Has anyone heard this will Jack Ham's last season?
- Thread starter Thus Spake Mainer
- Start date
I saw this, too,, possibly on a youtube video, but I can't confirm it.
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Maybe the travel is just catching up to him. He’s been such a great analyst. When I go to my brother’s house to watch road games, he always turns the TV sound down in favor of the radio broadcast.
my favorite PSU defensive player
and a genuinely nice guy
and a genuinely nice guy
A true Penn state legend and he will be missed on the radio calls. 
I always love his analysis.
without looking, jack has to be 75-ish? Retire and enjoy.
without looking, jack has to be 75-ish? Retire and enjoy.
Jack is 77 and is so deserving of retiring on his terms.
That said, PSU Football Inc needs to hire a new radio color commentator with the following attributes:
1) a good voice; someone easy on the ears
2) someone who doesn’t talk too much (e.g. John Smoltz and Ron Darling bloviate during MLB broadcasts) but interjects with insightful commentary in small doses.
3) someone who is knowledgeable about football, preferably PSU football
4) someone who can be periodically and objectively critical of PSU Football when necessary (e.g. George Paterno, Jack Ham)
Jack will be a hard person to follow.
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alright you do not need to beg......I will do it.
without a doubt!!!!!A true Penn state legend and he will be missed on the radio calls.
He and Steve are excellent. Maybe 2 of he best college game announcers I've heard and that includes the dopes at ESPN and Fox.
I used to listen to a lot of other home team announcers driving home from the games and they couldn't hold a candle to Steve and Jack.
He was in the same class as my sister so that would put him at 77.
How about Arrington? He's pretty good on his podcasts.Jack is 77 and is so deserving of retiring on his terms.
That said, PSU Football Inc needs to hire a new radio color commentator with the following attributes:
1) a good voice; someone easy on the ears
2) someone who doesn’t talk too much (e.g. John Smoltz and Ron Darling bloviate during MLB broadcasts) but interjects with insightful commentary in small doses.
3) someone who is knowledgeable about football, preferably PSU football
4) someone who can be periodically and objectively critical of PSU Football when necessary (e.g. George Paterno, Jack Ham)
Jack will be a hard person to follow.
Well, that is sad and if he doesn't change his mind then it's time to replace both of them and start fresh.
Ham is WAY better than MRob but MRob is a good call. Would he leave the NFL Network for radio though?
He could do Saturday games and still do the NFL on Sundays. He is also an NBC college football analyst.
Thats true assuming his other employers would agree to it. He'd definitely have to give up the NBC gig. That's a lot on someone though. Not everyone is crazy like Herbie and wants to work that much.
Definitely like the idea and hope they pursue him. I just don't know about radio being a path he'd want but only way to find out is to ask. Probably comes down to money.
I thought of him as well but would he leave both his NFL and College gig? Wonder how much PSU pays?
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I was wondering about Steve too. I am a big fan of him as an announcer. His traveling schedule must be insane.
I think Steve is a few years older than me and traveling is not easy. I know sometimes they drive to the events but when they fly do they fly with the team or do they have to make other arrangements?
If Steve Jones and Jack Ham step down, the chances that they can be replaced by an equal or better "team" are just about 0%. IMO
If they do step down, they will do so having had a hell of a run.
PSU and PSU fans have been very fortunate to have had a nice run of Radio announcers.
How involved would PSU ICA be in the selection/approval of a new team? IDK, but hopefully very little
If they do step down, they will do so having had a hell of a run.
PSU and PSU fans have been very fortunate to have had a nice run of Radio announcers.
How involved would PSU ICA be in the selection/approval of a new team? IDK, but hopefully very little
Jack is 77 and is so deserving of retiring on his terms.
That said, PSU Football Inc needs to hire a new radio color commentator with the following attributes:
1) a good voice; someone easy on the ears
2) someone who doesn’t talk too much (e.g. John Smoltz and Ron Darling bloviate during MLB broadcasts) but interjects with insightful commentary in small doses.
3) someone who is knowledgeable about football, preferably PSU football
4) someone who can be periodically and objectively critical of PSU Football when necessary (e.g. George Paterno, Jack Ham)
Jack will be a hard person to follow.
That is a very good list of nice to have attributes.
The 4th attribute is really important. In today’s world more and more media are resorting to appeasing the coach instead of objectively criticizing when appropriate. George Paterno was superb at making insightful and objective criticisms. The man had no fear.
Like any reputable institution or organization, succession planning has most likely already determined top candidates to fill the position.
Beth Mowins!!!Dean DeVore?
Fourth Dowwwwwwn!
Jack certainly isn't shy about being objectively critical. During a game in the early 2000s dark years, PSU was having more trouble than usual in moving the ball. The offense was absolute trash that day. As a fan, it was a very brutal game to watch. You could tell Jack was as frustrated as everyone else and at one point said, "This inept Penn State offense". He was 100% spot on but nowadays some people would be offended by such a blunt statement.
I wonder what he thought of Knowles and last years UCLA game?
He (Steve) talked about retiring (being polite) a couple of years ago but then later was asked to stay until Ham was ready to go so this may be his last year. At that time Ham said if Steve wasn't coming back, he wasn't either, as he didn't want to learn how to work with a new guy. The university just didn't want to lose a legend, so Steve is still here until. In my opinion It's time for some new blood.
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I know that Jones can be a PSU company man at times, but he’s an excellent play by play announcer, and he deserves combat pay for traveling all over the Midwest in the dead of winter to call PSU basketball games. The Jones-Ham tandem is as good as it gets.
The only Psu football announcers I knew were Fran and Steve. That must cover about 45+ years.
I wonder if Todd Blackledge would consider it?
As mentioned above, Lavar and MRob or the first two people that I thought of. besides being great representatives of the university, they come off as intelligent and well spoken commentators who give praise and critique the home team as needed.
Unfortunately, also was mentioned above, I don’t think either one would give up their current roles, which would obviously make much more money.
Unfortunately, also was mentioned above, I don’t think either one would give up their current roles, which would obviously make much more money.
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I wonder if Todd Blackledge would consider it?
Jay
Major demerits with that suggestion. All he would do is talk about himself and his father. No thanks.
I hate to say it, but I go back way further than that Fran Fisher and Stan Savran Bill Zimpher and George Paterno as the color for years. As a Kid I remember when Fran Fisher a local broadcaster DJ'd the Hops (dances) at the Burnham YMCA.The only Psu football announcers I knew were Fran and Steve. That must cover about 45+ years.
Huge pay cut but Todd isn't getting any younger either he may be tiring of the travel.I wonder if Todd Blackledge would consider it?