Tua Tagovailoa sat down with the guys from The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and revealed how much different it is to play for Mike McDaniel than it was to play for former coach Brian Flores.
Spoiler alert: It’s a LOT different.
Despite Flores denying it, word was out that his relationship with his former franchise QB was not the greatest. Tua seemed to confirm that by explaining in simple terms how he felt supported — or not supported — by Flores compared to his current coach McDaniel.
Tua says that whether it be good or bad, the more you hear something the more you come to believe it.
“You have a terrible person who is telling you things you don’t want to hear or that you shouldn’t be hearing, you’re going to start to believe that about yourself,” Tua told Dan Le Batard. “And so that’s sort of what ended up happening. It has basically been two years of training that out of not just me, but a couple of the guys as well that have been here since my rookie year until now.”
As far as the impact on the field? Let’s just say the stats don’t lie.
The next time Tua sees Flores will be as awkward and uncomfortable as Chris Cote in the middle of that couch in his short shorts!
Check out the full interview with Tua on our YouTube page and tune into The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network!
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Local Hour: Tua Tagovailoa and His Shiny Teeth
Today’s cast: Dan, Stugotz, Greg Cote, Chris, Billy, Mike, and Roy. It’s a Greg Cote MONDAY with the original cast alongside him! We begin the show with Billy Gil regaling the crew with pole vaulting stories. Then, we debut sound from Dan, Chris, and Stu’s interview with Tua Tagovailoa where Tua shares the differences in playing for Brian Flores vs. Mike McDaniel and how it impacted his psyche. Mike Ryan takes this moment to return as our vanity correspondent to discuss Tua’s teeth and share some of the things he’s done to maintain his own physical appearance. Plus, RIP Phil Donahue. Also, Greg takes out drones, Mike tries to out Abraham Lincoln, and a deep dive into the invention of toothpaste.
The Big Suey: As There’s A Drive Into Deep Left Field By Castellanos
Greg Cote spoke with University of Miami Head Football Coach Mario Cristobal for 20 private minutes and has some strong thoughts on how this season can and should go for the Canes. Is this the year Mario Cristobal finally takes UM over the top? Then, Happy 4-year Anniversary to the Thom Brennaman-Nick Castellanos call, Stugotz stakes his claim as “The King of Clark,” the Greg Cote Show Father-Son Olympics, and Shelly’s new boyfriend. Plus, there are some rumors swirling about John Ruiz and his involvement in UM’s NIL Collective, so as Mike clears that up, Dan, Stu, and Greg discuss NIL’s impact on college athletics.
Hour 1: Morning Wood
Is Noah Lyles a professional troll? As tensions continue to escalate between Lyles and athletes across the NBA and NFL, we learn about Ethan Bonner and Ethan Black who are white and not black and also run track. Then, Caleb Williams says hello to the NFL, and Patrick Mahomes may win the ESPY from a preseason play. Is it possible that Mahomes’ next 6 years will be better than his last 6 years? Dan believes it may just be the case, but Billy says not-so-fast. Plus, Roy Wood Jr. is here. He chats with the crew about Nicholas Cage playing John Madden, why the Chiefs are a boring dynasty, Hawk Tua girl throwing out the first pitch at the Mets game, and the Chicago White Sox misery. He also issues his semi-sure bet of the week!
Hour Tua: The Tua Tagovailoa Interview
Before we get to our exclusive interview with Tua Tagovailoa, there are a couple of important things we need to get to first: Why is Stugotz driving a different car every week? And why is Roy Bellamy limping around our offices today? Then, it’s Tua Tagovailoa like you’ve never heard him before as he sits down with Dan, Stugotz, and Chris for an extended interview at Miami Dolphins camp.
Postgame Show: Spliff Notes with JuJu Gotti
JuJu Gotti joins Dan and Chris to discuss the best and worst moments of today’s show. After recapping the Tua Tagovailoa interview and Chris Cote’s awkwardness, JuJu chats with Dan about the topics we didn’t get to today including Caitlin Clark going off in her return from the Olympic break, the Dancing Bear signing with the Sixers, Donald Trump overplaying his MMA hand, and Zion Williamson looking skinny.
VIDEO
Check out the Le Batard and Friends YouTube page for more and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the show on X at @LeBatardShow.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
