Bill Moos made some waves last week when we found out that Jim Walden was being replaced as the color analyst on the Cougar football radio broadcasts. As it turns out, that probably was a small ripple compared to the news that's coming this afternoon.
Moos is joining the Kevin Calabro show today at 3:30 p.m. to announce major changes to the broadcast. According to Cougfan.com, those alterations likely are going to include some sort of role change for longtime WSU broadcaster Bob Robertson, whose iconic status makes this a delicate situation for Moos.
In a move that makes complete and total sense, it appears play-by-play-man-in-waiting Bud Nameck finally will be making his way from the sidelines to the booth. What that entails, nobody seems to be sure of - if there's one thing we know, it's that Moos can keep a secret. But it would be surprising if Robertson was outright replaced at this point, unless that was Robertson's desire.
Since there's been no indication that BobRob feels that way, it's likely we're looking at some sort of three-man booth where Robertson and Nameck share the play-by-play duties in some fashion, with the 83-year-old Robertson eventually transitioning all the way out of the booth in the next year or two. It's possible they work together on each broadcast, but it's also possible that BobRob does some games, while Nameck does others, or that they alternate quarters. I suppose any arrangement is possible, but all indications are that it's going to be shared in some way.
As for who will join them? Cougfan is reporting that former receiver Shawn McWashington is the guy. While it's a bit out of left field, it actually makes a heck of a lot of sense. For one, McWashington can talk. And talk, and talk, and talk. McWashington was a member of the famed "Fab Five" on the 1997 Rose Bowl team, and as one who covered that team while in school, he unquestionably was the most quotable of any offensive player. He won't be folksy, but he'll certainly never be at a loss for words.
But an analyst's job is more than just talking (and hooting and hollering and cheering and complaining), and as a former receiver who played in a spread offense that really wasn't all that different than Mike Leach's Air Raid, McWashington ought to be able to offer some insight into what's unfolding on the field for the listener.
What do you all think? Satisfied with this arrangement? Since it doesn't seem like this is all BobRob's idea, do you think Robertson should be able to dictate when he steps down?
If you want to listen to the announcement, you can find it on ESPN 710-AM in the Seattle area or streaming live at mynorthwest.com.