It's official...former Michigan OL, college and pro football hall of famer Dan Dierdorf will join former Michigan teammate Jim Brandstatter in the booth for Michigan football radio broadcasts starting this fall. Jim will slide over to Frank Beckmann's former spot for play-by-play duties, and Dierdorf will handle color commentary.
Obviously Dierdorf is a very recognizable name/face/voice for any Michigan fan. Plus having spent the better part of the last 30 years in front of the camera calling NFL games for ABC and CBS, he certainly has the proper amount of experience.
The 64-year old Dierdorf is an interesting choice, but obviously the thought process here is Michigan and IMG want a familiar name and voice to replace the 65-year old Beckmann. Personally, I like Dierdorf, but I'm willing to concede that his best days in the booth are probably behind him. Dan officially retired from TV broadcasting in November last year. If Michigan and IMG are looking for a long-term radio duo, this ain't gonna be it.
But you can't argue with the unique combination both men have with their Michigan pedigree and tons of broadcasting experience. Should be fun to listen to.
Via MGoRelease:
ANN ARBOR, Mich.(April 17, 2014) – The University of Michigan Athletic Department and IMG College, the university’s multimedia rights partner, announced today that College and NFL Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Dan Dierdorf will be joining Jim Brandstatter in the radio booth for Wolverines football broadcasts on the Michigan IMG Radio Network beginning this fall.
Brandstatter, who has served as the team’s color commentator on the flagship radio broadcast for the past 34 years, will handle play-by-play duties and Dierdorf will provide color commentary for the flagship broadcast of Michigan football, heard on WWJ-AM (950) in Detroit.
“Jim and Dan are hall of fame broadcasters and great Michigan Men,” said Brady Hoke, the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. “They will provide a unique perspective to the broadcasting booth that I’m sure our fans will enjoy on football Saturdays, and you can guarantee they will have a keen analysis of Michigan Football on each broadcast.”
“I’m so excited to be able to come back to my alma mater and contribute in this manner,” said Dan Dierdorf. “This is the only broadcasting job that I would have considered after retiring from the network television. It’s a chance to return to the city where Bump gave me an opportunity to play for the greatest program in the world and Bo made me a man.
“I was always jealous of Jim calling games at Michigan and often said that one of my goals was to come back and call a couple of series with him,” added Dierdorf. “To work with one of my best friends, someone that I’ve known my entire adult life is really special, and I’m looking forward to getting in the booth with Jim this fall.”
“I’m really excited about the challenge of moving to play by play,” said Brandstatter. “I have huge shoes to fill, but, I have learned so much from the great ones I’ve worked with and I can’t wait to get started. And, it’s Michigan Football….it doesn’t get any better than that!
“Dan knows the game inside and out and is an outstanding broadcaster,” added Brandstatter. “First and foremost, he loves Michigan Football, but he’s also a good friend, a teammate, an NFL Hall of Famer, and we have fun when we’re together. I just hope the listeners have as good a time as we expect to have broadcasting Michigan victories this Fall.”
“We are more than excited to have two great Michigan men who are great broadcasters teaming up to paint the picture for the fans listening each week to the Michigan IMG sports network,” said Chris Ferris, VP of Broadcasting for IMG College.
Brandstatter and Dierdorf were teammates at Michigan during the 1969 and 1970 seasons, with Brandstatter being Dierdorf’s backup for those two seasons at the strong tackle position. Brandstatter joined Dierdorf (2001) as a member of the state of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame this winter (2014).
No comments
Post a Comment