SOUTH BEND —Mike Golic Sr. is back in the game.
Announced Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, as the new color analyst on Notre Dame football radio coverage this season, the former Irish and NFL defensive lineman this week made his long-awaited return to ESPN Radio via “The Golics,” a weekday talk show with son Mike Golic Jr., a former Notre Dame lineman.
The elder Golic, 63, replaces former Irish offensive lineman Ryan Harris, who stepped away after eight seasons in the radio booth to focus on his final semester of law school at the University of Colorado.
“Some places never leave your heart,” Golic Sr. said in a statement. “Notre Dame is one of those places for me.”
Golic, who will work alongside play-by-play voice Tony Simeone and studio host Johnny Soper, called the opportunity “humbling and exciting.” Golic has handled color analysis from the ESPN booth over the years at the college and pro levels.
“I am looking forward to every game,” Golic said, “and sharing the passion that makes Irish football unlike anything else.”
Besides Golic and Harris, Notre Dame has employed just two other full-time radio analysts over the past four decades.
Allen Pinkett, a record-setting Irish running back who teamed with Golic during the Gerry Faust years, handled analyst duties from 2001-2017.
Ara Parseghian’s former assistant coach Tom Pagna worked alongside play-by-play man Tony Roberts for 16 seasons (1985-2000).
This fall, Golic becomes just the fourth permanent radio analyst for Notre Dame in the past 42 seasons.
“We are thrilled to add a voice of Mike’s caliber to our radio broadcast team,” Jim Fraleigh, Notre Dame’s deputy athletic director for corporate relations, said in a statement. “As a former player, Mike brings a rare combination of broadcasting expertise and a genuine passion for Notre Dame and college football as a whole.”
The Golic Family Foundation has held the SubPar Classic for the past five years with proceeds benefiting a handful of charitable organizations in South Bend and surrounding areas.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football hires new radio analyst; it’s a Golic
Reporting by Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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By Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
