Bob Uecker stories from Brewers radio partner Lane Grindle (USD grad, former Coyotes & Huskers announcer)
A week after the passing of 54-year Hall of Fame Brewers radio announcer — Bob Uecker one of the most beloved and celebrated American broadcasters, beer pitch men and comedic entertainers of our lives — one of his booth partners for the last nine seasons joins us to capture intimate Uecker essence and experience. Lane Grindle is a Hastings, Iowa, native and University of South Dakota graduate who started his sportscasting career as a daily radio sports talk host in Yankton and Coyote football and basketball broadcaster. He moved on to the Huskers radio network in Lincoln as a sports host and football sidelines commentator for the University of Nebraska. But it was as the Big Red's play-by-play baseball announcer for a decade that earned Grindle his call to the big leagues to work alongside Uecker in the Brewers booth starting in 2015. What was it like to meet and work alongside, to the end, one of the funniest and most talented play-by-play announcers ever, who was also the most famous person in Milwaukee and heaped with love and admiration everywhere he went? Stories of Uecker's humor, wisdom, advice, and calls, plus the American sports icons that would drop by the booth. Lane also shares his stories of another best friend and play-by-play man who battled cancer this past year — Greg Sharpe — the 17-year voice of Huskers football and baseball. Lane was called from the bullpen to fill in for Sharpe for Nebraska' final two football games, at Iowa and in New York for the Pinstripe Bowl.
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1:04:37
NLA: Zim & John on Jacks & Yotes new football HC's, programs, fan bases, State vs U hoops
Matt Zimmer's unique perspective on both Dan Jackson & Travis Johansen — both fan bases should be happy, but don't get too comfortable if your team continues to be a national title contender or winner. That's the reality of today's FCS. Plus, a word about the fan bases of SDSU and USD and, yes, the attendance at their games and the way their teams are covered by the media and Sioux Falls Live. Is it fair? Depends on how you define "fair." Why is Summit League hoops not as good as it once was? Why is it good in a different way now? We give an early assessment of both Jacks and Yotes men's and women's teams ahead of State vs U Saturday for both. NFL: Should the Ben Johnson hire in Chicago concern Vikings and Packers fans? Does Zim belief in an NFL conspiracy aiding the Chiefs? Why does he and so many hate them?
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56:01
Andre Fields on USD transition, FBS title (Big 10 reign?), NFL (Bears new HC, McCarthy-Vikings, conference championships)
The 13-year USD football game TV analyst and Coyote alumnus reacts to Bob Nielson's retirement and the immediate torch pass to six-year defensive coordinator Travis Johansen and what it means for the viability and stability of a Top 5 program. Plus, translating the timing of the two major announcements. Andre also weighs in on Aidan Bouman's return and what it means for USD in 2025. Then, the Chicago native and lifelong Michigan fan reacts to Monday's national championship win for Ohio State and the "amazing story" the Buckeyes authored, according to Ryan Day. With Michigan's title last year, is this the beginning of a transition of power in the FBS from the SEC to the Big Ten? We finish with the Bears fan's underwhelming reaction to the hiring of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Should Vikings, Packers, and Lions fans be afraid of the Johnson-Williams combo? Andre is also a Ravens fan. Whose fault was the loss in Buffalo? Will Lamar Jackson ever win a title? How should Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs be viewed at this moment in time?
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1:16:04
Tim Brando, pt. 2 - State of FBS (money, power, TV) & stories of Dicky V, Raftery, Verne, Al McGuire
You could make a case for 40-year national TV veteran Tim Brando on the Mount Rushmore of all-time college football TV announcers, along with Keith Jackson, Brent Musberger, and Verne Lundquist. The Louisiana native is still calling both college and NFL games on FOX, plus college. Before that, studio and play-by-play stints on ESPN and CBS for nearly 30 years. He's also been a prominent voice for college hoops and March Madness, and after dicing up the current state of CFB (NIL, portal, SEC losing dominance, ESPN's overbearing power), he regales with stories of working alongside colorful legends like Dick Vitale, Bill Raftery, and Al McGuire.
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1:26:06
Coyote Torch Pass: Bob Nielson, Travis Johansen, Jon Schemmel
On a historic day in which Bob Nielson held his "retirement" press conference, then his hand-picked successor (with authorization of A.D. Jon Schemmel) Travis Johansen was introduced to the media and Coyote masses in another press conference, John Gaskins and Nathan Swaffar start the show with their thoughts on both media events, plus their one-on-ones with Nielson, Johansen, and Schemmel. Then, we bring you the three one-on-one chats: Nielson dives deeper about his decision to retire, conversations and messages from past and current players once his retirement was made public, handling the transition to Travis Johansen during the "portal window," how the Coyotes blossomed into a Top 5 program the last two seasons, and his future plans. Johansen tells his side of the story of chatting about the "succession plan" over the summer with Schemmel, and how he was able to keep the USD roster in tact the last two weeks, knowing he was about to take the helm. He also talks about learning head coaching from Nielson and what he plans to make of the program with his own leadership. Schemmel gives more detail on the timeline of knowing Nielson did not want a new five-year contract, the succession plan, and why it was clear Johansen was the pick.
USA