Gary Danielson, one of CBS’ lead college football analyst, has announced 2025 will be his last season in the booth calling games for the network. Danielson, 73, has been a fixture in the 2:30 CT Saturday time slot, a majority of which covering the SEC before CBS transitioned to the Big 10 a year ago.
“I have had the greatest seat in the house for 36 years and have loved every minute of it,” said Danielson of his retirement decision. “I have discussed the timing of this moment with CBS Sports leadership over the past few years, and we felt it was important I remained with the team during our transition to the Big Ten. As we enter our second full season of Big Ten football and my 20th at CBS Sports, the timing just feels right.”
The news comes with a mixed response, with many sharing their sadness to see Danielson entering his final year in the booth, and some fanbases rejoicing because he didn’t fit their flavor. I had the pleasure to work alongside Danielson in my time with CBS before joining DRG Media Group, and he is as kind and as generous as college football fans could hope for him to be. Knowing my love for basketball, he gifted me a high-end indoor ball as a thank you, a ball I still use today. Danielson remained after his long-time partner, Verne Lundquist, retired in 2017 and Brad Nessler took over. Danielson will now hand the headset over to another great college football analyst, Charles Davis, after the 2025 season. Davis has been an emerging personality for nearly 20 years after his playing time as a running back for Tennessee.
“For the past two decades, Charles has been among the best analysts across the NFL and college football,” CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson said. “He’s well known to fans, from calling college football national championships to NFL playoff games to the voice of ‘Madden NFL.’ “We’re thrilled Charles will be returning to his roots — college football — and calling our top Big Ten game each week.”
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