• Man Down in the Press Box | Brandy Does Play-by-Play (1980)

      Last week we learned that the new radio broadcast team will be former U-M teammates Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf.  The big news is that Brandy is shifting over a seat to do the play-by-play, with DD handling the color commentary.  I confirmed with Doug Karsch that he will remain is his previous role handling the on-field duties.  I kinda hope Karsch would get the nod to be in the booth (in one role or another) but it’s hard to argue with the Brandy-DD team.  Heck, I didn’t even know Dierdorf was an option. You might know that Brandy stepped in to handle the radio play-by-play back in 2003 for the Northwestern game, but that’s not actually the first time he performed those duties during a Michigan football game.  It turns out that was way back in 1980…on TV.  Recently Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis shared with me the details of Brandstatter’s first shot calling the game: In 1980, Larry Adderley and Jim Brandstatter were all set to call the Michigan-Notre Dame football game from South Bend, Indiana for a local cable TV outlet.  Adderley, who had just finished 5 years as the host of Michigan Replay with coach Bo Schembechler, would unfortunately come down with laryngitis just before kickoff.  He made a valiant effort to do the play-by-play, but…

  • The Voice III – Michigan Football’s New Radio Man?

    As you know, the legendary Bob Ufer radio voice passed the broadcast torch to “Frankie” Beckmann back in 1981.    Beckmann won’t have that opportunity next season as IMG will select a new man to handle this role, a role that is and will be an integral part of the history of this place. One of the major off-the-field questions will concern who will fill the role.  The potential candidates: Doug Karsch – The longtime radio sideline guy and local radio host on WXYT also does work for #1000SSS.  FWIW he has an endorsement from Frank himself: Michigan has not revealed Beckmann’s successor. IMG Sports will make the hire, but Beckmann has a favorite — if he had a say. “I hope they give it to (Doug) Karsch,” Beckmann said of the local radio personality who is sideline reporter for the Michigan radio broadcasts. “He knows the game inside and out. He’s passionate about it. He knows Michigan so well. “I have no say in it. Nobody’s asked me, and that’s how it should be.” Matt Shepard – Shep has done a good job on the hoops radio play-by-play, pumps iron and hosts morning Detroit radio on WDFN.  I’m guessing is the odds-on favorite for the gig assuming he wants it and I assume Shep wants it.  Not helping his cause…