By George Eichorn
Jim Bradstatter and Dan Dierdorf spent 8 seasons together in the University of Michigan football broadcast booth. Together, they decided it was time to retire and make way for a new crew to call the games at the Big House in Ann Arbor this 2022 college pigskin season.
U-M did not have to look far for replacements – settling on Doug Karsh, who provided sideline reports and analysis, and Jon Jansen who has worked pre-game, halftime and post-game analysis. The two co-hosted the Tailgate Show for several recent seasons and their chemistry appears solid.
Jansen played offensive tackle for U-M during the 1997 National Championship season under Coach Lloyd Carr and spent 10 seasons in the NFL (nine with Washington and one with Detroit). Karsh is a lifelong Ann Arbor resident and has covered the Wolverines since 1994.
The Motor City flagship station WWJ-AM (950) heads up a large IMG/Michigan Radio Network and broadcasts are also on Armed Forces Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. We had a chance to ask Karsch about this huge career move for him. He is retaining his co-host role on WXYT-FM 97.1’s “Karsch & Anderson Show.”
Q. What was your reaction when you were told you will be the next U-M radio play-by-play broadcaster?
Karsch: “I was thrilled. As a kid growing up in Ann Arbor … just say I was blown away. And I take the responsibility very seriously. I will be prepared. And I won’t ever forget that the star of the broadcast is the Michigan football team. If there is a co-star it’s Jon Jansen. I am merely the narrating.”
Q. How did the U-M football sidelines and the Tailgate Show prepare you?
Karsch: “I’m so accustomed to the game day routine and flow that I think it will help my level of comfort. Additionally I have literally listened to every Michigan football radio broadcast for the last 16 years. So, I’ve heard a lot of different ways to call a play. The rhythm and cadence of a play-by-play call is kind of entrenched in my head.”
Q. How excited are you to have Jon Jansen as your analyst on the U-M Football broadcasts?
Karsch: “Jon and I have a very good work relationship. He’s such a ‘football-guy’ and a ‘man’s man’ and I’m pretty weeny by comparison. He works hard and knows his stuff. I am such a big fan of Jon and he’s such an important part of Michigan football history. Former players respect him. Fans like him. I’m very fortunate to have such a good partner.”
Q. What type of season are you expecting from U-M; coming off the National Championship semi-finals and reigning Big Ten champions?
Karsch: “I haven’t complete zeroed in on my preseason prediction yet. I’m leaning towards them having a shot at the Big Ten East title and a shot at the playoffs when they head to Columbus.”
Q. Who do you think should win the starting quarterback job this new season?
Karsch: “I’m in camp-Cade. But again, it’s an ongoing battle and JJ is such a talent … I think this battle will continue into the season.”
Q. Based on spring practice and summer (fall) camp, do you have any exciting players who fans should keep their eyes on as the season opens?
Karsch: “Eric All. He is 6-4 and 225 (pounds). I think Michigan’s tight end has All-American potential. He also surprised me after the Orange Bowl. There were rumors that he was a candidate to jump to the league. He was one of the players I interviewed right outside the locker room.
He said, “I want to start preparing for the 2022 season tomorrow.” He’s always been a talented blocker even as a true freshman and he overcame the dropsies his second season. Now he catches everything and we saw his elite TE speed on the game winning catch at Penn State. I think he’s going to have a GREAT year.”
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on Twitter.
