One of ESPN’s longest tenured college football analysts has left for Fox Sports. In other news, the Rockets are courting ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy but not TNT’s Kenny Smith, and Fox Sports is parting ways with several communications executives.
ESPN’s Spielman Leaving For Fox Sports
- Longtime ESPN college football analyst Chris Spielman has joined Fox Sports, it was announced Tuesday, where he will serve as an NFL analyst and college football contributor. Spielman had been with ESPN since 2001, most recently working with Monday Night Football-bound Sean McDonough. Prior to joining ESPN, he served as an NFL studio analyst for Fox Sports Net from 1999-01. (Fox Sports)
ESPN’s Van Gundy in Running For Rockets Job, TNT’s Smith Out
- ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy is a contender for the Houston Rockets head coaching vacancy and “has received strong support” from the team’s general manager, according to ESPN.com. Van Gundy coached the Rockets from 2003-07, joining ESPN/ABC within days of his firing. In related news, TNT NBA analyst Kenny Smith is no longer in consideration for the job. (ESPN.com, Houston Chronicle)
Fox Sports Parting With Communications Execs
- Fox Sports is parting ways with five executives in its communications department, Sports Business Journal reported Monday, including company veterans Lou D’Ermilio, Dan Bell and Ileana Pena. D’Ermilio had been with Fox Sports since it formed in 1994, Bell since 1995, and Pena since 1998. (Sports Business Journal)
