January 20, 2026 • 21 mins
Chris Petersen, former Huskies football coach, joins Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain to talk about his Hall of Fame induction, Indiana’s National Championship, his take on the entire Demond Williams situation, plus the Seahawks and Sam Darnold at quarterback.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
One of the newest members of the College Football Hall
of Fame, joining guys like Mark Ingram, Aaron Donald, Marvin Harrison.
Chris Peterson joins us right now on the radio show
What's Up hof for How are you.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
S Austin Jig? How are you guys doing good?
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Good? We're thrilled to have a Hall of Famer on
the radio show.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I mean, dude, congratulations, Man, that is freaking awesome.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Tell me about this and when you found out, how
you found out and kind of what your reaction was, Man.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Well, you know, it was kind of cool how I
found out, because I really I had not thought about
that since I've been nominated, I don't know, sometime last year,
and had no idea when they're voting or anything like that.
And I was out of town the other day and
(00:50):
I got a call from Pat jung at UW and
he's like, Hey, are you at home? And I'm like no,
And he said he had a text to me. He
called me when you can and he's like, you're on
speakerphone and I think you had a bunch of administrators
in there, and and he was the one that broke
the news to me, And it was really cool. You know,
coming from him, like I really, I really appreciated that.
(01:14):
And the people that were in the room, and you,
Dub were some of the administrators that were working when
I was there, because I am under no illusions in
the game. The reason I love football so much. It's
the ultimate, the greatest team sports, and you really feel
that when you're the head coach. You know, there could
be a great player and put up good stats and
(01:36):
whatever sport, even football, and they may go into a
you know, a hall of fame of some sort, but
you're not going to do that in football as the
head coach unless you have really high level players across
the board from an administration, the great players coaches that
have been with you for a while and get it
(01:58):
and gets your way, and then a really passionate fan
base that wants to win cares about what you're doing there.
And I had that both at Washington and at Boise State.
And so to me, and I mean this sincerely, this
is an US Award one thousand percent.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, well, coach congratulates. This is just fabulous.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You were one of the most grounded in reality people
though that that Softie and I have ever been around.
So did you ever even let the thought of being
a Hall of fame or creep into your mind before
you're even nominated.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Listen, I've been through the gamut of the highs and
lows of winning, of losing of awards, and I have
learned that winning and awards and those type of things
change nothing in your life. Sometimes we're chasing things for
(02:53):
a long, long time, goals that we've had, and we
achieve those goals. And if we think that's going to
change change us, the people around us are life circumstances.
You're going to be sorry, mistaken, And so I've learned
that long long ago. I mean, it's a cool thing.
It's a brief moment in time. It's cool that you
(03:15):
can celebrate with people that were part of that because
it's never about just you. But after that, it is
what it is.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah, Well, do you give a speech at like a ceremony?
And is there a speaker that introduces you? And if
there is, can I do it?
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I hope, I hope there's not a speech. I think
there might not be. I think they got this thing
dialed where they may ask a few questions. But I've
heard there's not really a speech. But you know, what's
kind of interesting the other coast going in. I think
there's four, and I'm not sure it's the other guys
that are alive. I heard they may not be because
(03:55):
I'm not familiar with them. I saw some of their work,
but I'm not sure. But the other one that and
I know it's alive is Gary Patterson from TCU. When
I was playing at UC Davis quarterback back in the day,
we got this new linebacker coach in my time there
that stood out was loud and clear. That was so
(04:17):
different from the coaches that I played for. And I've
told you guys this before. Jim Soker is in the
College Football Hall of Fame. He since passed away. But
I had about two or three other guys who were
truly Hall of Fame coaches. Bob Foster, Bob Biggs, all
these guys were game changing coaches. I never remember a
coach ever on the practice field raising their voice because
they were angry. They raised their voice when they got
(04:38):
really excited about good things. But it was just so different.
And this is so long ago, when you know bost
coaches treated people like dogs on that practice field. These
guys were not like that. They were game changers. So anyways,
in comes of this young hotshot coach from Kansas, and
he's completely different in a good way. That is Gary Patterson,
and he's our linebacker coach. And I remember and you
(05:00):
only stayed with a couple of years, and I remember thinking, man,
he's interesting. I think he's going to probably do something
in this business if he stayed in it. And so
it's been cool to know Gary forever and see him,
you know, at the same time, you know, going to
this thing.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
That's great. You guys are going in together.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Chris Peterson again, a new new member of the College
Football Hall of Fame is with us, and I mean
Kurt Signette, who knows he might be on his way
to joining you one day. Changing unbelievable story in college football.
You know, I told Dick coach earlier that we used
the word unbelievable a lot in sports. This is truly
one thing that is hard for me to believe what
(05:37):
Kurt Signetti just did at Indiana. What do you make
of the job this guy's done and watching that game
last night, takeaways from the job those guys did against Miami, Well, what.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
He's done, it's not a question of if one day,
he's going into the Football Hall of Day. I think
he's already in there, even though it's not like official. Yeah,
that's how unbelievable list nobody's seen anything like it now,
Like anything like timing has to matter when you're going
to do these like unbelievable game changing things, which he's
done the transfer portal and nil has completely transformed the
(06:14):
situation for him to be able to do that. Now,
a lot of other people have the same opportunities and
have not been able to do that. But we've been
saying this for a couple of years. This is changing
the upper echelons of college football way more parody. And
you get the right administration, the right coach, right assistant coaches,
(06:36):
that right locker room, and a lot of money, things
can change rather quickly. And he has cracked that code.
And it's going to be really fun and awesome to
watch this Indiana football progress and see if he can
sustain because there's nothing like the climb and getting there.
It's awesome, and you know, once you do something and
(06:59):
win a champion or something like that, it's nothing short
of exhausting to stay there, right, And so I'm really
interested to watch him sustain this. But I think we
saw last night in college football like that is like
what college football is all about. Miami barely getting in,
shouldn't be in a lot of London's minds, and they
(07:20):
get in and they go all the way and could
have won that game. And then here's Indiana out of nowhere,
you know, building off last year's and what just a
great game. And so when I look at the college
football playoffs, kind of take out the first round. First
round was okay, there was a couple of good games.
From the second round on, it's like, this is just
great football, man, These matchups are special, and this is
(07:40):
a fun game to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Well, only got the iconic moment last night with the
Fernando Mendoza touchdown, But coach there would never have been
that moment if coach Sig doesn't go for it on
fourth and five. So let's put coach Pete in that situation,
twelve yard line, nine minutes to play, you're up by three,
puts you up a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Would you have gone for it? There?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You want an honest answer, you want coach speak. Oh,
I'm going for it, honest answer. I'm probably kicking it.
I don't know you know. I mean, I think this
analytic thing is so interesting to me because I see
coaches go for it so often. I'm like, just take
the points. Yep. At that point, I was really surprised
(08:26):
he was kicking. It was his first inclination until he
called time out because he'd already gone for it. Fourth
and five, got got the big first down, got down there,
and I was thinking, I'm not sure if that does
enough for him. You know, I think it was gonna
put him up by six and they're gonna come down.
There's a lot of time and so but hey, what
a gutsy call, Like he was thinking the other way
(08:47):
had the guts to change it. And then you know,
the quarterback draw was awesome. And what was even more
awesome than the call was the run by Fernando Mendoza.
I mean that, you know, he had to step the
good runner, but that's like, that's not really his thing.
He can get out of trouble. He stuck his left
foot in the ground and made that move to the
(09:07):
right and then spun through those tackles. I mean, I'm like,
this guy, I am so glad he won the Heisman
Trophy because this guy observed.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
It no, no doubt. I mean it was like watching
the Matrixes. He just flew through the air and spun
around and crossed the goal line. Man, it was an incredible,
incredible run and one of the most famous runs maybe
in college football history, certainly Indiana football history. But Chris
Peterson's with us on the radio show, and Chris, we
do want to get your thoughts on what you're observing
from Sam Darnold and the Seahawks. I know you saw
(09:36):
Sam in person in twenty sixteen at Husky Stadium, won't
We won't talk about the way that game went, by
the way, but your your thoughts on McDonald as well.
But before we get to the Hawks, though, everybody wants
to know your voice carries a lot of weight in
this town. How did you react to the demon Williams
saga from Tuesday night to him announcing he was leaving
(09:57):
to Thursday night announcing he was coming back.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well, like I said, we saw the best and the
best of college football, you know, last night, and then
when those things were going down, I think we saw
the worst of the worst of college football. And no
criticism to them on it's the system or lack of
any sort of system. It makes absolutely no sense. And
(10:22):
I've been saying this for you know, every time I
talk to you guys, when I go down to Fox
with those people, it's like, Saturdays are spectacular in college football.
It's so much fun, the game is better, the parody
is good, you know, all those type of things. Behind
the scenes Sunday through Friday and in the offseason, it's
(10:42):
nothing short of misery for all the administrators and the coaches,
and more importantly, the fans, like I feel the fans
like they it's so many I'm just so done with
this college football thing. And so we're going through this
massive upheaval of change. We're gonna get there sooner or
later in the next few years. But it's just crazy
(11:05):
when you sign contracts and can't even make sense of
like is this really a binding contract and campering that
goes with it and all these type of things. So
it's not the Moss fault. I mean, he's going to
make this really good, like life changing money staying and
then they're going to pay him like a million more
dollars or whatever it was going to be to go
somewhere else. I mean, most of these guys are going
(11:26):
to never see this type of money ever again in
their life. And so it's not the kid's fault. It's
the system that we can't get right because of all
the lawsuits that are coming and so, but I did
think it was kind of interesting that when the powers
that be kind of joined arms from the people at Washington,
(11:46):
the Big ten and said no, no, no, no, this is
not going to happen. We're going after this one. And
they were smart enough to put something into contracts with
the kids about transfer portal type stuff. There was a
problem for that, and so all of a sudden, you know,
then he's not going to transfer. But I feel for
the kids, like I really do. Like these kids are
(12:07):
going everywhere, and I promise you half these kids moving
on are not making better decisions. Some of them are
because the money is so game changing, but you know
it's gonna have to go to collective bargaining sooner or later.
You'd love to get help from Congress, like the NFL
has twice, but that you know, Congress can't even look
at each other these days, so that's probably not happening.
(12:30):
But I think the fans, that's who I'm talking to,
I think you just need to hang in there a
couple more years and still support and root for your team,
because you know, the Saturdays are so special to me.
They are different than the NFL and in a different
good way, even though the NFL is pretty cool these
days right now. But just hang in there, and this
(12:51):
thing's gonna get ironed out. You just it's just gonna
have some of the stuff's gonna you don't have to
go through the courts, and I think eventually it's gonna
have to be this collective bargaining, and but that's going
to take some time.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Hall of Fame coach Chris Peterson joining US coach, how
would you have counseled Demand after the PR mess and
how would you have advised him to make reparations with
his teammates and with the fan base.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
You know, first of all, I think Jed Fish is
really good at what he does, and I think that
Jed will do a great job counseling Demand what he
needs to do to take the next step. But you
know what, I don't think it's going to be nearly
as big a problem in the locker room as maybe
some people on the outside think. What has been my
(13:36):
experience over time and again now I was out of
it before all the money got thrown around in those
locker rooms, but it was still similar type things. Players
are very forgiving to one another, especially when it comes
I think to this NL NIL market, like they get it.
It's like what are the rules? Oh, and you can
make all this like dame changing, life changing money and
(14:00):
this contract may or may not mean it's like it's
very hard on them, and I think those players will
see that. And it's been my experience that the players
are pretty forgiving to one another. I'm sure Demon will
do a great job speaking to the team and you know,
making amends with them, and I think he and Jed
will have a good plan moving forward to you know,
(14:21):
talk to the Husky fan base, because it's just interesting
that like that epic center of this mess kind of
came to the University of Washington, and I think Washington
handled it well, and you know, I think the mon's
going to do some really great things for Washington next year.
And as everybody's navigating through this, I just hope that
(14:41):
everybody in this city that's you know, a dog fan
can have some grace and you know, get back on
the bandwagon and cheer these Huskies on and because, like
I said, there's pretty hard to beat those Saturdays when
the guys are playing at a high level.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
You know, you're so much more mature than It's ridiculous.
It is just ridiculous. I don't know, man, you're like
just just just a miniature Buddha, like Ron Burgundy said,
with all your wiseness here on the radio station. But
Chris Peterson's with us, and Chris, we got to ask
you about what's happening at the vMac.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Man.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
I mean, you saw Sam Darnold twenty sixteen came to town,
and I got no problem with you losing that game
because they were a good USC team. But I don't
like the fact we were black uniforms for that game.
That kind of irritated me. But whatever, we'll talk about
that one day down the road, unless you want to
chime in now.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
So funny, you were so funny because you worry about
stuff that has nothing to do with nothing. I wouldn't
remember that he wore black uniform if my life depended
on it.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
You were winning games, How were you doing changing the uniforms?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
I don't get it. Yeah, yeah, and again, your our
socks weren't at the right level. And yes, right, I
know the scarf that you wear to the game was
being washed and it made us loose. Right, I will
say this, I don't remember the uniforms were lost. We
will we uh were. But I do remember Sam Donald,
and I do remember him going into that game and
(16:07):
studying tape, thinking, oh, man, this guy is good. This
is one of my favorite quarterbacks that I've seen in
a while. And it's funny. I went over to the
v MAC. I think it was earlier this year, might
have been in fall camp or something like that, or
I think they had played a couple of games, and
I saw Sam and he came right up to me
and he goes, oh, my gosh, do I remember that
game with John Ross? And you know Keith Schanbierre hit
(16:29):
me he knew them, all those guys all are connected.
And he had a big smile court And I said, yeah,
of course you got a big smile. Course you'd remember
that game. Course of course you want to reminisce like
you rubbed our face into that. But I remember, like
that was the guy that beat us. And so I've
always been a Sam Donald fan, and I'm you know,
I have a lot I didn't lose prackt of him,
(16:50):
and I was really glad to see him go to
Minnesota and get some things done. And then when he
came here to Seattle, it was awesome because I'm like,
this is one of one of the guys I've always
enjoyed watching, and now I'm going to see him up
close and personal. And I think, you know, this quarterback position,
I mean, you guys, tell me, is there some position
in all of sports that is more difficult to play?
(17:13):
It is just the hardest position at all. And so
I think it takes so long to get so good,
and I feel like Sam is still growing, learning and
getting better. You know every time we go out there
and watching plays, and you know, the way you grow,
the way you learn all those things is it's not
going to be all clean. There's gonna be interceptions, there's
(17:34):
gonna be turnovers, there's going to be misreads. But you
feel like he is growing, He's starting to hit his stride,
and most importantly, it really feels like these Seahawks are
starting to hit their stride. And the one thing that
I really feel from the Seahawks team about Sam Darnold,
say whatever you want to say.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
About him, But I feel like his guys believe in
him on offense and on defense, and that matters as
much as anything when you're in that locker room.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Well, how about this coach, Chris, I mean, SAFTI called
you the Buddha, I mean they Mike McDonald seems a
lot older than thirty eight years of age.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Man, he is.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Wise beyond his years. What do you think of the
job he's done, particularly with his defense.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, I mean it is amazing and I actually love
listening to every time I hear him talk. You know,
I just think he's really smart, really analytical, like how
he approaches things, very system based. I'm telling you what
I mean. I know, like everybody's juiced about this game
coming up with the Rams, but in my opinion, this
(18:39):
is the super Bowl. Take out all the two week
hype that's going to come after this game, whoever goes
these to me, are the I mean, the rivalry here,
the competitors between these two teams, the knowledge that each
has of each other, how these games have gone. This
is really like the super Bowl to me, and I
think whoever comes out of it is probably gonna win
(19:01):
the super Bowl. And so what a chance what a
great opportunity for everybody in Seattle and you know, in
the country to watch this game. But like the people
who get to go to that game and see that
thing up close and personal. I mean I went to
the last game that they were here and saw that
and I was just like, you know, sixteen point lead,
and you know, I know those Rams coaches real well.
I'm pretty tied into those guys. And a couple of our
(19:22):
old Husky coaches are down there, and oh yeah, you know,
I know Sean really well. I think what a matchup
between Sean McVay and Mike McDonald. I mean, it just
it doesn't get any better than that. And so I
think this is a treat and I know, like it's
the rival and everybody's me mugging going into the stadium
and all those types of things. But don't forget you're
(19:45):
not going to get that many opportunities to see these
type of matchups, and so appreciate it for what it is.
Root your team on, but enjoy the heck out of it,
because to me, this is this is going to be
better than the Super Bowl is.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well, I tell you what, man, I got an ill
a little wager with Scottie Huff on this game and
you'll be shocked.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
It's a case of beer on the line for this.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Game on Sunday, So I know that doesn't shock you
at all talking about scott Huff. But hey, coach, great stuff. Man,
Just don't forget the little people, okay, on your way
to the Hall of Fame, man, don't forget the little
people like us.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
On the radio.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
So congrats again in an awesome honor. You deserve it
big time. And we'll talk down the road.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Man. I appreciate you guys have me on, and when
you have me on, keep playing those little sound bites
of me talking to you guys, because I don't remember
saying half the stuff I said, and it makes me
laugh every time that I'm like, did I really say that?
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
And you guys love keep needling me on those dumb
things that said way back when.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
This might be this might be my favorite one.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
By the way, right here, can we get some new material?
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coach, you're the man, great stuff. We'll talk down the
road see you, Bud.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Thanks a right, guys.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Chris Peterson with us.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Never in one time ever heard your radio show.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Now as he listens to the radio show because he's
talking about the drop.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
So we've changed the man. They all listen.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
If you knew there was somebody on a podcast or
a radio station or a TV station that was talking
about you, and you're in your car, you're.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Telling me you don't flip it on. Get out of here, man,
what did you ask that question?
Speaker 1 (21:19):
All right, we're gonna break, Robert Turbin said to join
us at five on ninety three three KJRFM
One of the newest members of the College Football Hall
of Fame, joining guys like Mark Ingram, Aaron Donald, Marvin Harrison.
Chris Peterson joins us right now on the radio show
What's Up hof for How are you.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
S Austin Jig? How are you guys doing good?
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Good? We're thrilled to have a Hall of Famer on
the radio show.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I mean, dude, congratulations, Man, that is freaking awesome.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Tell me about this and when you found out, how
you found out and kind of what your reaction was, Man.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Well, you know, it was kind of cool how I
found out, because I really I had not thought about
that since I've been nominated, I don't know, sometime last year,
and had no idea when they're voting or anything like that.
And I was out of town the other day and
(00:50):
I got a call from Pat jung at UW and
he's like, Hey, are you at home? And I'm like no,
And he said he had a text to me. He
called me when you can and he's like, you're on
speakerphone and I think you had a bunch of administrators
in there, and and he was the one that broke
the news to me, And it was really cool. You know,
coming from him, like I really, I really appreciated that.
(01:14):
And the people that were in the room, and you,
Dub were some of the administrators that were working when
I was there, because I am under no illusions in
the game. The reason I love football so much. It's
the ultimate, the greatest team sports, and you really feel
that when you're the head coach. You know, there could
be a great player and put up good stats and
(01:36):
whatever sport, even football, and they may go into a
you know, a hall of fame of some sort, but
you're not going to do that in football as the
head coach unless you have really high level players across
the board from an administration, the great players coaches that
have been with you for a while and get it
(01:58):
and gets your way, and then a really passionate fan
base that wants to win cares about what you're doing there.
And I had that both at Washington and at Boise State.
And so to me, and I mean this sincerely, this
is an US Award one thousand percent.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, well, coach congratulates. This is just fabulous.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You were one of the most grounded in reality people
though that that Softie and I have ever been around.
So did you ever even let the thought of being
a Hall of fame or creep into your mind before
you're even nominated.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Listen, I've been through the gamut of the highs and
lows of winning, of losing of awards, and I have
learned that winning and awards and those type of things
change nothing in your life. Sometimes we're chasing things for
(02:53):
a long, long time, goals that we've had, and we
achieve those goals. And if we think that's going to
change change us, the people around us are life circumstances.
You're going to be sorry, mistaken, And so I've learned
that long long ago. I mean, it's a cool thing.
It's a brief moment in time. It's cool that you
(03:15):
can celebrate with people that were part of that because
it's never about just you. But after that, it is
what it is.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah, Well, do you give a speech at like a ceremony?
And is there a speaker that introduces you? And if
there is, can I do it?
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I hope, I hope there's not a speech. I think
there might not be. I think they got this thing
dialed where they may ask a few questions. But I've
heard there's not really a speech. But you know, what's
kind of interesting the other coast going in. I think
there's four, and I'm not sure it's the other guys
that are alive. I heard they may not be because
(03:55):
I'm not familiar with them. I saw some of their work,
but I'm not sure. But the other one that and
I know it's alive is Gary Patterson from TCU. When
I was playing at UC Davis quarterback back in the day,
we got this new linebacker coach in my time there
that stood out was loud and clear. That was so
(04:17):
different from the coaches that I played for. And I've
told you guys this before. Jim Soker is in the
College Football Hall of Fame. He since passed away. But
I had about two or three other guys who were
truly Hall of Fame coaches. Bob Foster, Bob Biggs, all
these guys were game changing coaches. I never remember a
coach ever on the practice field raising their voice because
they were angry. They raised their voice when they got
(04:38):
really excited about good things. But it was just so different.
And this is so long ago, when you know bost
coaches treated people like dogs on that practice field. These
guys were not like that. They were game changers. So anyways,
in comes of this young hotshot coach from Kansas, and
he's completely different in a good way. That is Gary Patterson,
and he's our linebacker coach. And I remember and you
(05:00):
only stayed with a couple of years, and I remember thinking, man,
he's interesting. I think he's going to probably do something
in this business if he stayed in it. And so
it's been cool to know Gary forever and see him,
you know, at the same time, you know, going to
this thing.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
That's great. You guys are going in together.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Chris Peterson again, a new new member of the College
Football Hall of Fame is with us, and I mean
Kurt Signette, who knows he might be on his way
to joining you one day. Changing unbelievable story in college football.
You know, I told Dick coach earlier that we used
the word unbelievable a lot in sports. This is truly
one thing that is hard for me to believe what
(05:37):
Kurt Signetti just did at Indiana. What do you make
of the job this guy's done and watching that game
last night, takeaways from the job those guys did against Miami, Well, what.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
He's done, it's not a question of if one day,
he's going into the Football Hall of Day. I think
he's already in there, even though it's not like official. Yeah,
that's how unbelievable list nobody's seen anything like it now,
Like anything like timing has to matter when you're going
to do these like unbelievable game changing things, which he's
done the transfer portal and nil has completely transformed the
(06:14):
situation for him to be able to do that. Now,
a lot of other people have the same opportunities and
have not been able to do that. But we've been
saying this for a couple of years. This is changing
the upper echelons of college football way more parody. And
you get the right administration, the right coach, right assistant coaches,
(06:36):
that right locker room, and a lot of money, things
can change rather quickly. And he has cracked that code.
And it's going to be really fun and awesome to
watch this Indiana football progress and see if he can
sustain because there's nothing like the climb and getting there.
It's awesome, and you know, once you do something and
(06:59):
win a champion or something like that, it's nothing short
of exhausting to stay there, right, And so I'm really
interested to watch him sustain this. But I think we
saw last night in college football like that is like
what college football is all about. Miami barely getting in,
shouldn't be in a lot of London's minds, and they
(07:20):
get in and they go all the way and could
have won that game. And then here's Indiana out of nowhere,
you know, building off last year's and what just a
great game. And so when I look at the college
football playoffs, kind of take out the first round. First
round was okay, there was a couple of good games.
From the second round on, it's like, this is just
great football, man, These matchups are special, and this is
(07:40):
a fun game to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Well, only got the iconic moment last night with the
Fernando Mendoza touchdown, But coach there would never have been
that moment if coach Sig doesn't go for it on
fourth and five. So let's put coach Pete in that situation,
twelve yard line, nine minutes to play, you're up by three,
puts you up a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Would you have gone for it? There?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You want an honest answer, you want coach speak. Oh,
I'm going for it, honest answer. I'm probably kicking it.
I don't know you know. I mean, I think this
analytic thing is so interesting to me because I see
coaches go for it so often. I'm like, just take
the points. Yep. At that point, I was really surprised
(08:26):
he was kicking. It was his first inclination until he
called time out because he'd already gone for it. Fourth
and five, got got the big first down, got down there,
and I was thinking, I'm not sure if that does
enough for him. You know, I think it was gonna
put him up by six and they're gonna come down.
There's a lot of time and so but hey, what
a gutsy call, Like he was thinking the other way
(08:47):
had the guts to change it. And then you know,
the quarterback draw was awesome. And what was even more
awesome than the call was the run by Fernando Mendoza.
I mean that, you know, he had to step the
good runner, but that's like, that's not really his thing.
He can get out of trouble. He stuck his left
foot in the ground and made that move to the
(09:07):
right and then spun through those tackles. I mean, I'm like,
this guy, I am so glad he won the Heisman
Trophy because this guy observed.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
It no, no doubt. I mean it was like watching
the Matrixes. He just flew through the air and spun
around and crossed the goal line. Man, it was an incredible,
incredible run and one of the most famous runs maybe
in college football history, certainly Indiana football history. But Chris
Peterson's with us on the radio show, and Chris, we
do want to get your thoughts on what you're observing
from Sam Darnold and the Seahawks. I know you saw
(09:36):
Sam in person in twenty sixteen at Husky Stadium, won't
We won't talk about the way that game went, by
the way, but your your thoughts on McDonald as well.
But before we get to the Hawks, though, everybody wants
to know your voice carries a lot of weight in
this town. How did you react to the demon Williams
saga from Tuesday night to him announcing he was leaving
(09:57):
to Thursday night announcing he was coming back.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well, like I said, we saw the best and the
best of college football, you know, last night, and then
when those things were going down, I think we saw
the worst of the worst of college football. And no
criticism to them on it's the system or lack of
any sort of system. It makes absolutely no sense. And
(10:22):
I've been saying this for you know, every time I
talk to you guys, when I go down to Fox
with those people, it's like, Saturdays are spectacular in college football.
It's so much fun, the game is better, the parody
is good, you know, all those type of things. Behind
the scenes Sunday through Friday and in the offseason, it's
(10:42):
nothing short of misery for all the administrators and the coaches,
and more importantly, the fans, like I feel the fans
like they it's so many I'm just so done with
this college football thing. And so we're going through this
massive upheaval of change. We're gonna get there sooner or
later in the next few years. But it's just crazy
(11:05):
when you sign contracts and can't even make sense of
like is this really a binding contract and campering that
goes with it and all these type of things. So
it's not the Moss fault. I mean, he's going to
make this really good, like life changing money staying and
then they're going to pay him like a million more
dollars or whatever it was going to be to go
somewhere else. I mean, most of these guys are going
(11:26):
to never see this type of money ever again in
their life. And so it's not the kid's fault. It's
the system that we can't get right because of all
the lawsuits that are coming and so, but I did
think it was kind of interesting that when the powers
that be kind of joined arms from the people at Washington,
(11:46):
the Big ten and said no, no, no, no, this is
not going to happen. We're going after this one. And
they were smart enough to put something into contracts with
the kids about transfer portal type stuff. There was a
problem for that, and so all of a sudden, you know,
then he's not going to transfer. But I feel for
the kids, like I really do. Like these kids are
(12:07):
going everywhere, and I promise you half these kids moving
on are not making better decisions. Some of them are
because the money is so game changing, but you know
it's gonna have to go to collective bargaining sooner or later.
You'd love to get help from Congress, like the NFL
has twice, but that you know, Congress can't even look
at each other these days, so that's probably not happening.
(12:30):
But I think the fans, that's who I'm talking to,
I think you just need to hang in there a
couple more years and still support and root for your team,
because you know, the Saturdays are so special to me.
They are different than the NFL and in a different
good way, even though the NFL is pretty cool these
days right now. But just hang in there, and this
(12:51):
thing's gonna get ironed out. You just it's just gonna
have some of the stuff's gonna you don't have to
go through the courts, and I think eventually it's gonna
have to be this collective bargaining, and but that's going
to take some time.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Hall of Fame coach Chris Peterson joining US coach, how
would you have counseled Demand after the PR mess and
how would you have advised him to make reparations with
his teammates and with the fan base.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
You know, first of all, I think Jed Fish is
really good at what he does, and I think that
Jed will do a great job counseling Demand what he
needs to do to take the next step. But you
know what, I don't think it's going to be nearly
as big a problem in the locker room as maybe
some people on the outside think. What has been my
(13:36):
experience over time and again now I was out of
it before all the money got thrown around in those
locker rooms, but it was still similar type things. Players
are very forgiving to one another, especially when it comes
I think to this NL NIL market, like they get it.
It's like what are the rules? Oh, and you can
make all this like dame changing, life changing money and
(14:00):
this contract may or may not mean it's like it's
very hard on them, and I think those players will
see that. And it's been my experience that the players
are pretty forgiving to one another. I'm sure Demon will
do a great job speaking to the team and you know,
making amends with them, and I think he and Jed
will have a good plan moving forward to you know,
(14:21):
talk to the Husky fan base, because it's just interesting
that like that epic center of this mess kind of
came to the University of Washington, and I think Washington
handled it well, and you know, I think the mon's
going to do some really great things for Washington next year.
And as everybody's navigating through this, I just hope that
(14:41):
everybody in this city that's you know, a dog fan
can have some grace and you know, get back on
the bandwagon and cheer these Huskies on and because, like
I said, there's pretty hard to beat those Saturdays when
the guys are playing at a high level.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
You know, you're so much more mature than It's ridiculous.
It is just ridiculous. I don't know, man, you're like
just just just a miniature Buddha, like Ron Burgundy said,
with all your wiseness here on the radio station. But
Chris Peterson's with us, and Chris, we got to ask
you about what's happening at the vMac.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Man.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
I mean, you saw Sam Darnold twenty sixteen came to town,
and I got no problem with you losing that game
because they were a good USC team. But I don't
like the fact we were black uniforms for that game.
That kind of irritated me. But whatever, we'll talk about
that one day down the road, unless you want to
chime in now.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
So funny, you were so funny because you worry about
stuff that has nothing to do with nothing. I wouldn't
remember that he wore black uniform if my life depended
on it.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
You were winning games, How were you doing changing the uniforms?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
I don't get it. Yeah, yeah, and again, your our
socks weren't at the right level. And yes, right, I
know the scarf that you wear to the game was
being washed and it made us loose. Right, I will
say this, I don't remember the uniforms were lost. We
will we uh were. But I do remember Sam Donald,
and I do remember him going into that game and
(16:07):
studying tape, thinking, oh, man, this guy is good. This
is one of my favorite quarterbacks that I've seen in
a while. And it's funny. I went over to the
v MAC. I think it was earlier this year, might
have been in fall camp or something like that, or
I think they had played a couple of games, and
I saw Sam and he came right up to me
and he goes, oh, my gosh, do I remember that
game with John Ross? And you know Keith Schanbierre hit
(16:29):
me he knew them, all those guys all are connected.
And he had a big smile court And I said, yeah,
of course you got a big smile. Course you'd remember
that game. Course of course you want to reminisce like
you rubbed our face into that. But I remember, like
that was the guy that beat us. And so I've
always been a Sam Donald fan, and I'm you know,
I have a lot I didn't lose prackt of him,
(16:50):
and I was really glad to see him go to
Minnesota and get some things done. And then when he
came here to Seattle, it was awesome because I'm like,
this is one of one of the guys I've always
enjoyed watching, and now I'm going to see him up
close and personal. And I think, you know, this quarterback position,
I mean, you guys, tell me, is there some position
in all of sports that is more difficult to play?
(17:13):
It is just the hardest position at all. And so
I think it takes so long to get so good,
and I feel like Sam is still growing, learning and
getting better. You know every time we go out there
and watching plays, and you know, the way you grow,
the way you learn all those things is it's not
going to be all clean. There's gonna be interceptions, there's
(17:34):
gonna be turnovers, there's going to be misreads. But you
feel like he is growing, He's starting to hit his stride,
and most importantly, it really feels like these Seahawks are
starting to hit their stride. And the one thing that
I really feel from the Seahawks team about Sam Darnold,
say whatever you want to say.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
About him, But I feel like his guys believe in
him on offense and on defense, and that matters as
much as anything when you're in that locker room.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Well, how about this coach, Chris, I mean, SAFTI called
you the Buddha, I mean they Mike McDonald seems a
lot older than thirty eight years of age.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Man, he is.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Wise beyond his years. What do you think of the
job he's done, particularly with his defense.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, I mean it is amazing and I actually love
listening to every time I hear him talk. You know,
I just think he's really smart, really analytical, like how
he approaches things, very system based. I'm telling you what
I mean. I know, like everybody's juiced about this game
coming up with the Rams, but in my opinion, this
(18:39):
is the super Bowl. Take out all the two week
hype that's going to come after this game, whoever goes
these to me, are the I mean, the rivalry here,
the competitors between these two teams, the knowledge that each
has of each other, how these games have gone. This
is really like the super Bowl to me, and I
think whoever comes out of it is probably gonna win
(19:01):
the super Bowl. And so what a chance what a
great opportunity for everybody in Seattle and you know, in
the country to watch this game. But like the people
who get to go to that game and see that
thing up close and personal. I mean I went to
the last game that they were here and saw that
and I was just like, you know, sixteen point lead,
and you know, I know those Rams coaches real well.
I'm pretty tied into those guys. And a couple of our
(19:22):
old Husky coaches are down there, and oh yeah, you know,
I know Sean really well. I think what a matchup
between Sean McVay and Mike McDonald. I mean, it just
it doesn't get any better than that. And so I
think this is a treat and I know, like it's
the rival and everybody's me mugging going into the stadium
and all those types of things. But don't forget you're
(19:45):
not going to get that many opportunities to see these
type of matchups, and so appreciate it for what it is.
Root your team on, but enjoy the heck out of it,
because to me, this is this is going to be
better than the Super Bowl is.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well, I tell you what, man, I got an ill
a little wager with Scottie Huff on this game and
you'll be shocked.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
It's a case of beer on the line for this.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Game on Sunday, So I know that doesn't shock you
at all talking about scott Huff. But hey, coach, great stuff. Man,
Just don't forget the little people, okay, on your way
to the Hall of Fame, man, don't forget the little
people like us.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
On the radio.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
So congrats again in an awesome honor. You deserve it
big time. And we'll talk down the road.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Man. I appreciate you guys have me on, and when
you have me on, keep playing those little sound bites
of me talking to you guys, because I don't remember
saying half the stuff I said, and it makes me
laugh every time that I'm like, did I really say that?
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
And you guys love keep needling me on those dumb
things that said way back when.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
This might be this might be my favorite one.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
By the way, right here, can we get some new material?
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coach, you're the man, great stuff. We'll talk down the
road see you, Bud.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Thanks a right, guys.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Chris Peterson with us.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Never in one time ever heard your radio show.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Now as he listens to the radio show because he's
talking about the drop.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
So we've changed the man. They all listen.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
If you knew there was somebody on a podcast or
a radio station or a TV station that was talking
about you, and you're in your car, you're.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Telling me you don't flip it on. Get out of here, man,
what did you ask that question?
Speaker 1 (21:19):
All right, we're gonna break, Robert Turbin said to join
us at five on ninety three three KJRFM
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.