Colin Cowherd discounts JJ Redick’s coaching aptitude because of his backwards hat

As JJ Redick interviews for NBA head coaching jobs, a backwards hat was all Colin Cowherd needed to know he’s not worthy of running a team.

It’s the bit that just won’t die. Nobody would fault Cowherd if he flip-flopped after years of criticizing athletes for wearing their hats backwards. This is, after all, a radio host who touts the ability to change his mind on something based on new information being available.

But even though he’s seen people like Tom Brady don a backwards hat since crafting this take, Cowherd still uses the fashion choice as a way of fleshing out signal callers. And apparently, that extends to NBA head coaches.

During Wednesday’s episode of The Herd on Fox Sports Radio, Cowherd reacted to a clip of Redick and LeBron James from their Mind the Game podcast.

So, about that JJ Redick backwards hat…

“I didn’t hear a word LeBron said. I couldn’t stop staring at the hat.” — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/rCaGHINF8c

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 8, 2024

“Don’t love the backward hat for JJ Redick. Didn’t like it,” Cowherd ranted. “I didn’t hear a word LeBron said, I couldn’t stop staring at the hat. JJ Redick’s going for NBA head coaching jobs, he looks like a guy that’s gonna move my couch.

“Didn’t like it, I’d tell JJ to his face. I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re gonna be an executive in this league. You’re gonna be a high-level executive or coach.’ Whatever, you guys can go ahead and push back on that stuff. I didn’t like it. My opinion, my show.”

It makes you wonder what basketball sidelines would look like if NBA franchise owners only hired coaches based on the way they looked, or how they dressed while taping a podcast.

Redick responded to the clip of Cowherd railing against his hat with a “LOL,” while LeBron James shared images of an NBA coach and executive wearing their hats with the brim pointing to the rear. Maybe that’s LeBron sticking up for his podcast co-host. Or maybe that’s LeBron sticking up for his soon-to-be head coach.

If Cowherd is just trolling with this bit, he’s doing a great job. But if this exhausted hot take is real, it’s time for Cowherd to take his own advice by remembering, “The idea that you don’t change your opinion is counterintuitive to intelligence.”

[The Herd]