Craig James is "leaving his job as an ESPN college football analyst to run for the Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat in Texas," according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. James has been "replaced by Danny Kanell as analyst for today's Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl." James, who "called ESPN/ABC Thursday night and Saturday afternoon games, became a divisive figure off-air after he played a role in the firing of Mike Leach as coach of Texas Tech, where James' son, Adam, was a player." The last time an ESPN/ABC announcer "ran for office was Lynn Swann, who ran for the governorship of Pennsylvania in 2006." Swann "didn't return to ESPN" after losing the election (USA TODAY, 12/20). James said that he was "running as a conservative outsider who has transformed himself from poor kid to successful businessman." James: "Washington is busted up, and I understand how the economy works because I have been concerned about continuing to provide jobs in this economy, not 10 years ago, not 15, not 20 years ago. I live in this economy, I get it.” The AP's Chris Tomlinson noted while James is "well known among college football fans, he is a political novice and polarizing figure." He was "embroiled in Texas Tech University‘s decision to fire football coach Mike Leach in 2009 and was a member of the record-setting Southern Methodist University football team in the early 1980s when the program entered a series of scandals that ultimately forced the NCAA to shut it down" (AP, 12/19). In Dallas, Terrence Stutz notes a "major asset for James is his recognition as an ESPN commentator and his reputation as a star athlete in high school, college and the NFL" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/20).
