a set. No points in a set. You know, Mike, is this the right time to reveal that I'm taking a tennis lesson later today?
Uh I think it's time to reveal that, Rich. Yeah, yeah. I hope you prove me wrong. Oh, yeah. I'd love to see it.
Yeah. And do you want to know what Mike? Put him on clay. Play him on clay because even though, like, I played Nadal and Clay, but even though he's the greatest clay player of all time, it slows the game down a little bit.
So you get a little bit better chance. Thank you, Mike.
So that's be my recommendation. Thank you very much. Thanks to Mike and Chevy Chase Maryland. First time, hopefully, a frequent time. That was informative.
Informative and helpful. Helpful. Yeah, let's go on clay, where Rafa was better than you. Like, see what I'm going? Oh, I got you.
Yeah, I see what you're saying. See what I'm saying? Yeah, I got you. Uh-huh. I always like making Mike Hoskins laugh while he counts me down.
The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
