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Verne Lundquist retirement leaves another big hole in the CFB booth

By Michael Collins

Aug 12, 2015; Sheboygan, WI, USA; CBS Sports personality Verne Lundquist does an interview at the CBS compound during a practice round for the 2015 PGA Championship golf tournament at Whistling Straits -The Straits Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Bursaw-Press-Gazette Media via USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2015; Sheboygan, WI, USA; CBS Sports personality Verne Lundquist does an interview at the CBS compound during a practice round for the 2015 PGA Championship golf tournament at Whistling Straits -The Straits Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Bursaw-Press-Gazette Media via USA TODAY Sports /
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Verne Lundquist is stepping down from the SEC on CBS college football broadcasts after this season, and fans will miss him more than they realize.

CBS Sports announced today that veteran play-by-play college football voice Verne Lundquist will be stepping down at the end of the 2016 season, making way for Brad Nessler to join Gary Danielson in the booth.

There are some voices that become symbiotic with a particular sport, and Lundquist has reached that level of association with college football after his 16 years with CBS and even going back as far as the 1970s with other networks.

While some may choose to poke fun at “Uncle Verne” because of the occasional forgetfulness or mispronunciation of names from time to time in his more recent years, most of us know the Verne who was (and still generally is) eloquent, exciting and as much a part of the game as anything there is on the field.

“Being a part of the SEC on CBS since 2000 has been the most significant assignment I’ve been given in my more than five decades in this business,” Lundquist said via CBS. “Now, it’s time to step back and take in the aroma of those tulips, those roses, and those daffodils that friends have been telling me about for years. In 2017, I’ll happily step aside from college football and welcome Brad to the booth.

“I’ve known Brad for more than 30 years and have always admired his work ethic and his on-air presence. He shares the same passion for college football that I do. The SEC on CBS is in great hands. Brad and Gary will form a great partnership in the years ahead.”

And he’s right. Nessler is a more than ample replacement. He has a deep football knowledge, a golden throat, and is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.

But he’s not Verne, and Verne will be missed no matter the good work put in by Nessler.

It was painful for my generation of college football fans when Keith Jackson stepped away from the microphone. Losing Tim Brando from his regular SEC duties was another tough one to swallow, and I imagine the loss of Verne Lundquist’s booming voice on Saturday afternoons will be no easier to deal with.

Next: Who Would Make The Best CFB Commissioner?

We’ll miss you Verne. Will miss your big smile, your hearty laugh, your passionate calls and even the chuckles you’ve managed to provide fans with some of your admitted miscalls. I think I speak for most fans when I say…

Can you convince Gary Danielson to retire with you?  Just checking.

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