Who's Next?

Attention turns to who will take the seat next to Gary Dolphin on Saturdays in the Kinnick Stadium Press Box. Des Moines Register.com has an on-line poll with who they believe are the favorites. They are: Marv Cook, Bob Elliott, Bill Happel, Chuck Hartlieb, Chuck Long, Lew Montgomery, and Matt Whitaker.

It is no doubt the most coveted job and it will come with high expectations in and out of the broadcast booth. What should be looked for? First they need to find the right fit in the booth. Not only will they need to know the X's and O's of football, but they must be able to have good chemistry with current play by play man, Gary Dolphin. Good chemistry can super cede the knowledge of the game. Too often radio partners know the game but don't make good radio. Cub fans witnessed that early this decade with the addition of Joe Carter to the booth with Chip Caray. Each knew the game but failed to find cohesion.

Second, they will most likely be local and be more than an analyst. The proper addition may be able to be the ambassador that Ed was and help the workload of Gary Dolphin. Dolph is found racking up more miles on Highway 151 than a state trooper to handle duties with radio and television shows as well as I-Club related duties. The new analyst may be called upon to lighten this workload and be more visible than Podolak was available for.

Finally the new analyst must be the anti-Podolak out of the booth. Socializing won't be out of the question for the new analyst but a new standard will be expected. The next guy won't be found at the hotel bar at closing time on every weekend.

The list the Des Moines Register listed should only be a partial list as there are many qualified ex-athletes available. Of the previous list, Bill Happel could be the best fit. Of those that were mentioned, Hartlieb, Long and Whitaker all have children at the age which they may not want to be gone twelve weeks in a row as well as take on the public speaking tour. Long and Elliott may be well-spoken but they need to be so in a reactionary role. They won't have time to form thoughts but must be able to comment immediately on what they see. I could see each having a future as a studio analyst, but it takes practice to formulate thoughts instantaneously and concisely.

Happel has had experience in radio and is local. The Cedar Rapids businessman has done stock reports for local radio stations and is well-received within 930 Stadium Drive. Obviously he is local and is still well-known to Hawkeye fans over the age of 30.

Another name that should be considered is former Hawkeye football analyst, Mike Reily. Reily worked with Ron Gonder in the 70s and 80s and was well-received by their eastern Iowa listeners. Reily currently lives in Dubuque and is good friends with Gary Dolphin. The chemistry would be there and Reily would do well as a public speaker.

This is the biggest hire for Learfield since naming Gary Dolphin prior to the 1997 season. Ed Podolak and current basketball analyst, Bob Hanson were employed by WHO of Des Moines and made the transition from Jim Zabel to Gary Dolphin. While this has been a sudden retirement, there is no rush to name someone new. They have until the first of April when the I-Club circuit begins. At this time they can usher him around the state of Iowa and introduce him to the fans, the same fans that will be looking to socialize with him as they did Podolak.