Brandy, Dierdorf to step down after 2021
Jim Branstatter just announced that he and Dan Dierdorf will step away after this season. Brandy isn't the best at play-by-play but I will still miss his voice on Saturdays. And I like Dierdorf's analysis.
I will guess it's Brian Bosch and Jon Jansen starting in 2022.
September 4th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
I just hope it's a decent professional crew that replaces them, and not some Hawk Harrelson slapdick cheerleading crew.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:19 PM ^
I think "slapdick" is a word that needs some more regular usage.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^
Well, I had no problem with Ufer’s homerism.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
I like Brandy and Dierdorff as Michigan men. As announcers, they were great offensive linemen.
September 4th, 2021 at 8:46 PM ^
Dan was a very good broadcaster that came out of retirement to work with a friend. And he sounds like a guy that came out of retirement to help a friend. Part of the play by play guy's job is to make the color guy look good but Jim doesn't have that ability, and is usually too busy trying to show his analytical skill to bother actually calling a play.
The dropoff from working with AL Michaels on PBP to Brandy is a bit steep
September 4th, 2021 at 9:05 PM ^
Brandy was a pretty good color guy. But, a lot of times, after his play-by-play call of a given play, you're left wondering what the hell happened.
September 5th, 2021 at 9:21 AM ^
I believe Brandy was an excellent color commentator. And just an awful play by play guy. Cringe worthy.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:51 PM ^
He gone
September 4th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
Snap, we need more posts about this. Let me call a guy
September 4th, 2021 at 1:04 PM ^
about time
September 4th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
I'll miss Brandy and Dan.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:36 PM ^
Always liked Brandy as a color guy, but I’m not going to miss his play by play.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
Who is Brian Bosch?
September 5th, 2021 at 3:42 AM ^
I think he played for the Tigers several years ago.
/s
September 4th, 2021 at 1:47 PM ^
Love Brandy for how much he loves Michigan, but he is an awful play-by-play man, and I can’t wait for someone better to take over.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
Love him as well, but he encroaches too much on his play by play and interrupts Deirdorf too often. I bet he’s the best grandad ever though.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
Love him as well, but he encroaches too much on his play by play and interrupts Deirdorf too often. I bet he’s the best grandad ever though.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^
Bring in Gibby and Jansen.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:51 PM ^
I'll miss Dan Dierdorf's analysis. Jon Jansen should be able to fill his shoes.
Thanks for your service guys and Go Blue always!
September 4th, 2021 at 3:07 PM ^
I'll miss Dierdorf big time. Imho, he is the best Michigan color analyst I have ever heard. A jewel of a broadcaster. Knows a lot about the game and explains himself and his passion for Michigan exceptionally well.
September 4th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
Agreed. If you look at his career, college to NFL HOF, he's forgotten more about football than any of us will ever know.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
Dan Miller is awesome. They should’ve gotten rid of Brandy and Dierdorf two years ago and asked Miller to do double duty with Michigan and the Lions.
Boesch is a definitive step down from Matt Shepherd on the basketball side. Shepherd was just great at calling hoops.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
I always thought Matt Shepherd would do a good job but too much on his plate now probably
September 4th, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
This is a positive development. All things must pass.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:49 PM ^
Brandy: “And the pass is ..: … .::: CAUGHT! By …: … … Ronnie Bell for a Michigan first down at the … …. 26 yard line!
September 4th, 2021 at 9:13 PM ^
I’m assuming it’s based or the victim blaming stuff, not people’s opinions if they’re good or not.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:20 PM ^
It’s been an odd several years listening to Brandi call Michigan games. Good gravy this is way overdue.
September 4th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
Hopefully Eminem is available for the play by play.
September 4th, 2021 at 11:46 PM ^
Brandy would call him Kid Rock during the transition.
September 5th, 2021 at 12:32 AM ^
Dan Dierdorf has had an amazing career, from college to NFL to MNF and back to Michigan. I assume at 73 he’s ready to retire. He will be missed.
September 5th, 2021 at 2:31 PM ^
A changing-of-the-guard that's long overdue, IMO.
I'm not going to pile on Brandy any further than what has already been done. We all know very well his PBP shortcomings. What I was hoping for, though, is obviously now never going to happen: a return to color commentary for Michigan or the Lions or both. Brandy is as good in that job as anyone and I have long enjoyed his thoughts there and as long-term host of Michigan Replay.
Dan Dierdorf is also appreciated but seems to have slipped a bit, quite possibly because of the PBP broadcasting of Brandy. I'd think it would be extremely difficult to do that job and develop any flow to any sports broadcast where the PBP struggles. That's why I'm so appreciative of what Dan Dickerson is able to do for the Tigers broadcast when paired with Jimbo Price, who is clearly struggling now in the booth at his advanced age.
Best of luck to both Brandy and Dan once they retire; I wish long and enjoyable times and good health to them both. But please, please choose wisely, Michigan, in finding their replacements. The legacies of Bob Ufer, Tom Hemingway, and Frank Beckmann stand huge and we need someone who measures up to their standards.