Hour 1: Sherrone Moore Michigan Reaction, Joe Burrow Opens Up, plus ESPN’s Ryan Clark

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1:24This is The Rich Eisen Show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Come after me. I'm a man. Rich Eisen. We're talking about practice. From the Rich Eisen Studios in New York City.

1:37Rich Eisen:Thank you, Sarah, everybody. Today's guests, ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark, pro football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, hosts of Bussin' with the Boys, Taylor Luan and Will Compton. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Well, hey, everybody, one and all. Welcome to this edition of The Rich Eisen Show. We're still here in New York City, day three of our four-day residency here in the wonderful world of Disney and Disney Plus and the ESPN app. Every single day between 12 and 3 Eastern, we say hello to everybody out there listening on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. I'm sitting here on The Rich Eisen Show set two hours after Get Up just got done.

2:25Rich Eisen:Ryan Clark as soon as first take is over which it just did. He's going to walk into our studio. He's going to be our first hour guest. Taylor LeJuan and Will Compton who were doing Get Up from this very set just a couple hours ago. Kind enough to stick around after class. They're going to join us in hour number three. Kurt Warner, our Pro Football Hall of Fame usual Wednesday guest is joining us here on this Thursday. Again, we're thrilled to be here in the Disney Studios, the Rich Eisen Show from New York City this week. Good to see you, Christopher Brockman. Hey Rich, great to see you, man. Good to see you.

2:55Rich Eisen:see you TJ Jefferson. DJ Mikey Diaz and D's Nuts is sitting here as well. Mike Del Tufo. It was a great night for the Jimmy V Foundation and for Stuart Scott's Foundation in concordance with it. Hosted the Booyah event here last night. Got lots of stories to tell you about all that. But we're starting with college football and everything that's going on with the Heisman race and with the Army-Navy game. What else? I don't know. All right, moving on. Oh, goodness. Letting my smile be my umbrella. Yeah, I have to. Obviously, this is a serious situation, and I've got a couple of thoughts on it since it involves my alma mater and institution of higher learning in a place that I hold so near and dear to my heart, the University of Michigan, and the head football coach, Sharon Moore, who spent Wednesday night, as we all know, detained based on what happened after he was fired with cause by the University of Michigan for having an improper relationship with a staffer.

4:00Rich Eisen:And I'm just going to come out and always do what I do here on this program, which is shoot you straight and lead with my heart. And I am gutted. I am shocked. I'm dismayed. I'm depressed. I'm disgusted. Every single emotion that you think I would have, I've got. I didn't see it in Sharon Moore when I've met him. He's been nothing but great to me, nothing but great to my family. And with what he's done as an acting head coach and up to this point as a head coach of the University of Michigan, I cannot believe that this behavior has been ascribed to him and appears to be behavior that he in fact endeavored, placing in jeopardy his marriage, his life, his professional life, his personal life, and a football program.

4:52Rich Eisen:And right now I go back and forth between, my gosh, the football aspect of it, but more importantly, the personal aspect of it. Because right now families and lives are shattered. Everybody involved in this is shattered. pieces on the ground based again on everything we're learning from reports police reports about what happened after uh Sharon learned that he was out as University of Michigan head coach shows you that this is more than just a football story it is something that is tragic and thank goodness no lives have been lost I don't know what was going on with Sharon Moore in his mind that was going down after uh clearly he had received the news and brought it back home, that he was no longer the head coach of the University of Michigan football program and the reasons why and everything that spiraled out of control.

5:47Rich Eisen:I think of his wife, I think of his three daughters, I think of him. I think of the young lady that's involved and everything that must be going on in her life and the choices that she might be lamenting right now and all the choices that everyone involved made and whatever was going on around the program. And I will just say this, and this may have something to do with the football aspect of it as well. It took no less than 90 minutes after Ohio State thumped the University of Michigan in the big house just a couple of Saturdays ago. It took no fewer than 90 minutes for me to hear the rumor about this.

6:30Rich Eisen:No fewer than four times from four different people calling me up, texting me. did you hear this did you know that what do you know about this and the rumor so nasty um i i didn't want to share the details with anybody with anybody i did reach out to a couple of friends to say did you hear about this i did mention it to suzy um and i think i came into you guys the next day and i'm like i i heard something awful yeah yeah that was what you said a couple times the rumors i'm hearing are so bad i don't want to repeat them right i want to spread them yeah because it's so awful and uh i i heard that something and i i did not but uh so when i was getting ready for last night's booyah event um and put my actually put my phone down for for about 20 minutes um and uh picked it back up getting ready to go there were 29 different texts from different people saying did you hear this can't believe that a lot of it uh all of us from the Michigan football world or just the University of Michigan world reaching out to me.

7:41Rich Eisen:What do you know? What do you hear? There's so many pieces that are currently up in the air and smashed on the ground. I don't even know what's the best way to move forward here. I have no idea what the investigation was turning up, if there's anything to be investigated above the Michigan football program in this regard. I have no idea. All I know is speaking on behalf, if I may, of the Michigan alumni base, this is terrible. This is an absolute disaster. This is a nightmare. This is something that I don't ever want to hear about any program or any coach or any family, let alone the one that I hold so near and dear and that I wear on my sleeve.

8:25Rich Eisen:I wear on my heart. I speak with my heart and my chest when I talk about this. everybody feels their way that way I hope about their their school I know you love Syracuse quite a bit you talk about it you Cape Court man I know you have love for many different schools um and and Mike you're a Notre Dame guy right so all of us I'm sorry I don't mean to fire in your direction TJ I'm just I'm just trying to keep some of this light you know um but uh for for me this is something that I could never imagine would roost in the house of the University of Michigan. And if this is all in fact true, and clearly there's going to be lawsuits and recriminations and talks and this and that about all of it, it is something that I don't know how we move on.

9:16Rich Eisen:And the only way that it can move on is a full accounting of what's gone down, a full accounting of what's gone down and why it went down and how it went down and who can prevent it from happening again and then at that point in time you do have to turn to the fact that there are players currently involved whether they are current members of the team or there are current members of the class incoming class at the university of michigan or players who just committed, players who just signed letters of intent, players who are on the dotted line, players who are there who are wondering what the hell happened with Coach Moore.

9:56Rich Eisen:When did we know? What happened? Maybe they heard the rumors. They can't believe that they're true. And then there's a transfer portal on January 2nd. And what do you tell any of the kids there to actually tell them on behalf of all of us here at the University of Michigan? This is not the way it is, although it is. This is not the way it's supposed to be, even though it is currently being. How do you tell those people? I wish I could do that right now and have it sink in because this is, again, larger than the football team. This is about what we talk about at the University of Michigan and what that Block M is all about and trying to untarnish that right now over everything that's gone on.

10:47Rich Eisen:And I don't know how to do that. And so if there's anybody out there in the Michigan fan base, I know Taylor Luan is joining in hour three, has reached out to me like, you can do something. I have no idea what I can do. I have no idea if Lane Kiffin's in Bryce Underwood's driveway right now. I have no idea if that even matters based on how everything has gone on. I have no idea who could be the next football coach at the University of Michigan because right now, you know, to be straight up when I was going through all of the emotions having heard all this, because, again, I have really enjoyed my interactions with Sharon Moore.

11:23Rich Eisen:He's been on this show. You guys have met him. He's been, again, great to my family. We just brought Cooper to the campus there. He could not have been more gracious in introducing him around, and I could not have been more prideful of all that. And now all of that being called into question is so conflicting for me that I did spend at one point in time, after thinking about all this, saying if there was an investigation going on, could they have wrapped it up before everybody else just signed everywhere, including two Big Ten spots against teams that are coming for Michigan when they do play one another, including, you bet, Michigan State.

12:03Rich Eisen:and that that cycle of hiring is now done and in the books. And now Michigan's going to go into that market with this hanging over the program's head and try and figure out who that person is. Because if that person is currently getting set for a college football playoff game, well, I don't think that person's going to be available. And if you think it's somebody maybe from the National Football League, You know, there are some names that are being thrown around out there. What are they going to do, just leave their teams in the middle of the December run to take the University of Michigan job in the middle of all this just to make sure that everybody understands don't enter the transfer portal?

12:47Rich Eisen:What happens if you want a coach who's actually winning football games that matter? Well, that coach won't be available until, say, January or in the National Football League, maybe February.

13:01Rich Eisen:When this all went down, it's amazing that in the history of this show, as we're sitting here from the seat of Disney in New York City, we came on the air and I was caping for Jim Harbaugh. Like, he's got to come back. At the time, though, it was clear that things were not working out between him and the San Francisco 49ers and that Michigan had the ability to potentially wait for him. And it all worked out. The timing here couldn't be worse. And I'm saying this again with a heavy heart and completely conflicted because when it all comes down to it, me sitting here wondering about the timing about the football program, when there are people staring into the abyss about how their lives have been completely upended by the choices that have been made by others, completely out of their control.

13:51Rich Eisen:and that includes a wife apparently and three daughters apparently and whatever's going on in between the temples of Sharon Moore lives shattered it makes it feel like I'm being a small person wondering about what about a football program because it is a much larger issue so if anybody's out there wondering what I'm thinking I'm laying it all out there I don't know I have idea what the future holds. I hope it holds nothing but greatness, but that's just me. I'm sure there is a bunch of other folks out there who are loving the Michigan tears right now. And I don't know what else to say other than what's on my mind and in my heart and what I could possibly do to help.

14:33Rich Eisen:I don't know what that is, other than just being honest and straight here and just telling anybody out there who's wondering, can it all work out? It's still a great place to go to school and play football. And hopefully at the end of the day, this doesn't fall completely apart on the football front and hopefully pieces who are on the ground of players there players who've committed to come in parents of those players who committed to this program in this school wondering if now they they thought they had four years potentially of this experience in front of them now they're wondering if they even want it in the span of 24 hours and then you're wondering what's going on in the halls of the regents who make these decisions or or anywhere in the athletic department.

15:16Rich Eisen:Everyone's wondering what is going on and who's the person to step to the fore. Whatever I can do to help, I'm there. But in terms of wondering what's happening right now, I'm with you. I don't know. All I know is it's a nightmare of a situation for a lot of people involved and more than just football. Let's take a break. Ryan Clark's going to join us here on this Thursday edition of the Rich Eisen Show from New York City. Obviously, we'll talk Talk about it with former Michigan Wolverine Taylor LeJuan when Will Compton comes by in hour number three together. We've got Kurt Warner coming up, and there's lots to talk about with him.

15:53Rich Eisen:Phillip Rivers coming back. I can't wait to hear what he has to say about that. And then Joe Burrow sounding like, talk about staring into the abyss. He said some things from his podium on Wednesday that sounded like a guy that's at the end of his run. Not just this season either. Andrew Luckian. Yeah, very Andrew Lucky is definitely a way to put it. So that's all still to come. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. Ryan Clark is making his way from next door to join us here in person on the Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen here, and summer's here too. And that means it's travel season. My favorite summer trip last year was to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

16:34Rich Eisen:With so many fans traveling for the Los Angeles against Kansas City game, they got to see how lively the city is. I love the culture and the amazing food that I'm still craving. Those memories remind everyone that it's that time of year to plan a little getaway. And that's why summer has a way of turning weekends into big events. One minute, it's a normal week. And then all of a sudden, a huge concert, sporting event, or festival brings people in from all over. And when that happens, visitors start looking for places to stay all across your city. So if you're already planning a summer trip of your own, You could list your space on Airbnb and earn a little extra cash while you're away.

17:12Rich Eisen:Doesn't have to be some big year round commitment. It's about making the most of a busy weekend when your place would just be empty otherwise. I can tell you, people love finding a place that helps them feel connected to the city that they're visiting. If your city's about to have a big summer moment, this is a great time to maximize your space. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.com slash host. Save$2 when you buy two cans of Superior Products Coverall Tire Dressing. Plus receive four times O rewards points now at O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Coverall delivers long-lasting shine.

17:49Rich Eisen:Visit your O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or OReillyAuto.com. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. May not be valuable from a rating standpoint, but they're important to us. Ryan Clark is here. Our ESPN radio audience presented by Progressive Insurance has just returned. We were just talking about the pivot and Ryan, your Emmy award winning work that's been done here over the first few years in your tenure here with ESPN right here on the Rich Eisen show from New York City. and you were talking about how the NFL Live show is like a family to you. Last night, I was a co-host for the Stuart Scott Booyah event that went down here last night.

18:31Rich Eisen:$3.1 million were raised in support of the V Foundation and Stuart's foundation within it. And Randy Moss got the first ever award. Yes, the Inspire Award. And he gave a corker of his speech. He was absolutely brilliant in talking about his experience with cancer and the family that he felt supported him, not just his own life and flesh and blood, but obviously his work family as well. And then talked about how Stewart inspired him as a broadcaster. He was phenomenal. That's what Dan came in saying the same thing that Greeny said that. And I'm actually sad I missed it. I was able to go to the event last year.

19:13Michael Eves, who does an amazing job. He's on the board. in continuing the work that Stewart started and that his daughters are so passionate about. So I wasn't able to be there last night. I ended up getting in late. I just, like when I think of Stewart Scott, and I even got to tell you the last time we spoke about how inspired I was and how appreciative I was of the way you honored him on the night you were back on SportsCenter. And if you're Randy Moss, if you're Rich Eisen, I mean, if you're, you know, SVP, like Stewart touched us all. Oh, yeah. You know, there was an authenticity in who he was that was still so professional, but also so him.

19:57And then to watch him battle cancer the way he did. And I don't know how many times I've YouTubed that speech, but also how many times I've YouTubed Jim Valvano's speech or Robin Roberts' speech. You know, I wish I could have seen Randy's because these are these people that in some way become bigger than life that also get humbled by it and don't allow it to kill their spirit. And I think sometimes we get bogged down in the everyday adversities of life that truly most people face and don't think about what someone else is going through. And to be able to keep that in perspective, man, with what some of these great humans have been able to share with us, I think that is truly a gift from God.

20:43Rich Eisen:Well, I'm with you, obviously, and that's excellently said right there. And last night was kind of like a Jimmy V speech type night. We laughed, we cried. It was a full day, a full night last night. And Randy was great. He was awesome, and it was great to see him. And he looks great, sounds great, his family looked great, and he was spectacular. I've got Ryan Clark here on the Rich Eisen Show. The best team in the NFL right now. Four weeks to go. Don't do me that, Rich. I got you. I believe it's the Los Angeles Rams. You do. And I know when you go back two weeks and you think to yourself, yeah, but they lost to the Panthers.

21:20The Panthers also went into Green Bay and got a win. But watching that game and the turnovers by Matthew Stafford, the pick six, the sack fumble late in the game, it still shows you how good they are because they had an opportunity to win. They're the best team, in my opinion, because they have the things I can count on the most. I can count on Matthew Stafford. I can count on the run game of Sean McVay, the two wide receivers on the outside, and Puka Nakua and Devontae Adams. and a front four that just won't quit, and young playmakers on the second level and the back end that may not be household names, but have made huge plays throughout this season.

22:00And so right now I believe they're the best team, and I can say all of those good things about the Los Angeles Rams, and then you can still ask me and I'll be like, I don't know if they're going to win it.

22:09Rich Eisen:Well, that's because everything is so wide open, and it does take some of us to wrap our arms around an NFL season being different than the year before, if not the several years before, which is why people are like, yeah, but they lost in Carolina. I'm like, well, wait a minute. Carolina also – wait a minute. Carolina has a chance to win its division. You know, and it's still just difficult for a lot of people to wrap their arms around the fact that the Chiefs and the Ravens aren't going to make the playoffs this year unless there's some massive turnaround. Sort of makes me sick. What do you mean?

22:47I know the world wants to believe that it's great when all these teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl. Nobody wants that. I don't really want that.

22:57Rich Eisen:You're talking Chris's language right now. Am I right, Chris? Yes, and I say the same thing about the college football. Playoff, like, hey, cool, James Madison, Tulane. Nobody's rooting for you. I agree. Sorry. And I'm from New Orleans. You don't get a seat at the big boy table for Thanksgiving. Yeah, the NFL, I get it. but it's tough for people to wrap their arms around like think about it last year's 15 win teams the lions are on the outside looking in the chiefs need to win the table and get some help to get in you got 14 win team in the vikings they're not making it you got a 12 win team in the washington commanders they're not making it so the number of and you've got the ravens that might not make it you've got a whole bunch of teams that were incredibly successful last year that are either definitely not making or may not make it again this year.

23:46Rich Eisen:And then you look at the Patriots and the Broncos, and you're wondering, are they for real? Can Carolina really – are they really for real? Yeah, it's entirely possible that they are for real. Well, I think the New England Patriots 100 % are for real. Drake May's ascension was no surprise to me. In this very studio at the beginning of the season or before the season started, the question was, what story are we not speaking about enough? And I said, it's Drake May and the possibility of him becoming a superstar. And some of the pushback was he wouldn't have the infrastructure around him from a roster standpoint that they might have been a year away.

24:24But that also didn't take into account what he was physically capable of doing and what the addition of Josh McDaniels could do for a young Drake May. When he said, it was something he said during his interview on Monday Night Football. He said, I get to watch Tom Brady do exactly what I'm being asked to do. That he's sitting in a meeting with Josh McDaniels, and they're talking about certain play calls, certain decision making. And Josh, think about the cachet that gives you as Josh McDaniels to be able to say, here is what I told Tom, and here is what Tom did. How do you refute that in any way as a player?

25:02And then what Mike, bro, I think back to when Mike Vrabel is running down the sideline with Antonio Gibson in Miami. And I'm like, how freaking cool is that? So, baby, look at your coach. And no one, he did this at a very high level. He also got in two, jumped into two fights in training camp. Like physically, God was bleeding. Goes through the drills with us. has the coaching acumen that you learn when you work with a Bill Belichick for most of your playing career and the things that you were able to do in Tennessee and be a coach of a year. And, like, that's your coach? Man, what they have going on is great.

25:43They're for real. I do believe the Denver Broncos are for real. I can say, I can be honest. Carolina Panthers, I am not as sold on them because sometimes they can be so bad. Right.

25:57Rich Eisen:Right, and they are in the are they arriving on time or ahead of time type conversation right now. I'm with you, and you look at the NFC South, and the Bucs have fallen off a little bit, and maybe you're just lumped into NFC South. Tonight, it's Bucs and Falcons this evening, and I'm not saying it's an afterthought. It's a National Football League game involving two franchises that really don't like each other, but when you look at the NFC, you're looking at the NFC North. You're looking at the NFC West for sure. Yes. And then, you know, I'm kind of proud of myself. I haven't brought up the Eagles to you yet, you know, because it just feels like it's a massive drumbeat about what's going on.