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Evan & Tiki

Sean McDermott Has No Market and the Knicks’ Locker Room Feels Broken

Evan & Tiki

Audacy

Sports

4.6945 Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2026

⏱️ 12 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The discussion starts with the surprise firing of Sean McDermott and why, despite his résumé, there has been almost zero immediate interest around the league. The guys explain how teams were already deep into their interview processes, why McDermott’s exit from the Buffalo Bills caught the industry off guard, and how playoff consistency does not always translate to hot coaching demand. From there, the focus shifts back to the Knicks and what feels like a deeper problem than wins and losses. Callers and hosts break down the lack of urgency, respect, and cohesion surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns, including frustration with his on court habits and body language. A revealing clip from Carmelo Anthony adds context to the idea that outside noise and “rabbit ears” can derail a player mid game. The segment also digs into where the Knicks slide really began, why New Year’s Eve in San Antonio feels like the turning point, and how unresolved locker room tension can quietly snowball. All of it unfolds with a major contrast in the background as anticipation builds at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, where Giants fans await the arrival of John Harbaugh and a moment that feels stable and hopeful in a New York sports landscape full of chaos.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This tells me that teams were so far down the road with their interviews that even with the bills making the decision to fire McDermott, they aren't altering their plans.

0:08.9

Because we have not heard, and it's only been 24 hours, we haven't heard any teams say, oh, hold on, let's interview Sean.

0:16.4

Well, the question is, was that a surprise? Was that a surprise firing?

0:20.1

Because I think we kind of had speculated about it because they kept kind of like the Ravens

0:26.2

and also like the Steelers.

0:27.9

They kept hitting their heads, right?

0:29.6

Hitting it on the ceiling, whether that's the AFC Championship or even divisionally.

0:33.1

They couldn't break through ever.

0:35.5

And so when he gets fired right after losing the game this past weekend to the Denver Broncos,

0:40.6

and it wasn't like he got out coached.

0:42.5

It was just kind of like circumstance and bad officiating.

0:45.9

And he lost maybe to a better team on the road.

0:49.4

He gets fired.

0:50.2

So is that a surprise?

0:51.4

Or were they expecting to do this at some point?

0:53.7

That's the question in Buffalo that I think the fans are saying, yeah, we're fine, get rid of him. But I don't think anybody in the industry was saying, yeah, Sean McDermott's on the hot seat. I think people thought it if they lost to Jacksonville. So what Sean McDermott just accomplished is something only three dynasties have accomplished, which is win a playoff game in six consecutive seasons. Only the Chiefs Patriots and the Cowboys dynasty did that. That's crazy. Yeah, they became the fourth thing. So I think once he beat the Jaguars won that playoff game, I think people just assumed, all right, you know, whatever happens from this point forward. And he didn't get out coached in that. One thing about that stat that's misleading is that because we only have one by, they tend to be playing a very weak opponent around that those other teams wouldn't have to play in it. That's true. That's a good way to look at it. If they're in the wild card, they're almost guaranteed to go through. Yeah. I mean, think about some of the bad teams or not bad teams, but non-great teams they've beaten in the postseason. I think it also shows that Sean McDermott, while he did a great job in Buffalo, and I would say he did a great job, he'll turn that organization around. I may not like him personally, but the Buffalo Bills went from that post-Gim Kelly Marvilevy era into darkness, and Sean McDermott was a big part of turning that thing around. There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in him around the league. Maybe it's a lack of respect. Maybe it's the shock that you mentioned, Teak. I'm not sure, but I haven't heard his name left anyway. I just think, as you were alluding to, it was unexpected. And so because it was unexpected, he was on nobody's mind. Yep. They weren't saying if, I think if people people were saying, if Mike Tomlin gets fired, we're going to go grab him. They were ready to pounce. If John Harbaugh gets hired, we're going to go pounce on him. I don't think anybody was saying, if Sean McDermott gets fired, so that cycle is going to take a week, but our teams already deep or already made their decisions possibly.

2:34.7

Let us go to Mike, who's calling from Goshen, Connecticut.

2:38.3

What's up, Mike?

2:39.6

Hey, what's going on, guys?

2:41.0

How you doing?

2:41.7

All's good, Mike's up.

2:42.5

Hey, Evan, I have to kind of get on you a little bit.

...

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