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View Full Version : Coach Tom Brennan let go at ESPN


gotham devil
06-30-2009, 01:20 PM
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2009-06-30/former-vermont-coach-let-go-espn

The Bristol, Conn.,-based cable sports network is trimming costs with layoffs and wage freezes.


Stuart Scott has got to go.
roywhite
06-30-2009, 01:57 PM
They're cutting back, and Digger Phelps still has a job?
hurleyfor3
06-30-2009, 02:55 PM
He wasn't schticky enough for espn... didn't do a good enough job of drawing attention to himself. Even the insightful guys have their trademark verbalisms ("oh-fense").
BlueDevilBaby
06-30-2009, 03:22 PM
Does that mean more airtime for Digger? Yuck.
YourLandlord
06-30-2009, 03:25 PM
Unfortunate. ESPN hired him because of his backstory -- hosting a radio show in Burlington, VT (while UVM head coach), calling opposing coaches early in the morning on the day of a game, etc.

In studio, he had his cheerful personality, but was more an x's and o's type analyst. Doug Gottleib would always try to get him riled up (I hate that clown). He was himself, and I don't think it was enough for ESPN.
moonpie23
06-30-2009, 03:53 PM
i'd like to vote Stephen A off the island. please ?????
dukerev
06-30-2009, 03:54 PM
I was (am?) indifferent about Brennan. Not a big fan of Digger or Gottlieb. And Stuart Scott - sheesh! But let us remember that the first word in the network's own title "ESPN" is Entertainment. First and foremost, that is what they are about. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. ESPN is all about making the business of athletics entertaining. A certain (high) degree of charisma and indeed, even schtick, is what gets these guys (and gals) on the air.
roywhite
06-30-2009, 04:04 PM
ESPN is all about making the business of athletics entertaining. A certain (high) degree of charisma and indeed, even schtick, is what gets these guys (and gals) on the air.

Even if that shtick got old about 5 years ago?...

See Chris "Cringe Inducing" Berman
Oriole Way
06-30-2009, 04:10 PM
i'd like to vote Stephen A off the island. please ?????

Wasn't he already removed from the NBA coverage (and perhaps from ESPN entirely)?
geraldsneighbor
06-30-2009, 05:40 PM
Wasn't he already removed from the NBA coverage (and perhaps from ESPN entirely)?

His contract expired in May.
Devilsfan
06-30-2009, 08:13 PM
What about that guy Bilas has carried all year, Herbert davis or something?
Maybe they could make a package deal of Gotlieb, Davis and Scott for say
three college interns? That would save them some bucks?
SmartDevil
07-01-2009, 03:02 AM
I'd find it delightful if loudmouthed and completely unfunny Chris Berman joined Stuart Scott on the last train out of Bristol.
weezie
07-01-2009, 08:12 AM
A certain (high) degree of charisma and indeed, even schtick, is what gets these guys (and gals) on the air.

Yep, Stuey, Digster and Dougie NotSoFresh certainly fill that requirement.;)
Cumae Sybl
07-01-2009, 10:49 AM
What about that guy Bilas has carried all year, Herbert davis or something?
Maybe they could make a package deal of Gotlieb, Davis and Scott for say
three college interns? That would save them some bucks?

This past Saturday Jay Bilas spoke to the NC State Bar Meeting's annual meeting, and he did a wonderful job. He told a lot of funny and insiteful stories about K, the ACC, and life in general.

He mentioned Hubert Davis repeatedly and had high praise for him. As do I. Hubert has a high degree of knowledge about the game, and he wasn't afraid to pull punches about any team, including UNC. Let's face it, there wasn't a whole lot to criticize about the Heels last year. Bilas obliquely mentioned this site, saying lots of Duke fans and sites gave him grief for being hard on the Devils, and mentioned that Davis caught that same grief from the Heels fans.

Bob Knight is the best commentator or analyst on TV right now, but Davis and Bilas are only a step below that.