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Now, on with the show, ladies and gentlemen. This is the Rich Eisen show. Keith Gay Hernandez crushes one from the Rich Eisen show studio in Los Angeles. And the Padres have a pulse. Earlier on the show, Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner coming up.
Panthers wide receiver Tarewa McMillan. UCLA head coach Bob Chesney. Emmy award-winning actor Sam Richardson, and now it's Rich Eisen. All right, hour number two of the Rich Eisen show is on the air. We just chatted with Kurt Warner, the funny and talented, as you've seen him in Veep and.
Detroiters back in the day.
Now he's in the new Matchbox movie, if you will, on Apple. Sam Richardson, an hour number three. Bob Chesney, four and O UCLA football head coach, getting set to take on Oregon this week in a big game for the Bruins. He's going to join us here as well. I've already handed out my power rankings.
You know the world of fantasy football. Talk to you about our guillotine leagues and stuff like that. The best ball league that we talk about, where you just drafted players and they're on your team for the rest of the year, and you can't switch them out. There's no trades. There's no nothing.
You know, I'm in first place in that one. I noticed. Part of the reason is because I was wise enough to choose the reigning offensive rookie of the year for my team. And my goodness, was that just a cornucopia of fantasy points, actual points on Sunday night football? Teteroa McMillan, fresh off of his remarkable game on Sunday night, here on the Rich Eisen Show.
How are you, T Mac? What's going on, sir? I'm good. I'm good. How are you?
I'm. I'm happy. I don't know if you heard the way I introduced you. You. You made me very happy, and I'm sure you hear that all the time, as well as from the the the real football conversation as well.
When you're in the middle of a game like that, are you aware you're on a heater in a game like that? Uh, yeah. I mean, you can feel it. You know, the ball just keeps coming to you, and. You know, I guess you know, good things just happen.
So, you know, just kind of in that moment, for real.
So you don't, because I know receivers on occasion can get vocal. Do you get vocal when you know you're open and you know you're red hot and you want the football? Nah, man, I just work here, so you know that's that's not my job to tell them. What do you mean you just work there? You are working it there.
You don't say anything. Nah, nah, nah. I let I let you know the the coordinators and you know they got they got people upstairs in the booth watching the game to you know to let everybody know what's going on down there.
Okay, and your relationship with Bryce Young. Walk me through that. You're just on field, off field. Your relationship with your quarterback Tederaoa is what.
So I don't know. We we just cool people, I guess. You know, obviously both of us being from Cali, kind of just got that connection already, that chemistry, a lot of similarities. But you know he he's a cool dude. You know he he's always the same dude.
You know he doesn't get too high, too too low. You know he treats everybody the same, humble, kind, genuine type of person.
So you know definitely easy easy to connect with. And another walk me through situation here: third and fourteen, three and change to go. You know the Lions want the football back because they would have a chance to potentially win the game. Walk me through that moment, huddle to you grabbing that football where only you could. Please.
Shoot, really, just you know, Bryce called a a certain play for that situation. Third and fourteen. Got to get the first down. Got to convert. Obviously, to keep the ball away from the Lions.
And it was, you know, we got cloud coverage. It was really more just a in the moment trust thing. You know, Bryce trusted me to make a play. He threw it in a spot that nobody else can get it but me, and you know, I was fortunate enough to catch the ball and and and keep my feet in bounds. Did you know both feet were in bounds as you caught it?
Yeah, I knew. See, I'm trying to. I'm. Yeah, you you seem like you don't want to. Pound your chest a little bit here, but you do know what wide receivers in the National Football League normally do—they pound their chest a little bit.
T Mac, no, I don't know. That—that's just you know, I don't know. You're not—you're not a chest pounder. You're not anything like that. But you must have some sort of drive that's second to none.
Can you walk? Do you have that? You think? Ah. Really, I'm just I'm just enjoying.
You know, I'm I'm blessed to be where I am. Obviously, not too many people get to have the opportunity that I have. And you know, at the end of the day, it's just a game. You know, we're just having fun doing something we've been doing since a little kid. And you know, we just so happen to get paid for to do it.
So, a win-win situation for for all of us for sure. And where is your offensive rookie of the year trophy award? Where does it actually reside? That's still in the case. What do you mean?
What? What? No, they they just send me a little package. It's it's in a nice little case. Right.
Obviously, you got to open it up and see the. Yeah, I probably only. I looked at it one time and I put it back in and then just put it in the cabinet. With what? The bread and the cookies?
No, no, no. That's a that's the that's a separate cabinet.
Okay, so the pantry. That's the pantry.
Okay, all right. Why do you have it in the box? You should put it on a a shelf. No. No, honestly, I I don't know.
I think it's a little conceited when people have you know pictures of themselves or. Awards that they've won hanging up in their house.
So I don't know. That's just me, but you know.
Okay. I'm going to just leave right now to put that one single Emmy I won back in 1996 away. I'll get it. I mean, in the break. I feel I feel ridiculous.
The green room is filled with stuff. We'll put it. We'll put it away. You know. No, that's different.
That's at the office, though, ain't it? True. Yes. That's not your house.
Okay. Yeah, it's different. It's not your house. I mean, it's not here a lot.
Well. Everything here, your wife won't let you. Yeah, so you know it's a little bit different.
So yeah, yeah, it's it is the office, but I mean it's it's on display.
So then, shouldn't you bring it to your locker? Then it's that's your office. No, nah, nah, I can't bring it to the office.
Okay, moms didn't try to get it. Yeah, put it up in mom's room. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What about your what about your your folks? No, no.
Honestly, yeah. I probably just give it to my. Actually, my mom is the one with all my awards. Really.
Okay, I bet I won. Is that that that's in a that's in the the ancestral home of the McMillan family? Pretty much. Is that where? Yeah, I guess so.
I guess so. My mom really just steals all my memorabilia that I've. Of earned throughout my years of playing football, also it's good she can have it. It's called a mom prerogative, and I did meet your family briefly on the way to the draft in in Green Bay. We were on the same flight from wherever we connected.
You know, so I did meet your family briefly, and I'm sure that was a big moment for you. What what has it been like being a professional? Teterow and McMillan, and and and doing what you've been doing already so far, for you. Ah, sure. Nothing's really different.
The the game hasn't changed. It's still the same game. Just obviously in a different different scenery. You know, being able to be in Carolina, being able to be at the top of the top, playing the best of the best. You know, it's a blessing.
Like I said earlier, it's just a game, man. We just. Just playing something that I love doing and getting paid for it, so that's a win. What are your goals? You have them written down somewhere?
Nah, I don't got no goals.
Well, really, my goal is to win.
Okay, you know, my first playoff game for sure.
Sounds like to me. Listen, we've never spoken before. We've never really met except briefly in that that I guess you know airport terminal. Seems like you keep it simple. You know, you keep your award in a in a box.
You come to work. You don't have your goals written down. You just want to ball out. Is that? Have I gotten it right?
You just keeping it straight and simple. Hey, life is too hard, man. You got to keep it simple.
Okay, all right. I appreciate that. And then, I guess, last one for you. How far do you think this Panthers team can go? Hmm.
Only time can tell, but you know we have a a lot of talent on on on this team, both sides of the ball, a lot of playmakers on offense, a lot of dudes that that can go on defense. But at the end of the day, it's on us. You know, it's us versus us. You know, we got to make sure that we come to work every day, be consistent, stay humble, don't get complacent, and you know, try to take this as far as we possibly can.
Well, I don't think you're going to have any problem with the stay humble part. My gosh, that thing's in a box. Can all right? Here's what we're gonna do: you and I are gonna talk again on this show, and you're gonna bring the box. I want to see it.
I want you to open it, and then you could just close it. You can send it to us. We'll take it. How about this? You can you can hang it up next to your Emmy award.
Really? You want to send us the? You want to send it to us? I mean, we'll take it. Nah, I can't do that.
My mom. That's not safe. She'll be like, "Wait a minute, mommy, what are you doing?" And we definitely don't want any trouble there. Hey, congrats on that great game. Obviously, I know it's just one, but it's it's it's great to see.
You know, put that out there. It's the it was the first I think Sunday night home game. Panthers had in a decade, and you balled out, you know. And so I know that's the way you get more such games in your house because of stuff like that.
So, congrats on that, and I appreciate the time. No, I appreciate you for having me, and I'm glad I can help you in your fantasy league. Hey, you know what? That means a lot. That means a lot.
I'll let you know. I'll keep you up to speed. Listen, you keep doing what you're doing. I'll be very happy, man. Very happy.
I'll make sure to think of you. Thank you. Here's should we come up with something like a sign? Yeah, like a dance. Stay rich.
Oh, stay rich, ladies and gentlemen. You know what? The guy I played had Tedderoa. Oh, is that right? Yeah.
How'd you do?
Well, I lost by. Four tenths of a point, but I don't hold it against you. My man was ball. I appreciate. I was watching the game and loving it.
I was, I was, I was loving watching you go off. I can't front, so yeah, I don't. I don't hold that against him to a point.
Sorry, not sorry. Yeah, don't be sorry.
Sorry, not sorry. Like I said, you you put on a clinic, my g.
So I was okay with it. I was okay with it.
So do you get something for NFC Offensive Player of the Week that you can put next to the box that's not opened? You get something? You get like a tiff? Maybe just a few. I get posted by the NFL.
I get posted by the Panthers and get some claps. I guess.
Okay. All right. I don't know.
So just yet, yet more things. Just put on the shelf and keep balling out. Again, great to have you on the program. Look forward to the next time. Thanks again, Ted.
I appreciate you. That's Team Act. Stay home and there in that building and then across the football universe. Right here on the Rich Eisen show. Yeah, I have him in the Dillingham wig and propelled me to a victory.
Dude, that third and fourteen. Whoo! Because if again, as we discussed the other day, it would added an extra minute or so, no doubt. Yeah, and much better field position than the Lions wound up being in their own thirteen. Right.
No doubt. No doubt. Now then. Rich, I went up against Bijan and Teddero. That's why you lost.
Yeah, jeez. Yeah, Mike, would you ever take an Emmy and leave it in the box? Right, ever. Very funny. I have four boxes at home.
Never mind you, but they're not in the box.
Well, you keep the box. The box is very well. Yes, the box is like some mahogany. It's beautiful. Yes, because I know that from the the NFL 100.
The NFL films people were nice enough to, which you deserved for that 100. That was nice enough for them to do to do that. But you know, other than that, I don't know what the box looks. I see others carrying it. Yeah, you know, when I leave early.
Or late, one still in the box. Normally at the end. Yeah, we're normally yeah. They normally make me wait till the end. One of them still in the box, broken in pieces.
Okay. Oh well, that's because your ex-wife threw it at you. Good title. Fix that. Is there a trade that just went down?
Trade. A trade did go down just now. Kind of a big one. Hold on a minute. Do we?
You want to do? Do you want to give the whole treatment? Yeah. Let's do breaking news. Yeah.
Let's do.
Okay, Mike. Here it comes. All right, one of my favorite drops.
Okay, two teams—you know, big teams, big playoff hopes, Super Bowl champion teams. The Eagles are trading two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and a seventh-round pick to the Ravens for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Boom! Wow. Jergens is still in concussion protocol.
He's not going to play this week. He's going to make his Ravens debut in two weeks against the Browns.
Well, one would think here that one would think here that this is without a doubt something the Eagles wouldn't do with their offensive line already in flux. You know. Um. Man, that is wild, and Cam Jurgens, you know, who's who was the guy that was filling the role, if you will, the shoes, the very large shoes of Jason Kelsey, being sent to the Ravens a day after Lane Johnson retires. That's a surprise to say the least.
Yeah, Drew Kendall now gonna. I know he hadn't been performing well at all, and this offensive line is just not the same from the coach Jeff Stoutland being, you know, sent down the road to what it looks like now, and the Lane Johnson retirement. Um, while. You know, surprising or shocking because you never really see somebody who's a first ballot Hall of Famer four weeks into the season say, "I'm done. I'm not playing anymore." Um, and the conversation being in any way, shape, or form looked at through football sounds either tone deaf or downright missing the point.
Because Lane Johnson retired, as he said, and we all suspected, because he's been speaking about his own mental health for quite some time, born out of mental health issues, is the way that we always phrase it delicately when we talk about it in the media. And you know, he Instagrammed out a farewell. And an announcement that you know was unsurprising when he mentioned how you know I deeply wanted to gut it out. He's given it my all. Wanted to gut it out for one more year after 14 years to take the field with my brothers for one last season.
But after a lot of reflection, I've realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed. Right now, it's critical that I focus on my mental health. And he said that he basically could not give the head and heart a hundred percent in the game, and that his heart is telling him to say goodbye to football. And again, it is fair to say, you know, a football conversation out of it. And what will they do us with an offensive line without Lane Johnson?
But to say that part of the reason why he did retire is because there was no shot for the Eagles to win it all this year, based on what we're seeing for the first four weeks, is beyond the pale. Quite frankly. Lane Johnson has been dealing with this issue for a long time. In 2023, he phoned into the show before we had zooms and had this to say on the subject matter. I just think you know, obviously, maybe as hard as I may work in my profession, I think developing the person you know outside of this game is is ideal.
I think a lot of players, maybe in general, you know, maybe play a whole career in NFL and don't really. Kind of adapt to what life after football might look, and sometimes it's a tough transition.
So, putting everything into perspective, I think with you know, I work with a sports psychologist. You know, I talk to therapists, and you know, as reluctant as I was to try it in the beginning, I found out you know I was able to maybe peel back layers of myself and become a better you know father, become a better friend, become a better teammate. You know, everybody kind of involved. Mental health problems. If you know somebody who deals with mental health problems, you know this is no laughing matter.
This is no joke. We all deal with it. I think maybe you don't. You might not know that you do. Um, but it's no joke.
And if he's decided four weeks into the season, I can't suit up today against the Rams. And it gets out there that he's not playing due to personal issues. And at that point in time, we all who knew Lane Johnson, you know, either tangentially or well enough. Probably knew what that meant, and then the retirement announcement made it official. And I know in this day and age where we view football players, athletes in general, but football players as tough.
We're tough. They're tough. In that, mental health issues are something that you could get through because. You don't see a cast or a crutch or a brace. You know, it's something you don't see.
But I guarantee you, anybody who's hearing me right now who has a family member who deals with mental health problems, you see it, you feel it. And it crushes you because you want to help that loved one in the worst way, and sometimes you can't. You just can't. And the person who you want to help is also, on occasion, incapable of receiving that love and help in a manner that's helpful to them. And sometimes they don't understand why.
It's awful.
So the fact that he's retiring for this, I think, is you know commendable because he knows he's got to deal with it. And football is now the impediment. I'm sure he would love to play football with his teammates and be happy and enriched. Another year with the salary. I'm sure he's just, for whatever reason, seemingly cannot do it, and that's not weakness.
It's something he's got to deal with and step away. And if you're saying he's doing that because he's looked around and sees I got no shot to win one more ring, I'm out of here. You're missing the point of all this completely. Missing the point.
So, I send my best to you, Lane Johnson, and your family. And I, I hope you, you know, come out of this process the way you want to on a daily basis. You know, Jay Glazer always talks about gray days, waking up and there's a gray day, and you don't know why. Hopefully, it's just sunny days in Philadelphia. Where hopefully it's always going to be sunny for him, and we'll see you in Canton the first second you will be able to, because he's that good.
Take a break here on the Rich Eisen Show eight four four two zero four. Rich Bob Chesney of UCLA football. When we come back, the Rich Eisen Show podcast. Hiring for a small business is hard. You don't often have a team of people helping out.
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Be confident in your hiring decisions with LinkedIn Hiring Pro. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/eyes and terms and conditions apply. We have this gentleman on just after he was hired out of James Madison by UCLA, and now we're four games into the season, undefeated four and zero, getting set to take on Oregon in a big game. Ladies and gentlemen, back here on the Rich Eisen Show, head coach of UCLA football, Bob Chesney. How you doing, coach?
I'm doing great. Thanks for having us back on. Obviously, a big one coming up this weekend. No doubt about that. First things first.
Before we get to your team, you know, the coach at Oregon, Dan Lanning, let it be known that you called him after Dante Moore got knocked out of the game in USC, and offered you offered to go see him, take care of him if he was staying over. In LA, in in a hospital, and I'm I'm walk me through what you saw. What caused you to pick up a phone, Coach?
Well, I think first of all. I'm pretty sure that Dan would have done the same thing. That's a right. I think a lot of coaches possibly would. That's just kind of my upbringing and and and where I'm ultimately from.
I feel like taking care of people is the most important thing that we could do in this profession overall. And I know what it's like to leave a guy behind and and to get on a plane and go home, and especially a guy of that profile. And then depending on how he was doing, you know. Waking up or being in some hospital, you know that you're unfamiliar with with people you don't know, you know is is never a great thing. And I've had the chance to meet him on on an occasion or two now from being down in the Big Ten media days.
And I just felt like as a coach to a player, you know, being there and being present. I probably if if the word was go ahead, I probably would brought Nico with me, you know, and made sure that we were you know just representing and making him feel a little bit comfortable. We had the day off and. I think it was the right thing to do.
So, did did did you know Dan Lanning at all? Did you have to reach out to get his number? Like, what what happened? No, I we I have his number, and and and you know, I had a chance to meet him at one of the Big Ten media day, not media days, spring meetings. We all got a chance to hang out a little bit late that night, and you know, got a chance to meet him a little bit more personally.
But then played against him at JMU, and obviously then met him then, and met him at the the spring meetings, and then had a chance to. Just stay in contact from all the the texts that we're in the group chats that that all the head coaches are in.
So know him, you know. I wanted to say, you know, extremely well. Just knew at that point in time that one of his players, Maya, needed help, and I was willing to do that.
So, what did he say in in response? He just said thanks. You know, he's fine right now. I think he'll be out of there. You know, sooner than you know, probably later.
But if not, I'll give you a give you a holler. And then he sent me a message. And next day, said he's on his way home. Thanks for the offer.
Okay. Look at that! I mean, it's just, yeah. That's the kind of way I wanted to start this interview because obviously you you guys are playing against one another, but it's just fascinating to me that sometimes lost amongst the wins and the losses and the portals and the nils is just the humanity of all of it. You know.
Yeah, and I think too when you think about you know the just the profession in general, people pick up and move their whole families like hours here across the country, and however many other families came with us, moved straight across the country. And I think that you know this still is a people business when it's said and done. And I think that as much as we want it to just be about scheme and how smart we are as coaches, it is a people business, and the human element is the strongest part of any great organization.
So what obviously wins and. And losses is what we do pay attention to in the media, for sure. And you guys at UCLA and Westwood, being four and O to start the season, means clearly what you are are are selling is being bought by your players and and and everyone else around you. What what do you think has already taken place, rooted in Westwood, that you wanted to have root, Coach? Yeah, well, I think the first thing was just trying to figure out where this program was, how alive it was, or how dead it was.
Was one of the biggest things, and I think coming in here, I knew I personally had to dump a ton of energy into this. I knew that our coaching staff had to do that. I knew that our players had to do that, not only be involved in this building, but on campus and then also in the community. And those were all things that you know were were things that I'm very passionate about, regardless. But I thought I'd be the one bringing all the energy.
Energy and it would take a while to have people reciprocate, but man, I don't care if you're a 80 year old, you know, Bruin alumni lady. You are just as excited as the you know 25 year old ex football player, you know, that is watching what's happening happen now. And I just that's been the most impressive thing to me is as many opportunities we had to, you know, get out in front of our fans, get out in front of our alums, get out in front of you know the community, the energy. That's reciprocated is absolutely phenomenal, and I think that's where a lot of this starts—a belief, and then back it up with the work, and make sure that you bring the right effort and energy every single day. And that's what's happening here.
And obviously, consistency from you—that's that's that's crucial and that's key.
So, what what did you see that was, if you use the word "dead," that you think is now alive? Based on what? Yeah, I, yeah, yeah. I'm not saying I was saying that's something I had to evaluate immediately when I got here. Is it alive?
Is it dead? No, I got you. Listen, I don't, I don't want to put you in a position, but let's be honest. I mean, things were not going very well for the program, and for a while.
So, I guess what were things that were not working prior that you think over the last few months have led to a four and zero start for you. Yeah, I think just overall our standards—you know, what we're going to do on a day-to-day basis, how we're going to treat people, how we're going to take care of this building, how we're going to take care of everybody that touches this program—I think those are things that get missed when you often feel entitled or you feel like the world owes you something. That's not the stance that our players or our coaches take. It's about how do we keep giving more and giving more, and then in the end, it's funny—the more you give, the more you probably get. But for me, it's never been about just.
What can people do for us? It's what can we do for people? And I think when you find yourself in a program that just keeps giving, taking on more strain, you know, struggling a little more so that other people can struggle a little less, and doing it all with as much you know positivity and energy as you can. That's ultimately what I think was missing, and where we're finding ourselves with some low-hanging fruit that fits what we are, you know, naturally as coaches and players that join this team, and understanding at the root of this all is. The desire to win a Big Ten championship.
Not only that, but to put your team first, your teammates second, and yourself last. And those are all things we've all agreed to from day one. And and that is what you're you're ultimately watching, in my mind, come to fruition. Big Ten championship this year, like right now. Right now, man, I'm not putting any limits on us, and I don't think you should either.
I don't think anybody should. I think this is about us being in a position where we're going to give everything we got every single day, and I don't know that anybody has to predict numbers or you know say what we can and can't do. We'll we'll handle that on the field, and we'll handle that by how we practice each week and by how we play. You know how we practice all week and how we play each weekend. I'll tell you what.
One thing that definitely works in the Big Ten, having been around it for three decades as I've been. Since showing up on the Michigan campus in '86 is a run game, that's for sure. And you certainly have one right now—the three-headed running back monster, if you will—that you're building. What do you think's working on that front? Coach, yeah, I think, yeah, I think a lot.
I think that ultimately our coaches are doing a phenomenal job. Coach Kennedy and Coach Smith and all the other staff, and they're just they they design a phenomenal run game every single week. They make sure that they dress it up nicely so that you don't see it exactly the same. But at the same point in time, you know, there's a lot that's put on the quarterback to get us into the right call. If we have two calls in a huddle, it's got to be his job, you know, to get us to the right one, and he does a really good job of that.
Whether it be run the run or run the pass or pass to run. Those are all things end up on his plate, and he's very capable of doing that, which is something you know that we were wondering if he had that, and he absolutely you know has that intellect and that football acumen to be able to handle that. And then I just think the toughness that our offensive line plays with the running backs will you know get the credit, but I think every single one of them would walk right down the hall and give the credit back to the offensive line and the tight ends and just how well and how hard and how together they play. Yeah, first nationally in rushing. Touchdowns third and yards per carry fifth and yards per game.
Wayne Knight, you're not the only James Madison transfer around there. What did you see from that kid that you're like, come with me and let's let's plug in in the Big Ten. Yeah, yeah, you saw a lot from that kid. You know, he was, and I think that Oregon game a year ago sort of shined a different light on him. He was, you know, just running rough shot through the the Sun Belt, and you know, just it was hard to tackle.
Very physical. You know, gets to full speed very quickly. Could kind of hide behind the line a little bit and does all these things that make a running back dangerous. And and he's you know really really good. We got that Oregon game then at the end of the year and.
He still held his own at that moment in a team that obviously we were, you know, decently outmatched. With we still, you know, were able to do some things, and a lot of it had to do with him.
So I think that gave him the confidence. We always had the confidence in him, but gave him the confidence to know that he could play at this level. I had Sean McDermott on my show last Friday talking about Chiefs and the Raiders as an upcoming game in the NFL. And again, I know I'm talking about the professional ranks here for a moment, but it's an analogy. I think it's kind of a an equivalent to he.
Said it was a buy-in game for the Raiders, and that what Clint Kubiak had already preached. Clearly, the Raiders had bought in on it, but to beat the Chiefs, it was a massive opportunity for the buy-in to explode. Do you think this is? A similar situation going up to Oregon for your Bruins this week. Yeah, I do, I do, and I do because I understand that we're you know four and O.
We're not four and O. You know what kind of four and O are we? Is what people are asking, right? And ultimately, what are we going to be when we get into this game? A lot of people still don't know if they should believe or not, and I think that this is a game that gives an opportunity to a lot of people to truly believe in what we're doing here.
Okay, and who from the UCLA? Alumni base has reached out to you the most over the last few weeks or months. Yeah, I think a lot of people have, but the the one the one that that reaches out probably the most more than anybody is Doc Roberts. He's constantly reaching out to me and constantly staying in communication with me. And um, you know, he's you know doing what he's got to do right now, obviously with the Dodgers.
But at the same point in time, he is a you know a guy that I lean on a lot, and and I think we see the world of sports the same way, and I think we see the the way to treat people you know very similar. As well, and I think that's the thing that we're just a really you know good natural bond between he and I, and I'm his biggest fan, and he's ours too. That is so cool. If you don't mind, I'd love to you know dive into that a little bit. What can you share some of the conversations you have with the manager of the Dodgers?
Oh man! I mean, honestly, there's a lot of them. It's probably every you know two three days. I'd say that we're we're communicating, you know, and it's via text on the phone, whatever it might be. You know, he's just wondering how we're doing.
How does the team look? I'm asking him the same thing, you know. And it's just one of those things that we're you know leaning into each other a little bit for just exactly you know conversations that head coaches get a chance to have. No, I mean, listen, I. Could be, you know, coy and basically say he's telling you get yourself an Otani and an unlimited budget, and you got yourself going.
But in all seriousness, I mean, he is a wizard, and I use that phrase lightly when I am talking to someone from UCLA, a button pusher and also a people person that appears to be next level. And I am, is that sort of stuff that you mine his craft for? Coach, I think that's what we. I think that's what we both talk a lot about. Yeah, we're not talking really exos and scheme and those things.
It's more about team dynamics and and people, and that is, you know, where we both see it similarly. And he definitely has an ability to inspire people at a very different level. And I think that's ultimately what we're trying to do here on a day to day basis is just inspire these guys to reach heights they never imagined to be possible. That's pretty cool.
Well, listen, Coach. I enjoyed meeting you here in person over the spring, and you know you've got every Bruin fan that I know of all jacked up. I mean they're they're out of their gourds to see what you're building already, you know. And I understand you're just only a month in in terms of playing football. But I'm sure you feel that, and and and and I'm wondering, you know, what you say in response to people who are just out of their minds that you clearly have a heartbeat that's significant.
At this point, yeah, I think that yeah. To me, it's it takes a village, and and they are certainly part of that village. This is this is not a place or a sport where you could do it alone, and and only the people in this building can do it.
So, I'm glad they're proud. I'm glad that we're giving them something to believe in, and I'm looking forward to getting up to Eugene on Saturday and getting a chance to give a little bit more. Yeah, got to keep pace with Corey Close, right? That's right. Yeah, that's right.
That's not easy to do either. No, I mean she just won it all. She's hanging a banner in Pauley Pavilion, and you know that's what it's about at that program. Yeah, and she's another one too. You want to talk about?
Please understanding the power of people, right, and the the power of team, and and how to motivate people, and how to allow them to be themselves and be passionate in the game that they love. There's a lot to be gleaned from her as well. I bet. Thanks for the time, Bob. Bob Chesney, good luck against Oregon.
Just so you understand, Dan Lanning on this program when he came on. TJ, you want to ask him for free shoes? Wow! Oh my God! Dan Lanning for free shoes, and he sent you free shoes.
Over his left shoulder looked like a really nice pair of kicks. I've been looking at those fours this whole this whole interview. No, Coach, I didn't ask. I didn't ask Coach Lanning for shoes. I just mentioned that I knew Oregon had nice shoes, and I wore a size thirteen.
And he said, "Well, you're lucky. That's my size," and he sent me a pair.
So you know. What a nice guy! Fantastic. And just leave it at that. But I do have a pair of UCLA sneakers.
Okay, there you go. All right, Bob. If you're a size 11, okay. Oh, oh my God, I can't believe players went there. Right?
Yeah. Okay. Yeah, like this man's a Footlocker. That's I'm saying. That's I'm saying.
Right, Coach? No, your. That's right. I mean, I we aim to please, though, so we'll see what we can do here. Oh, he's just being nice.
By the way, that's a Los Angeles thing. Yeah, let's hang out. We'll do lunch. You're already. He's already.
Los Angeles. That's perfect. Let's hang out. Wait a minute, I'm not going to call you. Thanks for the time, Coach.
Appreciate it. All right, appreciate it. Go Bruins. That is right. There you go.
Number 21 UCLA at number 13 Oregon. Coming up this weekend, Coach Bob Chesney of the 4-0 Bruins here on the Rich Eisen, the Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. In a world in need of a hero, one man rises to the challenge in style. He is just driving the kids to soccer practice. Make every day feel epic in an all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid with up to an EPA-estimated 619 miles of range on select trims, advanced tech, and class-leading interior space.
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News. Best cars in cars at cars dot us news dot com, and visit hyundaiusa dot com for more details. Why don't you eight four four two zero four rich number to dial right here on the program? Let's go to Jack in Kansas City. Jack, what's up, Jack?
AC, what's up, Jack? On the WeatherTech fan line, you there, Jack? Ah, he's up. All right, put Jack, put Jack back away. He's up.
Ray in Lompoc, California. What's up, Ray? How you doing, Rich? What's going on? What's on your mind?
What's on your mind here?
Well, I just wanted to say I've seen a lot of things about the Niners trying to trade for a wide receiver either at the deadline or before. I think they should just bolster that defensive line. I think Vita Vea would be a perfect pickup. I know that's kind of like a dream world, or even like Will McDonald to someone from the Jets. You know, because they're probably not going to do anything this year, unfortunately.
So, whoa, Ray! Whoa, Ray! Whoa, Ray! Right. Well, well, so you you're just going to take one of the best young Jets players just because they've got nothing going on?
Is that what you're saying? Right. So you you think they'll?
Well, I'm just I'm just following the idea. That's a dream world. Dream world.
Okay. Disrespect is real. Yeah. Disrespect is real. Yeah.
I. You know, let's get Bosa back and see what's up. You know what I mean? Yeah. But how many teams?
Thanks the call, Ray. How many teams need a wide receiver right now? Like everybody, isn't that crazy? And your Patriots like told the told the Texans before the season, hey, yeah, you want Case on you take him.
Now Matt Collins might be out this week. I mean, we're really scraping the barrel. Ramondre Stevenson may not practice. Yikes. Yeah.
Okay. Yeah, but by the way, this is a big game for the Jets this week. They're one and three. Yeah, they won the opener, lost three in a row. That is correct.
And if they lose this one at home against Cleveland, I don't care that Cleveland's three and one and looking like Cleveland. What does that mean? That they're three and one and looking like a Cleveland team that's that's good. Pardon me. All right.
I didn't finish my sentence. No, I don't. No, I don't care that Cleveland looks like a different Browns team and that the Browns aren't Brownsing anymore, and f that and all that stuff that Monken's saying. Jets fans do not view that. They don't view that as like, oh, higher register.
Like, oh, this Browns team's a little bit better. No, no, no. If Cleveland's coming into your house and you're one in three, it's time to win this football game. You stand tall and you tell the Jet fans that show up. Only the second home game right now.
We got this. I hate this team. And then you go out to New England and you beat them. That kid's back.
Okay. And then you come home and take on Miami, and now you're above 500. Before you take on the Vegas Raiders, and if if the Browns are now suddenly turning things around, and you're not, and Vegas is turning things around, and you're not. It can get pretty quick, difficult there. Quick, so let's see what's up.
That's what's up. That's a pretty big game this weekend. Yeah, sneaky, because I'm sure the Browns are sitting there going, "We can go to the Jets and win that one." And we're four and one. That's what's up. Four and one, and then welcome in Baltimore the next week.
Yeah, especially at the Ravens without Lamar, maybe go down to Atlanta and catch an L there. Entire. That's a big game, Browns and Jets. With all due respect to everyone else who's looking to disrespect both teams. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast.
You can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to three Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
