Since 1974 Billy Packer has been involved with the broadcasting of the NCAA Final Four. He did his first one with Curt Gowdy, but it was when the network paired him in the mid 1970’s with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire that the trio became one of the most entertaining in broadcasting history.
Packer, who for the last 27 years has served as the lead college basketball analyst, has stepped aside at CBS Sports. The new man in the chair next to Jim Nantz is Clark Kellogg, who has spent 11 years at CBS as a game analyst. But he is best known for his fine studio work. Clark and Nantz will join forces to do their first Final Four together in 2009.
I spoke to Packer from his home in Charlotte, N.C., about the decision for him to step down at CBS and his replacement.
Jim Williams » Did you and CBS leave on good terms?
Billy Packer » Absolutely. I went to them over a year ago and told them that after the 2007-2008 season I wanted to leave broadcasting to work on another major project dealing with college basketball. I did not want anyone to do a farewell tour for me I just wanted to leave on my own terms and the people at CBS were kind enough to honor my wishes.
JW » What about your replacement Clark Kellogg?
BP » He is a fine young man who has paid his dues and deserves a chance to be the number one analyst. I remember him as a player at Ohio State and how poised and professional he was at a young age. He will do a great job and he will be working with the best. Jim Nantz is one of the best in the business and I was so very lucky have him — both as a broadcasting partner, but even luckier to be able to call him my friend.
JW » So no more broadcasting on either CBS or the Raycom ACC Game of the Week?
BP » Nope that part of my career is over I had a great run and now it is time to move on. I will be involved in intercollegiate [sports] in a brand new way. It is a venture that I will be announcing soon and it will not allow me time to do any broadcasting. But I will be involved with basketball and that is my true love so it is a win-win for me and for CBS.
Kellogg comes in as a respected analyst and a breath of fresh air to a CBS telecast that needed an infusion of energy. That is something he can bring along with a great deal of knowledge of the game. Said Kellogg, “I’m excited, humbled and quite pleased to have this special opportunity and responsibility to serve as lead analyst for college basketball at CBS Sports.”
According to sources,former ESPN analyst Greg Anthony would likely replace Kellogg in studio with Greg Gumbel for the CBS College Basketball studio show.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on dcexaminer.com.
