SI.com's Gabriel Baumgaertner and Andy Staples as part of a roundtable discussed Brad Nessler taking over for Verne Lundquist for CBS SEC games next season. Baumgaertner said Nessler is "one of college football’s gems, but it’ll be really sad to see Verne go." Baumgaertner: "His avuncular presence and glottal calls of the SEC’s biggest moments have been central to my time as a college football fan. Nessler is a great replacement, but Verne’s departure will hurt." Staples called Nessler a "great choice," as his voice has that "gravitas that says 'this is a big game.'" Staples: "But it will be a markedly different vibe from Verne, who always made it sound like you were a guest in his house. Some people will have trouble adjusting, but the broadcast will be just as good in a different way" (SI.com, 8/28).
GOOD THING GOING: Audio streaming outfit TuneIn has extended its relationship with IMG, Learfield, Fox Sports and Sun Devil Media Network to bring live play-by-play and various shoulder programming from a total 146 universities. TuneIn’s college sports network is built through partnerships with Learfield (76 schools), IMG (61 schools), Fox Sports (five schools), Outfront Media (three schools), plus an independent agreement with Arizona State. As part of TuneIn’s partnership with IMG, there will also be a re-launch of the College Sports Now channel that will broadcast two IMG-produced original programs (TuneIn).
KEEPING IT IN HOUSE: In Raleigh, Andrew Carter noted former North Carolina football players William Henderson and Brian Simmons "will join play-by-play man Jones Angell in the Tar Heels’ radio booth this season." Henderson will "provide color commentary for eight of the 12 regular-season broadcasts," and Simmons will "serve in that role for the remaining four games." UNC also announced that former NFLer Jeff Saturday will "continue in his role as a pregame contributor." Saturday joined the UNC radio broadcast team last year (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 8/31).
RECRUITING DOWN UNDER: In San Jose, Jon Wilner noted the Pac-12 on Friday inked a multiyear deal with Fox Sports Australia, and the "distribution expansion into Australia through FS is "far more significant for men’s basketball than football." Exposure in Australia is "great for football programs in need of punters, but Australia doesn’t exactly produce a steady stream of 280-pound defensive tackles." However, the basketball talent in Australia "is significant," and the Pac-12 "needs basketball talent" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 8/29).
