AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Alex Putterman noted Fox Sports has hired former ESPNer Howie Schwab as its "official bracketologist." Schwab will "appear on Fox studio shows to analyze who appears to be in and out of the NCAA Tournament." The role of Fox bracketologist was "previously held by Stewart Mandel," who is now with The Athletic. This will be "by far Schwab's highest profile gig since being laid off at ESPN" in '13 after "26 years as a researcher behind the scenes" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 11/7).
FREE TIME: SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy noted ESPN's Mike Greenberg will have "four or five months" between when "Mike & Mike" ends on Nov. 17 and when his new solo show will begin after a delay pushed its launch back. An ESPN spokesperson said it is "still being discussed" what Greenberg will do during that time. McCarthy wrote Greenberg could have "time to develop the format for his new show and finalize a cast that's expected to include three or four regulars such as Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose and Booger McFarland, as well as a rotating lineup of athletes, celebrities and ESPN talent." Meanwhile, Mike Golic's new show with Trey Wingo "debuts on Nov. 27" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 11/7).
YES MEN: In New Jersey, Pete Caldera notes YES Net's David Cone and John Flaherty have "each expressed interest in the Yankees’ managerial vacancy, willing to discuss leaving the relative safety of the YES broadcast booth for one of MLB’s hottest dugout seats." So far, neither former Yankee has been told he has made Yankees Senior VP & GM Brian Cashman’s "list of candidates." Cone "wouldn’t detail his conversation with Cashman about wanting to be considered for the job." However, Cone said, “He didn’t say no -- as of yet" (Bergen RECORD, 11/9).
STAYING HOME: In Pittsburgh, John Heller noted Pitt men's basketball radio analyst Dick Groat will travel for "only select road games and will be replaced in others" by Curtis Aiken. Groat is "still scheduled to be on the broadcasts for home games." Groat has been an analyst for the past 38 seasons and is the "second-longest tenured" D-I basketball radio analyst, "behind only" Dayton’s Bucky Bockhorn, who is entering his 46th season (POST-GAZETTE.com, 11/8).
NOTES: ESPN has signed author Mark Kriegel to a new multiyear deal. Kriegel will make his ESPN TV debut on Saturday. In addition to his on-air boxing analyst duties, Kriegel will do long-form storytelling, video and print essays on a wide array of subjects (ESPN)....The Athletic Bay Area named San Jose Mercury News Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly to the same position (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/8).
